Colchester Alderwoman Frances Welch said on Monday that she expects the city council to finalize the area that will benefit from homeowner rehabilitation grants next Monday.

Welch said a dozen citizens attended a public hearing last month that would help identify the best area of town to target with the grant.

Most of those citizens rallied for the north side of town. Welch said it’s likely that about eight homes there would be eligible for the home improvement grants if Colchester is approved.

The grant would come from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for the Community Development Assistance Program. It would disperse $4.3 million throughout Illinois to small towns that have been hit with economic challenges.

Each town accepted into the program would receive a chunk of money that would be dispersed to qualified homeowners for work that includes roofing,

plumbing, electrical, window replacement, siding, heating systems and insulation.

Welch wouldn’t speculate on Colchester’s chances of receiving the grant, but said she’s hopeful.

The application is due next April.

Also on Monday, Mayor Danny Bice advised members of the city’s Nuisance Committee to learn how to write and deliver tickets to homes that violate ordinances that target yard waste and property upkeep.

Welch said that in the last month, the committee has advised several properties to clean yard waste and those properties will receive tickets if there’s no compliance.

“I think the nuisance committee needs to be who writes the tickets,” Bice said. “That way we’re not paying a police officer to take off work to go to court (if a ticket isn’t paid).”

Bice said the tickets could be mailed or delivered directly to the properties.

Also, Alderman Catherine Louderman said  Colchester Fire Captain and Deputy Coroner Steve Carson is in possession of about 20 framed class photos from the now defunct Colchester High School.

Louderman said Carson asked if the city would like to display the photos in City Hall.

“There are a number of classes that do have class reunions here in this building, so it probably would be of interest to those classes and other residents of Colchester to be able to look at those pictures,” Louderman said.

The photos would be displayed in the Community Room.

Aldermen are expected to vote on the matter Monday.

Louderman also said on Monday that the city would be unable to be an official member sponsor of the McDonough County Special Recreation Association.

Last month, association representatives Nikki Gray and Rachel Lenz asked the council to enter the city into the program, which would provide activities for individuals with disabilities.

“The city cannot afford to give them financial support, but we did offer them the community room for special functions at no cost to them,” Louderman said. “They’re appreciative of that.”

During an executive session last month, the city hired Harry Green to replace the public works job vacated by Colchester Police Officer Robbie Phelps.

Louderman said that Green, who’s title is now “job coordinator,” has been working for the city for about a year.

He will log between 24 and 40 hours per week as needed.