By Marisa Dawson
Above: Chief Andrew Hilscher and Assistant Chief Dan Stocker accept their service awards
Bennington city leaders opened their Monday night meeting by recognizing two long-serving members of the Bennington Police Department before moving through a full agenda that included development approvals, infrastructure projects, and positive annual reports from city departments.
Before the Jan. 12 meeting was called to order, Police Chief Andrew Hilscher and Assistant Chief Dan Stocker were honored for ten years of service to the City of Bennington. Both were presented plaques in recognition of their leadership and unwavering commitment to the community, drawing appreciation from council members and staff for their decade of service.
Development and funding approvals
Council members approved the consent agenda, which included the Dec. 8, 2025 meeting minutes, December bills paid, Keno receipts totaling $8,833.54, and multiple invoices from JEO Consulting related to engineering, road programs, bridge repair, and sanitary sewer improvements.
A revised final plat was also approved for Rainwood Square, a 27.85-acre development located at 10102 N. 156th Street in a highway commercial zoning district. City staff and the applicant explained the revision involved adjusting access for long-term use by moving a street to the north property line. An updated traffic study supported the change, though a traffic signal may be required in the future. The planning commission recommended approval.
The council approved a $5,000 Keno Funds donation to support the installation of a batter’s eye at Lynn R. Pruess Field for the Bennington Legion Baseball Team. American Legion Post 266 and Bennington Public Schools are already contributing to the project, with the Legion fundraising for the remaining balance through an upcomgin cornhole tournament and other efforts.
City sign and public works projects
Following presentations from Watchfire, the council approved a $23,000 bid for a new city sign using Watchfire technology through the local dealer, Sign Works, funded through Keno dollars. Watchfire is a leading sign manufacturer in the United States, and the system will allow cloud-based updates and remote diagnostics. City officials noted the current sign relies on a radio connection and requires on-site support. The city had budgeted $25,000 for the replacement, knowing this was going to be needed soon.
Several items related to the new Public Works Building were also approved, including Pay Application No. 8 to Darland Construction totaling $74,800.96 and Change Order No. 8 for $782 to address lighting in the mechanical room. City officials noted the fire marshal inspection has been completed, and part of the lighting cost will be credited back from JEO, as it was omitted from the original plan.
The council authorized bidding for a sanitary sewer lining projects on Allen, Stark, and Molley streets, with an estimated total cost of $256,760. Approximately $180,000 will be funded through the sewer fund, with the remaining $76,000 from the streets fund. Repairs are expected to take place between April 1 and Sept. 1 and will not impact Bennington Daze.
Bidding was also authorized for the Bennington Road bridge approach project, estimated at $205,000. The project will remove and replace both approach slabs and construct a new seat to accommodate soil settling. Work is expected to begin the Monday after Bennington Daze and be completed before school starts, though weather could cause brief overlap with the start of school. The project will require a full closure of Bennington Road at the bridge, with a detour likely routed through Kempton Creek.
Parks, boards, and reports
An update was provided on Phase 2 of Neumeyer Farm Park, with final design nearing completion. A required public notice will be issued regarding potential impacts to floodplains and wetlands.
Council members approved three-year reappointments to the Planning Commission for Anita Ortiz and Bob Zaruba.
The Bennington Public Library presented its annual report, highlighting strong growth across services. In 2025, the library recorded more than 47,000 visits, a 10 percent increase from 2024, and issued over 1,000 new library cards, an 8.9 percent increase. Partnership pass checkouts increased 70 percent, while eMagazine usage saw a 110 percent jump. More than 13,000 people attended library programs during the year. Upcoming events include a winter reading challenge, the popular PJ Tea Party, and a spring gardening seminar. Opera Omaha tickets are also available through the library.
The police report showed 308 calls for service in December, including 74 citations and two DUI arrests. Officers also responded to an incident in which a vehicle struck two poles at the baseball field before leaving the scene. For all of 2025, the department logged 2,635 calls for service and issued 659 citations.
In the public works report, the council authorized bidding for annual street patching locations. Staff also reported completing park cleanup and mulching, effective & efficient snow removal operations so far this season, replacement and addition of trees along Kempton Creek Drive by Lanoha Nursery, alley grading behind the Legion building, and repainting several crosswalks. Snow plows have been mounted and maintained, and preparations continue for moving into the new public works building once delays are resolved.
