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Sunshine and clouds mixed. High near 75F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph..

Mainly clear early, then a few clouds later on. Low around 50F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.

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The current Siren emergency siren will soon undergo a more than $10,000 upgrade.

Outgoing Police Chief Chris Sybers (right) received a plaque in honor of his 18 years of service to Siren.

The current Siren emergency siren will soon undergo a more than $10,000 upgrade.

Outgoing Police Chief Chris Sybers (right) received a plaque in honor of his 18 years of service to Siren.

After several meetings to discuss the issue of safety and whether it was going to quit working, the Siren emergency siren will undergo a more than $10,000 upgrade, so it is assured to work during a power outage, bad weather or more.

The Siren Village Board approved the upgrade and restoration of the transformer meant to provide warning, regardless of whether it is operating under AC or DC power.

The board was told the current set-up is overheating, and the DC charging system may catch fire under certain conditions, according to an engineer form the company hired to test and maintain the siren, who appeared remotely at the Thursday, Aug. 4 village board meeting.

The siren vulnerability was noted last month by Police Chief Chris Sybers, who reminded the board the apparatus was installed shortly after the 2001 F3 tornado, so it was not going to last much longer.

There was some speculation on why it had been overheating and might catch fire, and it may have come from a lightning strike, but it should work in the interim. 

“I don’t know that we have a choice but to replace it,” Village President Dave Alden said. 

“Face it, you’ve got to have a siren in Siren!” Trustee James Pearson joked, as the upgrade was approved.  

The siren is located in an alley, a half block off State Road 35, and they believe the tower and  siren/speaker apparatus is good for years of service. 

  - There was an official “changing of the guard” during the meeting, as it was the last day of service for outgoing Police Chief Chris Sybers, with new Chief Trevor Thiex assuming the duties the next day.  

Village president Dave Alden presented Chief Sybers with a plaque and tokens of his service.

“I’m honored to present this to Chief Sybers for his 18 years of service to the people of Siren,” Alden said. “We wish you the best, and as a family, we’re always here for you.”

New Chief Trevor Thiex also presented Sybers with a Medal of Valor and also had kind words for him, calling him a mentor and teacher. 

- The board approved donating their current Level 2 electric vehicle charger to another business in the village, such as motel or hotel, where it will be put to better use.

- Squirrels Unlimited donated $3,500 to the village recently, which they then donated on to the Siren Senior Center, to be used for new flooring and other improvements.

- Several pay requests were denied for groundwork in the industrial park, only because the cover grass they’ve planted has yet to take.

- There was some discussion on the village being involved in the ongoing questions of how to deal with the new County Jail/Public Safety Facility sanitary sewer system, which came in over twice the estimated price. The village will be part of the discussion with officials from the sanitary district and other units of government. There will be a joint meeting in the coming days to discuss their options.

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