BENTON. – Benton officials are clearing the way, literally, for the new Library, Museum, and Community Center project on Main Street. During its regular meeting on March 15, the Benton Village Board unanimously approved a resolution declaring the current property to be blighted and authorizing the village’s Community Development Authority (CDA) to acquire and assist in the redevelopment of the property. Trustees, Cal Robbins and Chuck Wartner, were absent from the meeting.

The former Swindler's Ridge Museum currently sits on the future site of the Library, Museum and Community Center. Following future action from the CDA, the museum building will be razed to make room for the new project. “It’s pretty straight forward,” said Scott Kruse, interim village board president.

• In other business, the

board:

• Approved an operator license for Laura O’Brien.

• Was presented with a stray dog police from Lafayette County. • Approved a change to the village’s capitalization policy, from $2,000 to $5,000 dealing with assets that need to be depreciated.

• Discussed the need for summer employment this year for the village’s general maintenance department. Kruse noted there is money allocated in the village’s budget and there seemed to be board consensus to spend the budgeted amount on summer employment this year.