The makeup of the Grantwood Village Board of Trustees remained unchanged after last week’s municipal election.

Current Trustees Bob Bess, Kevin Kelso and Mark Kienstra retained their seats against Steve Kohlberg, Doug McCormick and Terry Humes. Kelso received 202 votes, Kienstra received 201 and Bess received 197 to McCormick’s 190, Kohlberg’s 166 and Humes’ 178.

Villagers also adopted Proposition S with a 75-percent approval. Prop S institutes a sewer-lateral insurance program that charges residents up to $50 per year to establish a fund to assist in paying for sewer-lateral repairs.

Before the election, trustees voted to forego their monthly stipends to create seed money for the sewer lateral program.

Bess said the passage of Prop S is a “great step forward” for the village.

“We initiated that, put it all together and it’s going to be a great thing and the residents agree …,” Bess said.

Bess, the current building commissioner, also said his plan for the future of the village is to “continue on like we are” and “maybe try to get along a little better.”


“I don’t like the infighting (and the) noncooperation,” Bess said.

Board members have noted in meetings and to the media that there is a division on the board between Kienstra, Kelso and Bess and the newest trustees, Walter Rust and Will Larson.

Kienstra said he is “delighted” to serve Grantwood Village for another two years and looks forward to implementing the sewer lateral program and “continuing to build our financial reserves and improve our streets.”

Similarly, Kelso’s plans include keeping the village financially stable, making sure services “stay up at the highest level” and implementing Prop S. He said the passage of Prop S is a “wonderful thing” that potentially will save villagers thousands of dollars.

Kelso, the current treasurer, also hopes to “work for federal grants” to help the village.