WOODSTOCK – After several years of negotiations, the village council agreed on Monday to acquire the vacant lot at 106 W. Bennett St.

The roughly one-tenth-acre property, which is adjacent to the municipal building, is owned by village residents Steven and Harley Nott, who offered the village the chance to buy the lot.

Prior to voting on the measure during Monday’s meeting, council outlined reasons the property would be beneficial to the village, which included access to currently inaccessible village property, parking for village equipment and the land’s value as real property.

Also, Mayor Jackie Hayes said the village’s liability insurance carrier stated the underwriter has agreed to insure the property with a waiver for future environmental issues.

After discussing the benefits of acquiring the land, council passed a motion authorizing Hayes to act as signatory for the village to purchase the lot at a cost of $6,500.

In other business:

•By a 3-1 vote (council member Paul Zizzo voted no), council approved raising the monthly salary of council members by $15 a month to $55 a month. The pay raise won’t affect any current council members unless they are re-elected to a new term.

•Council was informed that plans to extend a natural gas line to the village are still in place, but there are concerns now with the natural gas supplier.

Village Administrator Bradley Herron stated he will contact Columbia Gas to determine its interest in providing services.

•Two additional street lights were recently installed on West Bennett Street near Woodstock Cemetery.

•The village is acquiring quotes for the removal of a large dead ash tree at Woodstock Ball Park.

•Residents were reminded that the countywide Beggars Night will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31.