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NILES — Floats, vehicles and more will parade down Main Street later this month in honor of the men and women who had given their lives in service to the country.

The Memorial Day Parade, hosted by the American Legion Larue Messenger Post 26, had its permit application approved 7-1 by the Niles City Council on Monday. Councilmember Michael Thompson was the dissenting voter.

The proposed route is N. Second St. to north on Sycamore St., south on 3rd St., then east on Main St. to Oak, east on Oak to East Main, and south on East Main to Silverbrook Cemetery. Staging will begin on Second St. at approximately 8 a.m. Monday, May 26 with the event beginning at approximately 11 a.m.

The city street department will provide barricades and the police department will provide police support along detour routes and where street closures occur. The total approximate cost is $835. Thompson voted against the parade request because he does not believe the city should contribute funds toward events.

In other business, the council approved listing agreements with Southwest Real Estate for the sale of property at 440 Pucker St and two adjacent parcels of land .

The city acquired 440 Pucker Street and adjacent vacant properties in 2021 to facilitate the Pucker Street Dam removal project. With the project’s completion, there is no longer a need to retain the properties. Southwest Real Estate was chosen as the listing broker since their commission is competitive and they also hold in person and on-line auctions should the listing not produce a viable offer. The initial listing for 440 Pucker Street will be for $450,000 with the vacant 21.2 acres and vacant 15 acres listed for $11,000 per acre.

In further business, council:

• Adopted a resolution authorizing Finance Director Kenneth Elkins to open accounts and initiate financial transactions on behalf of the City of Niles.
• Approved the quote from SHI International Corp. of Somerset, New Jersey for a three year contract for computer security software in the amount of $108,146.88, to be paid in three annual payments and charged equally to the General Fund and Utility Department budgets.