Village Board of Trustees voted unanimously Monday to hire Manuel Romero as the village’s new deputy marshal

Romero, who appeared in person at the March 9 meeting, introduced himself to the board before the vote. 

Trustees approved his hiring without opposition. His start date is set for April 1.

After returning from executive session, trustees confirmed that no action had been taken behind closed doors beyond the personnel matter allowed under state law. They then moved to the public vote to hire Romero.

The vote followed a regular meeting in which Mayor Michael Thompson delivered updates on several ongoing projects, including delays to repairs on Ash Street due to a regional asphalt oil shortage. The village cannot purchase additional asphalt until the council approves expenditures over $5,000, pushing the earliest possible delivery at least two weeks out.

Thompson also reported the library deck project may require additional review because the building remains listed on the National Register of Historic Places. He said he is still awaiting a quote from a new contractor and has been following up regularly.

The board approved $914.28 in lodgers tax funds for the village’s annual advertisement in the Chieftain Source tourism magazine. Trustees also debated a construction quote for outdoor improvements at the Kids Science Café, ultimately approving the project with a cap of $42,000 to ensure compliance with grant limits.