La Grange trustees unanimously approve fire chief, sewer contract and zoning variance

President Kukler and the La Grange Board of Trustees unanimously approved several routine and personnel items at their June 26 meeting, including the appointment of a new fire chief and contracts for infrastructure work.

The board voted to appoint Steven Norvelis as the village’s new fire chief. President Kukler introduced Norvelis’ background — nearly 30 years in the fire service, four years as chief and five as deputy chief at the Pleasant View Fire Protection District, a fire officer designation and a bachelor’s degree in fire service management from Southern Illinois University — and said the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association identified him as the top candidate. Trustee Gale moved the appointment and Trustee O’Brien seconded; after a roll-call vote the motion passed unanimously and Kukler administered the oath of office.

Why it matters: the village cited Norvelis’ administrative and budget experience as relevant to leading the department and overseeing training, fleet and policy.

The board also approved a resolution awarding the 2023 Combined Sewer System Rehabilitation Project to Suburban General Construction. Trustee Augustine summarized the bid results and told the board Baxter & Woodman had reviewed the bids and recommended the low bidder. The three bids read at the June solicitation were Suburban General ($611,711), Benchmark Construction ($678,000) and National Power (about $1.2 million). Trustee Augustine said construction is expected to begin in July and finish by November 2023. The resolution passed on a unanimous roll-call vote.

In land-use business, the board approved an ordinance granting two zoning variations at 124 South Wylla Avenue to allow a detached garage, a patio and a reconfigured driveway. Trustee Gale said the Zoning Board of Appeals held a public hearing on June 15 and found the proposed changes would reduce the property’s existing lot coverage (from about 55.94% to 51.47%) and would not harm neighborhood character; the motion passed unanimously.

Other votes: the consent agenda — which included a village fee schedule amendment to reflect a pass-through water rate increase, authorization to purchase a 2023 Ford Police Interceptor (not to exceed $40,457), approval of minutes and consolidated voucher 230626 — was moved by Trustee Gail, seconded by Trustee McGee and approved by roll call with Trustee Peterson absent.

What’s next: the board said construction on the sewer rehabilitation project would start this summer and that Chief Norvelis begins service following the oath; no further action on the zoning matter was recorded. The board adjourned into closed session later in the evening under sections 2(c)(5) and 2(c)(21) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act.