Trustees set interview process and deadline to fill vacant trustee seat

The Village Board set a standardized process for interviewing candidates to fill a vacant trustee seat ahead of a May 19 meeting: applications will be accepted through May 14 at 5 p.m.; trustees will submit up to two questions (primary and backup) to the clerk by noon on May 14; and all candidates will be asked a standard set of six questions during the May 19 interviews with an option for a brief additional follow‑up.

Village leadership said the process change is intended to make interviews more efficient and fair, avoid duplicative questioning and keep the meeting from running late. Board members discussed alternatives, including written responses from candidates, but expressed concern that written answers could be incomplete; the board generally agreed the six‑question panel approach with limited additional on‑the‑spot follow‑ups balanced efficiency and spontaneity.

Voting process discussed: Trustees reviewed the voting approach used during the prior appointment (where members indicated who they would support to determine who would get the first motion) and said they would follow a similar approach to ensure each candidate has an equal chance. The board did not adopt an ordinance or formal rule change; instead, members indicated consensus on the interview procedure to be used at the May 19 meeting.

Next steps: Staff will publish the application deadline and instructions; trustees will provide their questions to the clerk by the noon May 14 deadline; candidates will be interviewed at the May 19 meeting under the agreed format.