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Arlington Heights honors outgoing trustees and long‑serving mayor at final board meeting
Summary
The Village Board recognized Trustees Nicole Grassi (4 years) and Richard Baldino (8 years) on their last full meeting and presented a formal proclamation and gifts to Mayor Thomas W. Hayes for 34 years of service (12 as mayor). Staff and community members offered tributes and small tokens of appreciation.
The Arlington Heights Village Board spent a large portion of the meeting recognizing outgoing trustees Nicole Grassi and Richard Baldino and presenting gifts and proclamations to Mayor Thomas W. Hayes, who is leaving office after 34 years of public service, including 12 years as mayor.
Mayor Hayes read proclamations honoring Trustee Grassi for four years of service, noting her election to the Illinois House of Representatives, and Trustee Baldino for eight years, noting his work on infrastructure, renewable energy contracts and affordable housing. Trustee Grassi addressed the board and audience, calling service “one of the greatest things I’ve done in my life” and thanking colleagues and residents. Trustee Baldino reflected on being persuaded to run and said the hardest part of service was ‘‘saying no’’ to constituents; he thanked staff, fellow trustees and family.
Staff and officials presented Mayor Hayes with a series of tokens from departments and commissions: a village flag, a commemorative gavel, former oath cards, a shadow box and challenge coin from the fire department, department gifts from human resources, planning, health and human services, finance, police, building and life safety and public works, and a plaque assembled with local makers. Fire Chief Lance Harris noted personnel changes across Hayes’ tenure and presented a shadow box; Police Chief Nick Pacora presented a department plaque.
Community members and former trustees spoke in tribute. Tom Stengren presented a personal gift; Bill Dixon and other longtime colleagues offered remarks about Hayes’ leadership, media presence and dedication. In his remarks, Mayor Hayes reflected on the board’s nonpartisan tradition, his time running the Boston Marathon, milestones such as downtown redevelopment and responding to the COVID‑19 pandemic, and thanked his family and staff.
The board then moved on to business items. No formal board action was required for the tributes; remarks and presentations were ceremonial.
