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Franklin Park trustees approve consent agenda, later clear revised voucher list; new police officer sworn in
Summary
At its May 18 meeting the Franklin Park Board of Trustees approved a multi-item consent agenda (excluding the voucher list), later approved a separate voucher expenditure of $3,042,274.14, swore in a new police officer and heard a resident raise concerns about Fire Department pay.
The Board of Trustees of the Village of Franklin Park on May 18 approved a multi-item consent agenda and, after separate consideration, approved a revised voucher expenditure list totaling $3,042,274.14.
Village President Barrett F. Pedersen opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m.; Village Deputy Clerk Sarah Guevarra called the roll and declared a quorum present. The board swore in Dominick Marrazzo as Police Officer II and announced appointments of auxiliary officers Carl Cacioppo, Andres Rosiles and Jonathan Sanchez for the May 1, 2026–April 30, 2027 term.
During public comment, resident Kim Stewart asked the board to address pay rates for the Fire Department, specifically noting that a recent ordinance excluded the Fire Chief and battalion chiefs from raises; the transcript records the concern but does not show a board response or follow-up action at the meeting.
Trustee John Johnson, chair of the Finance and Special Events Committee, announced the village’s Memorial Day observance (May 25 at 11 a.m. at the veterans monument) and the Franklin Park Fest dates (June 11–14). Trustee Irene Avitia (Water and Sewer chair) reported operational updates including two lead service replacements, scheduling lead sampling for about 60 residents from September through December, and a June 2 shut-off list containing 42 residents. Avitia also reported the utilities crews removed graffiti in six locations and that a 42‑year‑old generator at the King Street pump station (originally built in 1984) will be replaced.
The consent agenda listed multiple ordinances, zoning approvals and professional-service agreements, among them: a joint funding agreement for the Franklin Avenue reconstruction project (Section 17-00083-02-PV); several parking and stop-sign code amendments; an engineering services agreement with SMITH LASALLE, INCORPORATED for May 1, 2026–April 30, 2027; amendment No. 4 to the Belmont Avenue commuter station development agreement; and a transfer of a Class C liquor license to ABN Pantry, LLC (9735 Franklin Ave). Trustee John Johnson moved to approve the consent agenda but asked that item 2 (the voucher expenditure list) be removed for separate consideration; Trustee Andres Ybarra seconded the motion, which passed on a roll-call vote with six ayes.
Later in the meeting Trustee Gilbert Hagerstrom moved and Trustee Andres Ybarra seconded approval of the voucher expenditure list in the revised amount of $3,042,274.14. The roll call yielded five ayes (Trustees Karen Special, William Ruhl, Andres Ybarra, Irene Avitia and Gilbert Hagerstrom) and one abstention (Trustee John Johnson); the motion carried.
Other operational details reported to the board included building-department activity (124 building permits applied for and 149 total permits across multiple categories), attendance by village staff at regional watershed-management discussions, and a report that the Police Department’s 2025 year-in-review is available on the village website. Village President Barrett F. Pedersen publicly thanked Fire Chief Mark Stewart for his 30 years of service to the village.
The board entered closed session to discuss matters including real property, litigation, personnel and security, and adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Votes at a glance: The consent agenda (multiple ordinances, agreements and zoning approvals) was approved on a combined roll-call vote after Trustee Johnson moved to remove the voucher list for separate consideration. The voucher expenditure list ultimately passed on a second roll call: yes — Karen Special, William Ruhl, Andres Ybarra, Irene Avitia, Gilbert Hagerstrom; abstain — John Johnson. The consent-agenda motion had been moved by John Johnson and seconded by Andres Ybarra; the voucher motion was moved by Gilbert Hagerstrom and seconded by Andres Ybarra.
What’s next: The board’s review included items requiring follow-up (lead sampling scheduling and replacement of the King Street pump-station generator). Several consent-agenda items were approved under omnibus vote; any of those items may return for future consideration if requested.
