Westchester’s new manager plans update of comprehensive plan

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Updated: April 2, 2012 1:55AM

The Westchester Village Board appointed a new village manager Jan. 24, naming Janet Matthys to the position.

Village President Sam Pulia welcomed Matthys, who has been interim village manager since Stan Urban left the position last fall.

“You were hired in July as the finance director,” Pulia said. “I know you have taken that challenge very well and supplied the necessary data and financial stuff to the best of your ability. On behalf of myself and the board that’s been with you since July, welcome aboard and hopefully it will be a long tenure.”

In her first official report, Matthys thanked Pulia and the board for their confidence in her and then discussed the positive changes she sees coming.

“I think we’ve been doing a lot in the last few months to move things forward in the village,” said Matthys. “(We’re) making positive changes through efforts with the municipal aggregation referendum that’s coming and our nonhome-rule sales tax referendum that we have coming up to try and raise funding to improve our roads. We put a lot of things on the plate; we’re looking on improving the overall quality of life here in the village.”

Already in her time as interim village manager, Matthys has presented the board with the 2011 tax levy information, which called for levying property taxes to provide community services for residents, has helped the village pursue looking at a TIF district near Cermak Avenue and the St. Joseph’s property, and advocated a nonhome-rule sales tax to fund road improvements.

Matthys also invited residents to a meeting from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Feb. 2 to brainstorm what should go into the village’s comprehensive plan, which is being updated. The plan will guide land use, transportation development and other important quality of life decisions for decades to come.

Trustee Nick Steker said because Urban’s leaving was discussed in executive session, he could not comment on the matter. Following an executive session July 5, Urban took a leave of absence until mid August. Not too long after, Matthys assumed the role as interim village manager and Urban was gone.

The executive session July 5 was held during a specially called meeting regarding the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the village, including hearing testimony on a complaint of an employee to determine its validity.