ELBURN – Anthony J. Pero was sworn in Feb. 6 as a part-time police officer for the Elburn Police Department, but the candidate for the public works superintendent position to replace John Nevenhoven will have to wait another two weeks.

The recruiting and interviewing process has been ongoing during the last couple of months for Nevenhoven’s public works position subsequent to his appointment as village administrator. The backgrounds of 11 candidates were reviewed and the top three interviewed by Nevenhoven and Elburn Village President Dave Anderson. Both agreed the top candidate was Phillip W. Kotter.

However, four board members voted not to approve the candidate at the Feb. 6 village board meeting, based on their desire to see more information about his background, as well as some information about the other candidates. Trustees Bill Grabarek, Dave Gualdoni, Pat Schuberg and Jeff Walter cast the no votes and Trustees Ken Anderson and John Krukoff voted to approve the appointment.

Several board members emphasized that their unwillingness to approve the appointment had nothing to do with the candidate himself.

“This is not meant at all to reflect on the candidate whatsoever, but I would like to see a resume and have a chance to see more information on the other top candidates,” Grabarek said.

Nevenhoven said that the one-page executive summary of Kotter’s background was emailed to each of the trustees on the morning of Feb. 3.

“It is the village president’s responsibility [to appoint this position], Anderson said. “I take this job very seriously. Mr. Kotter was far and away the best candidate.”

Kotter has close to 20 years of progressively responsible experience in public works and general administration. His last position was two years as director of public works for the village of Roselle. According to Anderson, Kotter also has a master’s degree in public administration.

Schuberg said she would like come back to the vote at the next board meeting in two weeks after she and the other board members have received more information on the candidate’s background.

Walter reiterated that their hesitancy does not reflect negatively on the candidate or on the others involved in the process. He explained that the role of the board is to approve appointments the mayor makes, “with advice and consent,” and questioned how they can “advise” if they don’t have all the information.

Another factor to consider, said Grabarek, is that with the elections coming up, there will be a new village president in May since Anderson has decided not to run again. Grabarek said that when the new person steps into that role, he will have the opportunity to either approve or not approve the current staff positions, including the public works superintendent.

Kotter, who attended the Feb. 6 meeting, said that he was not uncomfortable taking the position, knowing that he would be under consideration again after the election.

“I would like to keep Kotter as the primary consideration for this position,” Grabarek said.

The board members agreed to come back in two weeks for another vote.