Village Manager Vote Set for Tonight

As expected, the agenda for tonight’s Village Board meeting contains a discussion and a possible vote on the continued employment of Village Manager Anne Marie Gaura.

Several trustees confirmed that the item would be on Monday’s agenda, at the request of Trustee Andy Kaczmarek, and a majority of the board is expected to vote to terminate Gaura’s contract. No formal reasons have been given, and in fact Gaura’s contract forbids any public statement regarding any suspension or termination, unless she and the board formulate it together.

That same provision may preclude public discussion of the issue as well. On the agenda, the vote follows a closed executive session "to discuss employment of an employee."

“The short answer is, the majority of the board is not sufficiently impressed enough with Anne to continue her service,” said Trustee Stan Bond last week. Kaczmarek was more forthcoming, saying she “makes too much money for what she does.” Gaura’s current salary is $147,940.

Gaura has been with the village for 12 years. Her current contract expires in May of 2013. Her last contract renewal, in 2009, split the board, and Village President Marilyn Michelini cast the tie-breaking vote in favor.

Gaura's contract allows for the board to terminate her at any time. Should the board take that route, the contract requires the village to pay her 10 months’ salary and benefits as severance, as well as any accrued sick, vacation, leave, holiday and compensatory time.

The contract also requires the 10-month severance if the board chooses not to renew once Gaura has served her full term.

Trustees have not yet announced a plan to replace Gaura, should they choose to do so. For more information, read from last week.

Tonight’s meeting begins at 7 p.m., and is free and open to the public.