Board Meeting: Bednarz Honored, Kenny Sworn In as Fire Chief

Western Springs Fire Chief (technically, “Director of Fire and EMS Services”) Patrick Kenny received an official public swearing-in at Monday night’s board meeting, while outgoing chief Tony Bednarz was honored with a plaque and gifts celebrating his five years of service to the Village.

Village President Bill Rodeghier joked that it was a unique formal changing of the guard to take place under a full moon, before more seriously praising Bednarz’s term as Fire Chief from March 2007 through December 2011, when he retired from service.

“You’ve had a long and distinguished career in the Fire Service,” Rodeghier said. “We were privileged to have you here for your last years.”

“Thank you for all your support,” Bednarz replied. “Really who I need to thank are these men and women of the Western Springs Department of Fire and Rescue… We have one of the greatest fire departments around here, and I’m going to miss you all.”

Immediately following the ceremony, Kenny was officially sworn in before the Board (by Village Clerk Jeanine Jasica) to serve as Bednarz’s successor.

“I would like to say how much I appreciate this vote of confidence,” Kenny said, adding thanks for the multitudes of Fire Department personnel who came to the meeting, and adding that their dedication along with his family’s support helped change his original conviction not to return to being a fire chief.

“I will give you my absolute best.”

Updates on current projects

The relatively brief meeting featured updates on two ongoing Village projects: the $8.3 million transition to a reverse-osmosis filtration plant and a drive to recruit new paid-on-call firefighters to the Fire Department.

Trustee Suzanne Glowiak told the Board that the reverse-osmosis transition, the most expensive project in Village history, is on-budget and on-schedule with no major problems, and that construction form Joseph J. Henderson & Son Inc. has been providing regular updates on progress.

“It is coming along,” added Village Manager Patrick Higgins, who recently toured the construction site. “The messy part of the job, I think, is nearing an end… A lot of the demolition is pretty much completed. It’s moving along and it’s right on schedule.”

Glowiak also expressed excitement with the quantity and quality of recruits for paid-on-call positions with the Fire Department; Kenny told the board that about 40 applicants had been parsed down to 18 recruits, who will finish general training by the end of May and then begin Village-specific training.

“We got quite an enthusiastic response,” Glowiak said. “We’re delighted; most of them are residents, and they’re really excited, really great volunteers.”

Additionally, Trustee James Horvath noted that the Village will be obligated to issue $3.25 million in general-obligation bonds by the end of the month as the second tranche of a $6.5 million agreement made by the Board in 2009. Horvath also stated assurance that the Village’s credit ratings are extremely strong.

At the end of the meeting, the Board exercised its right to recess into private executive session “for the purpose of discussing current litigation.”