In a special Village Board meeting on Monday night, trustees did not take long to offer the interim village manager position to Terrance L. Burghard.

"Terry, you're in," Village President Mark Pfefferman told Burghard.

Burghard replied that he was looking forward to working with the community.

Shortly after opening Monday night's Village Board meeting, the trustees voted to move to a closed executive session. The board retired for about 45 minutes, at one point calling Burghard into the executive session, just before returning. After returning to open session, Burghard was unanimously voted into the position, although Pfefferman did say that the village attorney would need to review one provision of the contract.

Pfefferman said that the board would make an official announcement at its next regularly scheduled board meeting on Jan. 10.

Burghard has recently worked in the private sector for consulting and development industries and has previously served in Homewood, Mount Prospect and as village administrator in Plainfield.

"We are very excited about the prospect of Terry joining our board," Pfefferman said.

Burghard's independent contractor agreement will keep him on as village manager for a six-month period, allowing 30 days written notice of the contract being terminated. The contract specifies that Burghard work an average of 30 hours per week and will be paid $68.99 per hour worked.

Since Steve Jones left the position at the end of December, Matt Pekarek, recreation director at the Village Links golf course, has been filling in as village manager. He will continue in the position through the week as Burghard transitions into the position. The Village Board offered their thanks to Pekarek for stepping up and fulfilling the role in Jones' absence. 

"In the immediate future I'll be learning people's names and getting to know my way around," Burghard said.