The Village of Morton Grove recently honored one of its longest serving employees, who retired last month after 49 years of public service.
Andy DeMonte started his career in the village’s Public Works Department in 1969 and worked his way up the ladder throughout the years to eventually serve as director of public works from 2003 – 2019, village officials said.
He retired May 18.
Morton Grove mayor Dan DiMaria and village trustees recognized DeMonte for his service to the village by dedicating and renaming the 7900 block of Nagel Avenue in Morton Grove as “Andy DeMonte Drive.”
DiMaria presented DeMonte with the street sign that is named for him at the May 14 Village Board meeting. The village also declared May 18, 2018, as “Andy DeMonte Day” within Morton Grove.
At the May 14 meeting, DiMaria spoke to DeMonte’s work.
“The Village of Morton Grove would like to pay tribute and recognize Andy Demonte for his countless contributions to the village, its residents and its Public Works Department,” the mayor said.
DeMonte accepted the honors and reflected on his time working for the village.
“It’s been a wonderful 49 years, and I consider you not co-workers, not my bosses, I consider you all my friends,” he said.
DeMonte said he did not expect to be presented with the street sign or any of the other gestures, and he said he felt speechless upon receiving the honors.
DeMonte joined the Public Works Department on Sept. 23, 1969. DiMaria said he has served “with distinction throughout his illustrious career.”
DeMonte’s first assignment for the department was to work as a street sweeper-operator. He eventually moved to the water and sewer division, where he worked for several years in many roles, according to village officials.
Eventually, DeMonte became the superintendent of the pumping stations and later served as the head of the water and sewer divisions. He was later appointed as director of Public Works in 2003, village officals said.
“Each promotion and assignment brought increased challenges, responsibilities and duties, which Andy has met with poise and professionalism and commitment to the department as a whole,” DiMaria said.
Village Administrator Ralph Czerwinski also spoke to DeMonte’s career working for the village.
More Top Picks Best Dishwashers
“The residents have been well served by you being a part of its operational team in a myriad of capacities at Public Works, and for the last 15 years an integral part of the village’s management team,” Czerwinski wrote. “These professional accomplishments, while significant, were on top of your community involvement at special events and in community leadership and support capacities.”
Czerwinski also said many of the services provided by DeMonte and employees like him can be overlooked and underappreciated, but the Morton Grove community would not be what it is without his efforts.
“You leave a tremendous legacy at the Public Works Department, which you have fostered into a ‘can-do’ operation of employees, facilities and equipment that appropriately meet the needs of the community,” Czerwinski said.
Czerwinski called DeMonte a “truly unique and remarkable individual” who can manage people, work in a technical environment and communicate effectively to reach consensus on nearly any topic.
“The Village will truly miss your expertise and incredible capacity to get things done. I’m confident you will enjoy your well-deserved retirement and that you will make very good use of the time you can now spend with your family who have supported you and loaned you to us for these productive 49 years of service,” Czerwinski said.