The Oswego Village Board will meet in special session Wednesday evening to consider Village President Ryan Kauffman’s recommendation to fill a vacant spot on the board.
The vacancy was created when newly-elected Trustee Luis Perez resigned from the board recently to accept an out-of-state job.
Trustees will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday to consider the appointment of longtime Oswego resident Karen Novy to fill the seat on the Village Board.
If appointed, Novy would serve through the next election in 2025.
Novy previously served as chief of staff from 2016 to 2019 for state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego.
Kauffman announced at the June 27 board meeting that his recommendation was Novy. Apparently trustees were not in consensus with Kauffman’s first nominee Thomas Collins to fill the vacancy on the board.
Rather than vote on Kauffman’s recommendation, some members of the board preferred to wait in order to give residents time to give their input.
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“This has been an extremely rigorous, open and transparent process,” Kauffman told trustees.
Kauffman said he interviewed “many wonderful residents of the community” and subsequently shared the list of candidates interested in serving with trustees. Kauffman thanked those that did apply for the vacancy.
“One of the wonderful things about this community is that we have so many incredible people willing to step into public service,” Kauffman said.
The process included seeking input from members of the board, he said.
“I was hoping there would be a consensus candidate. Unfortunately there was not,” Kauffman said.
Kauffman said trustees interviewed the top two nominees and he considered their feedback in his selection of Novy.
Novy has children who attend school in Oswego-based School District 308. Kauffman praised her community volunteerism. She is co-founder of Kiwanis Oswego and involved in the League of Women Voters, Kauffman said. She previously served on the Oswego Planning and Zoning Commission from 2019 to 2021.
“She has an enormous amount of experience, knowledge and capability I believe to be an excellent trustee,” Kauffman said.
Trustee Jennifer Jones Sinnot suggested the board delay the vote.
“Obviously this was just brought to our attention of who you were going to appoint and yes we did have an opportunity to interview the two candidates so I appreciate that,” Jones Sinnot said.
Jones Sinnot suggested the vote be delayed and that a special meeting be held to give community members time to give their input.
“I feel there could be a special board meeting. I do feel the sense of urgency to fill the position. As trustees we have the ability to make the determination and get the feedback,” Jones Sinnot said.
Trustee Andrew Torres said he thought it would be a “disservice” to the community not to fill the vacancy as soon as possible.
“It’s imperative that we have someone appointed to the board,” Torres said.
Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.