Will County Gazette

The Village of Plainfield recently made formal changes to its board of trustees, welcoming new members and saying goodbye to others.

“We have a lot of appointments, reappointment, new chairpeople,” Plainfield Mayor John Argoudelis said at the May 1 board meeting. “And it's again, an exciting time to have some new blood infused on different levels with new ideas.”

Plainfield native Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court Judge Dan Rippy administered the oaths of office to newest board members Richard Kiefer and Brian Wojoswki. Kiefer and Wojowski are taking over for Kevin Calkins and Harry Benton, whose terms ended in April when they chose not to run for re-election. Benton was chosen to serve as state representative for the 97th District and will be moving “on to much more important things,” as Argoudelis joked.

Margie Bonuchi, whose term expired last month, ran for re-election and will serve another four-year term after a successful re-election.

The village said farewell to three members of its commissions. John Renzi and Dan Seggebruch both served on the Plan Commission for several years with Renzi serving since 2005 and Seggebruch serving off and on between 2001-2009 and a permanent figure on the commission since 2009. Argoudelis thanked them for the “great period of time they've dedicated to the well-being of the Village of Plainfield.” The board also said goodbye to David Hagen who was retiring from the Historic Preservation Board. All three members received plaques in honor of their years of service to the community.

The board approved Rich Valerga, Karen Goins, and Patrick Nicholson for terms on the Plan Commission expiring April 30, 2026. Brian Minnis was named chairman of the Plan Commission until April 30, 2024. Jeff Cook was appointed to a two-year term on the Police Pension Board and Greg Chapman was appointed to the Fire & Police Commission for a term expiring April 30, 2026. Michael Bortel and Suzanne Derrick were appointed as chair and vice-chair, respectively, on the Historic Preservation Commission until April 20, 2024.