Village Says Goodbye to Two Trustees, Hello to New Clerk

Monday night, the said farewell to two longtime trustees, and welcomed the new village clerk.

Trustees Jeanne Felten and Robert Watermann lost their re-election bids on April 5 and Monday was the last Village Board meeting for both of them, although Watermann did not attend. Village President Marilyn Michelini presented a plaque to Felten to thank her for her years of service.

Felten was first elected in 2003, and served two terms on the board. A Montgomery resident for 41 years, she was a prime mover in the village’s beautification committee.

Watermann, chief of the Aurora Township Fire Department, served as trustee from 2001 to 2004, and then from 2006 onward. In between terms, he served as village clerk. Watermann was on the finance committee until 2004 and the development committee from 2006 until this year.

Trustees also unanimously approved the nomination of Carla Cooper for the position of village clerk. Cooper will take over for Barbara Argo, who resigned her post as of the end of February. Deputy Clerk Helen Prester has handled the clerk’s duties since then.

Cooper has lived in Montgomery for eight years. She has worked in journalism (at local TV stations), marketing and logistics. She said she applied for the clerk’s position to learn more about what’s happening in her community.

Village President Marilyn Michelini put out the call for potential clerks in mid-February, and set a deadline of March 11. She said received 10 applications and interviewed all 10 candidates.

Although Watermann’s name had been mentioned as a possible clerk, since he’d held the position before, Michelini said he did not formally apply. Watermann, however, did verbally express his interest, Michelini said.

The clerk’s job includes attending all village meetings, taking notes, and transcribing the minutes. Cooper will take her seat at the May 9 Village Board meeting, along with newly elected trustees Stan Bond and Matt Brolley.

She will serve the remainder of Argo's term, which expires in April 2013. After that she will need to run for election.

“I’m excited for the opportunity and I’m looking forward to getting started,” Cooper said.