Mettawa's first administrator declines contract
The first village administrator in tiny Mettawa's 50-plus year history has decided not to renew her contract.
Deb Waszak, a Libertyville resident who was hired a year ago to assist with day-to-day operations and big-picture issues in the rural community, has opted not to accept a contract extension.
“I just have other interests in a different state,” she said. “It was a difficult decision.”
Waszak was not officially a village employee, but an independent contractor who did not receive village benefits such as health insurance. She was paid about $4,000 per month for what was considered a part-time job.
Contractors for services including engineering and legal matters have been the way of doing business in Mettawa, a quiet village of about 415 residents that has no employees or village hall. When she wasn't at meetings or other functions, Waszak worked from home.
During that time, the village made progress on several fronts, she said.
She noted that trash hauling, which had been paid for individually by residents, was consolidated and offered as a village service, reducing truck traffic on the streets.
Waszak said she also worked on a five-year plan for fixing village roads. Though the timeline remains under discussion, there is a draft of a plan outlining the condition, type of repair needed and cost to do that.
The village also approved a strategic plan in December that deals with various issues such as land use and services.
And in that regard, the village is proceeding with a plan to supply Lake Michigan water to residents, and in June hired a private security firm to augment police services provided by the Lake County Sheriff.
“They added more eyes and ears to the village,” according to Waszak. “We didn't have the money to start up our own department.”
That she didn't receive insurance, for example, had “nothing to do with why I'm leaving,” she said.
The village board had offered a two-year contract renewal, according to Waszak.
“They were really great — all the trustees were supportive of me staying,” she said. “It was just a natural breaking point. I had to weigh the positives and negatives of everything going on in my life.”
She had served as the chief of staff in North Chicago and was hired for the Mettawa job from among 35 applicants.
At the time of her hiring, Mayor Jess Ray said the hiring brought more professionalism into the way the village was managed. Waszak “pointed out a number of things to guide the village,” he added.
“We're going to try and fill the position,” Ray said. “I don't know how long it will take us.”
Discussion by the village board likely would occur this month. A consultant was hired to assist in the previous search to hire an administrator.
“It was a privilege to be the first administrator and work with that board,” Waszak said.