Carpentersville board to enforce rule, replace commissioner

Carpentersville officials are set to test an attendance ordinance against audit and finance commission member Nathan Spain, who missed his sixth consecutive panel meeting Thursday night.

The latest absence was the commissioner's third straight since trustees approved a three-strike policy in May.

Under the rule, the village board has the authority to declare a commission or board seat vacant if an appointed member racks up three consecutive unexplained absences.

A majority vote of the village board is needed to sustain the removal, the ordinance states.

"I said I would not attend meetings based on conscience issues," said Spain, who said he had not received notification from the village board or staff regarding his absences. "I did not think it was necessary to tell them that my conscience has not changed."

One of three resident members Village President Bill Sarto appointed to the seven-person commission in August, Spain has said he would not attend meetings because of Trustee Paul Humpfer's conviction on four counts of domestic battery.

Humpfer chairs the audit and finance commission.

The conviction also prompted Sarto and two other resident members -- Sherry Dobson and Mike Sievertson -- to skip a meeting in May because of uncertainty regarding Humpfer's trustee position.

That situation led to the measure's introduction.

Trustees supporting the measure said the village needed a uniform absentee policy and that appointees should be penalized if they do not fulfill their commitment to the village.

But while Sarto, Dobson and Sievertson returned to their duties after the board deemed Humpfer's post valid, Spain has not.

Commission members on Thursday instructed Village Manager Craig Anderson to send Spain a letter reiterating the ordinance.

Though the commission has operated adequately with the six remaining members, some commissioners said Spain's removal would leave a void.

"I am disappointed that we are losing a very valuable member of the commission," said Sarto, who appointed the residents to two-year terms. "Nate has a good background in financial matters, and he always had sound ideas and input."

The item is not listed on Tuesday's village board agenda; however, Trustee Paul Humpfer, who chairs the commission, said he would ask for its inclusion on the July 15 agenda.

"I would like to replace him as soon as possible so that we can get more input with some of the tough decisions we are facing as a commission," said Humpfer, referring to funding for the village's street improvement program and building a new public works facility.