Mokena Approves Several Appointments To Village, Police Staff

MOKENA, IL — The Mokena Village Board approved several new appointments to its village and police department staff. At its Monday meeting, the board approved the appointments of: Ashley Styrczula as part-time community service officer; Dawndria Mercado as customer service representative; Daniel Peloquin as assistant public works director; and Jamie Smith as street superintendent.

Styrczula will serve as a part-time community service officer for the Mokena Police Department. According to board documents, Styrczula is attending Joliet Junior College and pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice.

The position has a pay rate of $15.63 an hour.

"We think she'll be a great addition to our staff of community service officers," Interim Police Chief Tim McCarthy said at the meeting.

Dawndria Mercado was appointed as customer service representative, also at the Mokena Police Department. According to board documents, the position is available due to the upcoming retirement of Ann Lyons.

Mercado has been a community service officer with the department since October 2019.

"Dawndria has a great work record with us over the two years of her employment," McCarthy said.

The position has a pay rate of $38,315 annually.

The board also approved the appointment of Dan Peloquin to Assistant Public Works Director.

Village Administrator John Tomasoski said there is a vacancy due to the upcoming retirement of Mark Detloff.

Peloquin has an Engineering degree from the University of Notre Dame, Tomasoski said. He worked for the Illinois Department of Transportation before his employment in the village began in 2002.

"During his time at the village, Mr. Peloquin has steadily and consistently assumed a position of greater authority and responsibility, rising from the level of public improvements inspector in 2002, becoming a staff engineer in 2007, and becoming the village engineer in 2017," Tomasoski said.

The position has a pay rate of $120,936 annually.

Lastly, Jamie Smith was appointed to the position of street superintendent.

According to board documents, Smith obtained staff recommendation for this position over two other internal candidates.

"He possesses both the knowledge and experience as well as the skills to fill this role," new Assistant Public Works Director Dan Peloquin said.

Smith has worked for the village since 1998, and can operate any and all of the village's current equipment, board documents state.

The position has a pay rate of $81,007 annually.