Trustee: Where are the Department Heads?

South Orange Village department heads are no longer required to attend Board of Trustee meetings. Trustee Deborah Davis Ford noted their absence on Monday.

During discussion of a possible parking change to Western Drive, Davis Ford asked,  "Why aren't the department heads here for each of these committees? So if we do have a question we can get an answer right away."

In years past, department heads attended the trustee meetings. Village President Alex Torpey previously confirmed that they are no longer required to do so.  

"I would make the request going forward that all the department heads be here so we can be fully engaged and be informed for some of these discussions we need to make," said Davis Ford.

Torpey said that he may ask Village department heads to attend if issues related to their departments are on the agenda.

Davis Ford noted that items often come up in discussion that are not specifically listed on the agenda.

"When we're having a conference agenda...they need to be here."

Torpey suggested that department heads attend when their associated committees meet, rather than asking all department heads to attend.

"It's going to be a rare meeting that doesn't require the Village engineer and police," said trustee Mark Rosner.