Former village president named treasurer

The Belgium Village Board unanimously approved hiring a new treasurer on Monday night.

Former Village President Vickie Boehnlein, who resigned from the board to seek the position, was selected from two finalists.

Boehnlein’s annual salary was set at $34,000.

The Finance and Personnel Committee on May 2 narrowed 10 finalists to three. One of those dropped out before the committee did interviews on May 8.

Boehnlein will replace Kelly Brinkman, who will be moving to the Madison area because her husband got a new job there. She has agreed to stay on through the transition to a new clerk.

A starting date for Boehnlein has not been set yet.

Boehnlein said she was seeking the position since her job as retail manager of How-Dea Service Center was going to be eliminated.

The vote was 5-0 to hire Boehnlein. Dale Pfeifer was absent.

The other finalist was Seneca Avina.

Trustees weren’t as united in determining the next village president, and they needed to be, according to law.

Village Attorney Gerry Antoine said a “super majority” was required to appoint a new village president, which equates to four votes.

Trustees Pete Anzia and Clem Gottsacker were nominated.

The first vote was 3-2 for Anzia, who got votes from Rose Sauers, Josh Borden and himself.

Gottsacker voted for himself, along with and newly elected trustee Don Gotcher.

Both trustees then explained why they would be a good fit for the position and why they sought it.

“I feel I have the most experience. I’ve been on the board for 15 years. I know the ins and outs of it. I’ve  done (the job) pro tem for a while,” Gottsacker said.

Anzia said: “I have time. I don’t have any kids at home any more. There are all kinds of things to learn yet. It would be a good experience.” 

The next vote was 3-2 in favor of Gottsacker. Sauers switched her vote, and everyone else voted the same way.

Borden is serving as village president pro tem.

The board tabled the decision to its next meeting, set for June 11.

The board also tabled filling the vacant trustee position.

Two village residents — Rebecca Johnson and Victor Lecato — attended the meeting and said they were interested in joining the board.

Anthony Graykowski, who ran as a write-in candidate in the April election but wasn’t elected and has since been appointed to the Plan Commission, was not at the meeting. Village Clerk Julie Lesar said Graykowski knows about the vacancy.

Anyone interested in joining the Village Board is asked to email Lesar at jlesar@village.belgium.wi.us.