Armstrong steps up after Delorit steps down

Grafton Trustee Dave Armstrong on Monday was sworn in as village president, minutes after former President Dan Delorit’s stepped down.

Armstrong, who is completing his fourth year on the board, was unanimously voted into the president’s seat by his fellow trustees. He will hold the job until Delorit’s term ends in April 2027.

Applause from the audience of about 30 people greeted the vote.

The Village Board will now seek applicants to fill the remainder of Armstrong’s term as trustee.

The board agreed to accept applications through 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, with trustees interviewing applicants and potentially selecting a successor to Armstrong at the board’s Monday, Sept. 8 meeting.

Trustees also considered keeping applications open until Sept. 16 with a decision to be made on Sept. 21, but decided two weeks is sufficient to find candidates.

Trustee Luke Spykstra nominated Armstrong, saying he “has the experience, he has the character. I think he has the vision to lead us forward.

“We could be a really, really great team, and Dave could move us forward.”

A resident in the audience, Donna Smith, asked trustees to consider former Trustee Lisa Harbeck for the job, noting that during the last election for village president Delorit was challenged by Harbeck and won with 52% of the vote compared to Harbeck’s 47%.

“I’d like to respectfully suggest that Lisa, who had 15 years experience as a trustee, be considered for the position because she did have a lot of votes and had a lot of support from village residents,” Smith said.

Armstrong was the only person nominated for the post during Monday’s meeting.

Applications for Armstrong’s seat are available on the village website.

Armstrong, whose current term as trustee ends in April, is vice president of Capital First Trust Co.

As in his private life, he said, the president’s job is one of weighing what’s best for everyone.

“We’re always trying to find a balance between what’s best for the client and what’s best for the company,” he said. “That’s what I think I bring here.”

When asked what the biggest challenges facing the village are, Armstrong didn’t hesitate.

“The dam is the issue right now,” he said. “It’s been quite a challenge, but now we can move forward. Everyone wants to move quickly, but we have to make sure we do it right. It’s not going to happen overnight. We have to find a way to get it done, and get it done right.

“There are other issues, but nothing on this level.”

Armstrong said he will see how the coming months go before determining if he will seek the president’s seat in the April election.

“It’s an honor to serve,” he said. “I know a little bit about the village. This is my home, and I want people who come to Grafton to see what a gem it is.

“I’m going to do the best I can and I’ll see how this next seven months go.”

Delorit, who served as village president since 2023 and was most recently elected in 2025, previously served as a trustee for three years.

He said his decision to retire from village service was made after “unforeseen events” occurred in his family, including the recent transfer of his son, an Air Force officer, to Truax Field in Madison and the recent birth of his third granddaughter,

“I wish to spend more time being an active grandparent, parent and husband,” he said.

Delorit said that even though his resignation comes mid-term, the village is in capable hands and finding a replacement for him now gives the board time to “try someone out.”

“I think this is a good time for me. From a village perspective, it’s good to try someone,” he said.

The board members are capable of making good decisions for the community, he said, guided by experienced staff members.

“This village staff is not brand new,” Delorit said. “They are experienced They know how to make decisions.”

Delorit noted that four years ago the village made changes to its committees that increased citizen membership, and noted that most board decisions follow committee recommendations.

“It (increased membership) gave citizens much more of a voice.” he said.

Delorit said he is proud of his tenure on the board, noting a range of accomplishments that include adding almost 850 housing units, including almost 300 single-family houses that support local businesses to the point there is limited business space in the community; merging of the Grafton and Saukville fire departments to create the Ozaukee Central Fire Department; approving a referendum to increase emergency medical services; adding the first new police officer’s position in 15 years; taking full ownership of the Grafton library; and increasing spending on parks that allowed the village to revitalize Lime Kiln Park and install a new pavilion at Veterans Park that was funded by outside funding and local businesses.

He also noted that the village has hired a number of new administrators and is working on a revised comprehensive plan.