Manhattan’s new Village Administrator Rosemaria DiBenedetto is making some changes at village hall as she settles in, just over two weeks into the new position.
A January 20 memo to the board and mayor from DiBenedetto outlined several updates she wrote that were aimed at supporting operations, enhancing the visitor and employee experience, and advancing organizational priorities.
Additionally, new monthly reports detailing activities by Executive Assistant Shelly Lewis and Communications Coordinator Kristin Reinke were included in the board’s packet.
DiBenedetto officially started with the village on January 2, though she was appointed on November 17. Previously, she worked as the media and communications director for the City of Joliet.
DiBenedetto’s changes range from adding comfort items to reviewing policy, coordinating with the village lobbyist, and establishing her expectations for staff.
The memo indicated a new water cooler and coffee station were installed. The village will be increasing cleaning measures during flu season, and an extra garbage pickup was added to improve cleanliness, the memo stated.
New signature standards and an updated phone greeting were among the changes, as well as evaluating the employee handbook, attendance requirements, and workplace expectations.
The memo also reported department head meetings to identify needs and challenges, as well as discussions on procedures and safety protocol at the front counter.
The memo outlining the changes was bookended with establishing quarterly employee appreciation events and an off-site holiday party.
No one directly addressed the changes at the regular board meeting held on January 20, though the memos were distributed to the board and the mayor in the board packet ahead of the meeting.
Included in Lewis’ report was a list of licenses approved during December, including nine solicitor licenses, 14 liquor licenses, seven gaming licenses, and one raffle license. Seven Freedom of Information Act requests were fulfilled. Her report also detailed efforts to assist residents and local organizations with the meeting room, support for the village board, and its meetings and special projects.
Reinke’s report showed updates to the website, stats on the village’s social media, print and digital communications, and events held in December and planned for 2026. Her report also included community outreach with the Chamber of Commerce, upcoming priorities, such as the CY2026 budget and upcoming action items for the board, which were the Labor Day fireworks contract and securing vendors for events.
The monthly police report showed crime decreased, though Police Chief Ryan Gulli offered some brief remarks.
“I’ll have a year-end report by March, but there were 412 more commercial truck violations cited last year, with 855 hours less of overtime,” Gulli said.
“The concerning numbers, traffic accidents are up by nine, but it’s something we’re going to pay close attention to because I don’t see that changing unless things change with us and IDOT,” Gulli added.
“With the cold weather coming up on Friday and after, if you have any outside plumbing or plumbing on the outside walls, you may need to let your water drip a little bit so you don’t get any frozen pipes,” Public Works Supervisor John Tyk added.
The board meeting itself was brief, and the only new business included updating the signatory to DiBenedetto and changing the authorized IMRF agent to Finance Director Justin VanVooren, following former administrator Jeff Wold’s departure.