Village of Manhattan residents will see a new face cruising around town as the police department has added a new officer, Officer Guadalupe Quintanilla.
Quintanilla was sworn in as a new part-time officer during the August 4 board meeting. He joins the department as a certified police officer and retired firefighter paramedic, and brings decades of public safety experience.
He also holds additional qualifications and valuable skills, including evidence technician, juvenile officer, firearms instructor, first aid instructor, threat assessment, high-profile event security and planning, SWAT operations, and community policing.
In other police news, the board approved another Ford F-150 from D’Orazio Ford to be outfitted as a police vehicle, which was included in the 26-27 FY budget. The cost for the vehicle and outfitting is $79,119.20.
The department is in the process of phasing out high-mileage vehicles with high maintenance requirements, and this vehicle is part of that fleet replacement plan, the memo reflected.
The village also updated its code regarding the structure of the Emergency Management Agency, naming Police Chief Ryan Gulli as the Director, overseeing EMA operations.
Other Village News
Public Works Supervisor John Tyk reported the Public Works Department helped other communities with cleanup after recent storms caused significant damage in the neighboring areas in Frankfort and Monee.
Waste Management will continue to serve the village’s refuse and recycling needs after the board renewed its contract. Monthly pricing will increase from $31.66 to $38.52 by 2031. Services will remain the same with weekly pickup on Monday, seasonal yard waste and weekly bulk item pickup, two annual clean-up events, and doubles the number of portable restrooms provided to the village each year.
The village voted to beef up staffing in the finance department by adding Kent Oliven, CPA, to assist on a part-time, month-to-month basis. Oliven will provide up to 25 hours per week, at least three days on-site, at $120 per hour.
Mayor Mike Adrieansen said the reason for the additional staff is due to scheduling and current workload.
Development Director Marc Nelson was added as an authorized signer; the existing signatories will remain, but the addition of Nelson will allow for business continuity when primary signers are unavailable.
The village is also still seeking input from residents on the Route 52 Manhattan Corridor Safety Plan. A link to the survey is available on the village’s website, www.villageofmanhattan.org/, through the end of August.