Reorganization Plan Aimed at Gaining Trust: Plainfield Parks Director

Plainfield Park District Interim Executive Director Richard Grodsky presented a reorganization proposal to the board of commissioners on Wednesday, saying the plan "is an effort to become predictable and gain trust with the public" after a year of turmoil.

Grodsky was hired in April to lead the park district as it searches for a replacement for former Executive Director Garrett Peck, who resigned in January.

Grosky presented a proposed organizational chart he said could serve as a guide for a new executive director. The chart shows residents at the top, with the board, executive director and four department heads under them.

Departmental directors would oversee communications, finance, recreation and parks.

Grodsky also presented a pay scale for full-time employees, outlining how raises could be received based on performance, which would be evaluated based on goals and expectations.

Also on Wednesday, commissioners voted to elect Director of Finance Maureen Nugent as board treasurer. 

Nugent replaces Doug Booth, who currently serves as the park districts director of communications. Earlier in the meeting, Village of Plainfield trustee Jim Racich spoke up during public comment, echoed his call for Booth's termination, asking the board if they have reviewed his job application. Racich told the board Booth is "totally unqualified" and that his hiring was the request of "political cronyism."

Booth was hired as interim director of communications in May 2013 while Peck, who serves on the village board with Racich, was still executive director.

His salary at the time was $66,000. When he was initially hired, Booth told Patch the job was "temporary" and said he did not know whether he would apply to stay in the role past the three-month mark. Park district documents show that when Booth was offered a permanent position in December 2013, that salary was bumped to $82,000.

In addition to electing Nugent, the board opted to keep Executive Secretary Wendi Calabrese as board secretary, and continue to retain Kavanagh, Grumley & Gorbald as the park district's legal firm.

The board's next scheduled meeting is Wednesday, July 9.

Click to view video of Wednesday night's meeting.