Former Lake Zurich Fire Chief Appointed To Vacant Trustee Seat

It seems that former Lake Zurich Fire Chief Terry Mastandrea isn't taking much of a break after his very recent retirement from the department.

At Monday's Village Board meeting, Mastandrea was sworn in as the newest village trustee.

He fills the seat left vacant by former Trustee Mark Ernst, who resigned at the end of July after accepting a job out of state.

Mastandrea, who retired from the Lake Zurich Fire Department after 21 years as chief on July 15, will fill Ernst’s term, which ends April 30, 2013.

The appointment came from Mayor Suzanne Branding, but could only be made official with the full consent of the Village Board.

“Terry Mastandrea will add institutional knowledge and depth of experience to this board,” Branding said.

“I feel that with the learning curve, Terry is the man we need on the board right now,” said Trustee Tom Poynton.

Mastandrea said there are many reasons why he chose to accept yet another call to duty in the village.

“I have lived here, raised my kids here and sat in this room (as fire chief) for the last 21 years,” Mastandrea said. “I think I have a lot to offer to this great community.”

And Mastandrea says there are specific issues facing the village that also helped him decide to accept the appointment.

“My main focus is the tax increment financing (TIF) debt that is coming due in the next couple of years; we all must come together to figure out additional revenue sources so none of us are hit with even higher taxes,” Mastandrea said. “Why not be part of finding solutions to issues that the village is facing today and in the future?”