Dupage Policy Journal

At the May 23 meeting of the Bolingbrook Board of Trustees, the board and Mayor Mary Alexander-Basta welcomed VFW Post 5917 Commander John Davin who presented annual public service awards.

“Every year, the veterans of Bolingbrook honor a Policeman, a Fireman, and a Village Worker of the Year,” Davin said. “It's far too often we pick up the newspaper and all we do is read trash in it. Nothing in it that people do good. The same on the news. We're here to honor our firemen, our policemen and our village workers. They're the ones that keep our village safe. They're the ones (who are) out there when the weather's bad, they are the ones who are out there when you need someone to help you. And we're honored to do this.”

The board uploaded a livestream of its public meeting to the Village’s YouTube channel.

From the Bolingbrook Fire Department, engineer Jason Fuggiti was honored with the 2023 award. The board was told he began with the Bolingbrook fire service in 2007 as a firefighter paramedic, and was promoted in 2020. He, his wife, and their two daughters live in Plainfield where they like to spend plenty of time outdoors. He has a host of commendations and certifications for skills on the job. He handles the maintenance, upkeep, and acquisition of duty vehicles and equipment for the department.

“First and foremost, I would like to thank the VFW and the American Legion for the award. I'm completely honored. And thank you, gentlemen, for your service,” Fuggiti said when accepting the award. “Secondly, I would like to thank all the members of the Bolingbrook Fire Department for nominating me. It's truly an honor and I'm truly humbled by it.”

Bolingbrook Police Officer Peter Moranda was also honored. The boar was told he started with the police department in 2006, where he has served as a training officer, REACT team member, honor guard member, taser instructor, and in many other positions. He has been awarded numerous commendations, received a life saving award, and was the 2013 officer of the year. He and his girlfriend enjoy watching their son play hockey, Moranda’s favorite sport, in their downtime. 

He thanked the VFW for the award, saying “All I can say is that I did not have the courage to serve when I was younger, so I truly respect and am grateful for everything the men standing behind me have done for our country and the freedoms myself and my family enjoy. And because of that, I couldn't think of a better award to get.”

From the Public Works Department, Darin named Micheal London as the 2023 award recipient. The board was told London came from a military family with two parents in different branches, and he grew up all over the country. He served in the U.S. Army from 1990-1993 including time in Desert Storm. He began working with the village in 1996 as a maintenance worker, promoted in 2002 to equipment operator for the Asphalt Division, and was named equipment operator fourth class in 2006. He hopes to one day be a foreman. London thanked the city for the nomination and the honor from the VFW. “I've enjoyed all my years of helping take care of the community,” he said.

In other business, the board discussed paying $50,000 to RKM Fireworks, Inc., for the July 4 fireworks display at the Bolingbrook Golf Club.

The board also discussed contracting Music Solutions to operate audio, lighting, and video equipment and certified food handlers for the Roger C. Claar Performing Arts Center.

Mayor Mary Alexander-Basta wrote a proclamation for the village to acknowledge the struggles the LGBT-plus community faces and its contributions to the village.

The council will meet again at 7:30 p.m. on June 13 at 375 West Briarcliff Road.