MANHATTAN – To manage an increasing workload driven by village growth, the Manhattan Village Board on Tuesday unanimously approved the hiring of Joseph Page as a new full-time accountant for the finance department.

The decision to create the position was made during the board’s annual strategic planning workshop, where trustees determined it was necessary to expand the department to handle its growing responsibilities.

Page was selected as the most qualified candidate for the role. According to a memo from Village Administrator Jeff Wold, Page holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and has two years of municipal finance experience. He is also already familiar with BS&A, the village’s finance software.

“Joseph Page was the most qualified applicant and comes to Manhattan with a bachelor’s degree from Lake Forest College and two years of municipal finance experience,” Mayor Mike Adrieansen noted during the meeting.

The board approved a resolution to hire Page at an annual salary of $73,320, which is within the authorized salary range for the position. His hiring is effective immediately.