October 16, 2025 – Hartford, Wi – The city of Hartford swore in a new alderman this week to fill the opening in District 1.
Initially three candidates filed, but one dropped out at the last minute. The final two candidates were the President of the Mill, John Endisch, and Tom Pechacek, who came in second in the April election.
Pechacek was selected by six of the council members to win the seat recently vcated by Erin Wilk.
September 25, 2025 – Hartford, Wi – The Hartford Common Council has now posted a notice that it’s seeking candidates for the vacant position of Alderperson in 1st District. During the council meeting this week it was announced alderwoman Erin Wilk will not be able to complete her 3-year term. Wilk was elected this past April 2025.
Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit their resumes to the City Clerk as soon as possible. Resumes will be distributed to the Common Council in advance of the October 14 meeting. Resumes then become public records of the City of Hartford.
Candidates must appear at the October 14, 2025, Common Council meeting (7 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Lower Level, City Hall). Each candidate will be granted 3 minutes to address the Common Council. Alderpersons will be given an opportunity to interview each candidate.
The successful candidate will be appointed at the Common Council meeting on October 14, 2025, and will serve until the April 2028 Spring Election.
All interested candidates must submit a resume along with an explanation of why they are interested in becoming an Alderperson. These should be submitted to the City Clerk, 109 North Main Street, Hartford, Wisconsin and must be received prior to 3 p.m. Wednesday, October 8, 2025. Proof of residency in the 1st Aldermanic District must also be provided.
A public vote by the Common Council will be conducted after the interviews are completed. The candidate selected will be immediately sworn in and will assume the position of Alderperson for the 1st District for the remainder of the meeting.
During Tuesday’s meeting, former Dist. 1 candidate Thomas Pechacek, who lost in the April election notified the council he would be applying for the position.
September 22, 2025 – Hartford, WI – The Hartford common council will address a vacancy in aldermanic District 1 during its meeting Tuesday, September 23, 2025.
Alderwoman Erin Wilk notified the city she is relocating to another district. Wilk was elected to a 3-year term this past April 2025. Wilk beat challenger Thomas Pechacek 54% to 46% in the spring general election.
Reached by phone Sunday night, Pechacek said he is “very much interested” in serving the people in District 1.
“I said all through my campaign that I wanted to be a part of Hartford’s solution,” said Pechacek. “We’ve been here five years, and it’s been wonderful. I got over 800 votes the last time so there are people out there in my corner.”
The council will announce on Tuesday it will accept letters of intent to fill the seat.
According to Mayor Dennis Regan, letters will be accepted for the next two weeks, then reviewed by council who will appoint a replacement to fill the remainder of the term in District 1.
Also on Tuesday’s agenda:
- There will be a first reading on amending fees under the municipal code. Some of the fees include things like administrative fees, building inspection, engineering, planning, plumbing, and zoning fees. Click HERE to review
- The council will also review an increase for winter parking violations.
Tuesday’s Hartford common council meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall. The meeting is open to the public.
On a side note: Mayor Regan said the City of Hartford is deep in preparing its budget. “Budgets are fun,” said Regan, tongue in cheek. “We’ve passed the capital improvement budget (CPI) already – big items that need to be addressed, and the operational budget we will have more information later this month. Unfortunately, that budget is not looking as nice as the CPI budget.” Regan said taxpayers “can expect an increase” but right now, he does not know how much that will be.