In a council chamber where an FDNY memento sits as a tribute to the heroism of firefighters, Mayor Jim Sexton on Monday night led a standing ovation for the men and women of the Evergreen Park Fire Department.

“These fine folks deserve a big round of applause for the job they do every day,” Sexton said. “Every night, when the rest of us lay our heads down to sleep, they’re out there protecting us.”

Sexton directed his praise at several dozen EPFD rank and file members who stood at the back of council chambers, as well as at Chief Ronald Kleinhaus and Deputy Chief Corey Hojek, who were there to present the department’s annual report.

Sexton noted that while the department fielded nearly 2,700 calls for service in 2012, the village saw just $55,600 in fire-related property damage.

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Several trustees echoed Sexton’s praise. Trustee Mary Keane said she is “always impressed” with the presence the department has in the village, especially at events serving youth. Trustee Jerome Bosch said that the department’s strong rating translates into savings on insurance bills for local homeowners and businesses.

Kleinhaus expressed gratitude for the praise and directed some of it right back at the Village Board for its ongoing commitment to funding the department at full strength.

In other Village Board business Monday night, trustees approved a Police Department request to fill a vacancy from the currently posted Probationary Patrol Officer Eligibility List. Sexton used the action to add a few words of praise.

“There aren’t too many towns of 20,000 where you have 62 full-time, professional police on staff. So that’s something to be proud of," he said. "If you feel a little bit safer, you are.”

• Evergreen Park Youth Commission Director Jim Feltz noted that they have a corps of local high school and college students, as well as a few unemployed adults, who stand ready to shovel local sidewalks and driveways for village residents. For full details, phone (708) 229-3377.

• Jolene Churak, Director of the Office of Citizen Services, noted that demand is high for assistance with filing income taxes. Also, the Office will host an AARP safe driving class on February 7-8. Completion of the class can lead to lower auto insurance rates. To schedule an appointment or learn more information, call (708) 422-8776.

• Five business license applications were approved by the Board: Culver’s at 9515 S. Kedzie, Tacos to Go at 3342 W. 95^th St., Mind Over Matter psychiatric services at 9730 S. Western, a Michaels arts and crafts store at 9142 S. Western, and an optical shop inside the Meijer store planned for 9200 S. Western. Sexton praised the new cluster of business licenses. “A lot of good retail is coming to town, with other things coming after that so we can continue to pay for the fine services we have (in the village).”