Village president steps down, alleging a lack of transparency

Blue Mounds Village Board president Audra Anderson announced her resignation at the board’s December 11 meeting. Anderson, citing her discomfort over “the extent of conversations that occur by the majority of trustees outside of monthly board meetings,” had been a member of the board for more than 22 years and president for more than 10. She stated that she felt “disrespected” and had had her authority “circumvented” in the past.

If board members were discussing village business outside of posted meetings, it could constitute a violation of state law and run contrary to the Robert’s Rules of Order and the basic principles of transparent government.

“My decision to resign is driven by the fact that I am not comfortable with the extent of conversations about village business that occur by the majority of trustees outside of monthly board meetings,” Anderson wrote in her resignation letter. “Village discussions and decisions need to happen at monthly board meetings so violations of the Wisconsin open Meetings Law do not happen. It also allows and encourages open communication, gives Village of Blue Mounds residents the opportunity to know village issues, how their tax dollars are being spent and have a voice in the process. There have been multiple board meetings that I have talked about the need to stop those outside discussions. Those involved choose to disrespect me and the statutes that govern municipal boards by continuing this practice.”

“Without having trust and confidence that people I work with are willing to follow the rules, I cannot continue to be on this board,” she added. “The chance I could sign a check, contract or legal document that did not go through the proper procedure is a risk I will not continue to take.”

This is the board’s second resignation in less than five months. Trustee Sarah Vanrensselaer stepped down in August because she was moving away, but also alleged in her resignation letter that there was a “lack of good faith from certain members of the board and administration towards the community’s best interests.”

Anderson’s announcement came shortly after she and trustee Phil Solchenberger disagreed over the village’s attempts to hire a new part-time snowplow driver. No applications for the position have come in, and Solchenberger pressed for the hiring of someone he said had conducted an “oral application” and was qualified for the position. Anderson responded by pointing out the need for the board to follow proper procedure and require a written application. The board agreed to postpone any further action until an application is submitted, possibly calling for a special meeting to address the issue.

The board also addressed the need to create a part-time water and sewer management position and to post a job opening. Solchenberger had recommended that the second position be filled by the same individual he had suggested as snow plow driver.

Police Chief Joe Hooks discussed contractor fraud schemes which have occurred in the area and warned residents to beware of them and to be sure any contractor they consider is properly licensed. He also talked about the increasing number of transients living on trails in the village and urged residents to “see something, say something,” and the recent influx of unattended trailers in the village.

The re-zoning of less than 3.5 acres of property on Cave of the Mounds Road belonging to Paul and Chris Bell from agricultural to single resident occupancy and construction of a small house on the farm belonging to Dennis and Lisa Schlimgen located on Cave of the Mounds Road were both approved.

Curbing at 11024 Division Street was examined, with Anderson saying it is too wide and needs to be reduced at each end, in part to provide more parking space for the property owner at that location. Trustee Jim Frame expressed his concern that shortening the curb would increase the risk of being torn up by plows, and Solchenberger added that it is necessary to protect the stop sign located at that spot. No action was taken at this time.

CAUCUS SET

January 8 was set as the date for an upcoming election caucus and a three-year,

$8,700 contract with Accurate Assessors was approved. Proposed payments of $345,173.68 to Ruel Construction for work on streets and utilities and $13,277.42 for work on the booster station were also approved.

Trustee Paul Baum informed the board that the village’s new Jaws of Life is more portable and efficient than the old one and a change in billing services for the fire district will decrease costs. The district is in a positive status for the current year.

Anderson’s resignation was effective at the end of the meeting. The village held a special meeting Friday, at which Baum was selected to replace her as village president.