Tensions rise in Alma - Supervisor, board member walk out of meeting

Tensions and emotions are running high in the Town of Alma government and community. The town council met Tuesday night and it reached a tipping point...Town Supervisor Ron Staedt and council member Vinny Bock walked out of the meeting before three transformational resolutions were passed by the majority of the board still in attendance.
The first resolution that was passed by a 3-0 vote provided for the continued employment of Brian Trask in the highway department and the restoration of wages of $47,587 after a previous board fired him. After his termination, Trask continued to report to work. That case had gone to arbitration in which the town was found to have properly dismissed Trask. Last nights decision signaled a reverse in course. The second resolution covered a number of budget transfers to return money to the highway department. The third resolution directed the Town Supervisor  to timely honor all vouchers submitted by the highway superintendent. In the event Staedt doesn't, the resolution said he would be personally responsible for reimbursing the town.

For the last couple of years, the town of Alma has been deeply divided. Many of the concerns were in regard to town board action involving the elected highway leader. Multiple litigations are in progress. The meetings have been so heated that sheriff's deputies have been providing security. Recently, Supervisor Staedt was subjected to a citizens arrest for harassment overseen by state police.
This morning, Staedt had plenty to say, but most of the comments were off the record. A citizens group has been live streaming the meetings on Facebook.
The supervisor said he walked out of the meeting before the three resolutions were presented, because "he wasn't going to be a party to it."
At a town board meeting in late 2019, several residents said the "fighting has to stop." One long-time resident said he was "disgusted" by all involved.
It's unclear if any of Tuesday night's actions will be questioned by lawyers.

In other action, at the beginning of the meeting, The board voted to have every voucher to be paid be read aloud during the meeting so the "public knows where the money is going." Staedt voted against the measure, saying it would greatly increase the length of meeting and noting that town payments are readily available to any citizen who wants to review them. The vote was 3-1 with one member abstaining.