Can the Forestville Village Board do anything right?
On Monday night, the elected officials were so disoriented, they did not know what was right, wrong or what was even going on. Here was a tidbit of some of the confusion:
The Village Board thought Monday's meeting was for the purpose of a budget hearing, but the board never authorized a public hearing on the proposed budget through a resolution. "No it wasn't made a resolution," said village Clerk Marcia Peterson. "I didn't realize it had to be a resolution."
Both Mayor Charles Brewster and Trustee Beth Bowker tried to explain away any proper procedures of notice. "When did the board set up the date and time for the budget meeting?" asked Joyce Lineman, resident. Trustee Beth Bowker answered, "It's my understanding that it's the first Monday of every April." But no documentation was provided.
The Village Board also went into executive session to discuss salaries. Salaries of employees, however, are not executive session material.
So what is going on in the village of Forestville? It's governing by chaos - as well as an illegal executive session. Salaries in the village are paid for by tax dollars, thus must be discussed in public.
Just what was accomplished on Monday night by the board? Good question. The meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m., started 15 minutes late.
Not even the simple tasks can be executed properly.
