Another Busy Evening for the Marshfield Common Council

Wednesday, April 14th, 2021 -- 8:00 AM

(WDLB) Marshfield aldermen are seeking legal advice before proceeding with handling a complaint filed earlier this month against two members of the city's Fire-and-Police Commission.

According to WDLB, following a closed session that lasted one hour and 15 minutes, the Common Council voted unanimously last night to direct City Attorney Harold Wolfgram to provide a legal analysis of the complaint, and to report back to the Council at its next regular meeting April 27th.

A group of more than 100 city residents is seeking the removal of Fire-and-Police Commissioners Andy Keogh and Randy Gershman, alleging numerous misconduct violations while also failing to provide a safe working environment at the Marshfield Police Department, failing to maintain proper record of electronic communication, violating the state's open-meetings law, and adopting a discriminatory Fit-for-Duty policy.

The group is also alleging collusion between Keogh, Gershman, former Police Chief Rick Gramza and seven members of the Common Council to prevent ousted Mayor Bob McManus from appointing a replacement for Keogh on the Commission in April of last year.  The city attorney will now review the complaint to see if it meets legal standards for consideration by the Council.

Also, Marshfield aldermen will wait at least two weeks before deciding if and when to fill the Mayor's office, after removing Bob McManus from the position March 22nd for misconduct.

Without taking a formal vote, the Common Council last night decided to put the issue on the agenda for the next regular meeting April 27th, after the annual reorganizational meeting next week.

The group decided to delay a vote on the matter until new Alderman Brian Varsho officially takes his seat on the Council after defeating incumbent Ken Bargender in last week's election.

City Administrator Steve Barg outlined three options for filling the vacancy in the Mayor's office. He said the Council could solicit applications from interested parties and appoint someone, hold a special election to fill what McManus had left on his current term, or wait until the next regular election a year from now.

Saying the community needs healing, Alderman Ed Wagner said he favored a special election as soon as possible.  City Clerk Deb Hall said the earliest a special election could be held would be some time in July, and there would be additional costs to the city, because Wood County is keeping the meter running so-to-speak, with regards to tabulating voting results.

Alderman Rebecca Spiros said she would be interested in hearing more about doing away with the position of Mayor, and switching to a City Manager style of government.

Current Council President Tom Witzel is now performing the baseline duties of the office, such as presiding over Council meetings and signing official documents. The role of Council President is up for election during the body's reorganizational meeting next Tuesday, April 20.

Finally, Marshfield aldermen are keeping the city's mask requirement for certain facilities in place for now.  The Common Council voted 6-4 last night against a move by Alderman Adam Fischer to lift the requirement.

Outgoing Alderman Ken Bargender voted in favor of lifting the mask requirement at city hall and elsewhere.  Nick Poeschel was one of six aldermen who voted against lifting the mask requirement at this time.

Poeschel, who said he had a mild case of COVID earlier this year, still wears a mask for others who he said may still be at risk.  City Administrator Steve Barg noted that Marshfield's immediate neighbors in Wisconsin Rapids, Wausau and Stevens Point have all left their mask requirements in place for now.

The Council agreed to revisit the issue in several weeks. The state Supreme Court struck down Governor Evers' mask mandate March 31st.

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