Central to the meeting was the deliberation over the hiring of Ms. Kamitra Driver, the candidate initially chosen for the interim village manager position. Concerns emerged regarding her brief five-month tenure at the City of Belglade, which ended during a probationary period. This duration, according to one council member, did not qualify as completed managerial experience under standard HR guidelines. The member highlighted discrepancies in Ms. Driver’s employment history, particularly the classification of her separation as a termination despite her resignation letter. These revelations led to a motion to end negotiations with Ms. Driver and reopen the hiring process to consider all eight finalists previously interviewed.

The motion to revisit the candidate pool was met with debate, as certain council members questioned the procedural clarity and fairness of the process. One member opposed the motion, arguing that residents who attended the interview process believed Ms. Driver was the most qualified candidate. Furthermore, the council member expressed frustration with reopening the selection, noting that the process had already been exhaustive.

The council’s discussion also involved procedural complexities, with members debating whether the motion implied starting the hiring process anew or merely revisiting the finalists. A point of order was raised to ensure clarity in the council’s decisions.

Public comments further fueled the debate, with residents urging the council to ensure transparency and thoroughness in selecting an interim manager. One resident criticized the recent financial proposal, advocating for a cautious approach to salary negotiations. Another resident expressed dissatisfaction with the current decision-making process, emphasizing the need for a competent manager to steer the village effectively.

Ms. Driver herself addressed the council, seeking to clarify her employment history and disputing claims of her termination. She presented documentation to support her account, asserting her integrity and the importance of due diligence in selecting a manager. Her statements did not assuage all concerns, as council members continued to deliberate on the implications of her past employment and the criteria for the interim manager position.

The meeting also touched on issues of community engagement, with residents expressing frustration over the lack of live streaming for council meetings. Some residents criticized the council’s focus on less matters, such as personal activities and equipment purchases, over essential community issues like budget discussions and development projects. The Mayor acknowledged budget constraints but assured residents that the council would explore options for increasing transparency and participation via live streaming.

In addition to the hiring debate, the council discussed the appointment of an interim village clerk. With the current clerk managing dual roles, the village attorney emphasized the procedural necessity of naming an interim clerk. However, the council opted to delay the decision, with the current clerk indicating her ability to continue until the next meeting.