Macon Reporter

Village of Harristown Board of Trustee met June 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Village of Harristown Board of Trustees held a special meeting at 185 N. Kembark St, Harristown, IL to discuss health, safety concerns and over reach of power by Mayor. Trustees Teresa Acree, Jay Trusner, Kourt Mooney, Larry Ditty, Kevin Vessels, Les Jenkins, Treasurer Julie Rose, Clerk Penny Allen and Mayor Evelyn Deverell were present.. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm.

Visitor

Cissy Trusner – 7790 W. Williams St -she stated she had sent an email to all Board members on 5/25/2022. She wants to make sure her concerns are addressed. She asked why her son was asked to retrieve stuff from the trash; could have been anything in there like needles, a lot of dangerous stuff. She hope the Board can see her concerns over the Mayors actions.

Mayor Deverell explained why she asked the employee to retrieve items from the trash. Mayors’ husband, John, had picked up trash along the highway. He had picked up Cards Against Humanity and put the cards in a trash can. She did not know what the cards were so she told her employee to get the cards out of the trash; she wanted to see them. Cissy Trusner has issue with this; the cards can be purchased at any department store. Visitor Jeannie, from W.Williams St asked if it was already in trash why digging them out? Mayor stated she just wanted to see what they were. Mayor stated village has no health and safety manual. Is there a need for one? Trustee Mooney stated in the personnel policy, page 15, it discusses conduct of endangering employee. It mentions the safety of people; employees and residents. Mayor asked if she needs to give personnel policy for all Board members to sign? Mayor feels she make an honest mistake asking him to do this. Trustee Mooney said common sense needs to be used. Trustee Trusner said this unsafe act could have put the village at risk also, not just employee. Mayor asked what defines an unsafe act? Trustee Trusner asked why did she ask to have him get more out when she already had some of the cards? Cissy Trusner understands it’s easy to make a mistake but this is her kid. She thinks a work order should be put in for everything that needs to be done. The village does have a way to write work orders. Trustee Mooney stated he is very disappointed we had to have a special meeting. Why couldn’t this have been taken care of directly between the Mayor and Mrs. Trusner? Mrs. Trusner said tried to get this on the agenda a couple days after it happened. The Mayor told the trustees a meeting would not be conducted without the Attorney present. Trustee Trusner said on the 26th, Mrs. Trusner contacted Stephanie (water/sewer clerk) if she could be on the agenda on 5/31 special meeting; she was not informed about deadline. Trustee Trusner suggested to perhaps have a personnel meeting and go thru the personnel policy manual. Trustee Mooney said maybe this would have been avoided if Mayor followed the chain of command. No matter how great or small, go thru supervisor. It is professional courtesy to follow chain of command. Visitor Rose Ross stated Stephanie works for the village clerk, not the mayor. It was discussed to go into closed session. Attorney Weatherford said discipline and performance can go into closed session. Rose Ross said she thinks this meeting is illegal since it was just in the paper today and 48 hrs is needed. Alan Winter – W. Williams St, questioned where the cards were found. They were found on W. Main St. Trustee Trusner questioned why nothing was on facebook page regarding the meeting? Visitor Bob Byers said at the special meeting regarding the concrete plant, Mayor said she would put all notices in all places but this is not happening.

Mayor Deverell stated Stephanie has been out so this slipped through the cracks. Visitor Ross said all these years, we put it out properly and no issues; in newspaper, post office and village hall door. Mayor said she has admitted what she did and can’t go back and change anything. Visitor Kari asked if an employee is asked to do something unsafe or cause a safety issue, would employee be fired? Trustee Mooney said it is listed what an employee can be discharged for. Mayor said the personnel policy has never applied to elected officials. She said she is sorry; what else does the Trustees want her to do?

Overreach of Power by Mayor

Trustee Trusner said technically the mayor is not in charge of any of the employees. He feels what she asked the employee to do is no different than asking the employee to mow her yard, for personal gain. The public works employees works for the Board. Everything should go through a work order. He feels the Mayor is trying to do too much; we pay village employees to do tasks.

Attorney Weatherford discussed the ordinance. It states the Mayor is Chief executor of village, oversees all village employees but subject to boards supervision. Trustee Trusner said everything is with the consent of the Board. Mayor overstepped her boundary for her own benefit. Mayor Deverell stated everything that needs to be done will go on a work order. Is the water/sewer clerk under the village clerk? Everything must run thru committee, supervisor and board. A personnel and ordinance meeting should be scheduled. Rose Ross stated that the village has a Mayor, everyone reports to her, except the clerk, but everyone else does. Tracy David – visitor – Westway Drive-commented that problems should be addressed to supervisor.

Trustee Mooney said prior to this incident, his understanding is the Mayor is front line supervisor for day to day operations. If doesn’t get resolved, then move up. The personnel committee wants to be approachable. Trustee Mooney has told employees to go to their supervisors, if not resolved, then come to Board members. He is very unhappy with the Mayor. He recognizes she gave an apology so would like to move on. In future, use common sense and everyone think about self reflection. Mayor stated she will do her best -use common sense and self reflection.

Trustee Trusner stated the information handed out to the public regarding cannabis had items left out. Need to say more about growery, not just saying cannabis. Needs to say potential cannabis growery coming to village. Attorney Weatherford questioned if it is a growery or cultivating facility? Trustee Jenkins said it is a craft growery. The meeting should say potential cannabis craft growery and other cannabis issues. Scheduled 6/14/2022 for a town hall meeting. Mayor Deverell said she will be posting this all places; website, facebook, newspaper, post office, board at village, and emergency system. Trustee Trusner asked what the conclusion to this issue will be. Trustee Mooney proposing a solution of the Mayor using the chain of command. Trustee Acree said the Mayor made a mistake. If she would have gave an apology, all of this would not have happened. Mayor Deverell does a lot of stuff for the Village. She is here everyday. Mayor just make a bad judgement call. Issuing a work order for every little thing is overboard. Use common sense, if Jon here, ask him for help, if not then do a work order. Apology should have happened immediately. Trustee Vessels feels there was a breakdown in communication. Trustee Trusner said when his wife Cissy, approached the Mayor, the Mayor’s attitude was as if she did nothing wrong.

Mayor Deverell said work orders will be issued. Attorney Weatherford will check on the chain of commands. Special/committee meetings will be posted on sign outside, emergency alert, newspaper. Better communication and using better judgment will be used.

Motion by Trustee Ditty to adjourn. Trustee Vessels 2nd. Approved 6-0

Meeting adjourned at 7:21 pm

https://villageofharristown.com/2022-1