GRAND CHUTE, WI — The Grand Chute Town Board votes to begin negotiations between legal counsel for Town Administrator James March and a Milwaukee law firm hired by the town to aid in March’s termination. While no specific reasons were mentioned, some board members have questioned whether March’s salary has become extensive or other reasons “recently brought to the board’s attention. The decision to pursue negotiations followed a nearly 90-minute closed session in which the board discussed the hiring of Atolles Law to represent the town in the March matter. Nearly all who spoke during public comment voiced support for March. That included former Town Clerk Karen Weinschrott and former Supervisor Bruce Sherman who voiced their displeasure with some board members.
I don’t believe this is about Mr. March’s wage at all,” Weinschrott said. “I think it’s witch hunt. I think there’s more to it. I think there’s personal reasons. If you don’t know what you’re voting on in a package, you need to ask those questions. Who’s next? Look at the talent that you have sitting here. Who’s next on your chopping blocks.”
“I am ashamed of what’s going on with this,” Sherman said. “We just had an election. Mr. (Walt) Nocito, who was appointed to this board and never elected, was defeated. Why the rush now and not let an elected official make this decision?”
Grand Chute Police Chief Greg Peterson, speaking for professional public organizations, urged the board to consider the possible damage March’s termination could cause to the town.
“We have benefited from the exceptional leadership of Jim March,” Peterson said. “As you contemplate decisions that could have a dramatic impact on the future of the Town of Grand Chute, we would call upon you to give careful consideration to the tremendous progress the town has made over the past 14 years and acknowledge the integral role that Jim March has played in those successes.”
Chief Peterson’s statement was met with applause by other residents.
Prior to going into closed session, the board voted to end public comment, even though there were still five other people who signed up to speak. Town Board Chair Jason Van Eperen explained why the public comment session was not extended to accommodate five citizens who wanted to speak, and what his hope is for the near future.
“Just to keep our meeting moving and keep everything efficient and so that we could keep everything efficient,” Van Eperen said. “I think we need a fresh start. I think that’s the best move going forward.”
After the nearly 90-minute closed session, the town board voted 4-1 in favor of beginning negotiations with March’s legal counsel. Supervisor Brad Gehring cast the only dissenting vote.
