By Phyllis Rose
Five new Brady Township Board members were sworn in at a special meeting November 20. Taking office were Clerk Reagan Hunter, Treasurer Elise Stephens, and trustees Todd Thompson, Rodney Richardson and Lee Naplin.
Newly elected Township Supervisor Randy Smith had previously been sworn in by retiring Supervisor Tracy Locey. Returning to the Board as a trustee is John Meyer, who was also sworn in at the meeting.
Others taking office were Locey as deputy clerk and former treasurer Malia Allgaier as deputy treasurer.
Appointments to various boards and committees were announced and the oaths of office given to those appointees.
Supervisor Smith explained to new members how the meetings work and also reviewed rules of order. He also told them not to hesitate to interrupt him if he uses an acronym or mentions something they don’t understand.
Smith also cautioned them to not discuss township business with four or more board members outside of the official meetings because that constitutes a quorum and violates the state Open Meetings Act. Such discussions also include texts or emails going out to four or more board members.
Talking about issues in public situations even when there may be only one other person there can cause issues, he noted. “People are listening to you now even if you’re not a quorum,” he said.
Smith also explained how closed sessions work with additional information provided by Township Attorney Craig Rolfe.
“No decision can be made in a closed session,” said Rolfe. “The action takes place in an open session.”
Following the instructional session, the Board voted to set a budget workshop at 6 p.m., Thursday, December 12.
