Greenwood Town Board meets in closed session

NOVEMBER 29, 2016 — Members of the Greenwood Town Board of Supervisors met in a closed session at 10:00 a.m. this morning to consult with an attorney. Greenwood is facing litigation from Commissioner Ken Peterson of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry originating in a complaint from (now) Township Supervisor Jeff Maus, who also serves the township as a firefighter and has previously served as a fire department officer.

As required by Minnesota statute the meeting was convened in public before it moved into a closed session. Upon calling the meeting to order Board Chairman Dr. John Bassing announced that Attorney Robert Alsop would be meeting with the board by telephone during the closed session and cited attorney–client privilege as the reason for closing the meeting. Minnesota Statute 13D.05 subdivision 3, permits town boards to close public meetings to conduct specific data private business.

Most closed meetings must be electronically recorded however the statute allows the township to forego the recording in matters involving attorney–client privilege.

It was expected that Supervisor Gene Baland would also attend the meeting by telephone. Supervisor Maus was not present at the meeting.

Following the closed consultation session with the attorney the meeting reconvened in open session before it adjourned. Following the meeting Greenwood Township Clerk Sue Drobac informed The News that no motions were made and no actions were taken by the board.