Meridian Township Board recesses without action

MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WLNS) — After more than three and half hours behind closed doors in a closed session, the Meridian Township Board of Trustees returned to open session at 11:15 p.m. and recessed the meeting until 6 p.m. April 17, 2024.

The Board had been in closed session to discuss a “personnel matter.” 6 News reported exclusively the personnel matter related to Township Manager Frank Walsh, complaints against him by employees, and an investigation conducted by an outside lawyer.

“The Township Board has re-entered open session at 11:15 p.m.,” Township Supervisor Pro Tem Scott Hendrickson said. “The Board and the Manager have agreed that given the lateness of the hour and the importance of the discussion at hand, that we must have a little bit more time to discuss this. And the Board has decided to recess until 6 p.m. at (sic) April 17, 2024 with the intention of re-entering closed session to complete that discussion.”

Township elected officials have declined to discuss or confirm the ongoing investigation.

The Board entered into the closed session shortly after 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to discuss a “personnel matter.” Shortly before 8:30 p.m. 6 News witnessed Hendrickson exit the closed session and walk to Walsh’s office.

Walsh then exited his office and entered the Township Hall Room where the closed session was happening.

The Board held a short bathroom recess at about 10:30 p.m. Walsh did not exit the Township Hall Room.

Shortly before 11 p.m., 6 News discovered Walsh standing beside a back exit to the Township Hall Room near the parking lot of the Municipal Building. He talked with Assistant Township Manager Dan Opsommer. Opsommer left and Walsh remained outside.

Shortly before 11 p.m., Township Treasurer Phil Deschaine opened the backdoor to the room and invited Walsh back into the closed session.

During the closed session, three employees, 6 News and former Township Trustee Milton Scales sat in the lobby of the Municipal Building near the welcome and information desk. That’s about 20 feet from the doors to the meeting room where the closed session was occurring. On occasion, loud voices could be heard emanating from the room through the doors, and at one point one person’s laughter was heard.

“On the advice of Township counsel, the Board has no comment on any investigation that may or may not be ongoing,” Hendrickson wrote in a Monday email, on behalf of the Board, in response to detailed questions about the investigation of Walsh.

A 6 News investigation has revealed employees of the Township began informal complaints against Walsh in May 2023. On August 10, 2023, Township Supervisor Patricia Herring Jackson and Hendrickson met with township human resources department officials. In that meeting, the two elected officials were informed of formal complaints lodged against Walsh.

Meridian Township Leadership Investigation Timeline

Those complaints stem from allegations of unfair distribution of employee wellness and recognition dollars and Walsh’s management practices. Walsh’s outside consulting business and his use of township resources were also brought into the investigation.

Walsh’s management style has resulted in what numerous sources say is a “toxic” workplace.

More on this story

• Live Blog: Reporting Live from Meridian Township

• Meridian Township Manager’s future up in the air

• Meridian Township Manager using Township resources for personal benefit

• Meridian Township Board will re-enact closed session to avoid Open Meetings Act Violation

• Guthrie’s write-in campaign will face name on ballot

• Disqualified Clerk files as write-in candidate

• Meridian Township officials tightlipped on special meetings

Editor’s Note

This report is part of an extensive investigation by 6 News. It involved numerous confidential sources and thousands of pages of public documents. The investigation stems from dissatisfaction employees and residents of Meridian Township have had over an investigation being conducted by an outside law firm into allegations and concerns over Walsh’s manager practices from human resources activity to the handling of township dollars. 

All of the sources who spoke to 6 News for this reporting were granted anonymity because they fear retaliation from Walsh and they remain actively involved at the township. 6 News relied on sources verifying information provided, often independently of one other, as well as cross-referencing with thousands of pages of documents.

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