Tensions flare at Sunday’s Meridian Twp. special meeting
MERIDIAN TWP., Mich. (WLNS) — Meridian Township employees, residents, and officials voiced their opinions Sunday morning during a special board meeting.
The 10 a.m. meeting centered around the now-former Township Manager Frank Walsh, and how staff members and elected officials are looking to move forward. “I think this board, and I think this staff, and I think the township has a lot of work ahead of them,” said Meridian Township Clerk Deborah Guthrie.
Board members unanimously passed three items on the agenda. These included Walsh’s resignation; retaining Walsh within the township in a new, eight-month role as consultant; and the appointment of Tim Schmitt as the interim township manager.
“The township board would like to thank you for all of your patience,” said Scott Hendrickson, one trustee for the board. “But this board remains committed to take the appropriate time to carefully consider these matters, and to protect the privacy of both Manager Walsh and any of those who have contributed to an investigation.”
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6 News has previously reported on complaints about Walsh’s management practices.
Meridian Township employees, including the communications manager, spoke at Sunday’s meeting about the investigations into Walsh.
“I am tired of staying silent, and that is what has been happening this entire time, is silence,” said Samantha Diehl, the township’s communications manager.
Others voiced concerns that Walsh is being kept on with the township to help with various projects for several additional months, although Walsh will fulfill the role from his home office.
Meanwhile, Trustee Marna Wilson said Walsh’s expertise is still needed.
“The reason that we are engaging in a consultation agreement is that we are in the process, deep in the process, 14 months in, of trying to bring to this community an amenity that has been missing for a very long time,” said Wilson.
“And that is improving our senior center and improving our community center for everyone. In addition, the budget is very critical; this is a very challenging budget in 2025 that we need to work on, and the expertise of Mr. Walsh doing 11 budgets is not to be lost, so it will be helpful to have him in that process,” Wilson went on to say.
At the end of Sunday’s meeting, Walsh thanked the community for the support of the last 11 years in an emotional goodbye.
“I appreciate all of you,” Walsh said. “I appreciate our team. I appreciate what everyone has done. I tried my best, and it wasn’t perfect; but thank you.”
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