Andrew CAO leaves meeting amid heated debate

BY JANA SEMENIUK

The Village of Andrew’s July 12 council meeting was interrupted by a heated disagreement between Chief Administrative Officer Tim Melnyk and Mayor Merwin Haight that resulted in Melnyk leaving the meeting after the first 18 minutes.

Haight and Melnyk were at odds over adopting a portion of the previous meeting minutes where Haight disputed whether an issue listed had even been discussed. The meeting was not audio recorded by the council.

Haight eventually hammered his wooden gavel to end the argument which prompted Melnyk to abruptly leave the meeting. Haight then called for a 15-minute recess. When council reconvened, Melnyk was still absent. As a result, Haight made the motion to appoint councillor Barry Goertz to record the minutes, which was carried. Additionally,

Haight asked for the disputed portion of the previous meeting minutes to be removed.

“This is noted as an error,” he said, asking all in favour to amend the minutes which was carried.

Melnyk, unexpectedly returned to the council table shortly after, where Haight informed him of Goertz’ appointment for taking the minutes.

“Councillor Goertz has been appointed to take minutes of the meeting and it was passed by motion,” he said.

“Well, I don’t know how that can happen,” said Melnyk. “You need a CAO and the person appointed has to be appointed by me. That’s it.”

Melnyk quietly left the meeting a second time and didn’t return, prompting the council to declare a closed session at 7:46 p.m.

No motions were made when council emerged from their closed session an hour later, and they quickly moved through their remaining agenda.

Items included hearing council reports, moving several bylaw readings to future meetings, in addition to reading an offer letter from a resident wishing to purchase a shed from the Village for $500. The meeting finally adjourned at 9:18 p.m. with no word from Melnyk.

A notice was posted on the Village’s social media page two days later of a special council meeting for July 17 at 9 a.m. While deputy mayor Tammy Pickett did not disclose specific information discussed during the special meeting, she did confirm that all of council, including Melnyk, were present at the meeting and no motions were passed.

“We still have a CAO,” she said by text. “This was more of a ‘how can