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Weston trustees adopt 'Speak Your Peace' civility resolution after brief debate
Summary
The Village of Weston Board of Trustees voted to adopt Resolution 2025-010 endorsing the 'Speak Your Peace' civility principles for meetings and public comment after a motion to postpone failed for lack of a second.
The Village of Weston Board of Trustees voted to adopt Resolution 2025-010 promoting the "Speak Your Peace" civility project, a nine-point civility guidance other Wisconsin municipalities have used, after a short debate and a voice vote.
Trustee Ermeling moved to approve the resolution and Trustee Cronin seconded the motion. Village administrator Jamie Gaber described the package in the meeting packet as an RFC and said the guidance is already being used elsewhere in the state and could be displayed as a poster or placed at the bottom of future agendas to remind participants of the nine points of civility. "If it's something that we proceed with, we could make a larger poster for the room that would show the 9 points of civility," Gaber told the board.
Trustee Wylan (transcript referenced as Wylan/Wylen) urged caution, saying a formal policy could chill speech. "I am concerned with this policy, that it would unintentionally suppress free expression, particularly when it comes to holding firm or opposing views," Wylan said during debate and moved to postpone the item indefinitely; that motion failed for lack of a second. Ermeling then moved to adopt the resolution, Cronin seconded, and the measure passed on a voice vote.
Supporters said the guidance is a simple, common-sense tool for keeping meetings orderly and respectful; one speaker noted other municipalities had implemented similar language. Administrators said the village could seek permission from the poster's original creator or produce its own version for meetings and agendas.
The resolution is nonbinding guidance intended for conduct at public meetings and public comment; it does not change statutory public-record or open-meeting requirements. The board did not attach enforcement language to the resolution during the vote.
Trustees did not record a roll-call tally in the meeting minutes for this voice vote; the transcript records an affirmative voice majority and one voiced opposition. The board moved on to the public-comment portion of the agenda after adopting the resolution.
