Waterford trustees approve reduced board work‑session schedule after public debate on transparency

The Waterford Township Board of Trustees on April 28 approved a revised schedule of board work sessions for 2025 after an extended debate over transparency and public access.

Supporters said the schedule keeps regular study meetings while reducing sessions the board members said were often unproductive; opponents and public commenters urged the board to retain more frequent meetings, move some to larger, recorded venues and keep them accessible to residents who cannot attend during daytime hours.

The dispute centered on whether the township should hold the same number of work sessions it had in prior years or reduce them to prevent meetings that trustees said sometimes had little substantive agenda. Trustee Harris led the push to keep more meetings and to move sessions to a larger, recorded venue; he argued residents need more opportunities to weigh in before formal votes. “The public should also know what we are discussing prior to voting so that they can weigh in,” Trustee Harris said during public remarks and later in board debate.

Supervisor Bartolotta and other trustees said the township has increased transparency through online agendas, minutes and posted video, and said work sessions should be used only when they produce substantive discussion. “If we need a meeting, above and beyond the mandated meetings, then we shall have it,” Supervisor Bartolotta said during the debate.

After discussion the board voted to approve the proposed 2025 work‑session schedule. Roll call recorded six votes in favor and one against (Trustee Harris). The board also took dozens of public comments during the meeting, including written letters urging the board to keep work sessions and to broadcast them; several residents called for at least one larger, evening meeting to increase attendance and remote viewership.

Residents and community groups who spoke at the meeting said they want regular opportunities to review plans in advance of votes on items including the community center, the residential road repair program, and the waste‑hauler contract. The board did not change its existing policy for broadcasting regular township board meetings but acknowledged suggestions to evaluate taking some work sessions to a larger, recorded venue and to make video easier to access.

Board members said they will continue to accept requests to add items to the agenda ahead of meetings and that special meetings can be scheduled when significant new matters arise.

The approved schedule is set to appear on the township calendar; trustees said they will consider adjustments or special sessions if substantive items require additional public deliberation.