Resident raises concern over unannounced town-hall closure and alleges staff used threatening language toward council member

At the Aug. 7 Stevensville Town Council special meeting, a resident identified in the transcript as Sue told the council she found Town Hall closed at 1 p.m. the previous weekend without prior public notice and raised concerns that the closure contradicted a prior council decision to keep the office open during weekdays except federal and state holidays.

"I did notice that town hall was closed for the number on the door saying close at 1PM. I didn't see a prior notice on Facebook or anything saying that it was going to be closed," Sue said during the public-comment period. She said the council had discussed closing Town Hall at noon on Fridays at a prior meeting and that many townspeople opposed the change.

Sue also reported an exchange on social media involving an individual she identified as Steven Lassiter, which she described as containing profanity and a comment she said she construed as threatening toward Council member Smith. "Steven Lassiter once again had put his 2¢ to it ... quote, 'holy ****, that's funny,' end quote. Council member Smith replied to Steven and reminded him that he had signed a contract when he was employed regarding how he was expected to behave towards the public. Stephen answered him in an extremely condescending way ... ended up saying, quote, 'careful where you ...' I take that as a threat to a council member," Sue said. She added she had sent a letter to the mayor about the incident and that "Steven has been reprimanded at least twice that I know of."

The transcript records no formal council action in response to the public comment during the meeting. After Sue finished, the mayor (not named in the transcript) thanked her and the meeting moved to new business.