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Council will continue talks with museum society after executive session; residents urge civility and warn against cutting museum support
Summary
After a closed executive session on possible litigation, the council voted not to postpone talks with the museum society and will continue discussions; public commenters urged protection of the museum and staff, while councilors and staff asked residents to stop harassing people involved in the debate.
The Silver City Town Council voted June 23 to continue discussions with the museum society rather than postpone them pending a review of recently raised concerns.
After a closed executive session limited to attorney-client communications about threatened or pending litigation, the council returned to open session, confirmed by roll call that no decisions were made during closed session, and then considered a motion to "disapprove postponing further discussions between the town and the museum society pending a full review of multiple recently raised questions, comments or concerns." Counselor Prince made the motion; after a second and a roll-call vote, the motion passed, meaning the town will continue talks rather than pause them.
The executive session and the subsequent vote followed several public and council remarks about the museum during the meeting. Councilor Salise earlier urged residents to stop harassing people over the museum debate and said she was concerned about the sustainability of museum spending, identifying $700,000 as a figure she referenced in the broader budget debate. The acting town manager asked the public to leave museum employees out of personal disputes, saying staff are under stress and should not be targeted for actions between the town and outside groups.
During public comment, museum volunteer Barbara Toro said the museum is an important visitor attraction and asked the council not to lose the institution amid disputes between the society and town staff. Several councilors later expressed appreciation for staff and volunteers and encouraged civil engagement.
What happened next: The council's vote to continue discussions does not disclose details of the legal matters discussed in executive session; the mayor and clerk recorded that the closed session was limited to attorney-client issues and that no final decisions were made there. The council directed staff to proceed with dialogue with the museum society as the next step.
Why it matters: The council's decision keeps a path open for negotiating outcomes with the museum society while staff and legal counsel review concerns raised by both sides. Councilors stressed the town's obligation to act within statutory limits and to protect town employees from harassment.
