Resident criticizes council member McSheehy during public comment, raises questions about road change orders

Chris Martinson, a Greenfield resident, used the public-comment period to sharply criticize Council member Matthew McSheehy and to question how the city handles feasibility estimates and change orders on road projects. "He targets citizens. He hunts citizens of Greenfield that disagree with him," Martinson said, adding that a prior investigation into complaints cost the city roughly $25,000.

Martinson said engineers who prepare feasibility estimates sometimes see project costs rise through multiple change orders and suggested capping change orders or requiring council approval above a threshold. The council clerk said staff would follow up with a report answering Martinson's questions about feasibility reports, change-order approvals and payments to engineering firms. "If we could get some answers and some reports on those questions in the future, that'd be appreciated," the mayor told Martinson.

The comment drew no formal council action beyond the staff follow-up request. Martinson also said he had hired an attorney and described pursuing a libel claim; he provided a phone number and email for people to contact him with additional information. The council did not debate the merits of Martinson's allegations during the meeting; instead staff were asked to supply clarifying information about the feasibility and change-order process.