VERMILION TWP — A Vermilion Township trustee has extended a temporary step away from chairman duties for an additional 30 days, according to an email distributed following Wednesday’s township meeting.
The trustee stated in the email that the recusal from chairman responsibilities would continue through June 17 due to “circumstances beyond my control.” The trustee also said attendance at the township’s June 3 meeting would be strictly in the role of a voting trustee.
“All other responsibilities of the Chairman will need to be taken on by the Acting Chair or his designated representative,” the email stated.
The extension means Acting Chair Don Rowe will continue overseeing township meeting operations and administrative responsibilities tied to the chair position.
Background To The Dispute
The issue was previously reported by Vermilion Daily after Trustee Kenn Baughman voluntarily stepped away from the chair position and requested a public hearing connected to allegations involving his access to former township building official Joe Baxter’s office.
According to township officials and an incident report made to the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, Baxter alleged that Baughman improperly entered his office while Baxter was away on vacation and accessed documents inside the office.
According to Baughman, the issue also involved concerns that a chair had been placed against an interior office doorway and tied with a cord, limiting access between Baxter’s office and the fiscal office.
While some township officials questioned whether Baughman should have provided Baxter advance notice before accessing the office, multiple individuals involved described the matter as an internal township dispute rather than a criminal issue.
Multiple officials familiar with the matter indicated they do not expect criminal charges related to the dispute.
Baughman has previously denied wrongdoing and has publicly stated he wanted the matter addressed openly rather than through closed-door discussions. Based on information reviewed by Vermilion Daily, the matter is not expected to result in further criminal investigation or prosecution by the Erie County Sheriff’s Office or Erie County Prosecutor’s Office. Acting Chair Don Rowe has also indicated the board does not intend to pursue additional action related to the matter at this time.
Rowe, during the Wednesday Board of Trustees meeting, denied Baughman’s request for a public hearing following consultation with the Erie County Prosecutor’s Office.