For the Hub City Times

MARSHFIELD – Marshfield aldermen have scheduled two days in March to hear a complaint that seeks the removal of Mayor Bob McManus from office.

The common council voted 10-0 on Feb. 23 in favor of scheduling the hearings for March 19 and March 22, and both public sessions will start at 6 p.m. Aldermen also voted to hire attorney James Kalny to act as legal representation for the council, and also to serve as hearing examiner during the proceedings in March.

He said:

Kalny also told the council that the hearings will focus solely on the complaint against the mayor, which alleges McManus, in response to a public records request, took actions which according to the complaint violated laws and ethical standards established by the city.

Kalny told the aldermen they will essentially be acting as jurors hearing a case against the mayor.

The formal complaint has not yet been served against the mayor. He must receive notice of the complaint by March 9, according to the hearing dates set by the council. In the meantime, a scheduling conference will be held between attorneys to exchange evidence and a list of potential witnesses, who would then need to be subpoenaed to appear at the hearings.

The complaint against the mayor was filed by Andy Keogh, a member of the city’s fire and police commission, who has not said anything publicly regarding the basis for the complaint.

Any action taken by the 10-member common council to remove the mayor from office would require a minimum of eight votes.