UPDATED – Town of Wheaton Board Town Chair Vacancy – Town of Wheaton, Chippewa County, Wisconsin

The Town Chair position has become vacant again this time due to Bob Sworski resigning from the position. With Bob’s permission we have included his resignation letter to help answer any questions residents/businesses may have at this time. We appreciate Bob’s service to the Town of Wheaton having served on the Plan Commission and Town Board.

Click here for Resignation Letter

What happens with the open Town of Wheaton Board Town Chair position?

First, on August 16, 2023 during Town Board Special Meeting the town board created Town Vice Chair (1 of the Town Supervisors) via Resolution 2023-02 in order to keep town operations running if there was a Town Chair vacancy.

Second, after Bob Sworski was appointed to the Town Chair position the Vice Town Chair position was filled with Alice Droske. Alice will be handling Town Chair responsibilities during the Town Chair vacancy period.

Lastly, we will be filling the position of Town Chair previously held by Bob per State Statute 17.25:

17.25 Vacancies in town offices; how filled. Vacancies in town offices shall be filled as follows:

(1)(a) In the town board, by the remaining supervisors and the town clerk, except when a special election is authorized under subd. 2, and par. (d) or as provided in s.9.10….

(1)(b) Vacancies in other elective town offices shall be filled by appointment by the town board, except as provided in ss. 8.50 (4) (fm) and 9.10, and except for vacancies caused by removal by the judge of the circuit court which latter vacancy shall be filled by that judge.

(1)(c) Persons appointed under this subsection to fill vacancies shall hold office for the residue of the unexpired term or, if a special election is ordered to fill a vacancy, until the successor is elected and qualified.

(1)(d) Any town board having more than 3 members may, if a vacancy in the office of supervisor occurs before June 1 in the year preceding expiration of the term of office, order a special election to fill the vacancy. If the town board orders a special election during the period beginning on June 1 and ending on November 30 of any year, the special election shall be held concurrently with the succeeding spring election. If the town board orders a special election during the period beginning on December 1 and ending on May 31 of the succeeding year, the special election shall be held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November following the date of the order. A person so elected shall serve for the residue of the unexpired term.

Section 9.10 applies to recalled officers and is not applicable. Subdivision 2 applies to multiple vacancies and (1)(d) references a special election to fill the office of supervisor with specific timeframes and at the discretion of the board. Neither of these provisions will apply.

Therefore, an elector of the Town of Wheaton, which can include an existing Town Supervisor, will be appointed and take the oath of office and the seat at a future Town Board meeting. The person appointed to fill this vacancy shall hold office for the remaining of the unexpired term through April 2025.

Interested in the position?

Any town elector may apply for this appointment.

How to apply for the position? Note: This section was updated since the original posting.

1.) Contact any of the Town Supervisors or Town Clerk for consideration of appointment.

2.) Submit your resume via email to Town Supervisors and Town Clerk ahead of time or bring 5 copies to the Town Board Meeting being held on April 9, 2024 at 7PM.

3.) All candidates must attend the Town Board Meeting being held on April 9, 2024 at 7PM.