Gerard quits Plan Commission to focus on Sanitary District
By Patricia Bogumil
Staff Writer
After 21 years in office, Waterford Town Board Chairman Robert Langmesser has been called a lot of things, both good and bad.
But Czar of Waterford is a new one.
Last week, Langmesser received a letter from Bill Gerard, who tendered his resignation, effective Feb. 23, from the town’s plan commission.
In turn, Langmesser wrote back to accept Gerard’s resignation and thank him for his years of service.
But some comments and accusations in Gerard’s letter have Langmesser scratching his head.
“I don’t know what the heck he’s talking about,” said Langmesser.
A Czar-ship?
In his letter, Gerard tells Langmesser he appreciated being appointed to the plan commission, “but feel that I can no longer be a part of your Czar-ship as I do not want to be known as one of your ‘czars’.”
Without giving examples, Gerard writes that he has defended Langmesser’s “nasty comments about everyone and made excuses for your out and out lies.”
He further writes that he has “personally saved you thousands of dollars as well as the town by doing work that I did not charge for. I did do this never expecting or receiving anything in return.”
Gerard further apologizes to all the plan commissioners, writing that he hopes he “never embarrassed them” and explaining that he took the plan commission job seriously and tried to do his best.
Gerard also leaves open the possibility of his returning to the plan commission at “another day, another time.”
Under the bus
Gerard also writes that he agrees with statements he claims to have heard from Myron Ciesielski about Langmesser.
Ciesielski is a former town plan board member and former Sanitary District commissioner.
Gerard writes that Ciesielski “was right in everything he said about you in throwing everybody under the bus.”
“I am leaving before that happens,” Gerard’s letter states.
“I want to volunteer to join the ‘Under the Bus Club’ with the many others that you have already thrown under the bus.”
Ciesielski, contacted at home, said he has never made any “throw under the bus” comments about Langmesser or anyone else.
“I’ve never heard that term before and I’ve never used it,” said Ciesielski.
Also, “I’ve never discussed Langmesser with Bill Gerard,” he added.
Ciesielski said he considers Gerard’s letter to be very sarcastic and insulting and questioned why he had been sent a copy of it by Gerard.
Langmesser said people should realize that a commission or board has members chosen to bring different ideas and opinions to the table.
Just because he does not agree with someone’s ideas doesn’t mean that person has been thrown under a bus, said Langmesser.
Behavior issues
In his letter, Gerard chides Langmesser for telling repetitive stories and also derides him for making derogatory comments about the Sanitary District.
These are said to occur during what Gerard describes as “story book” sessions Langmesser holds with town public works employees.
“I have increasingly become embarrassed by the association I have with you,” Gerard’s letter continues.
“Your egocentricity has hurt many good people. You are an empty shell with no heart or conscience.”
He further chastises Langmesser for what he considers to be an attitude of hatred toward the office administrator for the Waterford Sanitary District, of which Gerard is President. He calls for Langmesser to apologize.
Further, Gerard notes that Langmesser recently suggested the “Sanitary District needs to have a public hearing regarding the (new monthly charges for) grinder pumps and do what is right.”
Yet Langmesser never held a public hearing for the purchase of a new fire truck, DPW trucks or any other large purchases, Gerard writes.
Gerard suggests what he calls “a novel idea” for Langmesser to consider: “Concentrate on the Town and your employees and quit criticizing the (Sanitary) District.”
In conclusion, Gerard writes that he “will devote my extra time to the Sanitary District to finish a job I started.”
Gerard marked his letter to be copied for delivery to Ciesielski, the two current Sanitary District commissioners, town plan commissioners and “All the Hundreds of Members of the Under the Bus Club.”
Langmesser comments
Langmesser, reached at home Sunday, declined to hit back.
“It’s crazy. I’m not going to respond to this. It’s just absurd,” Langmesser said.
But Langmesser was willing to share some thoughts about Gerard personally.
“I have nothing against Bill Gerard, he’s done a lot of good things for the community,” said Langmesser.
As examples, Gerard donated electrical work for the Waterford Town Park and police department and other work at the Town Hall, including putting on doors and building “some really nice cabinets,” said Langmesser.
“He’s done good things, but when it comes to his personality…” said Langmesser, letting his thought trail off.
No comment
Gerard was asked by the Waterford Post to comment about his plan commission resignation and to share examples of problems he’s identified.
Gerard did not respond to the Post’s information request.
The back story
Grinder pumps appear to be a driving force behind Gerard’s spike in unhappiness with Langmesser.
In recent weeks, the Sanitary District’s Board of Commissioners, which Gerard chairs, has faced questions about its decision to impose new $22.50 quarterly charges for 302 customers owning WSD grinder pumps.
The pumps are used on properties where sewage must be pumped uphill to the main sewer.
The new rates are designed to help make the 302 owners pay their fair share for the equipment’s maintenance and replacement, Commissioner Donna Block has explained.
But some of these owners are complaining that in 1988 they paid for contracts in which WSD agreed to own and maintain those grinder pumps at WSD’s expense, forever.
The new grinder pump charges, as well as a $5 quarterly hike in fees for all sewer district customers, are due to go into effect April 1.
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