Town of Delafield Chairman Edward Kranick has filed a formal complaint with Waukesha County District Attorney Lesli Boese, alleging the City of Delafield violated Wisconsin’s Open Meetings Law during an Oct. 20, 2025, Common Council meeting related to a presentation by the Western Lakes Fire District.
A piece in the Feb. 28, 2026 issue of the Waukesha Freeman described the complaint. According to the story:
The complaint asks the District Attorney’s Office to investigate whether the council improperly entered into closed session while reviewing a proposal related to fire and emergency services.
At the Oct. 20 meeting, the Common Council held a noticed session before voting to move behind closed doors.
The issue arises as the city evaluates long-term solutions for fire and emergency protection.
In July, the Common Council voted to solicit a formal proposal from the Western Lakes Fire District as part of that evaluation process.
Currently, the City of Delafield receives fire and safety services from Lake Country Fire & Rescue (LCFR), along with six other municipalities: Chenequa, Nashotah, Oconomowoc Lake, the Town of Delafield, Wales and the Town of Genesee.
Earlier this month, leaders from the seven Lake Country Fire & Rescue communities tentatively agreed to a framework for a long-term partnership. That renewed cooperation followed a year of negotiations that began last winter, when municipalities sought revisions to the department’s funding formula and governance structure.
Kranick’s complaint cites a Wisconsin statute permitting closed sessions only when competitive or bargaining reasons require confidentiality.
According to the complaint, the agenda description indicates the session involved a presentation of a proposal — not negotiations or bargaining strategy.
The complaint further references Wisconsin case law which “makes clear that informational presentations or policy discussions do not qualify for this exemption and must be conducted in open session.”
The Oct. 20 agenda noted the possibility of a closed session regarding the presentation of a proposal requested by the Council to provide fire, rescue and emergency medical services to the City of Delafield.
Meeting minutes reflect the motion and approval to enter closed session and later reconvene in open session. The minutes state there was “no discussion or action regarding items discussed in closed session.”
Kranick has asked the District Attorney’s Office to determine whether a violation occurred.
Attached to the complaint, there were emails exchanged between Kranick and Aicher, including a June 3 message in which Kranick shared a guest column titled “Want a Closed Session? Explain Yourself” by Tom Kamenick.
“I saw this article in the Waukesha Freeman today, and wanted to share because it is my hope that future closed session regarding Lake County Fire and Rescue comply with the statues that allows for closed session.”
Aicher responded the same day: “Ed, you do not have to ‘hope’ for the city’s compliance with the law, you can rely on it. What circumstances cited in that article did your imagination exaggerate to make you believe that either violation could possibly apply for anything that the city of Delafield has ever engaged in or intends to? Very odd and unfounded concern on your part. Please worry about something else.”
The District Attorney’s Office has not yet publicly commented on the complaint.
