Town of Waukesha supervisors can continue to use video conference methods to attend meetings.
After a contentious discussion four and a half hours into Thursday night's joint Plan Commission and Board meeting, the Town Board voted 3-2 to reject a motion that would have required board members to be physically present during meetings.
This has become a hot topic of late as new Town chairman John Marek pledged to remove the notion of a 'cyber supervisor' during his campaign earlier this year.
Supervisors in the town have had the opportunity to attend meetings via Skype where a computer screen is set up at the front of the room so they can see and hear what is taking place at meetings.
A few of the board members have utilized the technology when they are not able to attend a meeting.
Marek's main objection, however, has come with Supervisor Mike Laska, who utilizes Skype to attend meetings while he is at his vacation home in Texas during the winter and early spring.
"It's no secret I have strong opposition to this," Marek said.
He, along with Supervisor Brian Fischer, voted in favor of having supervisors be physically present to participate in discussions, make a motion and be counted on when a determination is made as to whether a quorum is present.
Laska, meanwhile, had the support of supervisors Joe Banske and Larry Wolf.
And Laska defended his stance saying he is just as active of a supervisor as the others, despite not being in the Town of Waukesha during this time.
"It's an absolute great tool and work does get done," Laska said. "I still perform my duties."