Stillwater Village Board meets following mayor's arrest

PHOTOGRAPHER: Photo Provided

Rick Nelson.

In the Village Board’s first meeting since Mayor Rick Nelson’s arrest on child pornography charges and resignation last week, village officials continued to say little on the topic.

“We were all very surprised and saddened … to hear about the arrest of our colleague, village Mayor Rick Nelson,” said Frank Tatum, who introduced himself Tuesday to members of the media as the acting mayor. “It was unexpected, to say the least. To our residents, I want to say this: The past week has been an incredibly difficult time for the village of Stillwater, and we know that we are certainly going to be facing some challenging times ahead. But please be assured that we are a close community with a very dedicated group of public servants.”

Tatum, who had been serving on the Board of Trustees as deputy mayor, read from a prepared statement during the special meeting. Then the board voted to enter executive session for, according to the village website, “legal consultation on a personnel matter.” Tatum would not release more information, deferring further questions to the state police “as they continue their investigation into this matter.”

Nelson, 62, was charged Thursday with one felony count each of promoting a sexual performance by a child and possessing a sexual performance by a child, troopers said. He is accused of downloading child pornography on his home computer.

Nelson had served as mayor for the village of about 1,700 residents since April 2015. He resigned Friday.

“I am confident that we will get past this,” Tatum continued. “In the meantime, we have an important job to do, and the village and its residents are our No. 1 priority. There is much to do, and we will continue to stay focused on the matters at hand as we move forward running the village government.”

The small meeting room was packed with reporters, but few residents were in attendance.

Nelson was released from Saratoga County jail last week after posting $25,000 bond. He is due back in Stillwater Town Court at 6 p.m. Wednesday.