The first public meeting in more than a decade was held Wednesday without convicted Ramapo Town Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence.

Suffern Mayor Edward Markunas was among dozens at the meeting led by Deputy Supervisor Yitzchok Ullman.

"The town of Ramapo should move forward, put this behind them, move forward and get the town board in here to look out for the entire town and all the villages," Markunas said.

The Ramapo Town Board dissolved any power or position held by St. Lawrence, who is no longer leading the town after a 20-count conviction last week on conspiracy and wire fraud.

Some longtime residents blame the board, though, for not taking action before St. Lawrence was convicted.

"The board should have asked him to step down, said Camille Saunders. "Now, the same board wants us to believe that they are going to do good for all the people in this community. We don't buy it."

Ullman will serve out the rest of St. Lawrence's term, which ends Dec. 31.