Town Accused of Violating Open Meeting Law

The former chairman of Hingham’s Veterans’ Council says that the town violated the Open Meeting Law by discussion decisions outside of a public meeting.

In a complaint signed on Aug. 19, James Claypoole said that it appeared that Hingham Town Administrator talked to members of the board of selectmen individually before making appointments and votes.

During a selectmen meeting on June 18, Selectman Paul Gannon said a list of proposed appointments to boards, including the Veterans’ Council, seemed predetermined. Gannon said he was told by Alexiades that there were two votes against the reappointment and his vote did not matter.

In a phone interview with the Boston Globe, Alexiades said he did speak to selectmen before meetings but only for preparation. He also denied telling Gannon that his vote didn’t matter.