Violation of Open Meeting Law Addressed

After last week's board of selectmen meeting to receive public input on the expanded gaming bill, a closed door meeting was held with three members of the board in attendance.

This is enough to constitute a quorum, and is against open meeting laws.

Chairman of the Selectmen Todd Cestari recently issued a letter addressing this issue.

"After last week’s public forum to discuss the State’s Expanded Gaming Bill," Cestari said. " I met with board members Benjamin Palleiko and Michelle Gates behind closed doors in an attempt to resolve personal differences between them. There was no intent for any deliberation to take place during this gathering."

The town council will be looking into this to determine if further action is needed.

"In retrospect, more care should have been taken to avoid the convening of a non-posted meeting among a quorum of the board," Cestari said.

"Any necessary measure will be taken to avoid such occurrences in the future," he continued, "I want to assure the people of Hopkinton that no issues concerning public policy or the operations of the Town of Hopkinton were discussed and no votes were taken or decisions made.