Selectmen Get 3rd Open Meeting Law Complaint Over Agenda Posting

STOUGHTON, MA — The selectmen face a third open meeting law complaint about the agenda for the first meeting after the recall election.

Tuesday night, the selectmen responded to the open meeting law complaint from former school committee member Erdem Ural, who alleges that the agenda was posted at 7:09 p.m. on Dec. 7, less than 48 hours prior to the Dec. 11 meeting with the weekend not included.

He said that the agenda was posted after Town Hall closed at 7 p.m. and therefore, items from that meeting including board reorganization and a swearing-in ceremony are also in violation of the law.

In the board's response, Chairman Bob O'Reagan said town offices closed at 7 p.m., but Town Hall was open for meetings and custodial staff. He also said that the Dec. 11 meeting had a 7:15 start time and was in compliance with the 48 hours rule.

Selectman Rick Hill pointed out that the town clerk's office was open because that's the office responsible for posting meeting notices and the swearing-in ceremony at the meeting was only ceremonial.

O'Reagan said meeting notices may be moved to the Town Hall window and they are trying to get a bulletin board with a protective window so they can place the notices outdoors.

Former selectmen Peter Brown and David Sousa have also submitted open meeting law complains about the Dec. 11 agenda.

Image: File Photo