Ethics and executive session transparency
Repeated public criticism of closed sessions and undisclosed personal ties to developers in land decisions.
Public criticism of the Select Board's executive sessions and potential undisclosed ties to developers in land decisions intensified across three meetings from May to June 2026. The board consistently defended the sessions as legally mandated and noted prior disclosures. No vote changed practices, but a legal presentation on proper executive session use was scheduled.
The issue of ethics and executive session transparency emerged from public scrutiny of the Select Board's handling of real estate negotiations, particularly involving the Landers property. On 2026-05-12 the board entered executive session under MGL Chapter 30A Section 21A Clause 6 to discuss property values, which later drew criticism for limiting public oversight.
By the 2026-06-23 meeting, residents directly challenged the use of closed sessions for land deals and questioned whether undisclosed personal friendships with developers influenced votes on waivers of first refusal. Board members responded that such sessions were required to safeguard the town's negotiating position and that formal disclosures had been filed.
The following day on 2026-06-24 the same concerns resurfaced during the dedicated agenda item on Ethics, Transparency, and Executive Sessions. Citizens argued that the process created an appearance of impropriety, while the board reiterated legal compliance and maintained that all relationships had been properly disclosed.
These exchanges established a pattern in which public criticism of closed-door deliberations on developer-related land decisions prompted board defenses centered on statutory requirements and transparency measures already taken. The board subsequently committed to working with legal counsel on a staff presentation clarifying proper executive session use.
No formal vote altered the existing practices, leaving the recorded waivers intact while the scheduled presentation remains the next procedural step.
The Board is working with legal counsel to schedule a staff presentation on the proper use of executive sessions.
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