from the most recent copy of the open meeting law guide from Massachusetts Attorney General.
2. To conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel
or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with nonunion
personnel;
Generally, a public body must identify the specific non-union personnel or collective
bargaining unit with which it is negotiating before entering into executive session under
Purpose 2.
A public body may withhold the identity of the non-union personnel or
bargaining unit if publicly disclosing that information would compromise the purpose for
which the executive session was called. While we generally defer to public bodies’
assessment of whether the inclusion of such details would compromise the purpose for
an executive session, a public body must be able to demonstrate a reasonable basis for
that claim if challenged.
While a public body may agree on terms with individual non-union personnel in
executive session, the final vote to execute such agreements must be taken by the
public body in open session. In contrast, a public body may approve final terms and
execute a collective bargaining agreement in executive session, but should promptly
disclose the agreement in open session following its execution.
posted by Jeff Bennett
It does look like aa big change should be coming to how things are done in our Town of Templeton. If our elected officials are brave enough to go behind closed doors to do the Town's business, then they should disclose their agreement to the people they are supposed to be representing in open setting. If they the Selectmen have given the Fire Chief time off, and are not going to reappointment him, they owe it to the people of this Town to be open about their decision. This is not Russia, it is still Templeton.
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