Greater New Bedford Voc‑Tech school committee votes to enter executive session over litigation and contract talks

The Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical School Committee voted to enter an executive session to discuss strategy related to potential litigation and ongoing collective bargaining negotiations with "GN" and "BEU," and to prepare for negotiations with nonunion personnel, an unidentified meeting official said.

The official cited Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30A, Section 21, which permits closing a meeting when an open session would have a detrimental effect on the litigating or bargaining position of a public body. "To meet for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to ongoing collective bargaining negotiations with the GN, BEU, and to meet for the purpose of discussing strategy and preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel," the speaker said.

A motion to adjourn to executive session was made and seconded; the transcript does not identify who moved or seconded. The committee then conducted a roll call. Miss Betancourt was recorded as voting "Yes." Mister Kitchen was called but the transcript does not record a vote. Miss Dolovera, Miss Treadup, Dr. Marlin and Pimentel were each recorded as voting "Yes." The motion passed by roll call.

The meeting facilitator told members they would return to open session after the executive session. "Members will be returning to open session," the speaker said.

The record in the transcript is limited to the motion, the legal basis cited, and the roll-call responses; the transcript does not record the substance of any discussion to be held in executive session, the names of the motion's mover or seconder, or the time when the committee will reconvene in open session.