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North Smithfield Council votes to enter executive session to discuss litigation, personnel and land acquisition
Summary
On Nov. 18, 2024 the North Smithfield Town Council voted unanimously to move into executive session to discuss pending litigation (Tech Realty LLC v. Town of North Smithfield, case PCDash2023Dash00104), a personnel health matter involving a rescue services employee, and a potential land acquisition.
The North Smithfield Town Council voted on Nov. 18, 2024 to enter an executive session to discuss pending litigation, a confidential personnel health matter and a possible land acquisition.
The council cited Rhode Island General Laws § 42-46-5 in moving behind closed doors, identifying Tech Realty LLC v. Town of North Smithfield, Zoning Board of Review, case number PCDash2023Dash00104, as one item for the session and naming Cynthia De Jesus in her capacity as Finance Director as an attendee for that discussion. The presiding officer also said the council would consider a personnel matter involving the physical health of an employee of North Smithfield Fire and Rescue Services, Inc., and one potential acquisition of land.
Madam Clerk moved "we move into executive session," and the presiding officer seconded the motion. A roll call vote followed; members recorded in the transcript voted in the affirmative and the motion passed unanimously. The clerk invited town administrator-elect Scott Gibbs and council members Rebecca and David into the executive session.
The statutory authority cited on the record was Rhode Island General Laws § 42-46-5, which permits closed sessions for specified purposes including litigation, personnel health matters and deliberations on the acquisition or disposition of public real estate. The transcript lists the litigation matter by name and case number but records no substantive discussion of facts on the public record. The council proceeded to adjourn the public portion and move into the closed session for the matters announced.
No public votes on ordinances, resolutions or budget items were recorded in the public portion of the meeting; the only formal action taken on the record was the unanimous vote to enter executive session. The executive session items are now matters the council will handle under the confidentiality rules that govern closed sessions under state law.
