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Attorney General finds no Open Meetings Act violation in Patton v. Cranston City Council
Summary
The Rhode Island Attorney General ruled on Nov. 3 that the council did not violate the Open Meetings Act in the Patton complaint; the AG concluded posted notice and attachments were sufficient and links are required only when an agenda’s meaning depends on them.
Cranston — The Rhode Island Attorney General’s office has determined the Cranston City Council did not violate the Open Meetings Act in a complaint related to three meetings in August 2025, the council’s solicitor told members on Nov. 17.
Solicitor Marcello summarized the finding: the complaint alleged agendas were not specific enough, lacked required 48‑hour posting for comment and failed to include links to an amendment related to a legal contract. The AG reviewed the materials and found the posted notice and attached contract were sufficient; it held that state precedent requires attachments or links only when an agenda item’s sufficiency depends on the attachment or link.
"There was no finding of a violation of the law," the solicitor said, noting the AG’s office rendered the decision on Nov. 3 and that the quick resolution was welcome.
Council members asked no further questions; the council president thanked the solicitor for his work and described the ruling as an affirmation of the council’s transparency practices.
