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Smithfield council debates ending closed‑session minutes; motion proposed and carried
Summary
Councilman Bowman moved to stop creating minutes or recordings of closed sessions; members and the interim town attorney debated transparency, FOIA exemptions and subpoena risk before the council proceeded without recording the closed session.
Councilman Bowman moved at the March 3 meeting that the Smithfield Town Council stop taking minutes, recordings or records of closed sessions effective immediately. "There be no more minutes or recordation or records taken of closed meetings, by the Smithfield Town Council effective this evening," Bowman said when making the motion.
Several council members objected or urged caution. Councilman Cutler and others argued that keeping some record supports accuracy and accountability; Cutler said he was "surprised" that government…
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