Resident urges pursuit of Chapter 61A parcel; committee votes to enter executive session

A committee meeting moved into executive session after a resident urged the body to pursue a Chapter 61A property acquisition for affordable housing.

Al Hamilton, speaking as a private citizen, told the meeting he had consulted the Attorney General's duty lawyer about conflicts of interest and that he could not participate in the details of the transaction. "I am merely speaking as Al Hamilton, citizen," he said, and urged the board "to pursue the acquisition of the 61A property" and to involve the select board promptly, recommending the issue be placed on the next select-board agenda.

Before the public comment, members approved several sets of minutes. A motion to accept the March 25 open-meeting minutes passed on a roll-call vote after minor edits were noted. The body also approved executive-session minutes for the earlier item, with a footer-date correction noted.

After the resident's remarks, a member moved that the committee "enter executive session per MGL chapter 30A section 21 with no intention to return to open session to discuss potential property acquisition," citing the possibility that open discussion could harm the town's negotiating position. The motion was seconded and carried on a roll-call vote; members recorded as voting in the affirmative included Ellen, David Joiner and Doug, and the chair stated the motion passed. The host then locked the meeting and stopped the recording.

The meeting did not return to open session, and no formal public outcome on the property was announced during the recorded portion of the meeting.