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Wareham Finance Committee told to complete AG open‑meeting training after posting lapse; approves $312 dues
Summary
The Wareham Finance Committee discussed an Attorney General open‑meeting complaint and the AG’s requirement that members complete a webinar within 90 days; the committee also approved a $312 annual dues payment to the association of town finance committees and adjourned.
WAREHAM, Mass. — The Wareham Finance Committee addressed an open‑meeting law complaint at its Jan. 12, 2026 meeting and noted that the Attorney General’s office requires committee members to complete an open‑meeting law training webinar within 90 days.
Committee members reviewed a written complaint that said the committee failed to list a vote on the vice chair and clerk on an agenda. The chair told members the Attorney General’s office “ordered all members of the committee to attend an open‑meeting law training webinar provided by our office within 90 days,” and members discussed how to register for the AG’s online sessions on mass.gov. The committee cited available webinar dates, including Jan. 21, Feb. 10 and March 2, and said the training lasts about 90 minutes.
Members acknowledged the posting error and apologized. The chair characterized the matter as a novice mistake and said the group should focus on following the AG’s guidance going forward. During discussion, members debated potential consequences for failing to complete training; participants noted that the AG’s office would provide guidance on enforcement but did not detail local removal procedures at the meeting.
The committee also handled routine business. Members approved payment of an invoice for $312 to the association of town finance committees to cover annual dues; the chair said the expense covers membership benefits and training access. The committee conducted roll‑call votes during the meeting; the recorded yes votes were Allan, Rihanna, Bernie, Heidi and Jody Smith for the items taken up.
On procedural matters, members discussed scheduling ahead of the town meeting. The chair said Room 27 at Wareham Town Hall had been reserved for Monday nights before town meeting and announced an all‑day budget session set for Feb. 12 beginning at 8:30 a.m., during which department heads would be invited to present. Members asked staff to check for conflicts with the sewer commission’s usual Thursday meeting times.
The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn that passed on roll call. The committee did not take any further formal action on the complaint during the session; members said they would complete the AG training and follow any additional instructions from the Attorney General’s office.
Next steps: Committee members will register for an AG webinar and the committee will meet again as scheduled to continue budget preparation ahead of town meeting.
