Delray board unanimously enters executive session after residents press for clearer disclosure

The Delray Board of Selectmen voted unanimously on May 26, 2026, to exit regular session at 6:51 p.m. and enter executive session under "MRSA section 4056A" for a personnel matter, a motion the board approved after a short debate about how specific motions to enter executive session must be. (Chair)

Remote board member Barbara, who had been allowed to attend and vote remotely earlier in the meeting, pressed for more specific disclosure before the board moved into executive session. She said she believed "a motion to go into executive session must indicate the precise nature of the business of the executive session and include the statute citation," and asked for clearer language so residents would know what topics are being discussed and when decisions would be made. (Barbara)

Other participants and board members countered that local practice often requires only a statutory citation and a general topic classification (for example, personnel), and that the board would check with the town lawyer about the proper level of specificity. One board member noted that several statutory categories exist (personnel, real estate, etc.) and that practice typically cites the relevant statute number rather than naming individuals or detailed subtopics. The motion to enter executive session — citing MRSA/4056A for a personnel matter — carried with all voting in favor, including Barbara. (Chair)

Before entering executive session the chair instructed non-committee participants to leave to the virtual waiting room and discussed stopping the public recording; the city clerk's office was acknowledged as assisting with the process. The board did not disclose any executive-session deliberations in the public record at the meeting.