Oak Bluffs committee moves into executive session to interview town administrator candidates

Chair Dion Alley called the Town of Oak Bluffs Town Administrator Search Committee to order at 12:00 p.m. on April 22, 2026, and the panel approved the minutes of its March 18 meeting by roll-call vote.

Mr. Greg Coogan then moved, seconded by FINCOM Chair Bob Malecki, that the committee "in accordance with MGL c.30A s.21(a)(8) ... move into executive session, in order to consider or interview for employment or appointment candidates for the position of town administrator, because an open meeting will have a detrimental effect in obtaining qualified candidates." The motion specified that the screening committee would not return to public session. The motion passed by roll call: Coogan, Fisher, Searle, Lima, Malecki, Honeycutt and Alley voted aye (7–Aye).

Following the vote, the committee conducted interviews in executive session. Candidate #29 was introduced to the committee by Mr. Rick White and was interviewed; the record notes Candidate #29 departed at 1:12 p.m. The committee took a short break and then reconvened to interview Candidate #8, also introduced by Mr. White. The meeting record indicates these interviews occurred in executive session and that the committee did not return to public session to discuss candidate deliberations or name finalists.

The committee returned only to vote to adjourn. At 2:33 p.m. Mr. Coogan moved to adjourn, seconded by Police Chief Jonathan Searle; the roll-call vote recorded ayes from Honeycutt, Malecki, Fisher, Coogan, Searle, Lima and Alley (7–Aye). The meeting minutes were submitted by Debra Alley, executive assistant. Documents attached to the record include interview questions "Approved by authority of Chair Alley" (email dated 07.02.2026).