Oak Bluffs screening committee moves to executive session, interviews two candidates for town administrator

Oak Bluffs — The Town of Oak Bluffs Town Administrator Screening Committee voted unanimously at a noon meeting April 23 to enter executive session under Massachusetts General Laws chapter 30A, section 21(a)(8) to interview applicants for the town administrator position. Chair Dion Alley called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. via Teams.

Mr. Greg Coogan moved that the committee enter executive session “in accordance with MGL c.30A s.21(a)(8) … to consider or interview candidates for the position of town administrator” on grounds that an open meeting would be detrimental to attracting qualified applicants; Chief Jonathan Searle seconded the motion. The committee conducted a roll-call vote and approved the motion 7–0. The committee stated on the record that it would not return to public session.

The committee conducted interviews of two applicants. Candidate #17 was introduced by Rick White and was asked the committee's suggested questions and follow-ups; the candidate departed after the interview. Later in the meeting Mr. Bill Honeycutt departed at about 1:15 p.m. Candidate #25 was then introduced by Rick White, questioned by committee members, and departed at about 2:15 p.m.

After the interviews, Mr. Greg Coogan moved to adjourn the meeting; Chief Searle seconded. The committee approved adjournment by roll call (6–0 among members present following Mr. Honeycutt’s departure). The minutes were submitted by Executive Assistant Debra Alley.

The committee’s use of MGL c.30A §21(a)(8) permits initial applicant screening in executive session and requires the chair to state on the record that open deliberation would be detrimental to attracting qualified applicants. The record for this meeting shows the committee followed that statute and did not return to public session following the interviews.