Committee says $58,500 available, receives 29 applications and votes to meet in executive session

The Chair opened the meeting and reported the committee had $58,500 available for awards, citing a $50,000 base, a little over $8,000 in donations and about $1,000 rolled over plus an added $8,500 buffer. "We will have 58,500 to work with today," the Chair said.

The Chair said the committee received 29 applications and that members would begin reviewing them once appropriate signatories were in place. A committee member noted donations were down from last year, adding that "the economy is rough on people."

A member then moved that the committee "enter into executive session pursuant to" Massachusetts statutory exemptions to review application information that is exempt from public disclosure, citing confidentiality concerns about statements and financial information. The motion, read aloud by the member, referenced M.G.L. chapter 30A, section 21(a)(7); M.G.L. chapter 4, section 7A; M.G.L. chapter 93H; and M.G.L. chapter 4, section 7C as authority to review materials that could constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.

Another member seconded the motion. The Chair called for a vote, and the body voted to enter executive session; the Chair stated the meeting would not return to open session at the conclusion of that executive session.

The meeting moved into executive session to review applicant materials and related confidential information. No formal vote tally or individual roll-call votes were recorded in the transcript.