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Sudbury Select Board backs draft statements for Articles 3 and 4, seeks counsel on Open Meeting Law
Summary
The Select Board voted 5–0 to support draft statements for Articles 3 and 4 to be read at the Special Town Meeting, asked Town Manager Andrew Sheehan to consult Town Counsel about Open Meeting Law wording, and adjourned to the Town Meeting.
The Sudbury Select Board voted unanimously Wednesday to endorse draft statements for Articles 3 and 4 and to have those statements read at the town’s Special Town Meeting.
Chair Janie Dretler opened the pre‑special meeting at 6:30 p.m. and told colleagues the two articles "had not been fully vetted" and that a "whole/holistic" review was necessary before they were presented to voters. Town Manager Andrew Sheehan said the Open Meeting Law does not apply to Town Meeting and noted that caucus time may be taken at Town Meeting; Sheehan added that the Town Moderator had confirmed she could allow such time.
Select Board Member Dan Carty raised concerns about the Board taking positions on amendments without caucusing on the floor and said the Moderator would likely limit minority‑opinion remarks to "one or two minutes." Carty asked for clear messaging to the Moderator and said he believed "5 minutes would be more reasonable." Board Member Lisa Kouchakdjian said caucus time could be taken without the board necessarily adopting a position.
Board Member Charles Russo urged clearer language for the public on how Open Meeting Law complaints would be handled and suggested adding a friendly amendment or separate statement to address that need. Chair Dretler said the Board should seek guidance from Town Counsel; Sheehan said he would contact Town Counsel Lee Smith.
Russo moved to adopt the draft statements for Articles 3 and 4 as presented and to have them read at Town Meeting; Carty seconded. The Select Board then voted 5–0 in favor (Kouchakdjian, Gargeya, Carty, Russo, Dretler). At 6:49 p.m. Dretler moved to adjourn the Select Board meeting and resume at the Special Town Meeting; the motion passed 5–0.
The board’s action was procedural: members supported language to be read at Town Meeting and sought legal clarification on Open Meeting Law phrasing. The Special Town Meeting proceeded immediately after the Select Board adjourned.
