Select Board finds no open-meetings violation after review of clerk interview

The Town of Orange Select Board voted May 7 to find that an alleged violation of Vermont’s open-meetings law did not occur in connection with a recent town-clerk interview.

The special meeting was called to consider a letter from Eric Holborn dated April 27, 2026, which alleged the board reached a decision outside a properly warned public meeting and took final action in executive session. A board member moved to find the alleged violation did not occur; the motion was seconded and carried after public discussion.

Board members told residents the April interview was publicly warned, that no formal appointment or final decision was made at that time, and that any hiring would be contingent on a background check and require public appointment. One member summarized the board’s position: the standard letter sent to the candidate “explains that we expect a background check” and “it explains that it’s not an offer,” adding that a formal appointment must happen at an open meeting.

During public comment, Kevin Wilson questioned who authorized the communication to the candidate and argued the board’s follow-up steps amounted to a final decision taken outside public view. Board members responded that the paperwork used is a standard, nonbinding letter used to outline benefits and contingencies and that the board had not called the candidate to begin work.

After board members debated procedure and clarified that a successful background check would be required before any appointment, the chair called the question and members voted in favor of the motion finding no violation.

The meeting record shows the board returned from executive session reporting no action was taken. The select board did not announce further procedural steps at the meeting beyond recording the vote.