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Chelmsford boards vote to enter executive session to discuss Riverneck litigation
Summary
At a joint meeting June 1, the Chelmsford Select Board and Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously to enter executive session and not return to open session to discuss litigation strategy in two Housing Appeals Committee matters involving 243 Riverneck, LLC.
The Town of Chelmsford’s Select Board and Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously June 1 to go into executive session and not return to open session to discuss litigation strategy related to two Housing Appeals Committee matters involving 243 Riverneck, LLC.
Clerk David Boisvert moved “to enter Executive Session, not to return to open session, pursuant to G.L. c. 30A, § 21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to litigation as the Chair declares that having such discussion in open session will have a detrimental effect on the Town’s litigating position,” citing Housing Appeals Committee No. 2025-05 and Housing Appeals Committee No. 2025-09 involving 243 Riverneck, LLC. Board Member Jon Kurland seconded the motion.
A roll call vote recorded ayes from Board Member Aaron Cunningham; Board Member Jon Kurland; Clerk David Boisvert; Chair Pat Wojtas; and ZBA members Brian P. Reidy, Peter Casserly, Glenn Diggs and Charlie Wojtas. The motion carried, 8-0. The minutes record that the boards did not return to open session after the vote.
The motion invoked G.L. c. 30A, § 21(a)(3), the Massachusetts open-meeting law exemption that allows a public body to enter executive session to discuss strategy with respect to litigation when public discussion would be detrimental to the town’s position. The minutes identify the two Housing Appeals Committee matters by their docket numbers but do not provide further detail about the issues in those appeals or the anticipated next steps.
Town staff listed on the record included Community Development Director Evan Belansky, Town Finance Director and Acting Town Manager John Sousa and Town Counsel Carolyn Murray (participating via Zoom). The meeting minutes were submitted by Select Board Clerk David Boisvert.
No public comment or additional debate on the merits of the litigation appears in the minutes. The record does not specify when or whether the boards will reconvene in open session on related matters or whether further public updates will be provided.
