Selectboard convenes brief executive session on contracts; minutes unclear on outcome

At its April 7, 2026 meeting, the Putney Selectboard moved into an executive session to discuss contracts. "Aileen Tulloch made a motion to enter Executive Session under 1 V. S. A. § 313 (1) after making a specific finding that premature general public knowledge would clearly place the public body or a person involved at a substantial disadvantage: (A) Contracts, inviting Town Manager in, a decision may be made," the minutes record. Peg Alden seconded and the motion passed; the minutes show the board entered executive session at 5:32 p.m. and exited at 5:59 p.m.

The subject—contracts—and the statutory citation matter because executive sessions under 1 V.S.A. § 313(1) permit closed deliberations on specific subjects only when public disclosure would cause disadvantage. The minutes record that "No action was taken and decision was made," a phrasing that is internally inconsistent. The written record does not list any public vote or identify a contract decision taken in open session. The minutes do not specify next steps or follow-up public actions related to the contracts discussed.