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Council moves into executive session after debate over how specific the motion must be
Summary
A resident reporter pressed the council to state the 'precise nature' of its planned executive session under Maine law; the council cited three topics and then voted 7-0 to enter executive session under Title 1, MRSA §405(6)(E).
A resident reporter standing in open forum cited Maine public-access guidance and argued that the motion to enter executive session must state the "precise nature" of the business to be discussed. The reporter said the requirement is two-pronged and asked the council to be specific rather than merely reciting statutory language. "The statute requires that the motion to go into executive session must include the precise nature, not a follow-up afterwards," the reporter said.
The council's representative replied that three matters would be discussed: ongoing litigation that names the town, a settlement matter, and charter-related issues tied to the budget review and adoption process. The clerk then moved to retire into executive session "pursuant to Title 1, MRSA section 405(6)(E)" to consult with counsel on pending matters; after a second the motion passed 7-0. The council chair stated he would summarize the topics discussed when the executive session concluded, as his practice.
