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County attorney staff delivers FOIA and Conflict of Interest Act training to supervisors
Summary
John Fitzgerald, representing the county attorney’s office, provided the board with required Freedom of Information Act and Conflict of Interest Act training, covering notice requirements, closed‑meeting exemptions, public-records retention and COIA disclosure and recusal guidance.
John Fitzgerald, a lawyer with the county attorney’s office, delivered the annual Freedom of Information Act and Conflict of Interest Act training required for local officials.
Fitzgerald outlined FOIA’s purpose and notice requirements, telling the board that FOIA ‘‘ensur(es) ready access to public records’’ and that meeting notices must include date, time and location and be posted in the prominent public locations and on the website. He reviewed permissible reasons for closed meetings, including personnel matters, real‑estate acquisition, consultation with counsel over litigation, and proprietary-contract discussions, and stressed that closed meetings are the exception and must be limited to the subjects identified when the board votes to go into closed session.
On public records, Fitzgerald reminded members that records include emails and personal records that relate to public business and urged members to limit official communications to government accounts to simplify FOIA searches. He advised that retention of transactional public-business records is typically at least five years and directed members to online training modules and advisory processes for the Conflict of Interest Act, including seeking written advice from local attorneys or a commonwealth’s attorney to obtain broader immunity.
Fitzgerald invited questions at the end of his presentation and provided staff resources for follow-up.
