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Selectboard directs staff to consult counsel after multiple suspected marketing/public-records solicitations
Summary
Town Administrator Cathy Ainsworth reported multiple public-records requests that appear to be marketing/phishing; the Selectboard directed her to consult legal counsel and suggested the town develop a policy to manage such requests.
Cathy Ainsworth told the Selectboard she had received multiple public-records requests over the previous ten days that she believes were from marketing companies seeking information, not legitimate records requests. She said similar activity has been reported across Vermont and that these requests consume staff time.
The Selectboard directed Ainsworth to seek legal counsel on how the town may respond to future marketing-company records requests; the board said that if counsel approves nonresponse in certain cases, the board would support the approach. Brian Dubie suggested the town adopt a formal policy to guide staff responses to questionable requests.
No change to the town’s public-records process was adopted at the meeting; the legal review and any resulting policy would be developed by staff and counsel and returned to the board for consideration.
