Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Meeting Transparency topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident urges Middlefield to fix meeting minutes, post recordings and clarify public comment rules
Summary
Resident Linda Darcy told the Board that uncorrected minutes, missing meeting recordings, an unidentified July 7 commenter and a new three-minute public comment limit have reduced transparency; she urged professional minute-taking and clearer communication of rules.
First Selectman Bob Yamartino and the Board heard public comment from resident Linda Darcy, who raised multiple procedural concerns and requested clearer public access to meeting records.
Darcy said June 11 meeting minutes have not been corrected or scheduled for approval, a July 7 request to post meeting recordings alongside approved minutes on the town website had not been addressed, and that a speaker at the July 7 meeting was not identified in the minutes. She also flagged inaccuracies in minutes, including incorrect addresses, and said the newly implemented three-minute public comment limit was not communicated in advance. Darcy suggested the town consider hiring a professional minute-taking service used by other boards.
The Board did not take immediate formal action on Darcy’s list of concerns during the meeting but tabled approval of the June 30 and July 7 minutes for a future session and discussed labeling minutes as 'Draft' until approved. The minutes-table motion was made by Susan McNamara, seconded by Doug O'Rourke, and passed unanimously.
The Board discussed exploring posting meeting videos and recordings online as part of improved public access to meetings.
