Table of Contents
🗳️ Key Decisions & Votes
✅ Delegated Open Meeting Law Complaint Response
— Sue Waters moved to delegate Jean Bubon, Town Planner the responsibility of drafting a response to the Open Meeting Law complaint and sending it to staff members or other appropriate parties. Approved 6-0.
💬 Major Discussion: Open Meeting Law Complaint
The Planning Board spent the majority of this special meeting reviewing and discussing an Open Meeting Law complaint filed by Patrick Higgins and Associates on May 14, 2025.
The Allegations
The complaint alleged two violations regarding the Planning Board's May 12, 2025 meeting:
1. Posting Requirements: The complaint claimed there was no date and time stamp proving the meeting agenda was posted 48 hours in advance on the official posting location (the town website).
2. Recording Announcement: The complaint stated that Charlie Blanchard, Chair did not announce that the meeting was being recorded as required by Section 20(f) of the Open Meeting Law.
The Board's Response
Jean Bubon presented evidence addressing both allegations:
Regarding the posting complaint:
The May 12th agenda was posted on April 30, 2025 at 8:36 AM — well over 48 hours in advance
Jeneé Lacy, Administrative Assistant demonstrated on the projector how the town website displays date and time stamps for all posted agendas
The Board reviewed how the website tracks all changes and amendments to agendas when posted
A copy of the meeting agenda stamped by the Town Clerk's office was shown, confirming submission on April 30th
Regarding the recording announcement:
Bubon acknowledged that it was not announced at the May 12th meeting that it was being recorded
She explained that all meetings are recorded by cable access, broadcasted live, and made available for later viewing
The Attorney General's office confirmed that even this type of standard recording requires an announcement or posted notice in the room
Next Steps
The Board unanimously voted to delegate Jean Bubon the authority to draft a formal response to the complaint and send it to staff members or other appropriate parties.
🏗️ Community Impact
📅 Town Planner Vacation — Jean Bubon will be on vacation next week.
🔍 Quick Recap
✅ Board reviewed Open Meeting Law complaint filed by Patrick Higgins and Associates
✅ Evidence showed May 12th agenda was properly posted on April 30, 2025 at 8:36 AM
✅ Board acknowledged recording announcement was not made at May 12th meeting
✅ Delegated Town Planner to draft formal response to complaint (6-0 vote)
🗓️ Upcoming Meetings & Follow-Ups
📅 Planning Board Meeting — June 9, 2025, 6:30 PM | Center Office Building
🔗 Add to Google Calendar
🗂️ Resources
✍️ Written by The Town Minute — making town government easier to follow, one meeting at a time.
Disclaimer
The Town Minute is an independent publication not affiliated with the Town of Sturbridge or any municipal office. While we strive for accuracy, errors or omissions may occur. For official and complete records, please refer to the Town's approved meeting minutes or watch the official meeting recordings on the Town's website.
