[MassHistPres] Minutes becoming public

[Marcia Starkey]

Can anyone advise on the apparent disconnect between the guidance on details to be included in meeting minutes and the idea that the discussion is a public record? 

Marcia Starkey, Greenfield HC  

---- Original Message ----- 
  From: Richard Harris 
  To: 'Marcia Starkey' ; sbragdon at comcast.net ; geo1shaw at mindspring.com ; masshistpres at cs.umb.edu 
  Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 10:18 AM
  Subject: RE: [MassHistPres] Minutes becoming public


  Whether they use their private email accounts does not matter. Just as it does not matter if the members meet in a private residence, restaurant, or public building.

   

  I would also note that the number of participants may be misleading. If the 2 members discuss a matter that should be subject to the Open Meetings Law and one of them subsequently emails or discusses the matter with another member, etc. then the quorum test has been met.

   

  Sincerely,
  Richard Harris, AICP
  South Hadley Town Planner
    


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  From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu [mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu] On Behalf Of Marcia Starkey
  Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 11:08 AM
  To: sbragdon at comcast.net; geo1shaw at mindspring.com; masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
  Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Minutes becoming public

   

  Does this question neglect to consider that most HC members use their own private email accounts (among many other unclaimed contributions) ? 

   

  Marcia Starkey

  Greenfield HC

    ----- Original Message ----- 

    From: Susan Bragdon 

    To: geo1shaw at mindspring.com ; masshistpres at cs.umb.edu 

    Sent: Tuesday, September 29, 2009 8:44 PM

    Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Minutes becoming public

     

    I believe if it is between 2 or more members, and it might be 3, then it is considered a public hearing and must be open to all..

    -s bragdon

     

    From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu [mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu] On Behalf Of George Shaw
    Sent: Tuesday, September 29, 2009 7:19 PM
    To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
    Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Minutes becoming public

     

    based on the recent controversy in Boston regarding deleted emails. I believe that any correspondence pertinent to the functioning of the board would be a matter of public record. As well as any conversations between members of a board or the public regarding pending matters or the general functioning of the board. I don't think that anybody wants to have to explain to a judge why their board violated open meeting laws and shouldn't have a decision overturned because of it.

     

     

      ----- Original Message ----- 

      From: 

      To: jfeist at charter.net;masshistpres at cs.umb.edu

      Sent: 9/29/2009 6:35:13 PM 

      Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Minutes becoming public

       

      Does anybody know if emails between committee members have to be made public 

      David Kelman 
      9 Crown Street 
      Milton,Ma.02186 
      (617) 296 1246 


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