Resident says Parks Commission agenda was posted late; staff cites pending financial review

Patrick Cheney, a Fitchburg resident, told the Parks Commission on June 4 that he checked the agenda the week before the meeting and found it had not been posted on the city’s usual schedule. "The agenda was posted by the notify-me email came out Wednesday at 11:35 a.m., which is 36 hours before this meeting," Cheney said, and warned that a posting under 24 hours could run afoul of the state meetings law.

Eric Shriner, speaking for staff, replied that the delay was caused by an item that was a direct referral pending a financial review. "We are waiting on financial review of that agenda item before it was posted," Shriner said, adding that the commission had been alerted the agenda posting would be delayed.

Why it matters: Open-meetings rules require timely public notice so residents can review agendas before meetings and, if desired, prepare public comment. Cheney asked the commission for clarity on why the agenda did not appear on the city’s usual pre-weekend posting schedule.

What staff told commissioners: Shriner said the city had followed an internal process for referral and approval on that specific bid-acceptance item, and that the commission members were aware of the expected delay prior to the meeting. He did not cite a specific statute by number and said the delay was tied to ensuring the financial review was complete before posting.

What happens next: The exchange concluded with no motion or formal action on the agenda-posting question. Commissioners proceeded with regular business after the staff explanation; the exchange was logged during the meeting’s opening public comment and staff response.

Provenance: This account is based on the resident's remarks and staff response recorded during public comment at the start of the June 4 Parks Commission meeting.