Weston Selectboard admits Open Meeting Law violation; adopts executive-session policy and training by May 12

The Weston Selectboard on April 25, 2026, acknowledged that board members committed a violation of Vermont's Open Meeting Law in relation to complaints filed April 17, 2026, and approved a set of remedial measures including a written policy and mandatory training.

Vice Chair Jim Linville moved that the board adopt specific corrective steps after the Selectboard reconvened from an executive session; the motion, seconded by Katie Fitzpatrick, passed. Linville reported the board would prepare and post a written policy outlining the steps for entering executive session and that all Selectboard members must watch the Vermont Secretary of State’s Open Meeting Law training video by May 12, 2026, with a viewing session scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Town Office.

The board's findings covered two identical complaints filed by Duane and Melissa Hart (filed 4/17/2026). The Selectboard "admit[ted] to committing a violation of the Open Meeting Laws," found that no action taken as a result of the violation required ratification or voiding, and set the deadline of May 12, 2026, for completing the policy and the training.

The measures are procedural: prepare and adopt a written executive-session policy, post it on the Town of Weston website, and require the specified training for all members. Jim Linville moved that these changes be in effect by the next Selectboard meeting on May 12, 2026; the motion passed. Chair Denis Benson announced these remedial steps and the board agreed to publish the policy and an explanation of procedures for submitting Open Meeting Law complaints on the town website.

The board did not announce additional sanctions or personnel actions tied to the findings in the public session. The next scheduled Selectboard meeting is listed as May 12, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.