Resident files Open Meeting Law complaints accusing Weston Selectboard of off-record decision on vacancy

Ken Hall, a Weston resident who filed the written complaints, told the Selectboard he had submitted three separate formal complaints alleging violations of Vermont's Open Meeting Law and related statutes. "The Selectboard's decision to warn a Special Meeting should have been made during an open meeting," Hall said, and the complaint cites 1 V.S.A. § 312 (minutes), 24 V.S.A. § 963(a) (filling vacancies), and 13 V.S.A. §§ 3006–3007 (neglect of duty). The full allegations were received and added to the meeting record.

The complaints assert the Selectboard announced on Aug. 11 that it had decided to warn a Special Town Meeting for an election to fill a vacancy but that no motion, second, or vote appears in the public record between July 28 and Aug. 11. The complaint asks the board to void the warning and instead make appointments “forthwith” as the complainant reads 24 V.S.A. § 963(a) to require. The Selectboard did not take formal action to rescind the warned special meeting at the Aug. 25 meeting; the matter remains in the record for potential follow-up under 1 V.S.A. § 314 and state Open Meeting Law procedures.