The Andover Select Board released 60 pages of executive session minutes dating back to 2018 in response to a citizen’s request under the Massachusetts public records law.
Among the decisions and discussions included in the minutes:
- On Aug. 15 of last year, the board voted not to appeal a land court ruling (page 57) after a judge said decisions on special permits that delayed the completion of a residential development at the Andover Country Club were “infected with erroneous advice” from Town Counsel.
- The select board declined Town Manager Andrew Flanagan’s request for reimbursement of $8,000 for unused vacation time in lieu of a one-time bonus included in his contract on Oct. 5, 2020 (page 37).
- On Dec. 16, 2019, the select board agreed to pay Flanagan six months severance if he was fired (page 32).
The documents were released to Steve Walther (photo, above) on March 16. Under the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law, boards can vote to go into a closed-door executive session to discuss certain topics, including litigation, collective bargaining, personnel issues and real estate transactions where public discussion would compromise the town’s bargaining position.
Minutes must be released upon request when doing so no longer defeats the lawful purpose of the executive session.
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