As you know, last October, Westford residents voted overwhelmingly to transfer the land behind Westford Elementary School from the soon-to-be-dissolved Westford School District to the Town of Westford. At the meeting, many spoke about how critically important it is that Westford residents retain local ownership and control of that land. This vote was binding on both the School District and the Town.
What you may not know is that the School Board and Selectboard have been negotiating “use agreements” for the land. Despite numerous requests, the Selectboard and Schoolboard have declined several requests to provide copies of the draft agreements under discussion for review - even review by other Town Boards. This decision has been based on advice from the Town Attorney that appear to be centered on what he feels is the most convenient process for drafting the agreements, not statute. There is little more than a month before the final date of the land transfer, and the public knows little-to-nothing about what is in these agreements.
Sadly, after repeat requests to review the use agreements, the Planning Commission was forced to make a formal public records request on Monday. The Selectboard and Schoolboard have responded by re-noticing what had been previously intended as an open, public meeting scheduled for this Thursday, June 1 as a closed “Executive Session. ” Executive Session means that the meeting will be held behind closed doors and the public will be excluded. Again, this appears to be based on the Town Attorneys's concern of having "too many cooks in the kitchen." I have carefully reviewed statute, and a closed meeting is not required by law, nor is it a sound method for making decisions about public property. I grew up in Westford, and this is simply not the way we do things.
The Boards must actually vote to enter Executive Session. It appears that at least several members of the two boards have mixed givings about entering Executive Session, and may be coming around to a more open, public process. However, we won't know until the meeting. Westford Residents concerned about government transparency are encouraged to attend to voice support for holding the meeting in open session and ensuring that all town boards and the public have adequate time to review the draft easements and use agreements before they are signed.
The meeting will be held this Thursday, June 1 at 7:00p. m. at the Westford Town Office. There are only nine minutes scheduled for public comment before the Boards vote to enter Executive Session at 7:10p. m. Be sure to get there a few minutes early if you want your voice to be heard. This is not a negotiation between two private individuals. The land belongs to ALL of us.
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