Complainants alleged that four members of the Tiverton Town Council met outside the public purview in violation of the OMA for the purpose of discussing and selecting the solicitor for the Town Council. It was undisputed that the Town Council consists of seven members and that four members constitute a quorum. This Office found that there was inadequate evidence that the fourth council member named in the Complaint participated in any collective discussion regarding this topic outside of a public meeting. Accordingly, this Office determined that there was insufficient evidence that the Town Council violated the OMA in this regard. Complainants additionally alleged that the relevant agenda item for the December 27, 2018 meeting did not adequately specify the nature of the business to be discussed because it only identified the attorney as the candidate for Town Solicitor and did not identify the law firm for which he worked. This Office determined that the agenda item provided sufficient notice and did not violate the OMA.
