The Board of Selectmen Tuesday briefly discussed an Open Meeting Law complaint recently filed with the state Attorney General’s office.

According to Selectman Steve Holmes, referring to the complaint as an “open meeting violation” is actually a misnomer, since the issue currently under investigation by the AG’s office is actually unrelated to the state’s Open Meeting Law.  Selectman Brenda Eckstrom later clarified that the complaint is specifically addressed to Board-member Jane Donahue’s conduct as chair, but not about the conduct of the Board itself.

The issue initially appeared to be an Open Meeting Law complaint only because the complainant wanted to file their grievance online, and the “Open Meeting Law form” was the only one available on the state website.

Holmes also read the opinion of Town Counsel Brian Riley on the matter. Riley affirmed that the town is under no legal responsibility to respond to the misfiled complaint, but recommended that Selectmen highlight to the public that what is at issue is not actually relevant to the Board’s application of the Open Meeting Law.

Selectmen would not comment on the specific nature of the complaint against Donahue, only noting that the chair had written to the complainant in an attempt to address their concerns.

It was learned Wednesday that citizen Bob Brady filed the complaint, which addressed the method by which an article regarding senior housing on the town-owned Westfield property got on the October Town Meeting warrant.

Donahue herself was not present at Tuesday’s meeting.

The AG office’s investigation of the non-Open Meeting Violation complaint is ongoing.