Last spring, a case between residents and the Town and a former Select Board member resulted in national headlines. Last week the Telegram ran an update on the case, Barron v. Kolenda, after the Secretary of State’s office issued a letter ordering the Town to respond to a related records request.
I’m sharing that update with further details. Read the full article → from Dispute over subpoenaed Town records in Barron v. Kolenda
The topic is not on the Select Board’s upcoming agenda to be addressed. And the comment guideline is still posted on the website under the board’s policies. Read the full article → from Town’s “unconstitutional” comment policy yet to be addressed
Today, I received a press release from the Mass chapter of the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union). They are advising how towns should address this week’s ruling by the state’s Supreme Judicial Court that Southborough’s comment policy is “unconstitutional” Read the full article → from Responses to SJC Ruling on Select Board comment policy
In a case that has made national news (and is likely to again), the state’s Supreme Court ruled that Southborough’s public comment policy created by the Select Board is “unconstitutional” in Massachusetts. Read the full article → from Select Board comment policy “unconstitutional” according to SJC
This week, the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts heard arguments in a case filed by three Southborough residents against the Southborough Select Board. I’m recapping the highlights. Read the full article → from SJC questions Town’s policy and actions (Updated)
This morning, attorneys representing three Southborough residents and those defending the Southborough Select Board will argue in front of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts. Read the full article → from Select Board legal case at Mass Supreme Court this morning (Updated)
The Mass Supreme Court will consider arguments about the constitutionality of the Southborough Select Board’s Comment Policy. Four friends of the court briefs have been filed weighing in on questions related to a resident’s 2020 lawsuit against the Board. Read the full article → from Amicus Briefs filed with Mass Supreme Court on Select Board comment policy
I have updates on two lawsuits that had been filed against the Town, Read the full article → from Legal Update: Mass Supreme Court reviewing constitutionality of Select Board comment policy; no more Park Central appeals
A memo from the court found in favor of the Town and current and former selectmen named in the lawsuit. Read the full article → from Judge finds for selectmen in Barron v Kolenda (but clarifies board can’t prohibit public comments solely to avoid criticism)
In May, I posted that a lawsuit filed by Southborough residents against selectmen and the Town was moving to the Federal Courts. Based on an amended complaint, the complainants were able to return the case to Worcester Superior Court. Read the full article → from Barron lawsuit amended to return to Worcester Superior Court; another OML violation determined
Last week, selectmen filed to move a lawsuit filed against them and the Town from Worcester Superior Court. Read the full article → from Selectmen file to move Barron lawsuit to federal court
A lawsuit has been filed against Southborough selectmen and the Town over treatment of a resident, handling of meeting minutes, and the “Public Participation” policy. Read the full article → from Residents sue selectmen and Town over “constitutional rights” and “abusive comments” (Updated)
As I shared in a “quick update”, an incident in December made news after the selectman involved addressed it last week. But, it deserves more attention since it was under a headline about the blog’s technical issues and I have related news to add. Read the full article → from BOS calls for improved respect; eliminated public comment (temporarily), and released 5 yrs of Closed Meeting Minutes
As anyone who has been on the site today can attest – the blog is a bit out of sorts today. I’ve been struggling with some technical issues. Read the full article → from Warning: We are experiencing technical difficulties! (Plus, here are some quick updates)