By Joseph D. Elie, Community Reporter
Shrewsbury – Selectman John Lebeaux obtained the Board of Selectmen's approval Feb. 7 to draft a letter to state Rep. Matthew Beaton, R- Shrewsbury, and state Sen. Michael Moore, D-Millbury, requesting the introduction of a bipartisan bill that would hold the state legislature accountable to the revamped Open Meeting Law that was adopted in 2009.
In remarks that amounted to an impassioned indictment of how Beacon Hill does business, Lebeaux cited recent newspaper articles in the “Attleboro Sun Chronicle” from late December 2011that left him “stunned” to learn that committee members can vote by email, meeting minutes are not maintained, and even some roll call votes are not recorded.
“I was stunned by the information that was contained in these articles,” Lebeaux said. “Every multi-member public body in the state must be transparent and accountable according to the Open Meeting Law – with one exception, the General Court of the commonwealth of Massachusetts.”
“There is no real debate on the floor, and we don's know how bills have been fashioned,” Lebeaux added.
Selectman Moira Miller agreed with Lebeaux.
“The word that comes to mind is “hypocrisy,”” she said. She added that it was surprising that there was not more media coverage of the issue.
Both Lebeaux and Miller said that they expect the issue to be raised at an upcoming breakfast in March with Beaton and Moore.