THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, January 10, 2020 Page 5 SESSION | FROM PAGE 4 of the public body and the chair so declares.” “Likewise, the discussion of the Open Meeting Law complaints was proper under Purpose 1. Purpose 1 allows a public body to discuss “the reputation, character, physical condition or mental health, rather than professional competence, of an individual, or to discuss the discipline or dismissal of, or complaints or charges brought against, a public offi - cer, employee, staff member or individual.” The violations related to the May 8 executive session did not come to light until emails from School Committee Members Morgante and Marchese were made public. On June 12, The Saugus Advocate received these emails in response to a public records request. On June 14, The Saugus Advocate published an article regarding the May 8 executive session and the belief of Morgante and Marchese that the executive session had not been properly held. The committee’s previous violations The state Attorney General’s Division of Open Government cited the School Committee twice in 2018 for violating the Open Meeting Law. In late January, the agency issued a determination that the committee violated the Open Meeting Law for keeping inadequate minutes of a March 16, 2017, executive session – allegations in a complaint fi led in 2017 by then-School Committee Member Peter Manoogian. Then in late June, the AG’s Division of Open Government issued a fi ve-page determination validating allegations in three complaints fi led by The Saugus Advocate which alleged multiple Open Meeting Law violations. One of the fi ndings confi rmed a complaint by the newspaper of an illegal Executive Session. The School Committee met in Executive Session “without a proper statutory purpose” to discuss budget-related matters, according to state Attorney General Maura Healey’s Offi ce. The Open Meeting Law was enacted “to eliminate much of the secrecy surrounding deliberation and decisions on which public policy is based,” according to a 1978 ruling in the case Ghiglione vs. the School Committee. The law requires that meetings of a public body be properly noticed and open to members of the public, unless an executive session is convened. Public bodies may enter a closed, executive session for any of 10 purposes noted in the Open Meeting Law, provided that the chair of the public body fi rst announces in open session the purpose for the executive session, “stating all subjects that may be revealed without compromising the purpose for which the executive session was called.” Start Your Weekend at the Marina Dance Party! Saturday, January 11 at 9 PM Dance to the Hits from House to Techno DJ LOGIK Friday, January 10 at 9 PM Dance to the Hits with DJ BIG RICK MONDAY'S SHUCK! $1.00 Oysters Book your next Function with us! Free Parking • Water Views Call 781-629-3798 SUNDAY BRUNCH BUFFET Only $19.95 / 11am-2pm Featuring Al Whitney Jazz Band BOOK YOUR NEXT FUNCTION WITH US * GIFT CARDS AMPLE FREE www.marinaatthewharf.com 543 North Shore Rd. Revere 781-629-3798 PARKING dine drink gather AMAZING WATER VIEWS enjo y BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! Saturday, January 11 at 9 PM LEAVING EDEN Friday, January 17 at 9 PM BLACKED OUT with GUNS OF BRIGHTON Saturday, January 18 at 9PM New England's #1 Party Band... WILDFIRE 505 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 Tel: 617-387-1120 www.gkdental.com • Family Dentistry • Crowns • Bridges • Veneers/Lumineers • Dental Implants • All on 4 Dental Implants • Emergency Dentist • Kid Friendly Dentist • Root Canals • Dentures • Invisalign Braces • Snap On Smile • Teeth Whitening We are the smile care experts for your entire family Performing Motown R&B & Old School Soul Back by Popular Demand! Saturday, February 1 at 9 PM KISS FOREVER BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! Saturday, January 25 at 9 PM FOREIGNERS JOURNEY PERFECT EXAMPLE Friday, January 31 at 9 PM Tribute to The Scorpions RADIO ROULETTE Friday, January 24 at 9 PM In House Dental Plan for $399 The Ultimate KISS Tribute Returns! (Cleanings, X-Rays, Exams twice a year and 20% OFF Dental work) Schedule your FREE Consultations today 221 Newbury Street, Danvers For Tickets call (978) 774-7270 or www.breakawaydanvers.com
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