I read the following statement to the Finance Committee during the public comment period of their March 14 meeting:
“I find it disheartening that this board, in which citizens of Harvard are perforce placing their trust, has chosen twice in the past month to shut down the local access cable from taping, thereby flouting the open meeting law. Such disregard gives the appearance of impropriety. An open meeting not only allows citizens to stay informed, but encourages discussion and collaboration, which can only strengthen the community and break down divisions. Ultimately, it fosters understanding. Given how divisive town politics can be, understanding is the best tool we have when neighbors in this small town find themselves on different sides of an issue. By trying to keep your dealings in the dark, you only foster mistrust. I particularly dislike being put in the position of mistrusting the volunteers that I would prefer to appreciate for their dedication. Given that you do give so much time and effort in the service of the town, why, particularly while preparing for the annual Town Meeting, would you choose to hide your process of decision making?”
I am dismayed to find that there has been little interest in this episode, where two committees, the Finance Committee and the Capital Planning and Investment Committee, both of which are debating the future of our town, can break the law and not cause some response.
Printed at the top of every agenda, as well as read by the chair at the beginning of every meeting, is the statement, “In accordance with the State’s Open Meeting Law and Federal Wiretapping laws, we wish all who attend to know that this meeting is being taped by the Town’s Cable Access group, members of the press, and from time to time, members of the public.”
Whether said statement is read in a clear strong voice, or rushed through in a dismissive way, it is very clear. As members of the public we have a right to full access of these meetings, not simply the version the paper of record or the printed minutes choose to tell us.
Ames Hardymon Schnier
Old Boston Turnpike
