Haverhill City Councilors are facing accusations of violating the state’s Open Meeting Law in a letter controversy. The allegations stem from a complaint filed by local news organization The Valley Patriot, claiming that council members held a private discussion on June 17 without providing the required 48-hour notice to the public. The closed-door meeting was reportedly convened to discuss allegations against Scott Wood, a member of the Haverhill School Committee and a current candidate for mayor of Haverhill.
The council met on July 25 to address the complaint, which was filed with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office. Thomas Duggan, the publisher of The Valley Patriot, alleged that the councilors drafted, circulated, and signed a letter concerning public allegations against Wood. The complaint further stated that there was no opportunity for public input on the matter and that discussing Wood’s candidacy was beyond the authority of the City Council.
During the meeting, councilors admitted that they were unaware of their non-compliance with the Open Meeting Law at the time. They unanimously voiced support for upholding the ethical standards expected of public servants and referred the matter to the Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General due to potential conflicts of interest. The councilors called for the release of Wood’s reports from 2013 to 2022.
Duggan’s complaint requested a $1,000 fine for each councilor involved, as permitted by law. In response, City Solicitor William Cox Jr. instructed the councilors to formulate and file a written response. Cox emphasized the need to address the violation and stated that the council was in clear non-compliance with the Open Meeting Law. He also agreed to organize a training program to review the law’s provisions.
Council President Timothy Jordan clarified that he and Councilor Melissa Lewandowski had drafted the letter, but it was not their intention to violate the Open Meeting Law. Lewandowski, a lawyer, stated that the councilors were not familiar with the law and emphasized the importance of deliberate intent to violate it, which she denied existed in this case. Other councilors, like Joseph Bevilacqua and Michael McGonagle, admitted to signing the letter but claimed they were unaware of the non-compliance due to assumptions made while being out of state or performing other duties.
This controversy highlights the need for public officials to adhere to the provisions of the Open Meeting Law and maintain transparency in their decision-making processes. The councilors’ unintentional violation serves as a reminder of the importance of being well-versed in legal requirements to protect the integrity of public office. As the council prepares its written response and engages in training to prevent future violations, it remains to be seen how the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office will address the complaint filed by The Valley Patriot.
