WELLSVILLE - Fresh off a weekend article on Wellsville Regional News (WRN) explaining when a public body could enter an executive (or behind closed door) session, WRN had to step up.
It happened during Monday evening's Wellsville Village Board meeting, when motions were made for numerous executive sessions. The requests included "a contractual matter" and "a fire contract and budget." These were issues directly addressed during the weekend post. WRN immediately challenged Mayor Randy Shayler, specifically over the "budget" issue. WRN noted that the expenditure of public funds must be discussed in a public setting. The "contractual" matters also needed further explanation. Moving to a private session to discuss an uncomfortable topic doesn't fly. To be clear, I'm not suggesting the village board had any ill intent...it wasn't attempting to 'pull a fast one.' It simply needs to be more aware of the law. This is exactly why media outlets, like WRN, cover government meetings whenever possible. It's not only to report activity to a community...it is to keep the local governments honest.
Mayor Shayler then methodically restated each executive session request, which included pending litigation and discussion of a collective bargaining agreement (both lawful and proper). Kudos to the Mayor for explaining and not scolding. He ended with "we'll do a better job..."
Mayor Shayler did state that he did not expect his board to take any public action following the private sessions.
