Councilorsâ letter to lawmakers raises open-meeting issue
ELLSWORTH â A March 5 letter signed by all seven City Council members and sent to state Sen. Louie Luchini (D-Hancock County) and Rep. Nicole Grohoski (D-Ellsworth) may not have been in compliance with state right-to-know laws.
Emailed to the two legislators, with the subject line âUrgent Request,â the letter opens: âIt is important to state that this letter is being written from the point of view as citizens. Although we are elected officials of the City of Ellsworth, this letter was not constructed from that role.â
However, public officials declaring they are acting in a private capacity does not free them from the constraints of the Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA), which bars public boards and councils from holding public proceedings in private if a quorum â or a majority of members â is present.