[0:05] All right. Do you want to Carol, I know
[0:08] that do you want me to read the the
[0:10] article or anything like that or do you
[0:12] want me to
[0:13] >> No, I just call the meeting to order.
[0:14] Okay, I have to I have to look away cuz
[0:16] it's on a different screen than this one
[0:18] that I'm looking at but you call this
[0:20] Wednesday, August 26th, 2026 2:00 p.m.
[0:23] virtual meeting to order.
[0:25] Um
[0:26] And then Peter, do you want to just
[0:29] go to the action items?
[0:32] >> Well, he doesn't have them.
[0:34] >> Oh, okay.
[0:36] That's why I was asking cuz the other
[0:38] day we had the same issue.
[0:40] Okay. All right. Well, then um
[0:42] I I I can do the action item. Uh
[0:44] discussion of possible action
[0:47] regarding whether to obtain independent
[0:49] outside counsel for matters arising out
[0:50] of or pertaining to the June 1st, 2026
[0:53] wire transfer
[0:55] incident. Um
[0:57] So, I Catherine, you had asked for this
[0:59] agenda I this meeting and this agenda
[1:01] item. So, do you want to just explain
[1:03] what it is that
[1:04] >> Yeah. Yes, exactly. So, I sent an email
[1:07] to John
[1:09] and to Charlie and to actually Susan
[1:11] about this.
[1:12] I wanted to adjust before I go into
[1:14] anything. This action item isn't to um
[1:18] to say that I don't think Clifford and
[1:19] Kenny is absolutely capable of giving us
[1:22] counsel.
[1:23] It's really was just about independence
[1:25] in regard to counsel. What kind of
[1:27] brought it up for me honestly was the
[1:29] public records request. I was thinking
[1:30] on perspective of things.
[1:33] I know that I believe John provided
[1:36] um Katie with the town clerk with
[1:40] you know, advice on what should and
[1:42] shouldn't be released
[1:44] based also off of what we thought. Uh I
[1:47] was just more thinking of what would the
[1:49] perception be on that. Um
[1:51] maybe we could use independent counsel
[1:54] in regard to any issues
[1:56] involving the
[1:58] wire transfer and
[2:01] I kind of like took a step back and I
[2:03] reached out to Susanna as well cuz she's
[2:05] doing the investigation. I asked her
[2:06] opinion on it. She said I don't think it
[2:08] would be a bad thing to have independent
[2:10] counsel just for
[2:12] you know any matters we discuss in
[2:15] regard to the wire transfer just because
[2:18] of the involvement that's done by all
[2:20] the parties
[2:22] for the wire transfer just in a matter
[2:24] of independence. I wanted to bring it to
[2:26] you guys for discussion, get your points
[2:28] of view, what you think and just have a
[2:30] conversation and and see what you guys
[2:33] thought on it.
[2:35] Obviously we got to consider cost and I
[2:37] don't have all the answers to everything
[2:39] but I wanted to kind of bounce it off of
[2:40] you guys and see what you thought.
[2:43] >> Okay, well I have thoughts but Peter do
[2:45] you want to go first or do you want me
[2:47] to go first?
[2:47] >> You can go, that's fine.
[2:49] >> Okay,
[2:50] couple things.
[2:52] I guess my my initial thought is
[2:54] um
[2:55] giving an opinion on a freedom of
[2:57] information request has nothing to do
[2:59] with what the actual request is about.
[3:02] So I don't see that them and and from
[3:04] what I understand Carol, am I allowed to
[3:07] say what that request was and
[3:09] >> Yeah, it's a public any public document,
[3:11] any public record is
[3:12] >> Okay, I wasn't sure at this point. So
[3:14] the request was
[3:17] Okay, so the request was for emails and
[3:19] things pertaining to the wire transfer
[3:21] incident we'll call it
[3:23] and we said no and then the person
[3:26] appealed to the attorney general and the
[3:28] attorney general came back and the way I
[3:30] read it was
[3:31] >> Carol, just so you
[3:32] it's a secretary of state's office.
[3:33] >> Thank you. Sorry, yeah secretary of
[3:35] state. And the way I read that was they
[3:38] didn't say that we couldn't tell them
[3:40] they couldn't have them. They said we
[3:41] didn't provide sufficient reason for why
[3:44] we didn't provide the documents they
[3:46] requested and that our town council
[3:48] should then go back and provide
[3:50] sufficient reasons why not just a a sort
[3:54] of generic statement of this is an
[3:55] investigation so we can't.
[3:57] I don't see an issue personally with
[4:00] Clifford and Kenny doing that. Um my
[4:03] understanding is their freedom of
[4:04] information or what request person isn't
[4:07] John Clifford, it's somebody else
[4:09] in the office and I just So so that's my
[4:12] first thing is that I I don't see it as
[4:14] a conflict of interest for them to weigh
[4:15] in on a legal opinion that would be the
[4:18] opinion no matter what the request is
[4:19] about. The other is the money that it
[4:22] would involve if we have to hire outside
[4:24] counsel on this. We've already agreed to
[4:26] spend over $10,000 on an investigation.
[4:29] Then if we spend even more, then that's
[4:31] more, you know, hopefully we're going to
[4:33] recoup some of recoup some of this from
[4:36] insurance, but we're not going to be
[4:37] able to recoup this from insurance, I
[4:39] wouldn't think. So I So I hesitate with
[4:41] that. Um unless we can sue for pain and
[4:43] suffering, I don't know.
[4:47] So So I think there's that to consider
[4:49] as well and then the other thing which I
[4:51] think might even be put us more in a
[4:54] difficult position is the time frame
[4:56] because we only have I think 10 days to
[4:59] respond to this request. We don't have
[5:02] another like
[5:03] lawyer law firm lined up ready to help
[5:06] us. I mean, Kopelman and Page covers a
[5:08] lot of cities and towns, but we're not a
[5:09] client of theirs. So
[5:11] I know from work experience that, you
[5:14] know,
[5:15] you're going to be in a a queue with
[5:16] them. They're going to drop everything
[5:18] to respond to something, you know, just
[5:19] because it's our situation and we're not
[5:21] a client of theirs. So that's my other
[5:24] >> Yeah.
[5:24] >> That's my other caveat, I guess.
[5:26] >> Yeah, so I was thinking more so um
[5:30] not even just granted this is definitely
[5:32] the reason why the the um
[5:34] this
[5:35] the public records request is definitely
[5:37] the reason why it spawned on me just cuz
[5:39] I was thinking about um keep maintaining
[5:42] independence, but I was more thinking
[5:44] any matters also going forward um if
[5:47] there were any other legal issues going
[5:49] forward with this. Um,
[5:51] and so that was it just not not just
[5:53] have legal counsel just for this, but
[5:55] maybe going forward with any matter
[5:56] pertaining to this issue. So, um,
[5:59] just because I know obviously, you know,
[6:01] they're able to give independent counsel
[6:03] advice, but I was more thinking of just
[6:05] the perception. But, I completely
[6:06] understand um, your all of your points.
[6:09] I just wanted to just clarify not just
[6:11] for having them for this matter, but for
[6:13] future events going forward.
[6:15] >> Okay.
[6:16] Um, Peter, you ready?
[6:18] >> Yeah, yeah, sure. Uh, so I agree, uh,
[6:21] Carol. I think that your points are
[6:22] valid, uh, you know, this is a situation
[6:25] that, you know, we we've taken the steps
[6:27] necessary with the, um, with the counsel
[6:30] that we've brought in to do the review
[6:33] of what happened, you know, how it
[6:35] happened, why it happened, and then, you
[6:37] know, giving us information on how we
[6:39] can prevent in the future. So, that's
[6:41] obviously independent, uh, counsel. As
[6:43] far as, you know, as far as the
[6:45] information, uh, act and and sending out
[6:47] this information, I mean, we're in an
[6:49] active, um, you know, investigation
[6:52] right now. There's there's no doubt. And
[6:53] I think once this information is brought
[6:55] out, it will be very clear to the
[6:58] citizens of East Bridgewater that, you
[7:00] know, what happened. And then and then,
[7:03] uh, you know, they can see what was
[7:05] potentially recovered if there's any
[7:07] recovery of this, uh,
[7:09] of this situation. So,
[7:11] you know,
[7:12] I don't think there's going to be much
[7:13] more than and then anyone else any other
[7:15] law firm could could do at this point
[7:17] other than to give us advice as Clifford
[7:20] & Kenny has that, you know, this is the
[7:21] information that we're we're we're
[7:23] holding on to in in investigation.
[7:26] Again, I'm on the phone as I'm sure you
[7:28] guys are with, uh, the police station
[7:31] and and the people that are involved in
[7:32] this case. Uh, I know, you know, that
[7:34] they're continuing to to act on stuff,
[7:37] working with other departments outside
[7:38] of East Bridgewater to handle this. And,
[7:41] you know, I got all the confidence in
[7:42] the world that you know, once this
[7:43] information is is readily available in
[7:46] this
[7:47] investigations is is shut down. Um
[7:51] you know, they're going to see the same
[7:52] thing that we're seeing.
[7:54] What happened, how it happened and and
[7:56] you know, what we're going to do about
[7:56] it in the future. So, yeah, I mean to me
[7:59] it's you know, we're following the same
[8:00] protocols we always have with any any
[8:03] body that comes in for any information
[8:05] that's public information. You know, we
[8:07] we'll certainly send it out in in due
[8:09] time. We're not hiding anything. We're
[8:11] just trying to get get back or recover
[8:14] what we possibly can without you know,
[8:17] with the timing that it is necessary.
[8:18] So, I agree with you. I don't think it's
[8:20] you know, I don't think it's necessary
[8:21] to go over this if again
[8:23] we reiterate this, you know, what I
[8:25] thought was necessary was to bring in
[8:27] outside counsel to talk about you know,
[8:29] what had happened and investigate that
[8:30] portion which is being done outside of
[8:33] Clifford and Kenny and to me that was a great move. It was one that
[8:38] needed to happen and other than that I
[8:40] think we're you know, we're we're just
[8:41] going to follow the lead of what we've
[8:42] always done as far as public information
[8:44] goes.
[8:46] >> Okay. Okay.
[8:47] Catherine, are you good with I mean we
[8:49] could we could
[8:50] >> Oh, no, no, I'm good with Okay. No, I'm
[8:53] good with what your responses are. I was
[8:54] just thinking of my like
[8:56] genuinely it was the FOIA request yeah,
[9:00] the response to it yes is what kind of
[9:02] tracked it but I was more thinking
[9:05] just going forward with any kind of
[9:07] legal issues with this wire transfer
[9:10] going forward cuz I know that there's
[9:12] certain aspects that Suzanne can cover
[9:14] and certain ones just because she's not
[9:16] counsel to be able to cover. So,
[9:19] for example, I know Clifford and Kenny
[9:20] specifically handled this matter.
[9:23] So, that's really what it was, but I
[9:25] appreciate both of your perspectives on
[9:27] it. I understand
[9:28] it completely. So, I just I just really
[9:30] wanted to get you guys' thoughts if you
[9:32] thought you know, maintaining or getting
[9:35] outside counsel would be something to
[9:36] think about in regard an independent
[9:38] counsel in regard to this. I definitely
[9:39] don't think that I 100% believe that
[9:42] Clifford and Kenny is are capable at
[9:44] reviewing
[9:46] any legal requests. That's not, you
[9:48] know, up for debate for me whatsoever.
[9:50] Obviously the work and I want to
[9:51] emphasize I appreciate their work for
[9:53] the town, but it was really for me just
[9:56] voting having independence in counsel
[9:59] in regard to
[10:01] this this specific event, whether it be
[10:03] FOIA, anything else that comes up. I
[10:05] don't know what else is going to come
[10:06] up. We'll see, but that was really just
[10:09] my perspective. But I appreciate both of
[10:10] you guys and I really just wanted to
[10:12] have this conversation and see what you
[10:14] guys thought.
[10:15] >> Yeah, and it's and it, you know, it
[10:17] doesn't mean if something comes up again
[10:18] that we can't revisit it. If we're like,
[10:19] oh, now it's now it's this. I can't
[10:21] think what that could be, but if it was
[10:22] something then we can always revisit it.
[10:25] And it is good and I think it also like
[10:28] shows to the point and I don't know if
[10:29] people realize this cuz I said it to
[10:31] someone recently and they looked at me
[10:32] like I was crazy. The three of us can't
[10:34] talk to each other outside of a meeting.
[10:36] >> Yeah, so that was
[10:38] >> of open meeting law. So that's why a
[10:40] meeting like this matters, right? People
[10:42] can see that we talked about this and
[10:44] that we each shared our opinion and, you
[10:46] know, and then we move on from it
[10:48] because we're not talking about this.
[10:50] I'm not calling you on a Sunday night
[10:51] and saying, "Hey, what do you think
[10:52] about this?"
[10:53] >> Yeah, that's that's kind of really where
[10:55] like honestly my best my biggest things
[10:58] are is like it's our first time
[11:00] obviously all of us going through this.
[11:01] We're all going to have different ideas
[11:02] on how we can approach different matters
[11:04] to this, but you know, these are
[11:06] discussions that we are having actively
[11:07] cuz it's the first time for all of us
[11:09] going through this. So I appreciate
[11:12] I know. I appreciate you guys, you know,
[11:14] being able to meet. I know it's two of
[11:16] it's our lunch hour on uh and it's we're
[11:19] halfway through the week, but I just
[11:21] want to I say I appreciate you guys. I
[11:23] understand your perspective
[11:25] and thank you for having the
[11:26] conversation.
[11:28] >> Good. And we do just have since we had
[11:29] this meeting, we do have one action
[11:31] item.
[11:32] Um
[11:33] Catherine, do you want to make that
[11:34] motion to to have that in front of you?
[11:36] >> Second that motion.
[11:38] >> Peter, do you have it now?
[11:41] >> I can do it. I think you could Okay, I
[11:43] was going to say if you can do it I have
[11:45] it on my I think you might not be able
[11:46] to see me if I pull it up cuz I'm on my
[11:48] phone.
[11:49] >> Yeah.
[11:50] I make a motion to
[11:52] issue a permit for Michelle Lassard to
[11:54] hold a Pilates class on Sunday, August
[11:56] 30th from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on the
[11:58] town common.
[12:00] >> One second.
[12:01] >> Right, motion's made and seconded. Any
[12:02] discussion?
[12:04] All in favor?
[12:05] >> Aye.
[12:06] >> Great. Sounds like a a nice way to start
[12:08] a Sunday.
[12:15] All right.
[12:16] >> I'll make a motion to adjourn.
[12:18] >> Very good.
[12:19] >> Second.
[12:21] >> All in favor?
[12:22] >> Aye.
[12:23] Great.
[12:23] >> Thank you.
[12:24] everybody. Have a good day.
[12:25] >> Thank you guys. Bye.
[12:26] >> Thank you.
[12:26] >> Bye.