ALFRED — York County Commissioners took a public vote as a result of a lengthy executive session Wednesday, but won’t say whom or what it involved.
The five-member board voted unanimously to adopt a course of action recommended by the county manager.
The vote is believed to concern the tenure of York County Emergency Management Agency Director Leo Rogers, who has been on paid administrative leave since May 13. Rogers was in the room where the executive session took place, along with some others, including commissioners, the county manager, county attorney Tim O’Brien, and those believed to be representing Rogers. He left the meeting through the rear door after the executive session ended.
The vote came toward the end of the public session, which concluded at about 5:50 p.m. Commissioners had entered into executive session at 3 p.m. and emerged to public session around 5 p.m.
Commission Vice Chairman Dan Cabral said the vote was taken in such a manner based on the advice of O’Brien. A message left for O’Brien at his office this morning was not returned as of press time.
County Manager Greg Zinser said the information will be released, but he didn’t say when.
“It is confidential until the written decision is rendered,” he said Wednesday evening, following the vote. He could not be reached this morning.
Maine Press Association Attorney Michael Mahoney sees it differently.
“The motion made after the executive session was inadequate,” he said in an email response to questions. “The executive session is meant to protect the individual against public disclosure of the details, but the final action must include enough detail so that the public is at least aware of what the subject matter discussed in executive session was.”
The Journal Tribune agrees that the vote, taken in the way it was, hides information that should be public.
“A board can’t take a vote and not tell the public what the vote was about,” said Managing Editor Kristen Muszynski.
— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].
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