Opinion ID: 3169677
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Joint Executive Session

Text: . [¶26] The FOAA contains no prohibition against municipal boards simultaneously entering into executive session to jointly consult with counsel about how to comply with the law in carrying out their respective duties. See id. § 405(6)(E). The court did not err in determining that each board took the steps necessary to enter into executive session. See id. § 405(3), (4), (5), (6)(E); Blethen Me. Newspapers, Inc., 2008 ME 69, ¶¶ 15-18, 947 A.2d 479. Although government actors must take care to prevent an executive session from illegally expanding into public matters that may be addressed only in an open public meeting, see 1 M.R.S. § 405(2), (4)-(6), the bare fact that boards share in the advice of counsel during a combined executive session does not offend the FOAA and demonstrates prudent fiscal management. [¶27] Accordingly, we affirm the judgment. The entry is: Town’s cross-appeal dismissed. Judgment affirmed. 14 On the briefs: William B. Devoe, Esq., and Jonathan A. Pottle, Esq., Eaton Peabody, Bangor, for appellant Hughes Bros., Inc. Charles E. Gilbert, III, Esq., Gilbert & Greif, P.A., Bangor, for appellee Town of Eddington At oral argument: William B. Devoe, Esq., for appellant Hughes Bros., Inc. Charles E. Gilbert, III, Esq., for appellee Town of Eddington Business and Consumer Docket docket number CV-2014-35 FOR CLERK REFERENCE ONLY