Selex Are Hush-Hush
On Real Estate Talks
By M. D. Drysdale

Citizens were frustrated once again Tuesday evening in trying to determine what the Randolph selectboard was thinking with regards to expanding the municipal building. It became clear that something was going on, but only behind closed doors.

For the second meeting in a row the municipal building was on the agenda, but for the second time, the topic was virtually passed over.

Jim Hutchinson, the chair, introduced the topic with an indication that board members had been in contact with each other. If members wanted any more information, he said, the board would have to go into executive session.

The members indicated they did not need more information about whatever-it-is. That was too much for Bill Kevan, who with Summer Street resident Letitia Rydjeski had sat through two meetings trying to find out whether the board intended to issue a new "request for proposals" on the expansion project, and if so, under what terms.

Kevan, who has twice successfully sued the town in regards to the municipal building, warned the board that it should be "very careful" about cutting the public out of discussions once again. Former Selectboard member Dawn Butterfield, in the audience this time, also looked for more of an explanation.

They received from Hutchinson the statement that the ongoing discussion involves a possible real estate purchase. In fact, a special meeting of the board was held two weeks ago about a potential real estate contract, but that meeting was entirely held in executive session.

"It is something we can’t discuss in public at this time," Hutchinson said.

State law allows the board to go into executive session to discuss real estate negotiations if the town might be damaged by premature disclosure, and Hutchinson said that was the case here.

Selectman Lawrence Townsend was a little more explicit.

"I feel we should say a little more," he said. He suggested that sucessful negotiations "might make the question of the municipal building moot."

This and previous selectboards have been trying to build an expansion and make renovations at the municipal buiding for more than five years, but the lawsuits have stalled the process. Twice, Orange Co. Judge Mary Miles Teachout has ruled that the board did not follow correct procedures.