HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-02-03 School Committee Minutes - Executive Session - LitigationFp-
Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
School Committee
Date: 2014-02-03
Building: School - Memorial High
Address: 62 Oakland Road
Purpose: Executive Session
Attendees: Members - Present:
Lisa Gibbs
Chuck Robinson
Karen Janowski
Jeanne Borawski
Chris Caruso
Hal Croft
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
John Doherty
Mary DeLai
Craig Martin
Bob LeLacheur
Gary Brackett
Steve Fletcher
Time: 7:32 PM
RECEIVED
TOWN CLERK
READING. MASS.
1011 FEB 23 P 1 %1
Location: Superintendent Conference Room
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: John Doherty, Superintendent
Topics of Discussion:
Executive Session 7:32 p.m.
A. Call to Order
Chair Croft called the Executive Session to order in the Superintendent's Office.
Litigation Update
Superintendent Doherty updated the Committee members on the TLT case.
Town Counsel Brackett requested that the School Committee seek replacement counsel to continue with
the TLT litigation due to personal reasons.
Discussion regarding the ability for Counsel to continue to represent the School Committee in this case
was discussed.
Attorney Fletcher recommended hiring new counsel. Bracket & Lucas will notify opposing counsel that
the School Committee will be seeking replacement counsel and will also file a motion with Judge Neal by
February 101 if that is the direction the School Committee chooses.
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Mr. Fletcher indicated that TLT Attorney Sullivan would like to explore the possibility of discussing a
settlement. The best approach would be to wait until replacement counsel is found and brought up to
speed on the case.
Ms. DeLai asked if there was a specific amount of time for the School Committee to find replacement
counsel
Mr. Fletcher feels the judge will understand as long as it is a reasonable.
There was discussion of the role of the Board of Selectmen in the hiring of Town Counsel. Town
Manager Bob LeLacheur is seeking advice from the Town Labor Counsel on how to proceed.
Mr. Robinson moved, seconded by Mr. Caruso, to authorize Brackett & Lucas to submit a motion
to the Master that the Town of Reading is seeking replacement Counsel for the remainder of the
case. The roll call vote was 6-0. Mr. Robinson, Mrs. Janowski, Mrs. Borawski, Mr. Croft, Mr.
Caruso and Mrs. Gibbs.
Mr. LeLacheur and Mr. Robinson thanked Mr. Brackett for his candor and courage in meeting with us
tonight.
Attorneys Brackett and Fletcher left the meeting at 8:02 p.m.
Mr. LeLacheur said he has had no discussion with the Selectmen regarding this development. He feels
that the School Committee and Selectmen will need to meet in Executive Session to discuss how to
proceed.
Adjourn
Mr. Caruso moved, seconded by Mrs. Gibbs, to adiourn and return to open session. The roll call
vote was 6-0. Mr. Robinson, Mrs. Janowski, Mrs. Borawski, Mr. Croft, Mr. Caruso and Mrs.
Gibbs.
Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Approved 2.24.14
Released 01.05.17
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