Public Meeting Restored After GOOD Morning Wilton Challenges Board of Selectmen’s Executive Session

In a move underscoring the importance of transparency in local government, Wilton officials have reversed course on a planned executive session to discuss revising the proposed lease between the Town and Friends of Ambler Farm. The decision comes after direct outreach in emails from GOOD Morning Wilton Editor Heather Borden Herve to town leaders and coverage in a story published Wednesday, May 21.

In response, First Selectwoman Toni Boucher confirmed in an email to GMW that the meeting would not be out of the public eye. “The executive session scheduled at the last BOS meeting has been canceled upon the advice of Wilton Town Attorney,” Boucher wrote.

The calendar on the town’s website now shows the session scheduled as a public “Special Meeting” on Tuesday, May 27 at 6 p.m., although no agenda has been published as of press time.

UPDATE 5:40 p.m. Friday, May 23 — The agenda for the meeting has been posted on the Town website.

The executive session had been scheduled during the BOS meeting on Tuesday, May 20, so that the selectmen could continue a discussion started that evening regarding the proposed Ambler Farm lease. The closed-door discussion would address 17 controversial points in the proposed lease which were raised in a unanimous opinion issued by the Board of Finance. 

GMW‘s emails and story questioned holding the meeting without opportunity for the public to witness it, given its potential implications for lack of public oversight. Borden Herve questioned whether the subject matter warranted such secrecy or met the standard for executive sessions under Connecticut’s Freedom of Information laws.

“We are grateful that Town officials were receptive to our appeal,” Herve said. ““This is a clear example of how journalism serves as a watchdog — not to oppose government, but to help it better serve the people with accountability and transparency. GOOD Morning Wilton‘s role as an independent newsroom — to raise questions, publish facts and engage in direct dialogue with leaders — is to investigate how decisions are made and advocate for the public’s right to know.”