Update on Request Filed with the State’s Right-to-Know Ombudsman

In December I filed with the state’s Right-to-Know Ombudsman requesting a review of several redactions made by the town in responding to various right-to-know requests filed with the town last year. In response to this, the Town Attorney filed a motion to dismiss in an attempt to prevent the Ombudsman, a state executive branch office charged with ensuring compliance with the state’s right-to-know laws, from reviewing these redactions to determine whether they comply with state law. See prior article for details. 

So far, the Board of Selectmen has not acted upon my request to them that the motion to dismiss should be withdrawn, as the motion to dismiss makes the town look like it is trying to hide something. 

Just to create and file that motion to dismiss, the Town Attorney charged the Town $499.50. And $41 more to read my response and email the Board of Selectmen about it. 

The Ombudsman has responded that the motion to dismiss will be going forward to a pre-trial hearing and, afterward, a hearing for oral arguments.

Invoice from the Town Attorney. Obtained via a right-to-know request.