We have been quite complimentary of how the Portland Town Board handles meetings in recent years. But this month was not one of them.

Braden Carmen, OBSERVER reporter, sat through the meeting on June 12 and was told there would be an executive session regarding a contract at the end. He found out on June 17, Portland’s board had taken action to leave the Chadwick Bay Intermunicipal Water Works.

That same evening he learned about Portland’s decision, he witnessed Brocton take public action on the same topic.

What’s wrong with this picture?

Portland entered into an illegal executive session. There is no penalty for what they did, but it was still wrong.

Brocton, for its part, followed the proper procedures in addressing the matter in a public session in front of residents — and a member of the media.

Government never looks good when it goes into a closed-door meeting. Portland, in this case, is discussing a very public matter since CBI handles the billing for the North County Water District. It is an issue that impacts the public as well as other entities.

When this starts happening, the questions begin. What else might they be hiding?