To the Editor:

I am writing regarding the article “Berne board divided over town appointments” in the Altamont Enterprise of March 22, 2018. As town clerk, records management officer, and secretary to the town board, I feel the issue of emails between board members needs further explanation.

When working together on a board, communicating regularly through emails gives each member a chance to discuss matters before the board meeting, and the opportunity to consider others’ opinions. Members are then better prepared and informed when they sit at the table to do town board business.

There is much to be accomplished each month and, without the use of emails, and the trust in knowing you can discuss matters without them being shared, the meetings would not move forward efficiently and business for the town would come to a standstill.

It has always been the policy of the Berne Town Board not to discuss personnel matters in public, to keep personal information private and from being shared, and to spare feelings of an individual. The standards of professional responsibility and ethics must always be applied.

It is important to note that the sharing of opinions in emails between board members is legal and does not constitute a breach of the Open Meetings Law. Sharing of emails with the public does not adhere to the ethical standards that town boards govern by. Opinions are just that, opinions and not decisions; they improve mutual understanding and strengthen the quality of decisions made.

It is the town board’s responsibility to do what is in the best interest of the residents. If board members cannot share opinions and thoughts before it is time to make decisions, then they are not doing justice to those they represent.

Anita C. Clayton

Berne Town Clerk

Editor’s note: see related editorial.