Back in 2021, lawyer and Norwich resident Chris Katucki filed suit against the town for what he contended were violations of Vermont’s Open Meeting Law, arguing that subcommittees, advisory groups, and other committees focused on town policies should be required to comply with the law—and that the town had been allowing them to sidestep it. On Friday, his attorney, Scott McGee, announced that the two sides have come to an agreement, which is below.
In response, the town issued this statement, which Town Manager Brennan Duffy says “will be the only statement made at this time”: “The Town of Norwich and a resident concerned with Open Meeting Law compliance have come to an agreement. We look forward to continuing to accomplish the business of the Town.”
Per the agreement, by the way, Katucki is eligible to be reimbursed about $700 for out-of-pocket expenses, but not for legal fees. In an email, he writes, “I am not a Vermont lawyer and represented myself in this case until June. Scott [McGee] came aboard then and was kind enough to work pro bono. Giving up compensation was a concession we both made.”