Marlinton Council postponed its meeting Monday night for one week, due to a technicality involving the state Open Governmental Proceedings Act. That law, as interpreted by the West Virginia Ethics Commission, requires that town council agendas be posted three business days prior to a regular meeting.
During an abortive meeting Monday night, Recorder Robin Mutscheller informed Council that the agenda posted for Monday night’s meeting did not meet the requirements of the law. The agenda was posted during the business day on Tuesday, December 30. The following Wednesday was a half-day town holiday and Thursday was a state holiday.
The Ethics Commission has held that the day of the meeting does not count as a prior business day for agenda purposes. Mutscheller said she had spoken with a representative of the Ethics Commission, who advised Council to reschedule the meeting. Mayor Joe Smith and Council agreed with the advice. The Marlinton Council meeting has been rescheduled for Monday, January 12, at 7 p.m.