"The Glasgow Electric Plant Board this month approved a contract for its new superintendent.

"But before the board of directors approved the contract to employ David Puskala as EPB superintendent, it had a lengthy discussion on Aug. 11 about what a special session can include and whether meeting in closed session to discuss the contract would violate Kentucky's open meetings law.

"The meeting agenda said the board would 'consider going into special session,' rather than consider going into closed session to discuss the proposed contract.

"EPB attorney Ron Hampton recommended the board not meet in closed session but rather discuss the contract in open session.

"I'm of the opinion that you could (go into closed session), but I'm recommending that you don't," Hampton said.

"Board Chairman D.T. Froedge proposed that the board 'go into closed session, have a discussion and come back out and we will have an open discussion, the same issues, the same we just had so there is no issue that we have failed to cover.'

"[Board member Libby] Short then asked Froedge what would be the point of going into closed session if the board was going to come back out and have the same discussion.

"'Because it seems we can't take a vote unless we do,' Froedge said.

"Melanie Reed, interim superintendent and finance officer for the EPB, said Hampton recommended the board not go into closed session. 'He recommends you have all of your discussion in this open' session, Reed said.

"Froedge then said he was in agreement with that recommendation and made a motion that all discussions be held in public.

"Other board members told him he didn't need a motion to have discussions about a contract in open session.

"Froedge then made a motion to approve the contract, hiring Puskala."