Keedysville Officials Again Broke Maryland Open Meetings Law, State Finds

Keedysville residents may have missed decisions made behind closed doors, as the Maryland Open Meetings Compliance Board has again determined that the Town violated the state’s transparency law. The findings, based on several incidents spanning nearly a decade, highlight repeated failures to follow required procedures when entering closed sessions and engaging in public business via email. These actions not only violate legal obligations but also limit residents’ ability to observe and participate in town governance.

This article was updated 8/5/2025 to reflect the August 6 meeting agenda emailed to Radio Free Hub City.

The Board’s most recent opinions, issued in April and July 2025, concluded that the Keedysville Town Council violated the Maryland Open Meetings Act by holding unannounced “meetings” over email on at least two occasions in 2020. In both cases, a quorum of council members discussed official matters—enforcement of COVID-19 restrictions in a public park and streetlight installation options—outside public view. Because these conversations involved deliberations over public policy, they were required by law to be held in public, with proper notice and documentation.

Further violations involved improperly closed sessions in 2016 and 2020. For multiple meetings, the Town either failed to record votes to close, did not provide written statements explaining why a closed session was necessary, or omitted detailed summaries in meeting minutes. These omissions run contrary to state law, which mandates specific disclosures to ensure the public remains informed about the workings of their government.

Despite repeated findings and guidance from the Compliance Board, Keedysville has continued to fall short of the Act’s requirements. The town is now obligated under Maryland law to acknowledge the most recent violations. While these rulings do not carry direct penalties, they are binding opinions and intended to compel compliance moving forward. The next public meeting of the Mayor & Council and Water Commission will be on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall. Although the meeting is open to the public, it will enter a closed session to consult with legal counsel regarding pending litigation, pursuant to General Provisions Article 3-305(b)(7). No official agenda has been posted for the meeting as of publication of this article, but an agenda provided by email indicates the acknowledgement of the violation will occur at the August 6 meeting.

Comments or concerns related to the meeting, past actions, or upcoming matters may be submitted in writing to Lisa Riner, Town Administrator, by mail at P.O. Box 359, Keedysville, MD 21756, or by email at townhall@keedysvillemd.com. All submitted feedback will be included in the meeting’s official minutes. Regular meetings of the Mayor & Council and Water Commission are typically held on the first Wednesday of each month.

Relevant OMCB rulings can be found on the Maryland Attorney General’s website.

Article by multiple contributors, based upon information from the Maryland Open Meetings Compliance Board

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