We weren’t surprised to see that information handouts weren’t available at this week’s Board of Selectmen meeting; the absence of written material to share with meeting attendees and the press was a recurring problem during most meetings before the March 31 Annual Town Meeting. Residents who are trying to understand what the boards are discussing and reporters who seek to convey information about board meetings to the public need the same information that board members have in front of them. Not too long ago, that practice was the rule. Now it’s the exception. When the selectmen have their off-site retreat this month they should add another item to their list of community values: that they will adhere to the letter—and the spirit—of the open meeting laws, and they will encourage other town boards to do so. We’re not exactly sure where asking the press not to come to the off-site meeting so the selectmen can talk frankly fits into the open meeting law. Oh, yes, we are. It doesn’t.