For the second time in as many meetings, the Board of Selectmen this week entertained an item that was not on the posted agenda. The first time was at its May 5 meeting, when the topic of spraying for mosquitoes at Devens was discussed. At that meeting, Town Administrator Tim Bragan and four selectmen were unaware that the topic would be discussed, but Devens Committee Chairman Tom Kinch was aware that it would be, and he was present to make his case in favor of spraying, after Selectman Ron Ricci introduced the item as “other business.”

This week the board took up the question of the liquor license for Harvard Plaza owner Robert Hirsch, even though the topic had not been listed on the posted agenda and one of the conditions of the license remained unmet. At least two of the selectmen were unaware before the meeting that the topic would be discussed.

We think this is a troubling pattern, in terms of the board’s openness and transparency with residents and with its own members.

We have to ask—what’s going on?