Interviews tonight for opening on Preston Redevelopment Agency

Preston - The Preston Redevelopment Agency will interview three residents interested in serving on the agency tonight, two of them in executive session.

Residents William Legler and Francis Matovic will be interviewed separately behind closed doors during the 7 p.m. meeting at Town Hall. Resident Norman Gauthier has asked that his interview be conducted in open session. The three are seeking the seat left vacant with the retirement of longtime PRA member Sandra Ewing in June.

PRA Chairman Sean Nugent said he consulted with the agency's attorney and the state Freedom of Information Commission to confirm that the interviews can be done behind closed doors before scheduling the executive session.

Thomas Hennick, public education officer for the state FOI commission, said members of a municipal agency, board or commission are defined as "public officers" under the FOI law that allows public officers and potential employees to be interviewed in closed session.

Nugent said the agency conducted interviews in executive session two years ago to fill three vacancies at that time.

The PRA also will meet in executive session tonight to continue discussing the proposed development agreement for the former Norwich Hospital property with Stamford-based JHM Financial LLC.

Details of the proposal have been confidential since the firm submitted the proposal in September.

The PRA met with officials from the firm last Monday in a 3½-hour closed-door session but emerged without taking action on the plans. Nugent said he could not say whether the agency will be ready to release details of the plan tonight.

c.bessette@theday.com