The above captioned matter was heard as a contested case on May 9, 1978 at which time the complainant and the respondents appeared and presented testimony, exhibits and argument on the complaint.

     After consideration of the entire record, the following facts are found:

     1.  The respondent committee is a public agency within the meaning of §1-18a(a), G.S.

     2.  The respondent committee held a meeting March 4, 1978.

     3.  By letter dated March 10, 1978, the complainant alleged that on March 4, 1978 the respondent committee held a secret meeting without notice as required by §1-21, G.S.

     4.  No notice of the aforesaid meeting was posted.

     5.  The respondent claimed that the meeting was an emergency meeting and that, therefore, there was no requirement in the Freedom of Information Act as codified in Chapter 3 of the General Statutes that notice be posted.

     6.  It is found there was no evidence showing an emergency which required a meeting be held without posting notice at least twenty-four hours in advance as required by §1-21, G.S.

     7.  It is concluded that the respondent violated §1-21, G.S. by failing to post notice of the aforesaid special meeting.

     The following order by the Commission is hereby recommended on the basis of the record concerning the above captioned complaint:

     1. Henceforth, the respondent shall strictly comply with the notice requirements of §1-21, G.S. by posting notice of its special meetings at least twenty-four hours in advance of the meeting, which notice shall specify the time and place of the special meeting and the business to be transacted.

          Approved by order of the Freedom of Information Commission on June 14, 1978.