"Are you claiming that an agency has issued a finding about my property?" I asked when the chair recognized questions.
"The report speaks for itself," Brenda said.
"Then may I read it?"
"The material is sensitive."
"Sensitive in what way? Is there an agency name, a reference number, and a contact who can confirm it?"
"You don't have the necessary clearance to review everything."
A murmur moved through the room. Thomas glanced at the binder and then at Brenda. I could see him deciding whether he wanted to ask an uncomfortable question. I hoped he would. This was not about performing a clever trick; it was about getting the board to do its own job.
"I'd like the secretary to record that I asked for an independently verifiable agency report," I said. "The fire marshal and city inspector have already found no applicable violation. If there's new information, let us examine it before imposing a demand for ten thousand dollars."
Brenda lifted her chin. "The board is under no obligation to make classified security material public."
"Then it shouldn't be using undisclosed material as the sole basis for collecting money from one owner," Thomas said unexpectedly.
The room became quiet. Brenda turned toward him with genuine surprise. Thomas had rarely challenged her in public, and she seemed to regard the fact as a breach of personal loyalty. He continued, his voice not especially strong but steady enough to be heard.
"I'm not voting until I see a report that can be authenticated. We have homeowners whose money we'd be spending."
I had contacted the relevant agencies through their public channels before the meeting and obtained written general guidance about the type of diesel storage involved. That guidance did not certify my specific tank; the local inspections did that. It did, however, clarify that Brenda's sweeping claims about federal anti-terrorism requirements did not correspond to the provisions she was citing. I submitted copies for the board to review and offered to provide the agencies' public contact information so the board could confirm the guidance independently.
Brenda reacted as if I had smuggled an opposing witness into a courtroom. She accused me of exploiting my employment, although I had made no official request on behalf of my department and had used only public information available to any resident. I reminded her of that distinction and suggested the same information could be obtained directly by the association. Thomas requested a recess to compare the alleged report with the agency guidance.
During the recess, Dorothy rose with her red folder. "I have a petition signed by homeowners calling for a special meeting about financial records and conflict disclosures," she said. "I want it accepted by the secretary today, with a receipt."