An investigation by the Ontario ombudsman found no evidence that South Bruce Peninsula violated the Municipal Act.
The probe was launched by then-Ombudsman Andre Marin over the summer when four complaints were received regarding council activity, alleging illegal actions between April and June of this year.
The complaints alleged council held a series of illegal votes in closed session while discussing the eventual sale of the Wiarton-Keppel International Airport, and also that council held discussions beyond the sale of the airport while in closed session.
The ombudsman also received a complaint of informal meetings of council to discuss committee appointments, followed by an unscheduled closed meeting without proper notice, as well as a complaint of an informal meeting of council by e-mail.
Marin's report concluded that the airport discussions were conducted properly and there was no evidence to back the claims of improper meetings.
Councillor Matt Jackson took exception to the complaints, suggesting he believes they were filed by a member of council, but declined to identify a specific individual.
"There was no doubt that this was an attempt to try and discredit members of this council and members of our town staff and as I said, the Ombudsman's report was quite clear that we were well within the law and operating prudently and responsibly," says Jackson.
The ombudsman's report did include four recommendations, which include suggestions to begin recording closed session meetings and improved recording of directions and resolutions arising from closed meetings.