EVANS CITY — Six of the seven council members Tuesday night signed a document promising to keep confidential the discussions they have during executive sessions.

The issue arose after information from those sessions was leaked.

“We have had sentences (used in executive session) repeated back to us verbatim,” said council President Lee Dyer.

Boards and councils in Pennsylvania’s municipalities are permitted to meet behind closed doors for matters involving real estate purchases, employee matters, contract negotiations or collective bargaining, and legal matters, said solicitor Sean Gallagher.

He said the discussions in those closed-door meetings are not to be revealed by council or board members to anyone not in attendance at the meetings.

Councilman Paul Foster said he was not ready to sign the document because it could have ramifications to the council members on a personal level.

“This is bigger than most things we sign,” Foster said. “It has a bigger scope.”

Gallagher confirmed that council members or other elected officials who share confidential information outside of a closed-door meeting could incur attorney fees and other costs if they are accused of leaking information.

Mayor Dean Zinkhann, who declined to sign the document without explanation, asked how it would be proven that someone had divulged information discussed in a closed-door session.

Gallagher replied that witnesses would be called to testify from whom they had heard confidential information.

Councilman Dave Spithaler suggested that those who choose not to sign the confidentiality document should be barred from executive sessions.

But Gallagher said it is his opinion that those who are eligible to attend an executive session cannot be barred from the closed-door meetings.

The original copy will be held in the borough office until Jan. 17 to allow time for Foster and Zinkhann to sign if they so choose.