It shall be the policy of the Town of Barre to afford to all of its citizens the opportunity to participate in the government of their Town as fully and completely as may be possible. To this end, all meetings of agencies, boards, citizen committees, and any other group acting under authority or color of authority of the Town of Barre, shall be conducted openly and in accordance with the policy of the laws of the State of Vermont relative to meetings of governmental bodies, and no executive session shall be held except in accordance with the terms of the law; provided, however, that the penalties set forth in the general law shall not extend to any person solely by reason of this charter.