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Open Meeting Law Info

 

Open Meeting Law

The purpose of the Open Meeting Law is to ensure transparency in the deliberations on which public policy is based. Because the democratic process depends on the public having knowledge about the considerations underlying governmental action, the Open Meeting Law requires, with some exceptions, that meetings of public bodies be open to the public. It also seeks to balance the public’s interest in witnessing the deliberations of public officials with the government’s need to manage its operations efficiently.

All Town committees are required to follow the Open Meeting Law, M.G.L. c. 30A, §§ 18-25 (Effective July 1, 2015) and 940 CMR 29.00: Open Meetings 

For more information please visit the official Open Meeting Law website.

Open Meeting Law Quick Facts

  • 48 Hour Notice is required. All public bodies (i.e. Committees, Boards, subcommittees) are required to post a meeting or work session notice and agenda 48 hours before holding a meeting. Meeting notices are to be filed with the Town Clerk’s office.
  • The 48 hour time period does not include Saturdays, Sundays or legal Holidays.
  • Meeting notices must include committee name, location, date, time and agenda.
  • Notices must include an agenda or list of topics anticipated to be discussed at the meeting. 
  • The items listed as the agenda are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair, which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law.
  • Official minutes must contain detailed information: names of members, summaries of matters discussed, a list of documents used and all decisions made and the actions taken, including a record of all votes (yeas, nays and abstentions). Documents and other exhibits (i.e. maps, photos) need to be kept as part of the official record of the session.
  • The Law requires that such minutes be made available to the public within a reasonable period of time after the conclusion of any given meeting, even if in draft form.
  • Citizens making complaints of Open Meeting Law violations must file written complaints with the public body first within 30 days of the violation. Then the body submits reply to complainant and Attorney General’s Office.

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