Link to Ch 17 TAPE OF MEETING
IN VERMONT IT'S THE LAW [CLICK]
MEETINGS OF A PUBLIC BODY MUST BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
• Public must be given notice of the meeting.
• Public must be allowed to attend the meeting and be heard.
• Minutes of the meeting must be taken.
THE PUBLIC HAS A RIGHT TO BE HEARD
At an open meeting the public must be given a reasonable opportunity to comment on matters considered by the board, subject to reasonable rules set by the chair of the board.
THE PUBLIC HAS A RIGHT TO SPEAK
Every public meeting must make time for the board to take public comment.1 V.S.A. §
312(h). The subjects may be related to the agenda or not. Many boards allow public
comment at the start of the meeting. Others place it as the final agenda item. Some
boards allow public comment whenever anyone present has something to add to the
discussion. Whenever it occurs, public comment is an important time in the life of a
board. It is the one opportunity that members of the public have to speak openly about
their concerns.
Recently attention has been drawn to a Finance Board scene reminiscent of the 70s when government boards could hold closed meetings, deny record requests, and refuse to allow citizens to be heard.How far have we come in Burlington since then? You be the judge. http://www.cctv.org/watch-tv/programs/burlington-board-finance-16Obviously the time has come for the city to recommit to both the spirit and the letter of the state's Right to Know laws. Right to Know includes the right to meeting agenda/time/place, right to be heard, and the right to review and obtain copies of documents. http://www.sec.state.vt.us/municipal/pubs/a%C2%AD%C2%AD_guide_to_open_meetings_2006.pdf
North End NPA meets in Miller Center, Dec 20, 7-9pm. Sign-in 6:45pm. Reports from elected officials, Open Forum, and Program, this month to include school issues and Right2Know Laws. See details:Sec of State Condos has been invited to lead discussion on Right2Know, Right2-BHeard laws. He recently conducted a round of Government Transparency forums for city officials around the state. http://www.cctv.org/watch-tv/programs/open-meeting-public-records-law-forum
Link to LIVE@5:25, Ch 17
AGENDA December 20, 2011
Facilitator: Jason L’Ecuyer
6:45 Welcome, Refreshments,Sign-In
7:00 Introductions and Announcements, Ground Rules, Agenda
Anyone who would like to make an announcement please do so at this time.
7:10 NPA Business – Nomination of Maura Finn, Ward 4, steering committee.
6:45 Welcome, Refreshments,Sign-In
7:00 Introductions and Announcements, Ground Rules, Agenda
Anyone who would like to make an announcement please do so at this time.
7:10 NPA Business – Nomination of Maura Finn, Ward 4, steering committee.
7:15 Secretary of State Jim Condos, Public Right to Be Heard at Public Meetings. Presentation, followed by open discussion with residents.
7:45 Peter McConville, students – Transformation at BHS. Presentation, followed by open discussion with residents.
8:15 Reports from Elected and Appointed Officials (Councilors, Legislators, Commissioners, Board Members, Steering Committee sub-committees). Qs and comments welcome.
8:40 Open Forum for Residents - Brief statements of neighborhood/city interest or concern.
9:00 Adieu
