Do you know New York state's Open Meetings Law?

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 The law begins with this declaration:
“It is essential to the maintenance of a democratic society that the public business be performed in an open and public manner and that the citizens of this state be fully aware of and able to observe the performance of public officials and attend and listen to the deliberations and decisions that go into the making of public policy. The people must be able to remain informed if they are to retain control over those who are their public servants. It is the only climate under which the commonweal will prosper and enable the governmental process to operate for the benefit of those who created it.”

Though relatively few people attend school board, village, town or county board meetings, it is essential that those boards follow the rules. Perhaps the lack of attendance makes it even more critical that the board members act professionally and within the law.

The law requires that the public be notified when an open meeting will take place, and that notice is given to the news media, posted in one or more designated conspicuous public work places, and online.

Everyone should become familiar with the Open Meetings Law. You can, at the website www.dos.ny.gov/coog/openmeetlaw.html.

Executive sessions

Anyone who has ever attended a village, town or school board meeting is familiar with the term “executive session,” in which public officials meet privately to discuss the details of an issue that cannot be disclosed in an open meeting.

The public should be aware of the reasons for — and the only reasons for — boards to meet privately. Here they are:

• Matters that will imperil the public safety if disclosed.

• Any matter that may disclose the identity of a law enforcement agent or informer.

• Information relating to the current or future investigation or prosecution of a criminal offense that would imperil effective law enforcement if disclosed.

• The discussion of proposed, pending or current litigation.

• Collective negotiations related to the Taylor Law, which governs collective bargaining negotiations with public employees’ unions.
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