We have already commented that moving the work sessions to Monday mornings at 9:00 in the small conference room at the town hall limits public access. Six members of the public attended the session, but there was only room for 4 in the conference room. Those sitting outside could not always hear the discussion especially when the copy machine was operating.
The meeting time and location, however, makes it easier for the board to meet with the department heads. This particular meeting was a good example of how the Board and the department heads work together as a team to resolve issues. In one case, they discussed a long-term problems neighbors are having with parking in a "passway." The discussion involved the selectmen, the police chief, the town clerk, and the head of public works. They all had different perspectives, but they listened to each other and worked through the issue effectively and respectfully. The selectmen did not resolve all of the issues, but they began the discussion, listened to each other, and took the time to think through possible solutions.
Does there have to be a trade-off between public access and the board's need to accomplish it's work? No, if both the board and the public respect each other's needs and rights. The board should have their meetings at times and places that accommodate the public, and the public should respect the board's need to work through issues without interruption and make appropriate use of the time allowed for public comments. Comments should also be made respectfully. Many concerns expressed at meetings could be addressed directly to the town administrator during normal business hours. We should also consider whether our concerns are actually public matters, or issues that we should resolve privately.
" Those sitting outside could not always hear the discussion especially when the copy machine was operating."
ReplyDeleteRSA 91A:2 III(c) Each part of a meeting required to be open to the public shall be audible or otherwise discernable to the public at the location specified in the meeting notice as the location of the meeting. Each member participating electronically or otherwise must be able to simultaneously hear each other and speak to each other during the meeting, and shall be audible or otherwise discernable to the public in attendance at the meeting's location.