UPDATE (2/23/2018): Following approximately 40 minutes of meeting discussion, the Committee did not act on the proposal. This further supports the need for legislative reform and modernization of the OPMA.
Original post:
Transparency, accountability, and the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) are on the agenda for tonight’s 7:00 PM Raritan Township Committee meeting (Feb. 20, 2018 meeting) to be held at 1 Municipal Drive, Flemington, NJ. Committeeman Craig O’Brien is proposing that the governing body adopt four practices that will improve its compliance with the letter and spirit of the OPMA:
1) Late additions to agendas — Should be discouraged. If absolutely necessary, add to the meeting minutes a description of why its necessary and urgent. Updates must be posted to the website that week.
2) Closed session minutes -– Minutes should have more detail than they do currently. If votes are taken, they should be recorded and reasons by committee members added if made. Continue the practice of listing issues discussed.
3) Timely review of closed session minutes -– Review the minutes (but not release them) within 90 days to make sure they are accurate and reviewed by the people involved.
4) Unapproved minutes — Provide a report to be included on the agenda of a list of unreleased minutes (unapproved).
NJFOG applauds such efforts and encourages members of the public to attend in support of the motion!
Read more here:
TAPinto Flemington/Raritan
More ‘Open Government’ is Targeted in Township and Borough
February 19, 2018