2005-Annual Town Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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§6-24. Exception. Nothing in this Article shall be §7-2. Jurisdiction. Because regulatory authorities construed to affect the right of any creditor of subject citizens to fees, fines and regulations, the Town, regardless of the reversion of any and the Town to possible litigation,the Town's appropriation to the general fund. interest is best served by requiring the follow- ing to comply with all provisions of this CHAPTER 7—PUBLIC RECORDS AND OPEN bylaw. The Board of Selectmen, the Board of MEETINGS Assessors, the Planning Board, the Board of History: Added 5-3-2004 ATM,Article 17, Health, the Zoning Board of Appeals, the approved by Attorney General on 8-23-2004 Conservation Commission, all hereinafter referred to as "Regulatory Authorities." §7-1. Purpose. This bylaw shall be known as the "Public Records and Open Meeting bylaw." §7-3. Requirements. ! The purpose of this bylaw is to ensure open access to public records and meetings; to pro- A. All Regulatory Authorities are required ! vide for adequate disclosure of matters con- to: ceming the public interest and the account- ability of Town Boards, Committees and 1. Post notices of meetings in compli- Commissions; and to provide for strengthened ance with Chapter 39 Section 23B of local control and enforcement of the Massachusetts General Laws. j Commonwealth's Open Meeting Law, Chapter 39, Sections 23A and B, and the 2. Post a copy of the agenda at the Public Records Law, Chapter 66 of the Town Clerk's Office one day prior to ' Massachusetts General Laws, and anrelated such meeting and supply to the pub- regulations g PPY P regulations or interpretations issued by the lic sufficient copies of the agenda at Attorney General or Secretary of State of the each meeting. Commonwealth in effect at the time of adop- tion of this bylaw. 3. Document all meetings by written j report in the form of minutes pur- A. The Town recognized the importance of: suant to Chapter 66, Section 3,4, 5A and 6 of the Massachusetts General 1. Open public meetings Laws. Such minutes must be approved at the next scheduled meet- 2. Properly posted public meeting ing, or as soon as possible thereafter, notices and be filed with the Town Clerk within two (2) business days after ; w 3. Accurate documentation of the approval. record of all public meetings 4. Audio sound (tape) record all meet- 4. Timely preparation of minutes ings. Such tapes must be filed with the Town Clerk at the same time as �) !I 5. Timely filing of approved minutes the written minutes are filed. with the Town Clerk B. Waivers of compliance may be granted 6. Record retention in accordance with with respect to 38-3 1) (b) and(d) for rea- State regulations sons which the Town Clerk deems valid 'l and which are not inconsistent with I! 7. Audio sound (tape)recording of the Massachusetts General Laws. meetings of key Town boards, com- mittees, and commissions C. The Town Clerk shall be required to main- tain the audio tape records for a period of li 8. Enforcement of the provisions of three (3) years. If, in the opinion of the l this bylaw. Town Clerk or Board Chairman, retention is in the best interest of the Town,a longer period may be stipulated. 83