“Rotterdam residents have had to search really hard to figure out what times Town Board meetings happen because the town is not adhering to rules governing proper meeting notices.
“Could we be a little more transparent—fully, definitely,” said Board Member Joseph Guidarelli Thursday, following a Wednesday meeting at which the Town Board violated state Open Meeting Laws.
Guidarelli said the draft agenda would note the actual start time of the board meetings, even though the town calendar lists another time.
The town’s practice is not consistent with the state law on Open Meetings, according to Kristin O’Neill, assistant director of the state Committee on Open Government.
At issue is the board’s decision to meet Wednesday around 6:30 p.m. in an executive session before the 7 p.m. public meeting was scheduled to begin. The executive session, which prohibits members of the public from observation and participation, was called to discuss an employee and possible disciplinary matters related to that employee. The meeting time listed on the town’s website stated the meeting began at 7 p.m., not 6:30 p.m.”
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Briere, Shenandoah. Schenectady Gazette 25 February 2021.