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To the editor:
Why do we have a law to require minutes of governmental meetings and decisions?
Because the preamble of RSA 91-A says it best. "Openness in the conduct of public business is essential to a democratic society. The purpose of this chapter is to ensure both the greatest possible public access to the actions, discussions and records of all public bodies, and their accountability to the people."
91-A is not an old law that should be ignored. Minutes are kept for posterity to show where we have been and how we got there.
For example, a few years back, Rochester was taken to the Legislative Court for bringing a major zoning change (that took approximately nine years to create) with no minutes to show how the rezoning committee arrived at the change. As a result, it had to be done over.
There is no good reason for government agencies in this day and age to not record minutes of every meeting. PERIOD!!
As the New Hampshire Municipal Association put it in a 2015 article: "Minutes can be helpful when memories fade, or when new board members join the board, as a way to look back in time and understand how the board dealt with an issue." And "All "public bodies" are required to have open meetings, and thus must take minutes of their meetings. "
If you find out that minutes are not being taken or kept. SPEAK OUT! You can also contact the state ombudsman on the right to know and file a complaint
Online info offered: "The telephone number of the office is (603) 271-3277. The office's email is Thomas.kehr@sos.nh.gov. Its physical address is Room 313, State House Annex, 25 Capitol St., Concord, NH 03301. The office is unable to provide legal advice to callers and cannot address particular disputes by email or telephone."
A formal complaint and a small fee is required to proceed.
- Cliff Newton,
State Rep
Rochester
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