Law guarantees chance for
public to speak at meetings
By dave benjamin
Staff Writer
A law signed by Democratic Gov. James McGreevey earlier this month guarantees members of the public the right to speak at meetings of their municipal governing body.
The new law, sponsored by Republican Assemblyman Kevin J. O’Toole (Bergen, Essex, Passaic) and Republican Assemblyman George F. Geist (Camden-Gloucester), permits public comment at all meetings of municipal governing bodies.
A spokesman in Geist’s office said the Office of Legislative Services determined that the bill does not apply to school boards.
"This bill is designed to provide a forum in which local residents could voice any concerns they may have directly to those who are in charge of governing their municipalities," O’Toole said. "Importantly, this initiative would serve to encourage residents to take an active role in keeping abreast of the decisions made by their local governments."
The latest amendment to the Open Public Meetings Act states that a municipal governing body will be required to set aside a portion of every one of its meetings for public comment on any governmental issue a member of the public feels may be of concern to the residents of the municipality. The length of the public comment portion of the meeting may be determined by the municipal governing body.
"Although many governing bodies already allow for public comment, some do not allow public participation at all or limit the topic to those on the meeting agenda," Geist said. "This legislation would ensure the opportunity for residents to publicly share their insights on any issues with their local governing body. In a state with a new right-to-know law, we need a statutory right of public participation."
The new bill was approved by a 76-0 vote in the Assembly in May and by a 32-0 vote in the Senate in June. McGreevey signed the legislation on Sept. 5.
In Colts Neck, all meetings of the Township Committee already include a period of public comment during which residents may speak on any issue of concern, according to the clerk’s office. Therefore, the new law will not require any change.
In Freehold Borough, the Borough Council has regular meetings which include a period of public comment during which residents may speak on any topic. The council holds workshop meetings which do not have a formal public comment session, although residents who ask to speak are allowed to do so, said Borough Clerk Linda Cottrell. The borough is reviewing the new law to determine exactly how it will apply to the council meetings, Cottrell said.
Within the past month, the Township Committee in Freehold Township began including a public comment portion during its workshop meetings, according to Susan Mladinov, in the administrator’s office.
In Howell, all meetings of the Township Council already include a period of public comment during which residents may speak on any issue of concern, according to the clerk’s office. Therefore, the new law will not require any change.
In Manalapan, the Township Committee will add a public comment session to its workshop meetings, Mayor Rebecca Aaronson said. In January, the committee changed from a schedule of two meetings each month at which public comment on any topic was permitted to one meeting a month where residents could address the governing body. Aaronson said the committee will adjust its workshop meeting format by adding a public comment period as required by the new law.
In Marlboro, the Township Council has changed its workshop meeting schedule from a meeting that did not have a public comment period to one which will have a public comment period that will be limited to 30 minutes. Regular meetings will continue to have a public comment period.