Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz

The Open Meeting Law

Please be advised that as of July 1, 2010, the Office of the Attorney General
will have sole enforcement authority over the open meeting law,
as amended on July 1, 2009.

For more information regarding the amendment to the statute,
please visit:

Chapter 28 of the Acts of 2009, sections 17 to 20

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Please click on the section you wish to view

SECTION I.........Meetings

SECTION II........Notice

SECTION III.......Minutes

SECTION IV..Executive Session

Exceptions to
the Open Meeting Law

SECTION V.........Exception 1

SECTION VI........Exception 2

SECTION VII.......Exception 3

SECTION VIII......Exception 4

SECTION IX........Exception 5

SECTION X.........Exception 6

SECTION XI........Exception 7

SECTION XII.......Exception 8

SECTION XIII......Exception 9

SECTION XIV.......Enforcement

AMENDMENTS

"Whenever the people are well informed, they can be trusted with
their own government; that whenever things get so far wrong as to
attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them to rights."

Thomas Jefferson to Richard Price, January 8, 1789

A MESSAGE FROM THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY

Greetings:

Democracy is part of our American tradition. Our democracy is a priceless gift, devised by our founding fathers and paid for by the countless patriots who have served and who continue to protect our way of life.    As part of our rich heritage, we have the privilege to learn about the functions of our local governments and to educate ourselves about the important work of running our communities.

The Massachusetts Open Meeting Law brings local government to the people.
It guarantees the right of the people to be present and to observe the governmental bodies as they conduct public business on the local level.   In this manner, citizens in every community have the opportunity to know and to understand the decisions of local boards that directly impact their lives.

At the same time, we must recognize that citizens in every town offer their time and effort as board members, for little or no money, in order to make their community a better place to live.   They serve on Boards of Selectmen, School Committiees and numerous other governmental bodies.   We all owe these board members our sincere gratitude because they form the cornerstone of our representative democracy.

As District Attorney for the Plymouth District, it is my duty to enforce the Open Meeting Law.   I am honored to fulfill that duty because open government fosters community spirit and public confidence in local government.

My office investigates potential violations of the Open Meeting Law and attempts to resolve problems, often without the need for costly lawsuits.  We are available to provide advice and informational seminars designed to educate board members and the public about the requirements of the Open Meeting Law.   This handbook is a permanent resource for answering common questions that arise in every town.

Together, we can keep local government open to the public, yet still promote an environment that permits boards to efficiently accomplish the serious business of running our local communities.   Whether you are an interested member of the public or a public servant on a town board, I hope that you will work with me to preserve open government, thereby fulfilling the promises of democracy envisioned by our founding fathers.

Sincerely,

TIMOTHY J. CRUZ
District Attorney
Plymouth District