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HARRISON, N.Y. - A new law requiring local governments to post public meeting agendas online at least one day in advance doesn't have Harrison's newest town clerk worried in the slightest.
Town Clerk Jacqueline Greer said migrating the office to the Internet has always been high on her list of priorities, and posting government agendas on the Web has been business as usual in Harrison. According to the clerk's office, Harrison has made a consistent habit of making meeting agendas available at least six days before town board meetings, with updates and late items added throughout the week.
"The law isn't changing anything for us here," Greer said. "We've always had the agendas available early."
Deputy Clerk Angela Tamucci said posting agendas days in advance has simply been the way of the office since she started. After assembling the agendas, Tamucci also emails a copy to the town's technology department, which then post agendas on the Internet.
"That's just the way it was and it's what we do," Tamucci said. "The board members need time to prepare, so we release agendas on the Friday before each meeting."
Town/Village board meetings in Harrison typically fall on the first and third Thursday of each month.
The law requires that records, resolutions, laws, or all matters to be discussed at an open meeting by a public body be made available for review by the public at least one day before a meeting. If not, citizens will have the right to sue the government agency. Minutes are also required by law to be made public within two weeks of the meeting.
The mandate applies to all town and village boards, school boards and any other public review boards. The law goes into effect Feb. 2.
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