In light of the need to maintain social distancing to avoid the spread of COVID-19, along with Governor Murphy’s Executive Order 107, local governments have been encouraged to host remote public meetings. However, many municipalities are unfamiliar with logistics of how to host a remote meeting while still complying with the Open Public Meetings Act and other legal requirements.
Fortunately, the Department of Community Affairs, Division of Local Government Services (DLGS), has issued Local Operational Guidance which provides guidance for remote public meetings. The guidance provides a listing of possible solutions available for local governments to host remote meetings in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act and offers other helpful practical suggestions on how to run an effective remote meeting. The guidance offers a variety of solutions and identifies possible pitfalls which your municipality should consider before adopting.
Please review this guidance, in addition to the guidance previously offered by DLGS, with your municipal clerk and municipal attorney to ensure that your remote meetings address all requirements.
Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., League Staff Attorney, FMarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x137.