[Adopted 1-22-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-5]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
MUNICIPAL FACILITY
Any building owned, leased or otherwise legally occupied
or used by the Township of Chesterfield in which official municipal
business is conducted.
PUBLIC MEETING
Any gathering, whether corporal or by means of communication
equipment, which is attended by, or open to, all members of a public
body, and held with the intent, on the part of the members of the
body present, to discuss or act as a unit upon the specific public
business of that body.
In addition to photography and videotape recording of public meetings, an individual may tape record a public meeting, subject to the restrictions of §
34-4 and with the following conditions:
A. Notice shall be given to the Municipal Clerk prior to the close of
business of the day the meeting for which an individual is seeking
permission to videotape or photograph the public meeting; and if the
meeting occurs on a day when municipal offices are closed, prior to
close of business on the last business day preceding the meeting for
which permission is sought.
B. The recording device shall be unobtrusive and limited to the size
category commonly known as "hand-held," "mini-cassette," or "standard
portable cassette." It shall be placed in an appropriate position
and may not be moved in any way as to attract attention.
C. The recording device shall not produce distracting sound, either
from the equipment or its operation. The tape may not be rewound or
played back while the meeting is in session.
D. The Mayor may order that tape recording cease at any time he/she
determines that the equipment or its operator is interfering with
the proceedings.
Permission for all still photography, videotaping and audiotape
recording of ceremonial proceedings involving the Township Committee,
occurring during a public meeting or otherwise, must first be obtained
from the Township Committee, but will be granted routinely subject
to compliance with the foregoing guidelines, where applicable.
Still and television camera and audio coverage of proceedings
in the Municipal Court are governed by the Supreme Court guidelines.
The Chesterfield Township Police Department, as well as the
Township Clerk, and, during the course of meetings, with the Mayor
and Township Committee, shall be the enforcement agent of this article.