[The personnel policies for officers and
employees of the Township of Oldmans are on file in the Township Clerk's
office and available for inspection upon request.]
[Adopted 12-7-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-09]
This article shall have the purpose to establish a policy for
the use of electronically transmitted e-mail, text messaging, twittering
and like electronic communication by members of the governing body
and employees of the Township of Oldmans.
The following shall constitute the policy of the Township of
Oldmans for the use of electronically transmitted e-mail, text messaging,
Twittering and like electronic communication by members of the governing
body and employees of the Township:
A.
Communications
transmitted electronically shall not include an effective majority
of the governing body in those instances where the context, subject
matter or other terms of the e-mail communication is intended to discuss,
act upon or deliberate upon matters that the governing body may consider.
Communications may be transmitted to a majority of the governing body
only in those instances where the immediate communication of the information
contained therein is necessary to facilitate the work of the governing
body but in no event shall such communications be intended to constitute
a discussion, deliberation, or action of the governing body.
B.
When practical,
communications to a majority of the governing body shall not include
a request for a response. Providing information to the entire governing
body, or a majority thereof, should in those instances specifically
indicate that there should be no e-mail reply or other communication
contrary to the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act.
C.
In instances
where a response to a communication which was extended to a majority
of the governing body is necessary, such response shall not invite
or involve any decision making or deliberative function of the governing
body or otherwise constitute an action upon the subject matter of
the communication. In such instances, any response shall not be made
to a majority of members of the governing body, either directly or
indirectly through a third party.
D.
E-mail communications
intended to constitute a rolling e-mail are not permitted. For the
purpose of this subsection, a “rolling” e-mail occurs
when one member of the governing body, or a third party, contacts
other members via e-mail individually to successively discuss, deliberate
or take action upon matters for which the governing body has jurisdiction
to consider.
E.
No use of
electronically transmitted communications shall be permitted by which
a majority of the governing body shall be invited to comment, deliberate
upon or otherwise act upon the subject matter of the communication.
The Clerk shall distribute copies of the above policy to all
members of the governing body and all employees of the Township of
Oldmans at such time as persons shall be established in such positions.
Upon enactment hereof, the Clerk shall distribute a copy of this policy
to all members of the governing body and employees of the Township
and shall include this policy within the Personnel Manual.
