[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Lewiston 3-28-1977 by L.L. No.
3-1977 (Ch. 19B of the 1965 Code). Amendments noted
where applicable.]
It is necessary in the furtherance of democratic principles
that the public be aware of the functions and processes of government.
The Town Board of the Town of Lewiston is concerned that the citizens
of the community be given the opportunity to observe the making of
public policy. This chapter is enacted to ensure that the public is
given that opportunity.
This chapter shall be known as the "Open Meetings Law."
A.
As used in this chapter, the words "meeting," "public body" and "executive
session" shall have the same meanings as ascribed to them by Article
7, § 102 of the Public Officers Law of the State of New
York or any amendment thereto.
B.
NEWS MEDIA
NOTICE
Other terms used in this chapter are:
The official newspaper of the Town of Lewiston or, if no
such newspaper is designated, a newspaper that is printed not less
frequently than once a week and generally distributed in the Town
of Lewiston in which legal notices may be published or a radio or
television station that regularly broadcasts news.
Means but shall not be limited to written or oral information
relating to the date, time and place where a meeting is to be held.
This chapter shall be applicable to the Town of Lewiston exclusive
of any incorporated village therein.
A.
It shall be the duty and responsibility of the Town of Lewiston to
provide notice of meetings to the public and the news media as provided
in this chapter.
B.
The Town Clerk shall, upon reasonable request, provide, whenever
possible, notice to any person of the date, time and place of a meeting
of the Town Board whether such request is made in person, in writing
or by telephone, provided that:
A.
Notice of meetings scheduled at least one week in advance shall be
given as follows:
(1)
The public shall be informed of meetings scheduled at least one week
in advance by the posting of a notice at least 72 hours in advance
of such meetings in a conspicuous place in the Town Hall of the Town
of Lewiston.
(2)
The news media shall be informed of meetings, scheduled at least
one week in advance, by notice given not less than 72 hours prior
to said meetings and delivered to an officer, agent or employee of
the news media by any of the following methods:
(a)
Mail. Three days shall be added to the usually required time
for all notices sent by mail.
(b)
Personal delivery. Notices may be personally delivered to an
officer, agent or employee of the news media. A receipt acknowledging
said delivery shall be obtained from the person to whom said notice
is delivered; provided, however, that a statement of service by the
deliverer may be substituted for said receipt.
(c)
Telephone. Should notice be given by telephone, the person making
such call shall log, in a record kept for this purpose, the date and
time of said call and the person to whom the notice was given.
B.
Notice of meetings scheduled less than one week in advance shall
be given as follows:
C.
Notice of regularly scheduled meetings shall be as follows:
(1)
When a public body schedules meetings in advance that are to be held
at specific times and locations and on specific dates at regular intervals,
a single notice setting forth the requisite information concerning
a regularly scheduled meeting shall be provided to the public and
the news media.
(2)
Notice to the public specifying the time, location and day of regularly
scheduled meetings shall be posted in a conspicuous place in the Town
Hall.
The Town Clerk shall keep a log or other record in which shall
be entered all applicable information regarding the notice given to
the public and the news media pursuant to this chapter, which said
log or record shall include:
