[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township
of Middletown as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted
where applicable.]
[Adopted 3-16-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-2956 (Ch. 37, Art. I, of the 1996
Township Code)]
Any other provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding,
and in accordance with Robert Wayne Tarus v. Borough of Pine Hill,
et al., 189 N.J. 497 (2007), this article shall govern the policies
for the production of video recordings of all open public meetings
held by Middletown Township.
For the purposes of this article, the defined terms herein shall
be as follows:
Any meeting held by Middletown Township open to the public
pursuant to the Open Public Meetings Act (N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq.).
Includes any device, whether affixed to a tripod or handheld,
which records video images, regardless of format, including mobile
phones, personal data assistants and/or similar technology.
This chapter shall apply uniformly to both members of the public
and credentialed members of the media for all open public meetings
in Middletown Township.
Video recording of all open public meetings held by Middletown
Township is permitted subject to the provisions of this chapter, as
follows:
A.
Any video-recording device utilized must be quiet so as not to interfere
with the public's ability to hear the proceedings.
B.
All video-recording devices must be set up prior to the commencement
of the meeting and may not be removed until the proceeding has concluded
unless the video-recording device is handheld and easily removable
without distraction.
C.
Any and all video-recording devices may only be placed and/or operated
in the designated area(s) assigned as indicated by signage placed
by the Township Clerk in the applicable meeting room at a reasonable
location based upon the anticipated or actual attendance so that the
video-recording device does not interfere with the public's right
to access to view the proceedings, as follows:
(1)
For regular meetings with anticipated attendance of less than 30
individuals, video-recording devices shall be placed and/or operated
from a location halfway between the first and last rows of public
seating on the side of the court room away from the exterior fire
exit.
(2)
For regular and annual meetings with anticipated attendance in excess
of 30 individuals, video-recording devices shall be placed and/or
operated in one of the two back corners of the court room.
(3)
For all workshop meetings, video-recording devices shall be placed
and/or operated from in a designated corner of the conference room.
(4)
Factors, such as firesafety and the public's safe ingress and
egress, shall always be considered in designating a location for the
placement and/or operation of video-recording devices.
D.
Any video-recording device or related equipment used must not take
up more than a three-foot-by-three-foot area of floor space (excluding
power cords or microphone cables that are safely laid to the floor)
unless special arrangements are made with the Township Clerk at least
48 hours prior to the meeting to find space for additional recording
devices and/or equipment.
These video-recording policies shall be placed on the Middletown
Township website and placed on a bulletin board designated for Township
notices.
