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New posting law good for public, despite complaints
Posted on 10/16/2008
Why is it whenever something is accomplished to make local government more transparent, the cries come up from the bureaucrats that they are being handed an impossible task? The General Assembly passed, as part of a package of reforms, a law that requires official postings and agendas for local boards and commissions on the Internet. The obvious goal, of course, is to inform the public. True, not everyone has access to the Internet, but it's far better than posting a printed notice on the town green. We realize that many municipalities, especially the larger cities, have a great number of agencies and boards, but many are minor and only meet infrequently. One of the communities protesting is Woodbridge, with a population under 10,000. It has an unbelievable 73 boards, commissions and committees. Westport First Selectman Gordon Joseloff, long a fan of the Internet for informing the public, sees it as another avenue to provide the public with information it needs-- or ought -- to know. Westport has been sending public meeting agendas to citizens via e-mail since 1998. At present, committees are required to file agendas and minutes in the town clerk's office within 48 hours of the meeting. This will provide a much better heads-up on municipal activity. Some area officials agree with the concept, but state that they are hard pressed to comply, and some have even threatened to shut down their Web site. We expect that, given some time, municipalities will adjust and comply, despite the grumbling. And that's in the public's interest.
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Posted by: David Bedell | Jan 30, 2009
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