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The Massachusetts “Open Meeting Law” as we now know it (G.L. 39:23B) was enacted in 1975 as Chapter 303 of the Acts of 1975, although its roots date back to 1958. There have been a number of amendments to the OML since 1975, but its general provisions remain the same. The OML is
critical to the basic principal of public disclosure. Each elected or appointed official must receive a copy of this law from the Town Clerk upon qualification to their position.
The purpose of the OML is to promote the public’s understanding of governmental operations by eliminating much of the secrecy that in the past often surrounded deliberations and decisions upon which public policy was based. To accomplish this purpose, the OML requires public discussion of governmental action at a public meeting for which no less than 48-hours notice has been given.
Of course, there are also statutory exemptions for meetings which are considered “emergency” in nature, as well as provisions for governmental bodies to meet in “executive session”; however all such exclusions to the public meeting forum must be in accordance with the provisions outlined in the Law.
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