Let the Sunshine In: A Primer on Open Meetings Law | 27Speaks Podcast
logo logo logo logo

Sag Harbor Express

East Hampton Press / News / Government / Government / News / Southampton Press / 27Speaks / Government / News / Sag Harbor Express / 2151630

Let the Sunshine In: A Primer on Open Meetings Law

icon 1 Photo

27Speaks on Apr 20, 2023

This week on the podcast, the editors discuss New York State’s Open Meetings Law, a sunshine law designed to ensure that all levels of government, from the State Senate down to local village boards, land-use boards and school boards, conduct the public’s business out in the open, where citizens can observe the deliberations behind the decisions that affect their wallets and quality of life. The editors explain the narrow instances in which boards may meet privately, and they raise concerns about when the Open Meetings Law is subverted.

Subscribe to 27Speaks on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music and Spotify.

You May Also Like:

Sag Harbor Village Police Reports for the Week of December 12

SAG HARBOR VILLAGE — Village Police arrested Anthony Colonia, 29, of Shirley this past week on a felony charge of grand larceny in the third degree. According to police, back in February, a Northwest Woods resident reported that she had paid Colonia, who was doing business as Pristine Painting Inc, via check, $5,800 as a down payment to paint the interior and exterior of her property. The check was handed to Colonia by the homeowner, police said, in Sag Harbor Village, making the alleged crime that department’s responsibility. However, the owner of the Northwest Woods house told detectives that while ... 12 Dec 2024 by Staff Writer

Sag Harbor Village DWI Arrest for the Week of December 12

Felicia S. Baez, 30, who has a Brooklyn address on her license but told the court during her arraignment Sunday morning that she is working in Sag Harbor, was charged with misdemeanor DWI a little before midnight on Saturday. Sag Harbor Village Police said she was driving a 2011 Toyota RAV4 erratically on Jermain Avenue, leading to a traffic stop. The officer suspected Baez, according to police, was intoxicated and had her perform sobriety tests, which she failed. After her arrest, Baez was taken to headquarters on Division Street, where a breath test produced a reading of .14, in excess ... by Staff Writer

The Final Step

As Southampton Town considers aggressive action on sand mines, with plans to use amortization — a tool last used effectively to rid the town of nightclubs and bars the town considered nuisances — to finally end the practice, it’s important to cut through the rhetoric and state some facts. Sand mines serve a clear purpose and have economic value in a region where construction is a primary driver. But the town quite simply does not allow sand mining — that decision was made years ago, and what mines exist today are preexisting and nonconforming. Amortizing the properties is the last ... 11 Dec 2024 by Editorial Board

Keep Talking

Talk is not a solution, but solutions won’t be found without a great deal of interplay between the officials making the decisions and the public that will be affected by them. So The Express Sessions event last week in Sag Harbor, which focused on the village’s parking woes, was, along with future public hearings before the Village Board, necessary for there to be any traction on the subject. In fact, one clear message at Thursday’s session, delivered by those in attendance: Communication is absolutely crucial. And it has been one area where the village can improve. Restaurateur Jesse Matsuoka, who ... by Editorial Board

Expanded Retirement Benefits Legislation Could Help Address Shortages for Paid EMS Staff

New legislation introduced by State Senator Monica Martinez will soon give paid first responders in Suffolk County the option to retire after 25 years of service, an enticement that could help address staffing shortages and boost recruitment of paid EMS workers. Service districts will be able to elect to include certain EMS personnel in the state pension plan. Originally approved in 2023, the plan was able to move forward thanks to a companion bill outlining a clear mechanism for fire districts to opt in. Governor Kathy Hochul’s signing of the new measure now establishes that process. “Serving your community as ... by Cailin Riley

Sag Harbor To Hold Parking Workshop Monday

The Sag Harbor Village Board announced that it would hold a workshop at 5 p.m. ... by Stephen J. Kotz

Battle Lines Form as Southampton Town Board Holds Hearing on Sand Mine Amortization Law

The battle lines were clearly drawn as the Southampton Town Board on Tuesday opened a ... by Stephen J. Kotz

Weekly Roundup: Bridgehampton, Southampton Boys Start Hot; Hampton Bays Girls Top Miller Place; Clarke Taylor Leading 'Canes

Bees Off to Solid Start In a rematch of last season’s Suffolk County Class D Championship, the Bridgehampton boys basketball team opened the season with a 52-30 victory at Smithtown Christian on Thursday, December 5. Jai Feaster led the Killer Bees’ offense with 24 points and Jaylin Harding scored 13 points in his Bridgehampton debut. On Monday, Bridgehampton had five different players score in double digits in its 61-57 home victory over Southold. Xavier Johnson’s 13 led the attack, and he also had five steals. Jaylen and Jordan Harding each scored 12 points and Feaster and Alex Davis each scored ... by Staff Writer

Bonac Wrestlers Boast Plenty of Varsity Experience This Season

The East Hampton/Pierson/Bridgehampton wrestling team turned the proverbial corner last winter, accomplishing a lot that ... by Drew Budd

Bonacker Boys Swimmers Already Boasting Best Times To Start the Season

These East Hampton/Pierson boys swimmers are already making a name for themselves. Despite a losing ... by Desirée Keegan