January 8, 2026 - Organizational Meeting and January Regular Meeting

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Maintaining Decorum at Public Meetings

  We have received inquiries regarding public participation in town board meetings
  and public hearings. Specific methods to maintain decorum have been the focus of many
  of these questions. In some cases, one or more persons pontificate at length at virtually
  every meeting about any subject whether or not related to the specific purpose of a public
  hearing or legitimate town business. The character of their comments may engender
  hostility or chaos, threatening the viability of the meeting.  In other situations,
  impassioned residents interested in a particular subject, may be disruptive. What can a
  town board do in this and in other situations?

  First, we note that-the law does not require that town boards set aside time at
  regular town board meetings for public comment. In fact, however, many towns do
  allocate a portion of each régular town board meeting for public comnient. On the other
  hand, public participation is the purpose of a public hearing, which is required prior to the  -
  adoption of a local Jaw or ordinance and in other cases.  -  ;

;  Towns are authorized to enact rules and regulations regarding the conduct
  of public meetings and public hearings. Town Law, §130(1). Some residents restrained
  by these rules will insist that the town board has unconstitutionally limited their right of
  free speech, The response to these claims is that the town board has responsibility to
  ensure that everyone has the right to participate and, therefore, the contents, length, and
  general nature of public comments can reasonably be limited. Thus, reasonable
  limitations on speakers are necessary to ensure public participation by numerous speakers
  presenting various points of view for consideration by the town board and attendees at the
  public hearing or public meeting. Such rules and regulations are consistent with, and in
  fact help guarantee the rights of free speech:

  In order to ensure that decorum is maintained at public meetings, we suggest the
  following procedures:

  The town board should establish rules and regulations concerning the conduct of
  public meetings and hearings and post these rules prominently at the town hall and at the
  location of all meetings and public hearings.  Consideration may also be given to placing
  a notice in the official newspaper that these rules and regulations have been established.
  The following are sample rules:
  1. For town board meetings and hearings, establish a time frame when public
  participation will be permitted. For board meetings and hearings, establish a time
  allocation for each speaker.
  2. Require that persons desiring to speak at a public meeting or hearing sign a
  sheet upon entering the room, indicating their intention to speak, for use by the
  supervisor in recognizing speakers. The supervisor may, in his discretion,
  recognize additional speakers upon request, after taking into consideration the
  number of registered speakers and the total time for public comment.