The Basics of New York’s Open Meetings Law
The New York Open Meetings Law (OML) is designed to ensure that government business happens in public, not behind closed doors. For residents of Homer, that means the Homer Town Board and other local bodies must conduct their work openly, with proper notice and records available for all to see.
You don’t need to be a lawyer to understand the basics. Here’s a plain-English guide to how the law works — and why it matters for our community.
What Counts as a “Meeting”?
Under the Open Meetings Law, a “meeting” is any time a quorum of a public body gathers to discuss public business.
A quorum means a majority of members.
It doesn’t matter if a decision is made — if discussion happens, it’s a meeting.
This applies whether members are in person, on Zoom, or even on a conference call.
For the Homer Town Board, that means nearly all gatherings of board members must be open to the public.
📖 Source: NYS Committee on Open Government – Open Meetings Law
Notice Requirements
Government can’t meet in secret. The law requires that:
Notice must be given in advance of all meetings.
Time and place must be posted publicly, often on the town website or bulletin board.
If the meeting is scheduled more than a week ahead, notice must be given at least 72 hours before.
If scheduled less than a week ahead, notice must be given “as soon as possible.”
This ensures residents know when the Homer Town Board is meeting — and what’s on the agenda.
📖 Source: NYS Committee on Open Government – Meeting Notices
When Can the Board Go Into Executive Session?
Sometimes the law allows a board to meet privately. This is called an executive session. But the rules are strict:
The board must first vote, in public, to enter executive session.
The motion must state the specific reason (not just “personnel” but, for example, “to discuss the employment history of a particular person”).
Permitted reasons include:
Litigation strategy
Personnel matters
Collective bargaining
Security issues
Acquisition or sale of real property
Executive sessions are the exception, not the rule. Most Town Board business must remain open.
📖 Source: NYS Open Meetings Law – Executive Sessions
What Records Must Be Shared?
Transparency doesn’t stop at the meeting itself. The law requires:
Minutes of every open meeting must be made available within two weeks.
Minutes of executive sessions (if action is taken) must be available within one week.
These records must be accessible to the public, even if only in draft form.
In practice, that means the Homer Town Board should post minutes online quickly so residents can stay informed.
📖 Source: NYS Open Meetings Law Guide (PDF)
Why This Matters for Homer
When meetings are properly noticed, open to the public, and recorded in writing, residents can follow and participate in local government. It prevents surprises, protects against closed-door deals, and strengthens community trust.
The Homer Town Board has the opportunity to lead by example, ensuring every resident has fair access to the decision-making process.