Some small towns in Connecticut are shutting down their Web sites after the state legislature passed a law requiring them to post meeting agendas and minutes. "Others are trying to work with rules they consider vague," reports Michael Gannon of the Norwich Bulletin.
The law, which took effect Wednesday, "requires municipalities to post agendas for boards and commissions online 24 hours before a scheduled meeting," reports the First Amendment Center. The law applies to boards, commissions and committees, and town clerks say they can't handle the new task. For example, in Woodbridge there are 73 boards, commissions and committees, the center notes.
Some towns such as Lyme have decided to shut down their Web sites altogether rather than deal with the upkeep of agendas and minutes. Others are still debating how to handle the situation, some arguing that keeping the sites live without adhering to the requirements makes them vulnerable to state freedom-of-information law complaints. (Read more)
It is unfortunate that the cities feel burdened by the requirement and instead of finding a way of dealing with it they shut down the online site. My small town has no site and getting info requires plenty of legwork. I would gladly create and maintain a site for them if they would agree.
ReplyDeleteSo, I started a local online magazine and attempt to address important issues. City Hall feels threatened by it but I intend to keep raising my voice since no one else does.