The Oyster Bay town board recently adopted a resolution implementing new rules of decorum for future town board meetings, according to town councilman Anthony Macagnone. These new rules of decorum do not represent an addition to the town code, but instead are new policies going forward that will impact time limits for public comments and govern meeting decorum.
“In an effort to make sure all residents who attend town board meetings and wish to address the board are heard, my colleagues and I have crafted these new rules to make sure that no resident ever feels dissuaded from speaking in front of the town board,” said Macagnone. “These policies were crafted in an attempt to restore order and prevent meetings from becoming unruly and besieged by long diatribes that often delay meetings unnecessarily, and discourage any attempt by residents who are seeking to address the board.”
Macagnone went on enumerate how the newly established rules of decorum shall effect public comments going forward:
• Speakers looking to offer their thoughts to the town board regarding any given resolution will have three minutes to address the board.
• If speakers are seeking to address the board on two resolutions, a total of six minutes will be given.
• If speakers wish to address three or more resolutions, a total of ten minutes will be provided.
• In the case of a public hearing, speakers shall have five minutes to address the board on the specific matter before them. Speakers may once again address the board during the public hearing period for an addition five minutes to respond to statements made by the board or speakers.
• During public comment period, speakers shall have five minutes to address the board on matters relating to the Town of Oyster Bay.
“When necessary, the presiding officer may modify these guidelines,” said Macagnone. “We believe these new rules will help all residents who wish to address the board be heard.”
—Submitted by the Town of Oyster Bay
