Open Meeting Law Information:

"The purpose of the Open Meeting Law is to ensure transparency in the deliberations on which public policy is based. Because the democratic process depends on the public having knowledge about the considerations underlying governmental action, the Open Meeting Law requires, with some exceptions, that meetings of public bodies be open to the public. It also seeks to balance the public's interest in witnessing the deliberations of public officials with the government's need to manage its operations efficiently."

This quote is the first paragraph of the Open Meeting Law Guide which is meant as a tool for municipal employees. The Open Meeting Law is fundamental to a democratic process because it ensures public access to the operation of government. The Town Clerk's office plays a vital role in maintaining observance of the principles of the Open Meeting Law. Massachusetts law requires all meetings of any governmental body to be filed with the Town Clerk and publicly posted at least 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays) prior to the meeting being held.

All notices of meetings filed with the Town Clerk in Foxborough are time/date stamped and are posted on the Public Meeting Calendar located here on the town website, our official posting site.  The hard copy of the notice is posted on the Public Meeting Board located in the hallway of the Town Hall located at 40 South Street.

PLEASE NOTE: ANY PUBLIC MEETING NOTICES ON THE TOWN WEBSITE ARE NOT PROPERLY FILED UNLESS FIRST FILED WITH THE TOWN CLERK'S OFFICE AND POSTED PROPERLY ON THE MEETING CALENDAR BY THE TOWN CLERK'S OFFICE.

The Town Clerk's Office provides each new member of a board or committee with a link to the Open Meeting Law Guide from the Attorney General's office along with a link to the Conflict of Interest Law for Municipal Employees (Mass.gov). A copy of the Open Meeting Law Guide is also available on the Office of the Attorney General website (Mass.gov).

The Attorney General's office is responsible for reviewing any concerns regarding potential Open Meeting Law violations. To contact the Attorney General's Office or to obtain additional information on the open meeting law, go to the Office of the Attorney General website (Mass.gov).