Rules of Behavior at the Meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners

Policy for Proper Behavior at Meetings of the Board of Fire Commissioners

1. Purpose and Scope.

   The New York State Open Meetings Law was enacted to open the decision-making process of government officials to the public while protecting the ability of government to carry out its responsibilities. It is essential to the legislative and governmental process that public business be performed in an open and public manner so that the citizens of the XYZ Fire District can attend and listen to the deliberations and decisions that go into the making of public policy. The people’s right to know the process of government decision-making is essential.

   The facts that the public business must be performed in an open and public manner so that the citizens of the XYZ Fire District can attend and listen to the deliberations and decisions that go into the making of public policy, is different from public participation at public meetings. Public participation is not required by law except in the case of a public hearing, where comments from the public regarding a particular issue are welcomed and encouraged.

   The right to of the public to comment at a public meeting is not only not required , it is a consideration given so that members of the public may have an opportunity to present their views on matters before the Board of Fire Commissioners of the XYZ Fire District.

   Whether the public is allowed to participate at a public meeting of a meeting of the XYZ Fire District Board of Fire Commissioners on the subject matter being discussed and the purpose of the meeting. The Board of fire commissioners Board of Fire Commissioners will decide whether it will allow an Open Forum at its Public Meetings.

   This policy contains information concerning the procedures by which meetings of the Board of Fire Commissioners XYZ Fire District will be conducted.

2. Word Usage and Definitions.

   A. Word usage. For the purposes of this policy, the following provisions and rules shall apply to the use of words:

   (1) Words used or defined in one tense or form shall include other tenses and derivative forms.

   (2) Unless specifically indicated otherwise, words used in the singular sense shall include the plural sense, and words used in the plural sense shall include the singular sense.

   (3) The masculine gender shall include the feminine gender.

   (4) The word “person” shall include individuals, associations, firms, partnerships, corporations and any other similar entities.

   (5) The word “shall” is mandatory and means that compliance is required.

   (6) The word “may” is permissive and means that compliance is not required.

   (7) References to local or state laws, ordinances, codes, rules or regulations or sections thereof shall be construed to include the addendum “as from time to time amended.”

   (8) References to a specific public official or agency shall be construed to include successors and assigns.

   B. All words in this policy which are not hereinafter defined shall carry the meanings which are derived from customary use of the English language. If a dispute should arise, the Board of Fire Commissioners shall be responsible for determining which specific meaning is appropriate for a word which has more than one meaning and which is not defined in this policy.

   C...