September 2022 the Governor allowed Executive Order 11 to expire.  Executive Order 11 was issued during the height of COVID to allow Town Boards to hold videoconference meetings via ZOOM or similar platforms. 

ZOOM Meetings allowed all Town Taxpayers to participate in their local government for increased transparency of the actions of their local elected officials. 

After Executive Order 11 expired the NYS Committee on Open Government  issued new guidelines for Town Boards across NYS to continue  with video conferencing of Town Board Meetings  with the simple passage of a Local Law and written guidelines. 

https://opengovernment.ny.gov/

Many towns have adopted a local law to follow a path for more open government. If we do not take action now transparency will fade and local residents will be left in an increasing void of information.

The Committee of Open Government has provided a sample resolution to use and wording for the Local Law to help towns conform with the new rules.

At a time when COVID is increasing again along with RSV, regular Flu and viral respiratory infections running thru our community and with a population that find it difficult  to attend meetings in person due to family schedules we hereby petition the Hurley Town Board to immediately start the process of adopting a Local Law allowing for video conferencing along with participation by the public and Department Heads in attendance.