Public Remarks

[Guest Chris]

In a Town Council form of government where Robert's Rules are adopted, does the Council have the authority to set/delete public comment from its meeting or set length of individual comments from the public?

[Dan Honemann]

In a Town Council form of government where Robert's Rules are adopted, does the Council have the authority to set/delete public comment from its meeting or set length of individual comments from the public?

If the rules in Robert's Rules of Order control, the answer is yes, the Council has the authority to set/delete public comment from its meeting or set the length of individual comments from the public.

But make sure that, as to this particular question, there are no other rules that would take precedence over the rules in RONR.

[Gary Novosielski]

In a Town Council form of government where Robert's Rules are adopted, does the Council have the authority to set/delete public comment from its meeting or set length of individual comments from the public?

For public bodies this is usually a matter of state law, which would overrule RONR. Ask your council's attorney for advice on what your state's "Sunshine Laws" have to say about the right of the public to attend and to be heard at council meetings.

Each state is different.

[Guest Chris]

Thank you for that information. I was not aware of specific Sunshine Laws, but will check with our town attorney for those pertaining to CT. Thanks again.....