If you serve on a municipal board, council, commission, or committee, join us for a focused 90-minute webinar to learn the essential requirements for complying with Vermont’s Open Meeting Law. We’re offering it at two convenient times as options for your busy schedules. (Members can also access this as an on-demand training anytime through our online store. Additional opportunities for live Q&A with MAC staff attorneys include the April 11 Selectboard Essentials training and April 16 Attorney Office Hours.)  

Every municipal board, council, commission, and committee (see examples listed below) is required to comply with Vermont’s Open Meeting Law. This training will help you understand and confidently apply the law’s core requirements, including:  

• Meeting notices and agendas; 
• Managing public participation, including remote attendees;  
• Meeting minutes; 
• Advisory vs. non-advisory boards; and  
• Recording requirements.

Speakers: 
Susan Senning, Staff Attorney II, VLCT Municipal Assistance Center
Kail Romanoff, Staff Attorney II, VLCT Municipal Assistance Center 

This training is critical for both elected and appointed members of statutory municipal boards, commissions, and committees listed below – as well as all committees appointed by selectboards or other legislative bodies. The list below includes most of the public bodies recognized in Vermont Statutes Annotated, yet it cannot be exhaustive, due to the great variety of locally appointed public bodies.  

Legislative (Governing) Bodies

• Board of Aldermen 
• City Council 
• Board of Village Trustees 
• Prudential Committee 
• Selectboard 

Boards 

• Board of Abatement
• Board of Auditors 
• Board of Civil Authority 
• Board of Listers 
• Development Review Board 
• Library Trustees 
• Trustees of Public Funds 
• Zoning Board of Adjustment 

Commissions 

• Conservation Commission 
• Cemetery Commission
• Planning Commission 

Committees  

• Budget Advisory Committee 
• Recreation Committee 
• Energy Committee 
• Other committees by statute or appointed by selectboards (and other legislative bodies) 
   

NOTE – This training will address the basics of the Open Meeting Law, but it does NOT fulfill the requirement (as of January 1, 2025) for chairs of legislative bodies, municipal managers, and mayors to watch the Secretary of State’s recorded Open Meeting Law training.