Right to Know Law

Right to Know Law

Right-to-Know Workshop on Meetings and Records

Join Legal Services Counsel Stephen Buckley and Municipal Services Counsel Jonathan Cowal who will discuss the requirements for holding a proper public meeting, as well the exceptions to the meeting requirement (the so-called "non-meeting").  The attorneys will also address managing virtual public access and allowing public body members to participate remotely when their physical attendance is not reasonably practical.  Consideration will also be directed at preparing meeting minutes and facilitating public comment through meeting rules of procedure.

Following the Rulemaking Process of New Hampshire’s First Right-to-Know Ombudsman

The information contained in this article is not intended as legal advice and may no longer be accurate due to changes in the law. Consult NHMA's legal services or your municipal attorney.

Nearly one year after Thomas Kehr was sworn in as New Hampshire’s first Right-to-Know Ombudsman, fulfilling the legislative vision passed in 2022’s HB 481, the picture of what the office is and how it will work is becoming clearer.

Charter Government in New Hampshire

Join NHMA’s Legal Services Counsel, Stephen Buckley, and Municipal Services Counsel, Jonathan Cowal for a webinar as companion to the publication of NHMA’s updated and revised Charter Government Handbook.

This presentation will provide city and town council members, and alderpersons, with a thorough introduction to the governance of municipalities with municipal charters.

LEGAL QA: The Right-to-Know Law Ombudsman – an Update

The information contained in this article is not intended as legal advice and may no longer be accurate due to changes in the law. Consult NHMA's legal services or your municipal attorney.

Thomas F. Kehr, New Hampshire’s Right-to-Know Law Ombudsman, officially opened his office to receive complaints on January 27, 2023.  The first filing he received was within hours of his being sworn in.  The Ombudsman goes by the acronym RKO.

The Workings of a Planning Board

Join NHMA attorneys who will discuss the duty to assist, conflicts of interest, statutory duties, subdivisions & site plans, master plan, workforce housing, CIP, zoning amendments, innovative land use, streets, driveways, merged lots, preliminary review, applications, timeline for review, 3rd party consultants, developments of regional impact, HB 1661 statutory changes, public hearing, deliberations, making the decision, conditional approvals, vesting, appeals and more.

2023 Local Officials Hybrid Workshop (June 29)

NHMA is holding this FREE virtual workshop designed specifically for newly-elected (or appointed) as well as experienced municipal officials and employees of member municipalities.

Presented by NHMA's Legal Services attorneys, this complimentary virtual workshop provides municipal officials with the tools and information to effectively serve your communities.  Topics will include Governance & Select Board Authority, Right-to-Know Law – Records, Remedies and Meetings, Conflicts of Interest, Budgeting Essentials, and Land Use 101.