Spirit of Maine Freedom of Access Act

To the Editor;

The Maine Freedom of Access Act declares that the public proceedings of “any board, commission, agency or authority of any county, municipality, school district or any regional or other political or administrative subdivision … must be open to the public and any person must be permitted to attend a public proceeding.” All elected municipal, county and state officials are required to complete a course of training and be certified on the requirements of this act within 120 days of taking their oath of office.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created health concerns for holding in-person meetings, which has led the Governor to release executive orders with guidelines to minimize the spread of the virus. Revisions were also made to the Freedom of Access Act stating that “a body subject to this subchapter may conduct a public proceeding through telephonic, video, electronic or other similar means of remote participation” during this COVID-19 state of emergency.

In my opinion, any “body” that does not attempt to make reasonable accommodations for citizens who wish to attend public meetings, but not at the risk of their personal health, is in violation of the spirit of this act. 

Eric Boothroyd

Dover-Foxcroft