Meetings and Hearings

Compliance with Open Meeting Laws

All meetings in the Village of Fonda are conducted in accordance with the New York State Public Officers Law, Article 7, known as the “Open Meeting Laws.” For more information, please visit the NYS Department of State website.

Public Access to Meetings

Meetings are open to the public whenever a quorum of the governing body is present, as mandated by NYS Public Officers Law Article 7 §100. Exceptions are made for authorized Executive Sessions under NYS Public Officers Law Article 7 §105.

Minutes and Records

Meeting minutes for the Village of Fonda are accessible here.

Regular Meetings

Board of Trustees: Meets on the second Monday of each month at 6:30 PM.

Board of the Fonda-Fultonville Joint Wastewater Treatment Facility: Meets monthly as scheduled by the Joint Board.

Meeting Procedures

These procedures are available on the Village website under “Meeting Procedures,” placed by the Village Clerk within three business days after Board approval.

Special Meetings

Budget Meeting: The annual budget process begins in March. The draft budget is presented to the Village Board of Trustees in April for approval.

Organization Meeting: This meeting is held during the April Board of Trustees meeting. The Mayor appoints positions and committees, and the Board reviews and approves governing rules and policies.

Special or Emergency Meetings: Conducted as needed for urgent matters requiring the Board’s immediate attention. Public announcements are made as soon as practical, and these meetings are open to the public when in an open forum.

Public Hearings

Public Hearings are held before taking significant actions, such as changes to local laws, budgets, and land use approvals. Notices for these hearings are provided to the public for five days, or as few as three days in some cases, in accordance with the New York State Municipal Home Rule Law §20.

Guidelines for Public Comment

• Comments are limited to “New Business” only.
• Speakers must state their name, address, and any applicable organization.
• The presiding officer must recognize speakers before they can address the Board.
• Remarks should be limited to five minutes per topic.
• Speakers cannot transfer their time to others.
• Board members may interrupt for clarification or information with the Mayor’s permission.
• All remarks must be addressed to the board as a whole.
• Speakers should observe courtesy, decorum, dignity, and respectfulness.
• Written communications to the board should be delivered to the Clerk or designee and summarized, not read verbatim.

Interested parties or their representatives may address the board by written communications. All written communications shall be delivered to the Clerk or Clerk’s designee.