BROADCASTING/RECORDING OF BOARD MEETINGS

Members of the public may use their cell phones or other electronic devices to record Board meetings or portions of public Board meetings so long as the person engaged in recording does not change position frequently, or interfere with the view of others in attendance. 

The following guidelines will govern the public use of other recording devices, such as those used for television broadcasting at the public meetings of the Board and subcommittees of the Board.

Any such device may be used by a member of the public so long as it does not:

         A.    Require the occasional or frequent relocation of a microphone or microphones in such a manner as to be disruptive to speakers or other persons present;

         B.    Require excessive space in the meeting room so that any participants or observers at the meeting are displaced, excluded or cannot see because of the device;

         C.    Produce continuous or periodic sounds that interfere with speakers or with the ability of all persons present to hear the proceedings; and/or

         D.    Require the use of power cords and microphone cords that would interfere with the free movement of traffic into, out of, and within the meeting room.

The Chair has the authority to request that any person using a cell phone or other recording device to comply with the provisions of this policy when, in their judgment, the activity is interfering with the orderly conduct of the meeting and/or the ability of the public to observe the proceedings.  If the problem persists, the Chair may direct that the recording be discontinued and, if necessary, that the recording device be removed from the meeting room.

RECORDING OF REMOTE MEETINGS

When the Board holds a remote meeting of the full Board or otherwise holds a meeting in which remote public participation must be permitted, members of the public must be permitted to record the meeting remotely using the same electronic platform that is used to conduct the meeting remotely provided that 1) the platform allows participants other than the host to record the proceeding remotely, 2) additional costs are not incurred by the Board, and 3) the recording of the proceeding does not interfere with the orderly conduct of the meeting.

Members of the public are not permitted to attend or record any executive session of the Board, whether the meeting is held in person or remotely.

Legal Reference:  1 MRSA §403-B 

Adopted:  November 22, 1993

Revised: May 18, 2020, October 16, 2024