Information for Boards, Commissions and Committees Members

Congratulations on your Appointment or Election to a Board or Committee!

The Town of Oak Bluffs relies on our elected and appointed officials for much of the town’s important business. As a member of a public body, you must comply with state and local requirements. This page will give you the resources of what first steps you must do as a municipal official and link to resources and staff who can help you with any questions.

NEW ! BOARD AND COMMITTEE HANDBOOK - adopted by the BOS 10/22/2019

Listing of All Town Boards, Committees and Commissions with Contact Email

OATH OF OFFICE

Before you can attend your first meeting as an elected or appointed official, you must have an appointment letter from the appointing authority and take the oath of office. Once appointed and with your appointment letter, please see the Town Clerk, on the lower level of the Oak Bluffs Town Hall, to be sworn in.

Guide for Members of Public Boards and Commissions (PDF) - provided by the Inspector General’s office, Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

As a member of a board or committee, you are considered to be an "employee of a municipality" by the State Ethics Commission. All municipal employees are required to take the Conflict of Interest Law Online Ethics Training within 30 days of beginning public service and every two years thereafter. You must submit your Completion Certificate for this training to the Assistant Town Administrator and should keep a copy for yourself.

Additionally, as per state law you will be emailed the conflict of interest law annually for your review.

Conflict of Interest Law Online Training

Summary of the Conflict of Interest Law for Municipal Employees (PDF)

OPEN MEETING LAW

The Open Meeting Law specifies that all deliberations of a public body be conducted in a meeting open to the public and includes requirements for posting of meeting notices and agendas and how to generate and approve minutes.

Within two weeks of your election or appointment or when you took the oath of office (whichever is later), you must complete a Certificate of Receipt of Open Meeting Law Materials. Please see the links below for materials and certificate, submit this certificate to the Assistant Town Administrator .

Materials: Attorney General’s Open Meeting Law Guide (PDF)

Receipt: Certificate of receipt for Open Meeting Law Materials (PDF)