History and Purpose of the Observer Corps. In Spring 2023 after a hiatus of several decades, the LWV of the Cooperstown Area reinstated its Observer Corps. The Observer Corps are members of the League who attend local governmental meetings, note what happens at the meeting, and report back to the League Board. Observers also review the other ways the entities interact with the public such as websites and live broadcast of the meetings.
Observers help ensure that the issues facing our community are being handled in the open —“in the sunshine” —and that there is transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement that supports good government.
League observers do only that – observe and report on the process and the actions taken at a particular meeting. They do not speak at the meetings for themselves or for the League. Observers use a form developed by the League to assess each meeting. The League has two concerns: whether the public body is adhering to the Open Meetings Law and whether the entity is considering an issue that is of interest to the League.
Observers record what happens and make notes on a League-designed form (example below).
LWV Cooperstown Observer Form
Observers also report on topics raised in the public comment session— a session that interestingly is not required by law.
Finally, observers track how well these public bodies provide information to those they represent. The observers note if the governmental entity records or broadcasts meetings, if there is a website, does the website include copies of past minutes of committees, links to local laws, and other information the public needs.
Join the Observer Corps.
The Cooperstown League is interested in having more members participate in the Observer Corps. Observers are expected to attend meetings on a regular basis and prepare a report. Contact Deb Dalton for more information.
Scope of the Observer Corps. To date, the League has Observers attending meetings of the Cooperstown Central School District and the Cherry Valley-Springfield School District; the Village of Cooperstown Board of Trustees; the Town Boards of Cherry Valley, Middlefield, Otsego, and Hartwick; the Watershed Supervisory Committee, and the Otsego County Board.
Included below are several overall reports from our observers from some of the entities the League has been observing. More will be posted on the LWV Cooperstown website (www.LWVCooperstownArea.org).
Village of Cooperstown Board of Trustees. The Village website includes agendas and minutes of meetings for Trustee meetings. Agendas are sent within the recommended time frame and are quite complete. Since October 2023,the agendas have included all the business that will be dealt with at that meeting—invoices, letters to the board, permits, etc. Draft minutes are posted in a timely fashion. Meetings always begin promptly, and time is allowed for public comment. The meetings are broadcast live; the video is posted the next day, if not sooner. Any executive session is held at the end of the regular meeting, and the mayor announces the purpose of the session. The members use many acronyms and the nameplates that identify the members and are difficult to read. Patty MacLeish, observer
Cherry Valley Springfield School Board Meeting The Cherry Valley Springfield School Board meeting minutes and agendas are posted and easily accessible on the school’s website. Agendas and notifications are sent out on time, including to the Leagues observer. Meetings always begin promptly; visitors are acknowledged and there is always time on the agenda for public comment. The meetings are not streamed live. Any executive sessions are now held at the end of the meeting with an announcement regarding the focus. There are challenges at times understanding acronyms; however, the members are always willing to clarify any confusion or question. Sharing supporting data regarding current issues such as absenteeism, testing etc. would be helpful either at the meeting and/or included in the minutes. Anna Gaeta, Observer
Middlefield Town Board Meeting The Town Board meetings in the Town of Middlefield start on time. The agenda is available on the website 3 days in advance at least. The website also includes announcements about the schedule of Town Board meetings, Zoning Board of Appeals meetings, and Planning Board meetings, as well as notices from the Highway Superintendent and Town Clerk hours. Board members and Chair are engaged and collegial, and there is good discussion as issues are presented. Public comment is placed at the top of the agenda and all Board members listen attentively. It's not very common for this item on the agenda to last a long time. When it does, managing the timing and number of speakers could be improved, perhaps by appointing a timekeeper for the discussion period. Meetings are not broadcast live. They lack some equipment to do this. Acronyms are used. When executive sessions are held, the purpose is explained. Maureen Murray, Sandy DeRosa, Christina Bourgeois, Observers.
Watershed Supervisory Committee. This group is composed of representatives from the towns of Otsego, Hartwick, Middlefield, and Springfield, as well as the Village of Cooperstown, and is concerned with all watersheds and Lake Otsego. One meeting each month focuses on septic issues, with a second meeting for the watershed concerns. Agendas are available on the Village website. Meetings begin promptly, and committee members who are unable to attend in person are usually connected online. Bruce MacLeish
Cherry Valley Town Board Meetings. The Cherry Valley Town meeting minutes and agendas are posted on the website. As an observer I do not receive the agenda or minutes via e-mail in advance of the meeting. Meeting have started on time with acknowledgement of visitors and time for public comment. The meetings seem to have an active group of visitors who attend regularly. The entire board was welcoming to me and the concept of having an observer from the League of Women Voters attending. Anna Gaeta, Observer
NY State's Open Meeting Law (OML) Recent changes in New Yorks Open Meeting Law (OML) have new requirements regarding websites. public entities (https://opengovernment.ny.gov/).
"On December 21, 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law Chapter 609 of the Laws of
2024, amending General Municipal Law §§ 300 and 30(7). Beginning on June 19, 2025, all municipalities must maintain and regularly update an official webpage utilizing a “.gov” domain.
Among other posting requirements, municipalities must post:
- notices of all “municipal elections, public hearings, and public meetings including regular board or legislative meetings,”
- the “agenda and minutes of municipal meetings” as required under the OML,its codes, local laws, and resolutions, and documentation pertaining to its most recent annual financial reports, current year budget, most recent independent audit report an most recent fiscal performance plan or multiyear financial plan," as required underState Finance Law §54(g), unless such information is exempt from disclosure under § 87(2) of FOIL.
Earlier this year, the State of New York's Committee on Open Government announced that public entities serving populations above a certain size must also maintain a website. (https://opengovernment.ny.gov/).
The Open Government website contains much more information on what citizens can expect at a public meetings. One place to begin to understand the law is the Open Meetings Law "Frequently Asked Questions (https://opengovernment.ny.gov/frequently-asked-questions-0).
