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Right To Know Information

 The City’s Administrative Procedure Policy concerning Requests for Information can be found here: City Policy.

“The salutary purpose of the Right-to-Know Law — to ensure both the greatest possible public access to the actions, discussions and records of all public bodies, and their accountability to the people, RSA 91-A:1 — is best served when the members of the public and the governmental bodies are guided by a spirit of collaboration. We take this opportunity to encourage all public bodies, and members of the public making Right-to-Know requests, to embrace that spirit, and work together to efficiently and effectively resolve disputes involving RSA chapter 91-A.” - Marianne Salcetti & a. v. City of Keene (N.H. Supreme Court, June 3, 2020)

RIGHT-TO-KNOW LAW INFORMATION

  • Public Meetings
    RSA 91-A requires that all public meetings are open to the public with very few exceptions. A public meeting, even those that are non-public, must be posted in advance so that the public is aware that the public's board is planning to meet, where it will be meeting, and a general sense of what will be discussed. This allows members of the public to attend the meeting if they desire to listen to or observe the proceedings.
  • What is a Meeting?
    It is the convening of a quorum of a public body, “whether in person, by means of telephone or electronic communication, or in any other manner such that all participating members are able to communicate contemporaneously,” for the purpose of discussing or acting upon any public business. RSA 91A:2, I.  This includes work sessions.
  • What is NOT a Meeting?
    The law makes it clear that certain gatherings of public officials are not meetings subject to the Right to Know law (see RSA 91-A:2, I). They include:
    • Chance, social, or other encounters “not convened for the purpose of discussing or acting upon . . . matters [relating to official business] if no decisions are made regarding such matters”
    • Strategy or negotiations relating to collective bargaining.
    • Consultation with legal counsel.