Information for Boards & Committees

The Town of Lexington 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.

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. 

Informational Board and Committee Handbooks

• Lexington Board and Committee Handbook (PDF)
• Guide for Members of Public Boards and Commissions - 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 Online Training within 30 days of beginning public service and every two years thereafter. You must submit your Completion Certificate for this training to the Town Clerk's Office, and should also keep a copy for yourself.

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

Resources

• Conflict of Interest Law Online Training
• Summary of the Conflict of Interest Law for Municipal Employees (PDF)
• Link to State Ethics Commission
• How to login to the State Portal

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 Office of the Town Clerk.

Resources

• Materials: Attorney General's Open Meeting Law Guide (PDF)
• Receipt: Certificate of receipt for Open Meeting Law Materials (PDF)
• Lexington Open Meeting Law Guide and Resources
• To file a complaint: Complaint Form and Instructions (PDF)

Open Meeting Law Resources

• Open Meeting Law Information
• Open Meeting Law Chapter 30A (PDF)
• Checklist for Posting a Meeting Notice (PDF)
• Checklist for Entering Into Executive Session (PDF)
• Checklist for Creating and Approving Meeting Minutes (PDF)

Public Records Law

• A Guide to Massachusetts Public Record law (PDF)

Resources for Conducting Meetings 

• Instructions for Meeting Posting/Agenda Template (PDF)
• Instructions for Meeting Posting/Agenda Template (PDF) (fillable)
• Committee Meeting Minutes Template (PDF)

Other Resources

• Link to Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF)
• Candidates Statement of Organization - Form CPF M101 (PDF)
• Municipal Campaign Finance Report CMF M102 (PDF) and Instructions (PDF)
• Municipal Campaign Finance Report CMF M102-0 (PDF) (no financial activity)