Open Meeting Law & your right to know
How Arlington meets Vermont's Open Meeting Law (1 V.S.A. §§310–314, as amended by Act 133 of 2024 and Act 51 of 2025) — and how to file a complaint if it falls short.
How an open meeting works
Every regular meeting follows the same public path, from the posted agenda to the recording in the archive.
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Agenda posted in advance
At least 48 hours before a regular meeting — with enough detail to know what will be discussed (1 V.S.A. §312).
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The meeting is public
Anyone may attend and observe. Meetings are warned (officially noticed) and held in an accessible place.
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Minutes posted
Draft minutes are posted within five calendar days of the meeting (1 V.S.A. §312(b)).
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Recording posted with the minutes
For decision-making (non-advisory) bodies, the meeting recording is posted concurrently with the minutes — Act 51 (2025).
Worked example · Select Board, 2025
One year, fully in the open
Real records from the Select Board — each with its agenda, minutes, and (under Act 51) recording.
If something's wrong
Filing an Open Meeting Law complaint
If you believe a public body did not follow the Open Meeting Law, you have the right to file a written complaint. The body must respond and, if it acted improperly, take specific corrective action within set timeframes. The full text of 1 V.S.A. §314 and the Town's complaint form are posted here, exactly as the law requires.
Complaints may be sent to the Town Administrator, Katie Dixon — katie.dixon@arlingtonvermont.org.