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“Ask The MMA” is based on the research of MMA staff members in response to questions from members. Many of these questions have appeared in the MMA’s Municipal Advocate magazine.
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What qualifies as “substantial value” for the purposes of the conflict-of-interest law?
What changes were made to the penalties for violations of the conflict-of-interest law?
Who qualifies as a “municipal employee” for the purposes of the new conflict-of-interest law provisions?
In the area of training, what exactly must municipal employees do to comply with the new conflict-of-interest law?
When do the ethics reform law changes take effect?
What parts of the new Ethics Reform Act affect municipal officials and employees?
Is there a difference between a “free cash” account and a “stabilization fund”?
How can we set aside a gift for unanticipated expenses?
Can discussions among board members constitute a quorum if a majority of members are not physically present?
What constitutes a quorum at a public meeting?
Are the minutes of an executive session subject to the Open Meeting Law?
Can members of a board discuss official business in an informal setting?
Can audio and video recordings of meetings take the place of minutes?
Should we be doing quarterly projection reports?
What exactly is ‘free cash’?
What is a performance rights organization, and what is its role in public music performances?
Does every performance of copyrighted music in a municipality require a license?
Can a community use a surveillance camera to ticket red-light runners?
Must cities and towns wait until October to hold a hearing on introducing a split tax rate?
How many cities and towns have a split tax rate?
How many cities and towns appoint their town clerks?
Do town managers in different towns have roughly the same authority?
What restrictions are different for special municipal employees?
What is the 'special municipal employee' designation?
Does the Health Care Reform legislation require broader dependent coverage?
Did the definition of dependent in Chapter 32B change?
Are there income tax implications to the expanded dependent coverage?
Will my municipality be assessed because we do not provide health coverage to all employees?
Are municipalities liable for the Free Rider Surcharge?
What constitutes local approval of a home rule petition?
What happens if the Legislature fails to act on a home rule petition?
Can the Legislature amend a home rule petition?
Can health benefits be pro-rated for part-timers?
Are health premium contributions required for school-year employees in July and August?
Can a public employee to solicit donations from individuals with whom he conducts official business?
Can a municipal department head hire a department employee to do work on his or her home?
Can a board member who owns a business review a subdivision application abutting the business?
What is a gubernatorial state of emergency?
Are restrictions or bans triggered by gubernatorial state of emergency?
What emergency powers does governor have during state of emergency?
Does a gubernatorial state of emergency trigger monetary aid?
Does a gubernatorial emergency declaration trigger federal aid?
What are the requirements for minutes of a public meeting?
Can we provide an audio recording of a meeting instead of a written record?
How much time are we allowed for the preparation of meeting minutes?
When a board communicates by e-mail, what are the Open Meeting Law issues?
Can a city or town board conduct meetings outside of the community?
Are there any circumstances when a board member can take action independent of a quorum?
How is the EQV calculated, and what is it used for?
When did the new public construction reform law take effect?

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