N. Hempstead pol wants to televise meetings

New North Hempstead Councilwoman Dina DeGiorgio's efforts to make town government more accessible and open to residents will begin with a push to televise meetings.

DeGiorgio, whose district encompasses Port Washington, said yesterday she plans to introduce resolutions at the February board meeting to require meetings be live-streamed online and over the town's public access television channel.

"This is not politically motivated," said DeGiorgio, who was elected in November and became the second Republican on the majority Democrat board. "This is motivated by my desire to have a more transparent government."

The town has the capability to broadcast meetings online and on television, public information officer Sidhartha Nathan said.

"It's certainly something I'm open to," Supervisor Jon Kaiman said. "No one has really come forward and started the process." He said the town will likely create a subcommittee to assess broadcasting meetings.

DeGiorgio also wants information about proposed resolutions to be submitted to board members 10 days before a vote.

Kaiman said the town has an informal deadline of 10 days, but the town code does not require it. Items may be given to the board later so they can be acted on rather than put off until the next meeting, he said.

At her first meeting Jan. 3, DeGiorgio abstained from voting on three resolutions to hire outside consultants. She said she did not receive background information until 5 p.m. the day of the meeting.

"I have a great concern about voting on agenda items without having enough information to make an informed judgment," DeGiorgio said.