Chairman Litwin called the meeting to order at 10:37 a.m.

Chairman Litwin read the Open Public Meetings Statement.

Chairman Litwin led all present in the salute to the flag.

Ms. Janukowicz called the roll as follows:

Present: Chairman Larry Litwin, Grayson Barber, Thomas Cafferty, George Cevasco, Richard DeAngelis, Jack Entee, Edithe Fulton, John Hutchison, and H. Lawrence Wilson.

Absent: William Kearns, Pamela McCauley, Rosemary Reavey, and Karen Sutcliffe.

Also present: Matthew U. Watkins, Director of Division of Local Government Services, Marc Pfeiffer, Acting Executive Director of the Government Records Council, Paul Dice, Assistant Executive Director of the Government Records Council, Catherine Starghill and Jeannie Janukowicz, Division of Local Government Services Staff.

Ms. Fulton moved to approve the minutes of February 21, 2003, with a second by Mr. Cevasco. The motion was adopted on a call of ayes and nays as follows:

Ayes: Chairman Litwin, Ms. Barber, Mr. Cafferty, Mr. Cevasco, Ms. Fulton, Mr. McEntee,
and Mr. Wilson.

Nays: None.

Abstain: Mr. DeAngelis and Mr. Hutchison.

Ms. Barber addressed the Commission with a Power Point presentation entitled "Privacy Issues: History and Background."

Ms. Starghill discussed the "Privacy Commission Research Agenda" that was distributed. She stated it represents a study approach for each sub-committee. Also discussed were the Commission's study phases: 1) Research, 2) Assessment, 3) Policy recommendations. Ms. Starghill said the mandate outlined in Executive Order 26 for the Commission to study addresses and telephone numbers is looming. Ms. Starghill continued by saying that the survey will help the Commission move forward.

Ms. Starghill addressed the following: a) the need for benchmarking; b) surveys to collect information; c) having people from academia address the Commission; d) the need to focus the Commission's efforts on addresses and telephone numbers; e) the fact that she serves as a resource for all Commission members; f) the need for each subcommittee to prepare presentations on their subjects.

Mr. Litwin confirmed that Ms. Starghill serves as a resource for everyone.

Mr. Litwin asked about the timing of the survey. Ms. Starghill said she doesn't have an answer for that question yet. Mr. Watkins stated that he's trying to expedite the process. Mr. De Angelis asked for a status report on the survey. Ms. Starghill stated that she was finalizing the survey but that it could not be distributed until the State department liaisons were assigned.

Ms. Barber stated that the public hearings on addresses should have two objectives: 1) dissemination of information gathered by the Commission, e.g. survey results; 2) acquiring public input. Ms. Barber stated that the Commission could gather information even if the survey isn't complete.

Mr. Litwin stated the need to get information to the public. He said that to arrange public meetings as early as next month might be "ambitious." Mr. Litwin continued stating that the results are needed so that the Commission has something to present. Ms. Starghill interjected that the survey results might not be in by next month. Mr. Litwin reminded all present about the legislative deadline. With only three months left on the six month mandate in EO26, the Commission has "to move along."

Ms. Fulton asked about the plan for public hearings. Ms. Starghill said that there is a subcommittee addressing this matter.

Mr. Litwin stated that he feels a separate public hearing for the issue of addresses is a good idea.

Mr. Watkins stated that the website will be a good place to post public information.

At Senator Peter Inverso's request, Thomas Cafferty raised the issue of bill S-642. That bill proposes the release of information of people under the age of 18 and regulates information related to not-for-profit organizations. Senator Inverso is concerned with the timing of the bill and would like the Commission to review the bill as soon as possible. Mr. Litwin stated that the matter should be reviewed.

The Commission would like to plan Public Hearings in the month of May in North, Central, and South Jersey. The places will be announced when the hearings are approved and arranged (maybe as early as next month's meeting).

Mr. De Angelis stated that the GRC is a good place to start gathering privacy-related information. He said that the GRC should be providing the Commission with information from their activities. Ms. Starghill stated that she is interacting with Mr. Dice on a regular basis. Mr. Dice confirmed Ms. Startghill's comments and added that the GRC has been, and will continue, giving regular reports to the Commission.

Mr. De Angelis expressed an interest in serving on the NJ State Practices sub-committee.

Ms. Fulton stated the immediate need for a proposal at the State level for protecting disclosure issues for staff members.

Mr. Watkins stated that the Commission needs short bios from each member for the website. Mr. Watkins said the website will also contain meeting information.

Mr. Watkins stated that he would be happy to assist the subcommittee chairs in coordinating their meetings. He also offered Ms. Janukowicz' assistance and re-stated his intentions to be of assistance to the Commission.

Mr. Hutchison said that the effort to amend the legislated time frame of the Commission's study to begin as of the Commission's first meeting (January 24, 2003) was moving along.

Mr. Cevasco thanked Ms. Barber for her presentation and stated that he agrees with her "opt-in" comments.

Chairman Litwin opened the meeting for public comment. Hearing no one, Ms. Barber moved to adjourn, with a second from Mr. Hutchison.

Chairman Litwin adjourned the meeting at approximately 12:00 noon.

Respectfully submitted,

_______________________________________
M. Larry Litwin, Chairman