MAT Information Library:

Town Meetings

Minnesota Secretary of State – Legal Newspapers
The Minnesota Secretary of State maintains a list of legal newspapers officially designated for publishing notices required by law. Townships may use this resource to identify newspapers for public hearing notices and other required legal publications.

TM 1000 – Township Hearings
An overview of the statutory and informational types of hearings conducted by towns, with recommendations, worksheets and samples. (20 pages) (Revised: October 2023)

TM 2000 – Special Town Meetings
An explanation of why and how to call a special town meeting, including sample forms. (7 pages) (Revised: September 2020)

TM 2100 – Conducting and Controlling Town Board Meetings
Summarizes legal requirements and provides practical tips for conducting efficient and effective town board meetings. (5 pages) (Revised: September 2023)

TM 3000 – Basic Parliamentary Procedure for Town Boards
Gives a general overview of parliamentary procedure, briefly describes some of the most commonly used motions, and raises points to consider before adopting rules of procedure. (5 pages) (Revised: September 2023)

TM 4000 – Resolutions and Ordinances
Describes the differences between bylaws, motions, resolutions and ordinances and the proper use of each for conducting township business. (4 pages) (Revised: September 2023)

TM 5000 – Data Practices Overview
Provides a brief overview of what metropolitan townships exercising urban powers must do to comply with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. Includes a resource list for additional information. (8 pages) (Revised: July 2026)

TM 6000 – Annual Town Meeting
Checklist overview of the steps that must be considered when calling and conducting the annual town meeting. (9 pages) (Revised: October 2021)

TM 7000 – Town Board Administrative Policy
Sample administrative policy designed to help town boards develop a uniform method for addressing the conduct of town board meetings, citizen participation and access to town records. (8 pages) (Revised: February 2020)

TM 8000 – Closing Town Meetings
A resource for town boards seeking to comply with their legal obligations when closing town meetings. (Uploaded: August 2024)