Religious Meetings Conflict With Board Meetings

L.M. from Fairfield County, Connecticut writes:

Dear Mister Condo,

I was requested by certified letter to attend a board hearing. I have weekly religious meetings on the night scheduled. I informed my board that I would be willing to meet any other day or evening that wouldn’t conflict with my religious instruction meeting. Do I have any rights regarding this situation?

Mister Condo replies:

L.M., as far as I know, the Board is not under any legal requirement to adjust their regularly scheduled meeting time to accommodate for outside considerations such as your religious meeting. That being said, in this litigious world in which we live it is entirely possible that you have legal rights regarding this situation. To investigate those rights, you will most likely need to consult with an attorney. Have you inquired as to why or how long you will need to meet with the Board? It is not uncommon for the Board to meet with residents for as little as 5 or 10 minutes to discuss whatever business is before the Board. Perhaps you can simply ask that you be one of the first items on the Board’s agenda so that you can make a brief appearance before the Board and then head off to your religious meeting? That would allow the Board to conduct their business and for you to also attend your religious meeting. Best wishes.