In Plymouth, Spring Town Meeting hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, having been postponed five times, is scheduled for August 10th, using a virtual format. But, town meeting could be postponed for the 6th time. This is allowed under the rules of House Bill 4777.
State Representative Matt Muratore explains that the purpose of this legislation is to give communities an opportunity to conduct their town meetings in a different way:
“…whether they want to have it in person or whether they want to have it virtually. And what this bill did was, it allowed the leaders of the community, whether it’s the Board of Selectmen, like in Plymouth, to accept the bill as written, to have virtual, which the Board of Selectmen in Plymouth have done.”
What about the fact that Town Moderator Steven Triffletti is set to postpone town meeting yet again if virtual town meeting is voted down, such a vote will be taken at the opening session of the legislative body.
“Well he obviously has that right to do that. In the House, where I am now, we actually have a session where it’s a hybrid model, where there are some people that go in and there are some people that do it from home. I like to do it from home. We do it on a weekly basis and we’re able to vote and still debate, etc. And I think in this society now, having a hybrid model of anything we do, like a town meeting, is probably the best way to go.”
Town Meeting members are attending training session this week to learn the Zoom technology. Following these sessions precinct chairmen will poll their members about the type of town meeting they prefer.
