In Plymouth, following the pandemic shutdown, Town Meeting was convened six times using a virtual format—that was followed by an in-person meeting in the fall when a hybrid format was not allowed.
But in June, Plymouth Town Meeting voted a home rule petition to allow for exactly that—a hybrid model for representative Town Meeting.
Governor Charlie Baker has signed the legislation and beginning next spring, Town Meeting will be a hybrid one—this according to Town Moderator Steven Triffletti.
Bobbi Clark has more…
Town Moderator Steven Triffletti, says the hybrid model…
“…offers Plymouth representatives the opportunity to appear in person, but also to participate remotely if for some reason they are unable to appear in person.”
And, Triffletti says that at the Annual Fall Town Meeting in October, prior to the commencement of the first session…
“…we were notified in advance by approximately 35 Town Meeting members that they would not be present for a variety of reasons—about half of them decided not to attend in person, because of COVID concerns.”
The Town Moderator will be meeting with town officials next week in order to begin…
“…the planning and preparation for the hybrid model Town Meeting. But, we would expect that everyone who was in-person will be in one room at the Center for Performing Arts at Plymouth North High School, the first Saturday in April at 8 a.m..”
And remote participants…
“…will Zoom in and they will also have the ability to be able to vote. They’ll have the ability to be able to speak remotely and also to make motions.”
