Town Manager Sarah Stanton Monday detailed all of the recommended procedures that would lead to a return to in-person meetings by town boards and committees.
But after some discussion, no board member made a motion, and Chair Emily Mitchell said the matter will be discussed again at the next full meeting on April 11.
Elected and appointed boards and committees have been meeting via teleconferencing technology since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, allowed under special legislation overriding the state open meeting law. That provision has been extended until July 15.
All boards and committees – except the School Committee – need to follow the Select Board’s lead on returning to in-person meetings.
The town manager said she and other staff members want to ensure that all resources are in place for in-person return, from reserving rooms and working with Bedford TV. “It’s all doable – we just want to make sure we discuss the different facets,” she said.
Stanton said staff members who support the volunteer boards feel that formal votes to return should take place at virtual sessions. “We would encourage boards and committees to give two weeks’ notice before returning in person,” Stanton said, primarily so town employees affected can arrange for child or elder care.
Special technology is available to present live meetings virtually. This will be available to the Select Board, Planning Board, Board of Health, and Finance Committee, Stanton said, adding that Bedford TV will also record and replay meetings of those four panels.
There are fewer meeting rooms available in Town Hall than pre-pandemic, she noted. The Fire Department is using the second-floor conference room for training. However, there are rooms in Town Center as needed, she said.
Stanton mentioned that a survey of boards and committee members about the status of meetings showed that they were “not aligned.” That survey, however, is several weeks old.
“We want committee chairs to be sensitive to the needs of their members as well as the needs of the public,” said Select Board member Margot Fleischman.
Mitchell noted that one result of virtual meetings is additional public participation as spectators. She said she hopes there will continue to be a virtual option.
Mike Rosenberg can be reached at [email protected], or 781-983-1763
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