Wallingford Town Government returns to remote meetings

Wallingford CT

21 October, 2020

3:54 PM

Description

Governor Lamont on Tuesday issued executive order 9H. This order continues his focus on keeping Connecticut safe during the Covid19 emergency. These latest orders comes as Connecticut has seen an increase of Covid19 cases. Given the increase of cases Governor Lamont has clarified earlier orders concerning in person meetings for municipalities. He issued the following, "Any municipal (as defined in Section 12 of Executive Order No. 7I) agency, board, commission, council or local legislative body, and, in a municipality where the legislative body is a town meeting, the board of selectmen, may hold a public meeting or hearing that provides for remote participation in its entirety, or for remote participation in conjunction with an in-person meeting, which shall be referred to herein as a "hybrid meeting." Remote participation shall include the opportunity to offer public comment, if otherwise generally permitted at such meetings, and the ability of electors or qualified voters to vote, if eligible pursuant to state statute, municipal charter, or other applicable legal authority, at any meeting, annual town meeting or special town meeting. Officials conducting hybrid meetings shall make provisions to allow at least some members of the public and press to attend in the same location as the officials conducting the meeting in a manner consistent with public health guidance for limiting the transmission of COVID-19. Municipal bodies conducting in-person or hybrid meetings shall consult with and take steps recommended by local or state public health officials to conduct such meetings in a manner that significantly reduces the risk of transmission of COVID-19. Remote and hybrid meetings shall proceed in a manner as closely consistent with the applicable statutes, special acts, town charters, municipal ordinances, resolutions or procedures as possible, and in compliance with the open meeting provisions set forth in the Freedom of Information Act, as modified by Executive Order No. 7B." Wallingford recently made the decision to return all Municipal Meetings back to in person, as the Town Council joined all other Boards and Commissions in doing so. Despite objections by members of the public Town Government was not receptive to offering a hybrid option that would allow for remote attendance and participation. With the Governor's order Mayor Dickinson has decided that any hybrid option was not in order and has instead reverted to all remote access. No explanation was given as of this writing. This order will be in place until the Pandemic ends. In practical terms no member of the public, no town employee, no elected or appointed official will be exposed to the increased risk of an indoor meeting.