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Date: 6/1/2021
SOUTHWICK – Gov. Charlie Baker’s announcement that he is extending the Open Meeting Law that allows remote municipal meetings came just one day after the Southwick Select Board discussed options for returning to in-person meetings.
At the time of the May 24 Select Board meeting, town officials were under the impression that they would be mandated by state law to return to in-person meetings after June 15, when the state of emergency is set to expire.
Should the legislation proposed by Baker be passed by the state legislature, municipal meetings could be conducted remotely until Sept. 1.
Select Board member Douglas Moglin said May 26 that he anticipates that Southwick will try to conduct municipal meetings in a hybrid fashion.
“Having remote participation by some board/commission members is a good idea. I also think it’s a good idea to allow remote participation by the public as well,” said Moglin, “We are also investing in the technology for some of our meeting rooms to be able to have in-person/Zoom meetings and also the capability to broadcast to Channel 15.”
He noted that he would still like to review the legislation when it is passed and confer with the Council on Aging and the Health Department before taking formal action.
Select Board Chair Joseph Deedy had a similar sentiment. He said he thinks that Southwick will move to a hybrid meeting model once Town Hall is set up to do so.
“I think this will morph into a little of both. I know some folks still want to do Zoom and I know some folks want to meet in person. I believe we will continue the discussion as the governor goes through the process,” said Deedy.
During the May 24 meeting, Moglin pointed out that the global shortage of electronic components could make it difficult to quickly fully outfit Town Hall for hybrid meetings.
“We want to get to the point where there is a camera and audio set up so anyone can join and take in the entire meeting,” said Moglin, “I don’t think we are going to have that done in 30 days.
“Just with the general shortage of stuff to buy for anything electronics, It’s going to be awhile,” he added.
The board also voted to reopen Town Hall for normal business on June 1 with signs advising unvaccinated persons to wear a mask.
The board voted unanimously both to reopen the building for normal business and to recommend that masks continue to be worn by those who are unvaccinated. Those who are vaccinated will be allowed to shed the mask if they so choose.
“I think we are mature adults enough to mitigate the risks,” said Select Board member Russell S. Fox, “I don’t think we need to mandate anything like [masks]. Sooner or later, we have to come out of this.”
The Select Board members and Health Director Tammy Spencer agreed that the Town Hall mask policy would simply have to be an honor system going forward. Because vaccination status is considered private medical information, it would be against the law for town officials and employees to ask visitors to Town Hall if they have been vaccinated.
Council on Aging Director Cindy Sullivan announced that the Senior Center, which is in the same building as Town Hall, would reopen in phases beginning in June. The only entrance to the Senior Center will be through the sliding glass door in the rear of the building so that they can keep track of the number of persons in the building.
Masks will be recommended for all persons, regardless of vaccination status, while they walk through the Senior Center. When one sits down and is participating in an activity, the mask may be removed.
Phase 1 of the Senior Center reopening will begin the week of June 21. Hybrid bingo will take place inside with social distancing measures in place for participants. Arts and crafts activities will be able to take place in-person inside with social distancing.
Phase 2 will begin the week of July 12. People will be permitted to play cards, Scrabble, cribbage, and assemble puzzles in-person.
Phase 3 will begin the week of Aug 2. Morning coffee and socialization in the dining room will return.
Phase 4, the final phase, will begin the week of Sept. 13. Exercise activities, painting classes, and daytime quilting groups will return.
The Bread Program at the Senior Center will not return, due to sanitary and health concerns.