Update on Remote Open Town Meeting

The bill, H.2274, we are supporting to allow towns that use open (not representative) town meeting to adopt a hybrid system that would permit residents to fully participate on a remote basis has been tabled for this legislative session. But the advocates for this system are trying instead to pass a pilot program provision that would allow up to five towns to experiment with remote open town meeting. This action is necessary because our current law requires open town meetings to be in-person only, so companies will not develop the necessary technology. That requirement makes it difficult for many people to participate in their town government.

If you live in a town that uses open town meeting, talk to town officials and to your legislators and ask them to support efforts for a pilot program testing full remote participation—speaking, listening and voting—in town meeting. Such a program would not cost the state anything.  To see how such a remote system could work, take a look at this LWVMA webinar: “Open Town Meeting—Remote and Secure.” 

When we have specific information on the proposed provision for a pilot program for remote open town meeting, we’ll let you know so you can let your legislators know. In the meantime, express your interest in a remote option as we go into town meeting season. Questions? Contact Nancy Brumback at specialists@lwvma.org.