Politics & Government

Should Stoughton elected officials to be allowed to attend meetings remotely?

Selectmen are considering the option after Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley put a together a law allowing officials to attend meetings remotely.

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley put together a law that allows remote participation by government boards, providing there must be an adequate video hook-up and a quorum at the meeting.

Stoughton selectmen didn't take a vote on whether to allow their board to meet remotely after a discussion on the subject Sept. 3.

Instead, they decided to allow selectman Thomas J. Recupero to look at the bill, and see if the board can come up with a "reasonable policy."

If selectmen decided to invoke the law, town boards could decide whether they want to use the remote meeting option.Selectmen vice-chairman Cynthia Walsh was against opting to allow remote participation.

She said it was an official's responsibility to attend the meetings in person, and brought up the potential abuse of the decision. 

"I'm opposed to it," she said. "I'm afraid it's going to be abused."

Selectmen John M. Anzivino said he was in favor of the boards using more technology, but said he doesn't think attending remotely should be a regular option.

"This is supposed to be in extreme cases," said Anzivino.

One thing under consideration is a trial period to see if the plan can be adopted.


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