In 1775, Lexington helped set the stage for the fledgling American democracy. This month, the town broke new democratic ground by holding the state’s first virtual Town Meeting.
Using a combination of computer applications, the town began its four-night representative Town Meeting on June 1 for nearly 200 members. The town wanted to meet remotely to protect the health of its Town Meeting members, many of whom fall into higher-risk categories for COVID-19.
“Today Lexington is once again making history,” Town Moderator Deborah Brown said as she called the meeting to order. “I dare say this will be the Zoom webinar heard ’round the Commonwealth.”
Lexington’s virtual Town Meeting involved weeks of planning, accelerated technological development, nearly a dozen training sessions, and substantial staff engagement. While the event saw some high-tech hiccups, the process succeeded in its goal of seeming ordinary, said Select Board Member Joe Pato.
“I think it’s been going just like a normal town meeting, which is what we were aiming for,” Pato said.
Thanks for another great post
ReplyDeleteJust shows what can be done when you have an engaged, informed out of the box thinker leading the Town.
I just hope that all who attend the meeting stay safe. I dont feel the way our Town Meeting is set up that it is possible to maintain the recommended safety precautions and therefore I will not attend.
I truly hope the regular attendees who mainly fall in the age bracket encouraged by our Health guidelines to stay at home dont suffer from the lack of "a plan".
The present plan moves you into a maze and says "good luck", remember, the object is to vote on and discuss 27 article while staying 6 ft from all other participants. The penalty for not doing so could result in a stay at your local Hospital or death.
OK, possibly an unpopular point, but........
I thought the reason we have fought many of these wars, battles, etc The Civil Rights Movement, Woman suffrage Movement was to preserve our freedoms, Rights. How do we have these things if we must still, in 2020 jeopardize our lives in order to perform our basic civic duties?
Enjoy the day