From Mass.gov: "Baker-Polito Administration Announces Emergency Order Modifying the State’s Open Meeting Law"

Press release from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Administration and Finance:

BOSTON — The Baker-Polito Administration today announced an emergency order temporarily modifying the state’s open meeting law in order to allow state, quasi and local governments to continue to carry out essential functions and operations during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.

This emergency order suspends the requirement for public access to the physical location where a public meeting is taking place, provided there are other means of access available. This includes the use of a phone conference line for members of the public, social media or other internet streaming services, on-line meeting services, or methods of access.

Both the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) have advised residents to take extra measures to put distance between themselves and other people to further reduce the risk of being exposed to COVID-19. Additionally, the CDC and DPH have advised high-risk individuals, including people over the age of 60, anyone with underlying health conditions or a weakened immune system, and pregnant women, to avoid large gatherings.

Additionally, the order relieves the requirement that a quorum of members be physically present at a public meeting. During this period, members may all participate by remote or virtual means.

This order is applicable to meetings of public bodies including commissions, boards, and committees that engage in policy making at the state, quasi and local level, and it does not apply to Town Meetings or judicial and quasi-judicial hearings. It follows Governor Baker’s declaration of a State of Emergency on Wednesday, March 11, and it will remain in place until rescinded or the State of Emergency is terminated.

Link to press release on mass.gov: https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-announces-emergency-order-modifying-the-states-open-meeting-law

Link to full text of the order from Governor Baker: https://www.mass.gov/doc/open-meeting-law-order-march-12-2020/download

What Does This Mean for the Town of Freetown?

As most day-to-day decisions are made by assorted elected and appointed Boards, Committees and Commissions, this order by the Governor will allow for the Town government to continue running. As this was not a possibility until now, the Town did not have substantial technology in place to allow for more extensive virtual meetings -- and we've learned that many communities in the Commonwealth are in the same situation. With that said, research and work is currently being done by the staff of the Board of Selectmen to figure out what sorts of options may be of use to us. Every attempt is being made to keep meetings as open to the public as possible during these times, even if in a different form than it once was. At this time, please keep in mind that meetings are run by the chairmen of each respective Board, Committee or Commission, so the form of this access and technology may be differ between each Board. In the case of the Board of Selectmen, the current plan is to hold meetings remotely, and to have them livestreamed to the Town's YouTube Channel; we'll be sure to create a digital backup of the meeting, which will be uploaded to the Channel as soon as possible after the meeting (as required by the Governor's order).

The Board of Selectmen utilized this order for their meeting on March 16th, allowing for two members to participate remotely, but the first virtual meeting is being planned for March 20th.