What do remote public meetings mean for Melrosians?
The abrupt onset of the COVID-19 pandemic last March forced everyone to go fully online. Remote public meetings, with the help of programs such as Zoom, Google Meets and Microsoft Teams, have allowed people to stay online and connected with their peers and colleagues. And, Gov. Charlie Baker wants them to stick around. Last week, after proposing outdoor dining to remain in place once the state of emergency ends on June 15, Baker advocated for keeping public meetings remote as well, to reduce the risk of virus transmission. In an executive order from last March, Baker "gave local and state bodies such as local boards the ability to meet quorum requirements remotely so long as the ensured the public could access deliberations," according to the State House News Service. The governor's new legislation extends this policy until Sept. 1. As it appears, remote public meetings seem to have a lot of benefits. Going online has "engaged more residents than ever before and have significantly increased transparency and insight into government operations and decision making," Massachusetts Municipal Association Executive Director Geoffrey Beckwith wrote in a letter to lawmakers. Mayor Paul Brodeur agrees. Being remote has "improved accessibility for our residents," he said. On the other hand, students and teachers are itching to get back into the classroom. Jen McAndrew, chair of the Melrose School Committee, said the schools are preparing to reopen safely in person "as soon as the end of June." Melrose Public Schools are "working on making meetings accessible by collaborating with MMTV to create a hybrid option for those who don't want to participate in person," McAndrew said.