[Massplanners] Extension of Remote Meetings?

[Daniel Amstutz]

FYI - the remote meeting extension was signed into law by Lt. Gov. Polito on 
July 16: 
https://www.mma.org/remote-meeting-extension-for-local-boards-signed-into-law/


Daniel Amstutz, AICP
Senior Transportation Planner
Department of Planning & Community Development
Town of Arlington
730 Massachusetts Avenue
Arlington, MA 02476
(781) 316-3093
damstutz at town.arlington.ma.us


*Arlington values equity, diversity, and inclusion. We are committed to 
building a community where everyone is heard, respected, and protected.*


From: Daniel Fortier via MassPlanners <massplanners at masscptc.org>
To: Laura Harbottle <lharbottle at doverma.gov>
Cc: "Listserv (massplanners at masscptc.org)" <massplanners at masscptc.org>
Date: Fri, 15 Jul 2022 12:10:01 -0400
Subject: Re: [Massplanners] Extension of Remote Meetings?



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Correction March of 2023 extension


Dan Fortier 
Retired 
Interim Dennis Planner 



especially from unknown senders.

	




	

 

	
Legislature Passes Remote Meeting Extension
Through March 31, 2023
 

On Thursday afternoon, the House and Senate passed legislation (S. 3007) 
extending key pandemic-era accommodations, including remote meeting 
authorizations, to March 31, 2023. Once the Governor signs the bill, cities 
and towns will retain the option to hold public meetings remotely, following 
the same guidelines that have been in place since the COVID public health 
emergency was first declared in March of 2020.

 

Back in May, a remote meeting extension was included in the final FY23 
Senate Budget as an outside section, but this language was advanced by the 
Senate as a standalone bill last week with the July 15th expiration 
approaching and the final budget still tied up in negotiations. The House 
later passed its own version of the bill, including language that would have 
created a permanent mandate for remote access to all public meetings aside 
from those in executive session, with a provision requiring remote 
participation by the public if public participation is allowed or required 
at the meeting. This would have gone into effect on April 1, 2023.

 

The MMA worked with our members and stakeholders across the Commonwealth to 
make it clear to the Legislature that despite the good intentions behind H. 
4991, such an unfunded mandate would have presented unworkable financial, 
technological, logistical, and practical challenges for cities and towns.

 

The MMA is pleased the Legislature took these concerns very seriously and 
removed this unfunded mandate from the bill, extending current remote 
meeting options through March 31st of next year. The MMA will continue to 
push for a permanent solution that gives municipalities the necessary 
flexibility and funding they will need to expand participation and 
engagement through remote and hybrid meetings.

 

The bill is now on the Governor’s desk awaiting action, and will go into 
effect immediately once signed. Communities with public meetings scheduled 
today or early next week are encouraged to consult with their municipal 
legal counsel on the best course of action.

 

Please thank your Representatives and Senators for extending the remote 
meeting options, and for recognizing the challenges that would have been 
created with an unworkable mandate.

 



On Thu, Jul 14, 2022, 9:29 AM Laura Harbottle via MassPlanners 
<massplanners at masscptc.org> wrote:
Hi everyone,
I hope things are going well with your planning lives, and otherwise... 
weekend approaching! 
I'm just trying to confirm, the soonest a bill can be signed to extend or 
reauthorize remote meetings is Friday.  We're posting today for a meeting 
Monday and will probably go live, but board and staff are curious.
TIA!
Laura


Laura Harbottle AICP, CFM
Interim Town Planner
5 Springdale Ave.
Dover, MA  02030
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