Smithfield council debates live-streaming Charter Review Commission; tables proposal for more study
October 08, 2025 | Smithfield, Providence County, Rhode Island
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A Smithfield council member urged the Town Council on Oct. 7 to begin live-streaming the Charter Review Commission's meetings, saying broadcasting would improve transparency and public participation.
The council member who requested the item said the town's YouTube channel already streams three other boards and that live streams of CRC meetings in neighboring towns have attracted substantial public interest. "Live streaming our public meetings demonstrates that we have nothing to hide," the council member said, arguing that recorded meetings make government more accessible to people who are sick, disabled or otherwise cannot attend in person.
Supporters on the dais and in the public said streams would make it easier for residents to follow discussions that could later go on the ballot. "An informed citizenry is an empowered citizenry," the council member said, citing high view counts on recent streamed events and saying CRC work''which reviews possible changes to the town charter''could affect how the town is governed.
Members of the Charter Review Commission who spoke during the meeting said they were not trying to hide discussions but asked for caution. Charter Review Commission member Carrie Lawton said the CRC is primarily gathering information and interviewing people; she added that some interviewees and CRC members had expressed concern that being recorded could create a "chilling effect" that would reduce candor and discourage volunteers from serving. A council member who had spoken with CRC participants relayed the same concern and urged the council to weigh that risk.
Council members also discussed logistics and costs. One member said the technical operation can be simple and inexpensive ("all someone needs to do is press a button and then press a button when it's done"), while others said they wanted to consult additional CRC members and other stakeholders before deciding whether to expand recordings to more town boards.
After extended discussion, the council agreed to collect additional feedback from CRC members and the public and to place the live-streaming request on a future meeting agenda for further discussion and possible action.
The council did not adopt an ordinance or change policy at the Oct. 7 meeting; it directed follow-up and returned the matter to a future agenda for more information and a potential vote.
The council member who requested the item said the town's YouTube channel already streams three other boards and that live streams of CRC meetings in neighboring towns have attracted substantial public interest. "Live streaming our public meetings demonstrates that we have nothing to hide," the council member said, arguing that recorded meetings make government more accessible to people who are sick, disabled or otherwise cannot attend in person.
Supporters on the dais and in the public said streams would make it easier for residents to follow discussions that could later go on the ballot. "An informed citizenry is an empowered citizenry," the council member said, citing high view counts on recent streamed events and saying CRC work''which reviews possible changes to the town charter''could affect how the town is governed.
Members of the Charter Review Commission who spoke during the meeting said they were not trying to hide discussions but asked for caution. Charter Review Commission member Carrie Lawton said the CRC is primarily gathering information and interviewing people; she added that some interviewees and CRC members had expressed concern that being recorded could create a "chilling effect" that would reduce candor and discourage volunteers from serving. A council member who had spoken with CRC participants relayed the same concern and urged the council to weigh that risk.
Council members also discussed logistics and costs. One member said the technical operation can be simple and inexpensive ("all someone needs to do is press a button and then press a button when it's done"), while others said they wanted to consult additional CRC members and other stakeholders before deciding whether to expand recordings to more town boards.
After extended discussion, the council agreed to collect additional feedback from CRC members and the public and to place the live-streaming request on a future meeting agenda for further discussion and possible action.
The council did not adopt an ordinance or change policy at the Oct. 7 meeting; it directed follow-up and returned the matter to a future agenda for more information and a potential vote.
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