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Winchester council tables proposed limits on public comment after sustained opposition
Summary
The Winchester City Common Council on Jan. 14 paused action on a proposed policy that would limit public-comment time and restrict signage after extended public testimony and objections from residents and several council members.
The Winchester City Common Council on Jan. 14 voted to table a resolution that would set new limits on public comment and public-hearing procedures after several hours of public comment and objections from council members.
City attorney Melissa Michaelson opened the council discussion by framing the proposal as an effort to put written rules in place. "I just think that it's important to have some set of rules to establish, you know, how public comment and public hearings will be conducted," Michaelson said, adding the written policy was intended to protect the First Amendment by making expectations public.
Dozens of residents used the public-comment period to oppose the…
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