Winchester council drops hourly cap, restores 3-minute public comment after hours of testimony

The Winchester City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to adopt a revised public comment and public hearing policy that restores a three-minute time limit per speaker, removes a proposed one-hour maximum for the public comment period and clarifies that speakers may provide a ZIP code instead of a full street address.

The change followed more than an hour of public testimony at the Jan. 28 meeting in which dozens of residents urged councilors not to restrict public participation. The council approved the policy by voice vote after a friendly amendment to let speakers state their name and address or ZIP code and an explicit statement that the presiding officer will provide reasonable accommodations, which can include additional time or other measures.

Council action came after multiple speakers criticized an earlier draft that would have shortened speaking time. Jay Richardson, who gave his address as 106 Greenwood Avenue, told the council cutting comment time was “an attack on our freedoms” and said reducing public comment was “lazy” and “cowardly.” Rodrigo Ydaita Leon, who gave his address as 359 Kinske Lane, praised the council’s rollback of a proposed 90-second limit and urged officials not to ban applause or signs during meetings, saying solidarity gestures are part of protected expression.

Advocates who testified said the stricter draft would have chilled participation by people with childcare or work constraints, by vulnerable residents who asked that addresses not be recorded publicly, and by groups that rely on collective displays during meetings. Several speakers referenced legal and safety concerns about requiring full addresses; councilors said the city attorney confirmed speakers are not legally required to give a local address.

During the council’s deliberations, City Attorney Melissa Michaelson described two similar policy drafts previously circulated: one that included a one-hour cap and one that did not. Councilors debated the one-hour cap’s pros and cons, with several members saying it could invite repeated votes to extend the period and complicate implementation. Councilor Chibizi said he felt “uncomfortable with restricting it to the 1 hour.” Mayor Beach moved to forward the version without an hour cap; the motion was seconded by Councillor Herbstreeck and passed by voice vote.

The adopted language retains a three-minute-per-speaker standard, removes the 90-second language from earlier drafts, adds a provision allowing people who did not sign up in advance to speak, and instructs the presiding officer to provide reasonable accommodations. The policy also clarifies that recorded audio and video of meetings are public records and speakers may request access.

Supporters of the change said it preserves residents’ ability to engage with local government without imposing arbitrary time limits that could suppress dissent. Opponents of unfettered public comment did not prevail in council debate; the final vote was unanimous, 8-0.

The council voted to adopt the policy during its regular meeting; the vote was recorded as passing with all members present.