Ocean Township board debates removing virtual public comment, keeping livestream

President McCarthy raised a proposal to remove live virtual public comment during the work session, saying the district should continue to livestream meetings and post recordings but should eliminate the ability for the public to submit comments in the meeting chat or verbally from remote locations.

"I do not think that it is a benefit to this board and to this district to have that," McCarthy said, citing concerns about inappropriate comments in virtual chat, the staffing time required to monitor chats, and the difficulty of asking a staff member to perform moderation duties that the chair should handle. He emphasized that livestreaming and recording access would remain available.

Several board members said they understood the concerns but raised alternatives. One member asked whether the meeting platform can hide chat; another suggested keeping virtual observation while removing typed chat and virtual verbal comments unless the public appears in person.

Mister Dalton and others framed virtual comments as a COVID-era practice that some districts have abandoned; Miss Talrygo and other members said hiding chat could address moderation concerns while preserving access. Mister Ray noted that for some meetings with large attendance, virtual participation allows more people to observe or offer input.

The item was placed on the table for discussion only. Board members requested time to research other districts' policies and technical options (for example, hiding chat or using a virtual hand-raise feature) and said staff should not be asked to assume the chair's moderating role. No motion was made and no formal vote occurred during the work session.