Goshen ERB to pilot low‑cost options for remote public comment
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Summary
The ERB agreed to pilot low‑cost remote public‑comment tools — a donated tablet with a dedicated email (GoshenERB@gmail.com), and possible telephone or social‑media options — and said the board will limit moderation, times, and inappropriate content.
The Goshen ERB concluded its Jan. 14 meeting by discussing a pilot to expand public participation without incurring large streaming costs. Speaker 1 said a full Zoom/webcast solution was estimated at roughly $25,000, which the town would not fund, but a resident or volunteer offered a donated tablet the board could use to collect emailed questions or comments.
Members discussed low‑tech and moderated options: a dedicated email account (proposed GoshenERB@gmail.com) tied to the tablet; a phone‑in line or a limited Facebook Live session; and a process to open remote comments at the end of meetings or per agenda item. Speaker 6 suggested requiring town‑board approval for any formal change in practice and recommended limiting call‑in windows to preserve meeting length. Speaker 1 said the ERB would pilot the approach, moderate out vulgar or personally abusive content and revise procedures if it proves unwieldy.
Next steps: ERB staff to set up a simple email account, test a donated tablet for meeting use, present a short procedure for handling emailed comments and recommended time windows at the next meeting, and seek town‑board approval if necessary.