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Committee asks solicitor to draft rule requiring name and ward or address for public comment
Summary
The Holyoke City Charter & Rules Committee voted to ask the city solicitor to draft a rule requiring anyone participating in public comment — in‑person or remotely — to provide their name and either a street address or ward; the solicitor warned video or content bans could raise First Amendment risks.
The Holyoke City Charter and Rules Committee voted to ask the city solicitor to draft a rule that would require public‑comment speakers, whether in the chamber or on Zoom, to provide their name and either a street address or the ward where they live.
The motion, made during a lengthy committee discussion of public‑comment practices, was intended to formalize what several members said has long been the council’s informal practice. “We ask anybody speaking at public comment, regardless of which way they are participating, that they provide their name and address,” said Councilor Linda Vacon during the debate, urging the committee to preserve access while clarifying identification requirements.
Councilor Mike Sullivan…
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