Pelham schedules public hearing on Local Law No. 3 to extend video-conferencing rules; ADA and TV broadcast plans discussed

The Pelham work session on June 9 opened with a review of proposed Local Law No. 3 of 2026, which would amend chapter 8 of the Pelham Village Code governing video conferencing at public meetings and extend the village’s remote-participation framework through July 1, 2028. The board announced it will hold a public hearing on the measure.

The Chair said the draft law largely carries forward rules adopted during the COVID period and preserves a requirement that a public location (Village Hall) host a quorum when meetings are held; the Chair emphasized that if all members attend in person, online attendees may view but would not be permitted to give public comment. “If everybody on the board is here in person…Nobody online can speak publicly online. They have to come here to give public comment,” the Chair said.

Board members sought clarity about Americans with Disabilities Act access. A committee member asked whether someone for whom remote participation is the most practical option could be excluded if no member was participating remotely. Staff responded that the law’s accessibility requirement applies to the video platform itself, analogous to website accessibility, and that the village’s software must be able to accommodate ADA features. “What that terminology is saying…is you’re using a video platform that’s ADA compliant,” the Staff member said.

Officials also discussed restoring cable broadcasts for residents who rely on television to follow meetings. Staff said the village has ordered a video transmitter with an estimated minimum six-week delivery and must run a wire from the second-floor IT room to the first floor; the village must meet different technical specifications for Optimum and Verizon cable systems. Staff noted that live online viewership can be measured during a broadcast but that on-demand TV audience numbers are not readily available. The Chair and several members said returning to cable would help reach seniors who watch meetings on TV.

A committee member suggested a procedural step to improve transparency: when members participate remotely they should announce that fact during roll call and state the reason for remote participation; the board agreed to adopt that practice.

Next steps: the board set a public hearing to consider Local Law No. 3; no adoption vote occurred at the June 9 work session. Further procedural dates and the formal hearing notice will be published by the village.