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Mendon board moves to tighten social-media policy; legal and ADA questions remain
Summary
Board members leaned toward keeping comments off official town social-media posts, discussed liability from blocking users, and asked legal counsel to clarify record-retention, blocking and ADA (WCAG) compliance obligations ahead of an updated policy.
The board reviewed a proposed social-media policy that recommends disabling comments on official town posts and centralizing posting on town-managed channels. Chair summarized advice he received at the Association of Towns meeting and told the board, "the recommendation is no commenting allowed." Several board members said disabling comments reduces legal and moderation burdens; one member warned that allowing comments but deleting or blocking users can create legal risk.
Members raised ADA and records-retention questions. A board member noted federal web-accessibility guidance (WCAG) and the need to ensure posted content and attachments are accessible by 2028 for municipalities of Mendon’s size. The Chair agreed to collect legal questions for the town attorney, and staff was asked to clarify: who can post to the town website and social pages, how records retention will be satisfied if posts are shared across platforms, and what disciplinary options (if any) exist for elected officials who post from personal accounts. The board directed staff to revise the draft policy, flag blocking and records-retention language for attorney review, and return the policy with recommended edits.
