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Westford Selectboard tightens public-comment procedure, asks staff to revise rules
Summary
Following debate between board members and residents, the Selectboard directed staff to make changes to the Rules of Procedure to implement limited public-comment periods and asked for an update to F2; motion passed unanimously.
The Selectboard debated how to structure public comment and ultimately voted to have municipal staff make the discussed changes to section F2 of the Rules of Procedure to reflect a plan with an opening public-comment period for non-agenda items and a second public-comment opportunity after discussion items. The motion to direct staff to revise the rules passed 5-0.
Board members expressed a desire to limit repetitive back-and-forth during meetings and suggested guardrails such as a one-time two-minute comment per speaker on each agenda item; several residents, including Lori Johnson and Barb Peck, urged the board to preserve robust public participation. The board agreed to implement limitations but retain an end-of-meeting public comment period to allow reactions to board action.
