Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Select Board workshop on remote-meeting policy focuses on scope, equipment and training
Summary
The board conducted a workshop on a draft remote-meeting policy, debating whether it should cover the select board only or all volunteer committees. Staff will gather model policies (GPCOG/MMA) and return with drafts and implementation priorities.
The Casco Select Board devoted a workshop session July 21 to review a draft remote-meeting policy and the practical steps required to make remote participation workable for the select board and volunteer committees.
Discussion centered on scope (whether one policy should cover the select board and all committees), delegation of authority to chairs, technical requirements for reliable audio and video, and the need for training or staff support. "Holding a working group type committee meeting with people remote is next to impossible because people miss what's heard, or they interrupt in the middle of something," one volunteer chair warned during the workshop.
Board members suggested piloting the policy with the select board before rolling it out to committees and asked Tony to collect model policies from GPCOG and MMA and to talk with neighboring town managers about what works. Tony said he expected the draft will require substantial rewrite and recommended prioritizing standards for meeting platforms, co-hosting and staff/coordinator roles before expanding coverage to all committees.
The board did not adopt a policy at the workshop but gave staff direction to gather samples, interview other town managers and return with a revised draft and implementation guidance.
