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Council tables plan to use COA van for town meetings, cites legal risk
Summary
Council members voted to table a proposal to use the Council on Aging van for town meetings and elections until they consult town council about potential legal and equal-access concerns; the chair raised the possibility the service could 'disenfranchise' voters if not offered broadly.
The Council on Aging voted to table further consideration of using the COA van to transport residents to town meetings and elections until consulting with town council. The chair said the council must confirm whether offering that service would be permissible and warned that selectively offering transportation could risk "disenfranchis[ing] someone and opening the town up to a lawsuit." The motion to table was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.
Members discussed practical and legal constraints: if the town offers transportation that is subject to federal regulation, the service may need to be available to all residents rather than only Council on Aging clients or older adults. Staff said they will meet with town council and report back before the Council approves any van use for town meetings or elections.
