Council Motions Look at Abandonment Clause, Video Conferencing

By Adam Swift

At last week’s town council meeting, Precinct 5 Councilor Joseph Aiello introduced two motions related to council attendance and the use of Zoom or other videoconferencing during council meetings.

The council approved Aiello’s motion requisition that the town manager, in consultation with the town’s attorney, conduct a comprehensive review of the town charter, council rules, municipal ordinances, and relevant state statutes to identify and clarify the legal standards determining whether a councilor has officially attended a meeting.

“We have been looking at the abandonment clause for town councilors and we have been advised by our general counsel that the way we put the ordinance together was utterly vague, in his words,” said Aiello. “Therefore, it is really random in terms of its enforceability.”

Aiello noted that when Covid hit, the state did put regulations in place stating there could be remote participation in meetings, but that there were guidelines to make sure those who are remote are accommodated and recognized.

“It’s a two-way street that the council has obligations to the person who is remote, and the person who is remote has obligations back to the council,” said Aiello.

He said his motion would put together all the information needed to make sure the town has a clear abandonment clause that is enforceable.

“As Councilor Aiello stated, the ordinance review (committee) has taken much of this under their purview right now, and will be coming back, and I’m sure that that will be helpful information,” said Council President Jim Letterie. “I don’t see any harm at all in asking the town manager and town counsel … to look into outside laws and rules and regulations. I think this is relatively straightforward, we want to eventually get this right and look into this; we understand that it is very vague the way it is written in the charter.”

The second motion made by Aiello ensuring that Zoom or videoconferencing is available at council meetings to the largest extent possible was moved to a joint meeting of the council’s rules and finance subcommittees.

Aiello asked that there be videoconferencing available at all council meetings, unless there was a special circumstance and the council voted to hold a meeting where it was not available. He noted that there are occasionally meetings held at the DeLeo Senior Center, which can accommodate more people, and that that room is not set up for Zoom.

Town Manager Tony Marino estimated it would cost $25,000 to $30,000 to equip the senior center with Zoom, but added that it would also open up meeting space for other boards and committees in the town.