Clinton town government has been in lockdown since mid-March 2020. The town manager form of government and Town Council as the de facto governing body are new to us. COVID restrictions have made Town Council meetings only available through Internet platforms that require the capabilities and facility to use. As a result, there is little public participation in meetings and in voting: The budgets passed with the lowest turnout ever. The council is operating without the usual public scrutiny.

There is no longer any transparency in Town Council proceedings. No longer are letters submitted to the council read publicly into the record. That was not done at the council meeting I attended on May 19 when John Olsen’s nomination to the Board of Assessment Appeals was heard. Council Chair Aniskovich mentioned letters submitted by Republicans such as Ona Nejdl, the most partisan and provocative member of any town board upon which I have served. A prior Board of Finance chair and a long-time member of the Board of Assessment Appeals also submitted letters, which were neither mentioned nor read into the record. Both favored Mr. Olsen’s nomination to the board.

I know how council members voted but only heard the “why” from Democrats and the Green Party Council member. Discussion between Republican members was not heard publicly, which means that they occurred earlier. Republican Carol Walter needed to emphasize and reemphasize her lack of partisanship and personal prejudice. She did not speak to the more pertinent issue of qualifications. Mr. Olsen’s history with the building trades and construction should have made him an asset on the Board of Assessment Appeals. No other Republican spoke. The entire council came off as being petty and small.

I am hopeful that in-person council meetings will resume in the near future.

Lauren Santos

Clinton