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Town Council Leads Return to In-Person Meetings

June 2 signaled the start of a return to normal for one important part of Clinton life: the first in-person Town Council regular meeting in 15 months. More boards and commissions may start meeting in person as well.

The last time the entire Town Council held an in-person meeting was March 18 , 2020 in the Town Hall Rose Room. After that, for a year and a half, all Town Council meetings were held virtually until the June 2 meeting.

The council opted to meet in person after the state in May relaxed and eliminated most of the regulations governing indoor gatherings.

Though the council is meeting in person again, there are still some important updates to how business will be conducted. Meetings will now be held in the Green Room to allow for proper social distancing. Fully vaccinated people may remove their masks indoors, but unvaccinated people must wear their mask while maintaining the requisite social distance. Chairs for the audience are appropriately distanced and a designated space for the audience to address the council has been designated, also socially distanced.

“With a layout that allows for continuous social distancing and the relaxed rules, the vaccinated do not have to wear a mask. Of course, it still comes down to a personal comfort level for those who have been vaccinated. If they are uncomfortable being unmasked, they can continue wearing a mask. The unvaccinated need to wear a mask,” Town Manager Karl Kilduff said.

Kilduff said he did not know, as of press time, whether the state legislature will pass a bill that would extend municipalities’ ability to conduct meetings remotely The executive order that allowed for municipal remote meetings expires June 30.

“At this point, it is unclear what the structure will be after June 30. For the time being, remote meetings have been encouraged as we build back to what will be the new normal,” Kilduff said.

Kilduff also said that there hasn’t yet been any clamor to return to in-person meeting from boards and commissions, but he hopes the council can be a template for future meetings for other boards.

“I haven’t had a request. There have been those looking for direction and guidance. So, if we can have a successful and safe council meeting, then it serves as a template for others,” said Kilduff.