PETERSBURG – For several months running, residents have been using the public comment portion of municipal government meetings to request more consideration for remote access, also known as electronic access, to Upper Township Committee meetings.
Meetings by Zoom were a novelty, then quickly became routine, as Covid pandemic safety precautions dictated. Upper’s governing body has been holding in-person meetings for months now, but residents opine that remote access would allow more input from the public.
Committee member John Coggins has stated, “If elected officials can attend meetings remotely, why can’t members of the public?”
However, Municipal Engineer Paul Dietrich has said that if he needs to supervise remote meetings, it would not be possible for him to participate, as he attends each meeting in person.
While earlier meetings referenced guidance from the Joint Insurance Fund (JIF), which provides insurance for municipalities, that seems to support Coggin’s position, Municipal Solicitor Daniel Reeves advised that the answer could be “maybe,” as to whether remote access for the public is required.
Reeves noted that the committee needs to make a policy decision and that his predecessor, Dan Young, advised him that “you don’t want to be the first one to deal with something brand new in the state.”
Coggins pressed to limit remote participation from elected members until the issue was settled, but other members did not want to move forward with his proposition.
During public comment, several residents stated they are in favor of keeping remote access as an option.
Ultimately, Committee members decided to maintain the discussion on how to proceed, with Coggins summing up, “This is not something that needs to be resolved tonight, but we should resolve this.”
Township Administrator Gary DeMarzo, in a follow-up email with the Herald, referred to the term “live electronic – public viewing and/or participation” as what residents are seeking. Whatever the term, per DeMarzo, participation is still in the development stage, and conversations continue.
Have any thoughts and/or information on this topic? Email csailer@cmcherald.com.
