Hybrid Town Meeting Committee schedules moderator and clerk interviews
Hybrid Town Meeting Committee · Meeting of January 15, 2026
NATICK — The Hybrid Town Meeting Committee advanced its investigation into hybrid town meeting operations, hearing testimony from former Moderator Frank Foss and current Moderator Jeff Alderson on decorum, equity, quorum, and moderator sustainability. The pair emphasized that remote and hybrid settings require clear behavioral expectations, digital motion submission forms visible to all members, trained Town Clerk staff rather than volunteers, and deputy moderators to manage speaker queues. The committee rejected a minimum in-person quorum requirement, arguing it could hinder special meetings and create barriers during emergencies.
The committee scheduled interviews with Natick clerks for January 21, followed by moderators and clerks from Brookline, Plymouth, and Lexington through mid-February, before meeting with technology vendors and legal counsel. A final report is due April 15 ahead of Town Meeting on April 28.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 299 words
Source: the Hybrid Town Meeting Committee meeting of January 15, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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