As the state's pandemic restrictions ease, boards in Little Compton and Tiverton have already or will soon be able to meet in person again. But while boards can meet remotely through at least March 19 under the governor's latest executive order, many are in no hurry to move away from the online format entirely.

Little Compton

Last week, the Little Compton Town Council held its first in-person meeting since late last year, and its members are expected to continue to meet in person. Both the planning and zoning boards will also meet in person going forward, according to Town Clerk Carol Wordell.

“A few of the other smaller boards and commissions may end up going either way."

Meeting agendas are posted 48 hours in advance and indicate what the meeting format will be. Town council meetings and those of some of the other Little Compton boards and commissions are live streamed on YouTube so viewers can watch, but not actively participate.

Little Compton, like Tiverton, does not have the technology to conduct hybrid meetings, during which attendees can participate from either the council chambers or via Zoom. At some point, Wordell said, council members will need to decide which format works best for them.

Tiverton

Town administrator Chris Cotta said the town council and planning and zoning boards will meet via Zoom only through the first week of March. Boards and commissions have an option to use either format; but if a board opts for an in-person meeting, the public must be allowed to attend. Tiverton does not have the technology for hybrid meetings, so in-person and virtual meetings can't be held at the same time.

Boards may meet via Zoom only while the governor’s executive order is valid. Once it expires, only in-person meetings will be allowed, though live streaming of some boards and commissions, a routine practice that began pre-COVID, will continue.

At Monday’s online town council meeting, council member Deb Janick said the town should find a way to continue to live stream the planning and zoning meetings once they return to in-person.

“I think it would make us more transparent for planning and zoning. They are very important commissions,” she said.

Janick said pre-Covid, it would be unusual to see local residents at planning or zoning meetings.

“Since we’ve gone onto Zoom, I think the attendance has increased a little bit."

Town Solicitor Mike Marcello said live streaming meetings is a useful tool, but can be limiting.

"Unless it’s during COVID, if you are going to speak for or against an application, or be part of a public hearing, you have to be there. I don’t