Should Portsmouth public budget hearing be virtual, or in person?
Some residents say June 10 meeting can safely be held at PHS, despite pandemic
PORTSMOUTH — Can a public budget hearing really be public if it’s held over the internet?
That was the question raised last week before the Town Council, which heard some objections to the current plan to conduct the annual public budget hearing, set for Wednesday, June 10, online.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the council has been, since April 6, using the Zoom application and a call-in system to conduct its meetings. An executive order issued by Gov. Gina Raimondo relaxed some tenants of the Open Meetings Act in order to allow the virtual meetings.
Some participants in those virtual meetings say it’s not easy to make comments due to technical limitations, however.
At the May 10 meeting, council member Keith Hamilton proposed holding the budget hearing at the Portsmouth High School auditorium, using safe social distancing. (In recent years, the sparsely attended hearings have been held in the “Little Theater” at the middle school.)
Mr. Hamilton said holding the meeting in an actual location is reasonable, now that the governor has set guidelines for people to worship at churches. Besides, he added, past experience dictates there won’t be more than 50 people in attendance for the budget hearing.
Town Administrator Richard Rainer, Jr. said while he agreed in principal, the town was unable to make that call at this time.
“I hate to be Captain Obvious, but the reality is it’s still not allowed. (Gov. Raimondo) was very categoric today — no groups larger than five, social distancing remains in place, said Mr. Rainer, adding he had already brought the matter up with the governor’s office and the League of Cities and Towns. “The reality is, there’s been no answer except for the repeat of the guidance.”
Noting that the town’s audit was presented later than the law normally allows, local resident Thomas Grieb suggested delaying the hearing until it can be held in a meeting space. (In a follow-up e-mail to The Portsmouth Times, Mr. Grieb said the Town of Middletown has delayed its own budget hearing in hopes of holding it in person at a later date.)
His wife, Nancy Grieb, also said the hearing should be delayed. “I think if you can’t have a (physical hearing) on the budget, it needs to be postponed. Having it virtual is not the way it’s designed to be. This budget is way too important,” she said.
Mr. Rainer responded that idea has been suggested to the state, but there’s been no response. Changing the date of the budget hearing, unlike delaying the audit, would also require a change in the law, he added.
Larry Fitzmorris, of Portsmouth Concerned Citizens, said the Town Charter requires the meeting be held in public. “I don’t think (the governor) has the authority to override our Town Charter without a vote from the people of the Town of Portsmouth,” Mr. Fitzmorris said. (Read an open letter from Mr. Fitzmorris to the council here.)
Besides, the 500-seat PHS auditorium has ample room to provide for social distancing, especially considering the historically low turnout at public budget hearings, he said.
“It’s big enough to do it, with the spacing that’s necessary,” he said.
‘Virus still prevalent’
Two council members, however, said they were against having the hearing in the PHS auditorium.
“The virus is still prevalent; we’re not going to see the end of this any time soon,” said council member J. Mark Ryan. “I would be very reluctant myself to go into such an atmosphere.”
Council member Daniela Abbott agreed. “No offense, but I have no desire to sit in an auditorium with you guys and the public,” she said. “The normal course of doing business, unfortunately at this time, is over the internet as we’re doing right now.”
Ms. Abbott also suggested that if the hearing were to be held in the auditorium, that the Zoom app still be used for those people who wouldn’t be comfortable appearing in person. Mr. Rainer said there are plans to retain the live-streaming capability “post-COVID.”
No action on the matter was taken by the council.
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