Rising COVID cases have Milton officials concerned about having special town meeting in person

MILTON – The select board is expected to decide Wednesday night on a proposal to postpone the Feb. 28 special town meeting for two weeks.

The proposed dates are March 14 and 16.

Town Moderator Robert Hiss had asked that the select board authorize a remote town meeting. Hiss told the board Wednesday night that the state law allowing town meetings to be held remotely expired at the end of December.

Hiss said he is concerned about having a quorum for the meeting to conduct business if town meeting members have to gather during a surge in the coronavirus pandemic.

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"Unless something changes, our only option is to go in person," Hiss said. "A number of our members may be nervous to come back."

Select board Chair Katie Conlon said the moderator has the authority to postpone the meeting for up to 30 days.

Town officials will contact state legislators to see if they will push for a reauthorization of remote town meetings. Local government boards and committees can hold remote meetings through April.

Conlon said postponing town meeting "gives us more time to get the legislation passed" to hold remote meetings.

She also expressed concern about disrupting the deliberations of the warrant committee, which will be in the middle of work on the town budget for the May annual town meeting.

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A delay would give the planning board more time to work on its proposed town meeting article on easing restrictions on accessory dwelling units, better known as in-law apartments, which is expected to be one of main items on the warrant.

Town Counsel Kevin Freytag has ruled that changes to the proposal require the board to hold a second public hearing before it can be acted on at the meeting.

Planning board Chair Denny Swenson said the board hopes to schedule a new hearing next month.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Feb. 28 Milton special town meeting could be postponed in Milton