Burlington Officials Can Now Attend Meetings Without Leaving Home

BURLINGTON, MA — Burlington officials who can't attend a meeting of their board or committee in person may now have an option other than missing it. Selectmen approved a new policy that will allow the officials to participate in the meetings if certain conditions are met. The policy can be used by officials if they are sick, disabled, facing an emergency or deployed for military service.

The new rules require a quorum of the body to be physically present before a member can participate remotely. The remote participant also needs to be able to hear, and be heard by, everyone present at the meeting. Remote participants can call in or use video-conferencing equipment.

Selectman Nick Priest, who proposed the new policy, said the measure should only be used as a last resort. Selectmen adopted the new policy on a 4-1 vote, with Selectman Michael Runyan casting the vote against the proposal. "I guess I’m kind of a dinosaur," Runyan said.