NORTHFIELD — The Selectboard voted Monday to extend the closure of town properties from April 6 to April 30, and discussed tentative rescheduling dates for this year’s Annual Town Meeting, non-partisan town caucus and local elections.
While Town Administrator Andrea Llamas and Selectboard Chair Alex Meisner were physically at Town Hall for the meeting, Selectboard members Tracy Rogers and Heath Cummings participated remotely.
Extending the closure of town properties to April 30 brings the town in compliance with health safety orders set by the state during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“One of the things COVID-19 has done is throw the Town Meeting and annual town election into a kind of tailspin,” Town Clerk Dan Campbell said. “I’m hoping in the next couple of weeks we will have a better idea of what’s happening with the epidemic here and be able to move forward with more knowledge of what’s going on.”
The town is postponing the Annual Town Meeting until June 29 and the election until June 30, tentatively. Campbell explained that once an election date is selected, a caucus date can be planned in advance of that date.
Campbell said early voting methods may be helpful for collecting resident votes while limiting the need for people to interact in person. Additionally, residents who are not currently registered to vote can register up to 10 days before the announced election or Town Meeting.
The non-partisan caucus, where candidates are normally nominated in advance of the annual town election and which requires a 25-person quorum, was previously canceled due to Gov. Charlie Baker’s restrictions on public gatherings.
“At this time, we wouldn’t be able to put 25 people in a room,” Campbell explained. “Until something changes, that may be off the table.”
According to Campbell, the only way the town could hold its election without first holding a caucus is to have nominees file paperwork that requires 20 resident signatures.
“That would require people to go door-to-door,” Campbell said. “That, to me, is just as scary as the 25 people going for the non-partisan caucus.”
Currently, there are multiple seats on various committees and boards that have no known candidates. Anyone interested in learning more about open positions and their responsibilities can inquire with Campbell at 413-498-2901, ext. 112.
Campbell said “the most important election” this year is the Selectboard, in part because of a ballot question that could change it from a three- to five-member board. He also noted the Selectboard position can only be filled by official election. Rogers, who has announced she will not run for re-election, will have to maintain her seat on the board until there is an election.
Llamas asked the Selectboard to discourage other town boards and committees from holding meetings at this time. With the Town Hall closed, she said it’s “very hard for the public to participate or be present.” Unless it’s a pressing matter, Llamas and the Selectboard ask that meetings be postponed up to 30 days, through April.
“We’ve got to keep people safe,” Meisner said. “Let’s just try to use our judgment when posting meetings.”
If there is something urgent, and a meeting must be held, Llamas encourages boards and committees to record their meetings during this time. The file, video or audio, can be posted on the town website, northfieldma.gov, for public viewing. If boards provide Campbell with draft minutes of their meetings, he will post them on the website so residents can know what town business is being done.
Zack DeLuca can be reached at zdeluca@recorder.com or 413-930-4579.