By Brett Yates
The Pittsfield Select Board voted last Thursday, Jan. 20, to delay its annual Town Meeting until May 3, 2022.
On Jan. 14, Gov. Scott signed Act 77, which temporarily suspends the state law requiring town meetings to take place on the first Tuesday in March, citing Covid-19’s “potential to jeopardize the health, safety, and welfare” of voters. Municipalities that typically conduct in-person meetings may instead use an Australian ballot or switch to a “to a potentially safer date later in the year,” as most did last year, owing to a similar measure.
If the rate of infection remains high over the course of the spring, Pittsfield may resort to a paper ballot, but for now the town aims to maintain its traditional meeting, with business conducted from the floor. Selectwoman Joyce Stevens pointed out that, by May, the weather could be warm enough for open windows, which would reduce the risk of airborne transmission of the virus.
The meeting will take place May 3 at 6 p.m. at the Town Hall.
