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2026 Annual Town Meeting, Town of Arlington, MA
Article: 89
Warrant Article Title:
RESOLUTION / HYBRID TOWN MEETING
Warrant Article Text:
To see if the Town will vote to support the implementation of
hybrid capabilities for Town Meeting; or take any action related
thereto.
Requested By:
Alexander Bagnall and ten registered voters
Report Excerpt:
The Town Meeting Procedures Committee refers this resolution to
Town Meeting (4-1).
COMMENT: The Town's exploration of hybrid participation at
Town Meeting began with the Hybrid Town Meeting Study
Committee
1
, formed by the 2023 Special Town Meeting. Though
this resolution is nonbinding, the Committee expects its
disposition to provide important input on whether to take further
steps toward a remote-hybrid option for Town Meeting.
Committee members do not all agree about the form, if any, that
hybrid meetings should take. The Committee expects that Town
Meeting will be consulted again if further explorations lead to
proposals to change the format of Town Meeting.
1
The report of the Hybrid Town Meeting Study Committee to the 2025 Annual Town Meeting:
https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/73849/638811
829568300000
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Vote Language:
To see if the Town will vote to adopt the following Resolution:
Whereas, the Moderator has the latitude to allow for remote
participation.
Whereas, we have much of the technology already in place for
remote participation, including audio and video capture.
Whereas, the costs associated with the equipment and personnel
support required for hybrid Town Meeting fall within a fairly wide
range and need to be more specifically determined.
Whereas, a limited pilot implementation could provide much
needed information about the equipment and personnel costs.
Whereas, the next contract for a voting system (clickers) will
include provisions for location-agnostic vote tabulation.
Whereas, attending an in-person meeting two nights a week for
several weeks is a significant barrier to participation for reasons
related to family responsibilities, travel, etc.
Whereas, neighboring towns, including Lexington and Belmont,
have implemented hybrid Town Meeting.
Whereas, a hybrid format has the potential to significantly
enhance participation for Members with mobility, health, and/or
other challenges.
Be it hereby resolved that it is a goal of the Meeting to remove
unnecessary barriers to participation in our Town government.
Be it hereby resolved that it is the will of Town Meeting that the
Town continue to take the next steps in creating the capability for
Town Meeting Members to participate in Town Meetings remotely,
beginning with a limited-size pilot.
Town Meeting Procedures Committee Report
