Remote municipal meetings are continuing in Springfield.
Mayor Dom Sarno issued an executive order after consulting with City Council president Jesse Lederman to allow city boards and committees to keep conducting remote sessions when necessary.
“Thanks to the efforts from Parks, Buildings, and Recreational Management Executive Director Patrick Sullivan and our dedicated facility team our municipal buildings and meeting rooms have been retrofitted with iWave air purification systems, MERV filters and Carrier OptiClean air filtration systems. Also, we have installed protective and safety measures for the return to either in-person meetings or hybrid in-person meetings,” Mayor Sarno continued. “In addition, the team at Focus Springfield has been an invaluable partner helping to keep our local municipal government bodies going and keeping our residents and business community informed throughout this pandemic.”
City Council President Jesse Lederman stated, “The COVID-19 pandemic presented many challenges, among those included ensuring the continuity of local government. Virtual meetings allowed the City Council to continue much of our work throughout the pandemic and presented new opportunities for public engagement. As we prepare for a return to in-person meetings, we recognize the importance of virtual flexibility in the case of future emergencies, and as a potential tool to promote public engagement. I am thankful for the opportunity to work together with Mayor Sarno’s administration and our partners at Focus Springfield to begin putting in place the policies and infrastructure to make this possible.”
Sarno says an uptick in COVID cases could happen any time and hinder the ability to hold meetings in person.
The statewide order which allows remote meetings ends on Friday. It is unclear whether the legislature will extend it, which made the local announcement necessary.
(Photo Credit: John Baibak, WHYN News)