Board of Aldermen 3-31-2020 Page 36
Alderman Dowd
Yes | just want to address that given the guidance that we are getting from the Governor of the State of
New Hampshire of not wanting to have more than 10 people gathered at any one spot, | think that we
probably should be considering not allowing public comments at our meetings until after the epidemic is
over. It has nothing to do with R-20-009. We have access that people can watch it on TV, a lot of the other
State meetings and City meetings are being done that way. And it is not that we are precluding them from
coming to the meeting, but in lieu of having a larger group than we should have by State guidance during
the epidemic, we should probably eliminate public comment to minimize the public that might want to come.
President Wilshire
Well | think that’s worthy of a discussion. | guess | feel kind of mixed about it. | think you know; | understand
that there haven’t been people here for public comment at the last couple of meetings, but | am concerned
for the public coming in and maybe gathering and maybe not following the social distancing
recommendations. The public does have the opportunity to watch this on TV; they have an opportunity to
e-mail us or to send us in writing something. So I'd like to throw it out there and see how other people on
the Board feel about it? Alderman O’Brien?
Alderman O’Brien
Thank you. | would generally support Alderman Dowd’s proposal and the reason is, is like you said Madam
President, there are many ways | think that people can get ahold of us. So e-mail, phone numbers, our
contact number has been published. So people can feel free that they can get ahold of us. | know if I’m not
around, you hit my answering machine, | do try to get back to you and everything else. So coming to the
meetings in this type of environment that we are currently going around right now, does cause a hazard
and even we are trying to take the precaution. People can see it on TV, we are more than 6 feet away from
each other, many did not show up here in person. They are exercising their virtual rights in doing so. And
also, | take solace in the notion that | don’t think there is a State Law that requires the public to speak at an
Aldermanic Meeting. | can refer it to maybe Corporate Counsel to put us into that mud pile, but | may stand
corrected. But | have watched the Aldermanic Meetings over the years and this seems to have been
something that was invented by previous Boards that was brought in and not necessarily required by City
Statute or order.
President Wilshire
Is that a question to the Corporation Counsel? Attorney Bolton.
Steve Bolton, Corporation Counsel
Yes in a few instances State Law requires Public Hearings. So if we were to authorize a bond issue,
zoning ordinance, the budget resolution every year, you have to have a public hearing and the essence of
that is the public gets a chance to come in and speak and provide an opinion. But other than those
instances where it is particularly required by statute, there is no requirement for public participation or
public comment at an ordinary meeting of this Board or most City Boards.
Alderman O’Brien
Follow up? | just want to clarify to anybody in the public that thinks that | am trying to stifle your voice, that
is not the case. What | am talking about is the pandemic that is going through right now and everybody’s
safety, you know, it is extreme measures | understand that. | am kind of uncomfortable with limiting the
input from the public as | am a public service and have been for a long time. But we’ve got to take some
precautions at this time, liming how, you know, close some parks, that our children traditionally go to and
enjoy. This may just have to be one for everybody, regrettably | agree.
