Brookfield board opens door to remote public participation in meetings

BROOKFIELD — In a move aimed at expanding public access to local government, the Brookfield Select Board voted March 10 to allow town boards and commissions to offer remote participation for the general public.

The decision, approved unanimously by the board members present, Richard Chaffee, was absent, represents,  a shift away from limiting remote access to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations and toward broader availability for all residents.

The proposal was brought forward by Steven Karrmann, chair of the Conservation Commission and a member of the Communications Commission, who urged the board to make remote access available beyond ADA-related requests.

Karrmann said expanding access would allow more residents to take part in public meetings regardless of scheduling conflicts, transportation issues or other barriers.

The Select Board’s vote allows individual boards and commissions to offer remote participation at their discretion but does not require it.

---

Conservation Commission moves quickly

The Conservation Commission has already acted on the change.

Under Karrmann’s leadership, the commission will allow remote public participation at its March 18 meeting, making it one of the first town bodies to implement the new option.

The move comes less than a week after the Select Board’s vote.

---

Expanding access to local government

Remote participation became more common during the COVID-19 pandemic but has since been scaled back in many communities or limited to specific circumstances, such as ADA accommodations.

Brookfield’s new approach gives local boards the flexibility to reintroduce or expand virtual access more broadly.

Supporters say the change could increase civic participation by making it easier for residents to attend meetings without being physically present.

---

What comes next

Whether other boards and commissions adopt the option remains to be seen.

However, the Conservation Commission’s early implementation may serve as a model for other town bodies considering similar steps.

---

The Examiner’s View

Brookfield’s decision to expand remote participation is a practical and overdue step toward improving public access to local government.

The Conservation Commission has already demonstrated how quickly the policy can be put into place. Other boards now have the same opportunity.

The Brookfield Examiner encourages all town boards and commissions to adopt remote participation where feasible, ensuring that more residents can engage in the decisions that affect their community.