Falmouth Massachusetts April 2020 Town Meeting Continued

TOWN OF FALMOUTH

DAVID T. VIEIRA Moderator

DECLARATION OF RECESS AND CONTINUANCE

Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 39, §10A, I, David T. Vieira Falmouth Town Moderator, do hereby declare the town of Falmouth Annual Town Meeting scheduled for April 13, 2020 recessed and continued until the third Monday following the expiration of a gubernatorial declared state of emergency relative to the 2019 novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”). In consultation with the chair of the board of selectmen and the health agent of the board of health, I have determined that a public safety emergency will prevent town meeting members from attending the meeting on April 13.

The nature of the emergency is the outbreak of COVID-19. In making this declaration, I note that on March 10, 2020, Governor Charles D. Baker declared a state of emergency in the commonwealth and prohibited gatherings of more than 250 people throughout Massachusetts; further COVID-19 Order No. 13 issued on March 23, 2020 prohibited gatherings of more than 10 people. Although these prohibitions exempt municipal legislative bodies in order to preserve our cherished principle of separation of powers, turnout for Falmouth town meetings exceeds 10 individuals, and the exemption does not diminish the health risk to town meeting members and citizens in attending a meeting on April 13.

In addition to consulting with the selectmen and board of health, I have reviewed guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Given the rapid spread of the disease, the present lack of containment, and the risk to vulnerable populations inherent in public gatherings, I conclude that delaying the Falmouth Annual Town Meeting is in the best interest of the town and its citizens.

I therefore declare that the continued date of the Falmouth Annual Town Meeting shall be the third Monday following the expiration of a gubernatorial declared state of emergency, to convene at 7:00 p.m. at the Lawrence School Auditorium located at 113 Lakeview Ave, Falmouth, MA 02540.

Given at Falmouth, MA at 5 p.m. this 23 day of March 2020.

David T. Vieira Town Moderator Town of Falmouth, MA

Office of the Town Moderator ~ P.O. Box 2415 Teaticket, MA 02536 ~ 508-548-VOTE (8683)

http://www.falmouthmass.us/DocumentCenter/View/7411/April-2020-Town-Meeting-Declaration-of-Recess-and-Continuance