Selectmen Approve Remote Meeting Participation

Mansfield selectmen voted at a previous meeting to allow members absent for good cause to attend meetings via technology after a recent Massachusetts Attorney General's ruling.

The "remote meeting participation" addition to state law stipulates that any member not able to come to the meeting must notify the chairperson in advance, and give the reason for the absence.

The law also states every vote taken at a meeting where a member is attending via technology must be a role call vote and everyone listening to the meeting must be able to hear both sides of the conversation.

The selectmen's proposal included a ban on such attendance in executive session meetings.

One selectmen at last week's meeting had good reason to stay home and take advantage of the new ruling, but chose to show up in person instead. George Dentino, who is recovering from spinal surgery, appeared at his seat at the table in a neck collar for the discussion of Verizon's request for a two-year extension for FIOS installation.

Dentino stated his opinions and listened to the arguments on both sides, voted, and left a little early. He thanked the public for the cards, calls and food that have come his way since his automobile accident.