Maine Cities and Towns Shift to Virtual Meetings to Carry out Public’s Business
Portland Press Herald
March 29, 2020
As concerns about public access has increased, videoconferencing has become the new normal for Maine municipalities adjusting to doing necessary business during the coronavirus pandemic.
An Excerpt
Sigmund Schutz, a First Amendment attorney with Preti Flaherty who represents MaineToday Media, which includes the Portland Press Herald, said the Freedom of Access Act “gives you the right to attend, but not necessarily to be heard at public meetings.” However, certain types of proceedings – including Planning Board decisions – must have input from the public. “For other proceedings it would be a shame if they changed normal practices and eliminate public comment,” he said