As all of us deal with the ongoing health emergency flowing from the corona virus and COVID-19, and recognizing the Governor’s order of March 13, 2020, generally prohibiting until further notice gatherings of over 250 people, we do so mindful of Hingham Town Meeting, set to begin on Monday, April 27th.
For now, as public health officials and governmental leaders continue to monitor the situation and render advice on how best to proceed, we will leave the meeting date as scheduled. That said, we will be prudent with respect to a public assembly and exercise appropriate caution based on that advice. The health and safety of Hingham citizens and all those who are involved in Town Meeting is of paramount concern.
While it appears premature to propose today a proper course of action for a meeting that is still six weeks away, if it were to prove necessary or advisable to adjourn the meeting from its scheduled to a later date, that is an alternative available to us. Specifically, in the case of a public safety emergency, after consultation with public safety officials and the Selectmen, Massachusetts law allows the town moderator to continue the town meeting to a time, date and place certain. In such a case, there is no need to assemble the meeting or obtain a quorum in order to adjourn the meeting.
We will provide timely updates as soon as we can.
Michael Puzo, Hingham Town Moderator