June 2, 2020 by Carol Britton Meyer
There are many details to work out in preparation for the June 20 outdoor Town Meeting, where important town business will be conducted. Town Meeting warrants will be mailed to every Hingham household prior to that date.
Several things are sure: the seats will be spaced 10, rather than the usual six, feet apart -- with cooling, water, and hand sanitizing stations and shaded areas nearby, along with tents to provide temporary respite from the heat if it's a warm day.
"We continue to work with the Town Moderator [Michael Puzo] and various town departments on plans for this year's meeting at the Hingham High School multi-purpose field," Town Administrator Tom Mayo said.
The meeting starts at 2 p.m., with registration beginning at 12:30 p.m.
Citizens should bring their own face masks. All attendees, staff, and volunteers must wear a snug-fitting face covering for the entire Town Meeting -- including while waiting in line to register -- unless there's a medical issue that exempts an individual from wearing one.
Volunteers and staff will be present to help voters find the spot that best meets their needs and to help those in wheelchairs to the handicapped accessible bathrooms, which will be sanitized regularly. Microphones will be sanitized after each use.
"We encourage attendees to wear sunscreen and to bring their own water, hats, and/or personal umbrellas for shade," Mayo said.
There are specific health guidelines spelling out when a citizen should not attend Town Meeting.
A Town Meeting outdoor framework with all the details will be posted on the town website -- hingham-ma.gov-- on Wednesday.