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By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
The Longport and Margate Board of Commissioners are taking steps to limit public comments and access to meetings broadcast remotely, either by telephone or on the internet.
On Sept. 22, the Longport Board of Commissioners passed a resolution limiting public comments during live meetings broadcast through GoToMeeting. Although the borough will continue to allow remote access to commission meetings, it will be “solely for the public to monitor or hear the meeting only.” No public participation will be permitted via the telephone broadcast, the resolutions states.
All three Downbeach communities provided remote public access to meetings as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which limited in-person attendance at public meetings and in public buildings. The remote platforms, which can be quirky at times due to flaws in cell phone or internet service, allowed the public to see or hear the meetings live, and they were able to render comments during public portions of the meetings.
Ventnor is the only Downbeach community that has continued to allow the public to speak over the Zoom remote access platform, although attendance at virtual meetings has waned somewhat.
Margate ended its Zoom meetings earlier this year and opted to hold meetings in person only.
However, on Sept. 23, two residents in attendance to address issues that affect them requested the city go back to holding remote meetings as well.
Resident Mary Slomine said she is concerned about attending in-person meetings amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“If you are not vaccinated, it is a threat to me personally,” she said. “There are members of the community who want to pay attention to what’s happening, but they are afraid to come out.”
Daiva Minter also requested online access, citing health issues.
“I see a real need to Zoom these meetings,” she said, requesting the commissioners disclose their opinions about holding remote meetings. “I know there are many people who did want to attend who could not because of the rain or illness or fear for their personal health. It doesn’t cost a lot of extra money.”
Mayor Michael Becker said he was not prepared to speak on the matter; however, after holding an executive session on litigation brought by residents on Amherst Avenue whose homes were damaged during a road project, the commissioners briefly discussed it in public and made the decision against offering remote access.
“There is nothing in the CDC guidelines that limit the number of people who can be here, other than our fire rules, and we have a policy in place which says if you are not vaccinated, you must wear a mask in a public building, and if you are vaccinated, you have to wear a mask if you are in close contact,” Administrator Richard Deaney said. “I think we should wear a mask at the next meeting.”
Deaney said city employees were asked to submit information to Human Resources about their vaccination status, although not all employees have complied with the request.
Recently, a city employee who regularly attends commission meetings, publicly disclosed he had a breakthrough case of the virus and encouraged residents to get vaccinated.
Commission and Planning Board meetings are recorded and published on the city’s website.
“To me, there is no reason to go back to Zoom meetings,” Deaney said. “We are all able to go back and we publish audio, so it’s not like they can’t hear.”
Commissioner John Amodeo said the idea of holding Zoom meetings was to solicit comments on issues affecting the public during the pandemic, but that he doesn’t believe the practice should continue. Commissioner Maury Blumberg concurred.
“If you have an issue and you want to comment, you should come to the public meeting and speak,” Deaney said.
All three commissioners agreed to hold meetings in-person only and will wear masks at the next meeting.
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