Rise early and bring sunscreen for Town Meeting on the Grafton High field
It’s going to be THE outdoor event of the season, requiring wristbands, a Jumbotron, and most likely, a heck of a lot of sunscreen.
Grafton Town Meeting on Saturday, June 20, will start at 9 a.m., with most of the legislative body setting up camp on the Grafton High School football field and stands. Space has been reserved in the gym for low-mobility residents and those who should not be spending a lot of time in the sun.
“Here’s something you never thought you’d hear from me: children will be allowed on the football field with their parents,” Town Moderator Ray Mead told the Select Board Tuesday.
It’s yet another unpredictable turn as the COVID-19 pandemic stretches on. While a cost has not been set, the town will have to rent chairs, microphones, a Jumbotron for the field and other equipment.
The rentals initially had Select Board members Doreen DeFazio, Donna Stock and Jennifer Thomas lobbying to have the meeting postponed until July 18, the day before Grafton High School’s graduation. Their rationale: since the school will be using equipment from the same company for graduation, it could be a cost savings for the town.
Select Board members Peter Carlson and Ed Prisby, as well as Mead, pointed out the negatives in that scenario:
- The rental company would be charging the same amount for each day, whether consecutive or otherwise
- The field requires different set-ups for Town Meeting and graduation
- July tends to be much hotter than June, and while the turf field may be bearable for a hour and a half graduation, it may be unbearable for a four hour Town Meeting
- With the election on June 23 and Mead retiring, Town Meeting would be in the hands of a brand-new moderator
- The town cannot hire employees or retain those who may be laid off if the Proposition 2 1/2 override passes.
Carlson, Prisby, DeFazio and Stock voted to keep the June 20 date, while Thomas voted against.
Voters will be required to wear masks. They will also need to check in only once, even if there is a ballot vote, since everyone who signs in will be given a wristband.
GCTV is still working on how to broadcast live from the field. There will also be a radio broadcast for voters who would prefer to sit in their cars and come in to vote for the more controversial articles on the warrant (two budgets, one if the override passes, one if it does not; articles for and against the so-called Super Park; expanding marijuana licenses). Mead suggested those articles should be moved up on the warrant to allow people to leave early.
Umbrellas to shade participants from the sun will be allowed, as will bottled water. Participants may not bring their own chairs due to the layout for social distancing, but possibly small tents may be allowed.
“I don’t care about tents,” Mead said. “I just don’t want this to turn into a five-hour picnic.”
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