The 2020 Annual Town Meeting has been rescheduled to Saturday, August 8, 2020 at 8:30 am at the Oak-Sherwood Middle School Campus, outdoors under the tent, 45 Oak Street, Shrewsbury MA. The Town moderator has issued a Declaration of Continuance pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 39 Section 10A.
The Board of Selectmen in conjunction with the Town Moderator and Town Manager discussed this postponement as well as a quorum reduction at the Board’s meeting on July 14, 2020. Pursuant to Chapter 92 of the Acts of 2020, the quorum has been reduced to 61 town meeting members, which is 50% if the normal quorum. The meeting will take place on the field at the Oak-Sherwood Middle School Campus, 45 Oak Street. Alternative procedures will be implemented to enforce social distancing. The discussion can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/klmhz4MkxzM?t=1424
Town staff will provide written documents in town meeting packets outlining the alternative procedures related to COVID-19 and social distancing. Additionally, town staff is also pre-recording presentations on the various articles of the warrant to educate the Town Meeting members and significantly limit presentations on the floor of town meeting in order to reduce prolonged speaking in accordance with public health guidance. These presentations will be provided to Town Meeting Members and the public in advance. Town Meeting Members are encouraged to review their packets in advance of the meeting. Questions and answers prior to voting on each article will still be afforded.