04/16/2020 BOARD OF SELECTMEN Agenda Packet

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Description: (Continued) Subsequently, at some point this week,the Board of Selectmen should conduct another special meeting to make a decision relative to the Town Election. Background; As a direct result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic,Town facilities are closed until May 4, 2020 and it is possible,if not probable,that an extension may be imposed to June 1,2020,Various public health officials are suggesting that "social distancing" shall be necessary until at least June 1, 2020. The Town Election is currently scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, 2020, The Board of Selectmen had contemplated leaving the date as is but changing the location and hours of the polling place. (See-Description) The rescheduling of municipal elections was authorized pursuant to Chapter 45 of the Acts of 2020 and adopted on March 23, 2020. The Act authorized the Board to reschedule or postpone any municipal election scheduled between March 23 and May 30 of 2020. It further expanded the use of early voting by mail for`zany annual or special municipal election held on or before June 30, 2020." Pros Cons; Holding an election with a Prop 2 2, debt exclusion ballot question is technically legal prior to the Town Meeting appropriation/debt authorization vote. However,there are disadvantages(cons)inherent in that voting sequence-from the voter's perspective because the form of the ballot question is prescribed by statute and only states the purpose for which the debt exclusion is sought,according to Town Counsel. In other words,it does not specify the borrowing amount and may confuse voters.Again,according to Town Counsel, the amount of debt to be temporarily excluded from the Town's property tax levy limit is determined pursuant to the motion made under the Town Meeting Warrant Article. When the debt exclusion ballot election takes place prior to the Town Meeting,voters are asked to vote at the ballot on a finance question that has not been afforded the opportunity for discussion and/or debate on the Town Meeting floor and for which no specific borrowing amount has been identified.Town Counsel reminds us that an appropriation cannot exceed the amount stated in a warrant Article but a lower amount can be proposed and approved by Town Meeting. After consultation with the School Superintendent, any date after.tune 18, 2020 for the use of the Quashnet School would be supported because it would not conflict with any school activities, Given the fact that the Town could save thousands of dollars by not changing the polling place and any date after June 181h is acceptable to the Superintendent,the first Tuesday after .tune 1.8� was considered.(See Recommendation) Recommendation: After consultation with Town Counsel,the Town Clerk and School Superintendent, I strongly recommend that the Town Election be changed to Tuesday,June 23,2020 and held at the Quashnet School between the hours of 12 pm and B pm and that voters be encouraged to vote early and via absentee ballots. This ensures a transparent and traditional process relating to significant debt exclusions that can be debated and discussed at Town Meeting prior to voting for an exclusion that would not identify a dollar amount at the Town Meeting. An alternative for the Board of Selectmen to consider is the national election date of Tuesday,November 3,2020.The advantage to November 3rd would be a likely higher voter turnout while the disadvantage to it could be the lack of fresh knowledge concerning the debt exclusion, although that could be addressed at the October Town Meeting.