Portland to livestream budget public hearing tonight

PORTLAND – The Board of Selectmen will hold its budget public hearing this evening, and residents can participate electronically.

The town has barred the public from attending public meetings as part of the continuing the effort to reduce the danger of residents becoming infected with the novel coronavirus.

At the same time, the state has waived the usual open meeting requirements.

Under an emergency declaration signed by Gov. Ned Lamont residents can follow governmental meetings from their homes.

The declaration allows “meetings to be held remotely by conference call or videoconference, provided that the public is provided remote access to view or listen to the meetings and access materials for the meetings.”

Portland has provided a link on its website (www.portlandct.org) to Zoom, a video communications website. The hearing begins at 7 p.m.

The link was developed by the town’s IT Team of Kevin Armstrong and David Kuzminski.

By following the directions on the website, residents can listen to the discussion at the public hearing this evening, as well as the Board of Selectmen budget workshop and regular meeting on Wednesday night.

First Selectwoman Susan S. Bransfield said while perhaps not an ideal solution, closing the meetings to the public but allowing them to follow the meetings on their computers serves a number of goals.

It is in line with the developing efforts to try and limit the spread of the virus and thus protecting residents while also affording them with an opportunity to follow and participate - in town affairs.