The COVID-19 pandemic has made it clear that local government meetings, even large meetings like the annual town meeting, can be held remotely.
Eventually, town officials implemented a hybrid model aimed at getting residents back into their rooms after the pandemic threat abated. Some participants returned to in-person meetings, while others chose to remain online. For some, it was necessary to accommodate work, travel, medical needs, or family obligations. For others, it was a matter of convenience.
The trend of remote participation has only increased since hybrid became an option. Data for the first hybrid town meeting is not available, but the next hybrid town meeting held in May 2025 had 25% remote attendance on the first day, 37% on the second day, 40% on the third and fourth days, and 44% on the fifth day.
The next hybrid meeting (October 2025 Special Town Meeting) had 50% and 52% remote participation over two days.
And finally, the most recent special town meeting held in March 2025 had 41% remote participation on the first day and 57% on the next day.
Town meetings between the first hybrid meeting in November 2023 and May 2025 were held entirely in-person, with two exceptions (including a special town meeting last July) that were completely remote, according to data from the Town Clerk’s Office.
Former town moderator Michael Widmer is concerned about the trend of participating remotely for reasons of convenience.
“We introduced hybrid when I was host, and I certainly support it,” he said. “While it is not possible to return to all in-person meetings, with so many of our members choosing to participate virtually, we are concerned that the special benefits of in-person meetings are being lost.”
He said meeting in person builds “community spirit.” But more than that, he feels he’s more engaged when the majority of members are sitting in the same room. At recent town meetings, the majority of speakers were those who attended in person, he said.
“I don’t think it was an accident,” he said. “When I’m there in person, I think I’m more active talking. Even if I’m not talking, I’m listening more intently than when I’m online.”
Widmer said town meeting members come with greater responsibility because it is an elected position.
“I think all the current town moderators and leaders can do is remind Town Meeting members that they have a responsibility,” he says. “From my perspective, I think it’s more effective to enforce it directly. I don’t think there’s any way to force it.”
But incoming Town Moderator Adam Dash sees the use of remote participation in hybrid meetings as a sign that the process is working.
“I think this is how public meetings will be held across the state since COVID-19,” he said. “It’s not really unusual in Belmont. People seem to like it.”
He added that more people will be running for town meetings in the future as hybrids become available, and more specifically, the option to participate remotely becomes available.
“There weren’t that many people running for Town Meeting this year, so the more convenient it is for them, the more likely we are to run a good candidate,” Dash said. “I’m always looking to improve it, but I think the hybrid concept is a good one.”
Dash said the company plans to pilot at least one improvement in May. A camera is installed in the room, users online can see who is in the room, and people in the room can see a list of people online.
Either way, Dash has no problem with how people choose to participate.
“As long as people are participating and involved in town government, that’s a good thing,” he says.
