Bridgewater, Massachusetts Development News

Town Council Discusses Communication, Information Dissemination, and Legislative Tracking

During the meeting, the Town Council engaged in a substantial discussion regarding communications and the dissemination of information to both council members and the public. Councilor Spagon raised concerns about inconsistencies and delays in information flow, emphasizing the need for timely, concise, and consistent communication. She advocated for a more efficient approach, drawing parallels to a more fluid dialogue observed in Middleboro's town meetings. Councilor Lindy and Kennedy offered counterpoints, highlighting existing communication channels and the legal constraints of open meeting laws that limit direct deliberation during public comment periods. They suggested alternative methods like weekly updates or additional hearings for specific topics, while also emphasizing the council's current workload and the need for efficient use of time. The discussion also touched upon the legislative document tracking system, with updates on the town clerk's current Excel spreadsheet method and improvements to the town's website for public-facing information on legislation. The town clerk confirmed that the current system is adequate for her needs and that budget constraints make acquiring new software challenging.