Published April 23, 2020

By MAUREEN DOHERTY

NORTH READING — Further proof that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to reshape the way we govern ourselves, last Wednesday night, the Select Board voted unanimously to recommend that Town Moderator John Murphy continue the Monday, May 11, 2020 Special Town Meeting to Monday, June 8, 2020 at 7:10 p.m., and also that this Special Town Meeting be continued again to Monday, June 29, 2020, also at 7:10 p.m.

The Select Board had signed the May 11 Special Town Meeting Warrant back on February 29 when it was inconceivable that local town government – never mind the state and federal government – would come to a virtual standstill for the better part of what looks to be a minimum of three to four months. Such actions have been taken to “flatten the curve,” while public officials become more comfortable with holding remote meetings in the era of social distancing a minimum of six feet from nearly everyone.

The Select Board was required to consult with and make this recommendation to the Town Moderator on this vote to postpone the Special Town Meeting because that warrant had already been signed and posted, Town Administrator Michael Gilleberto said. He added that the Board of Health will also weigh in on the matter of delaying Special Town Meeting at its meeting tonight, being held remotely at 7 p.m., because under the State of Emergency declaration by Gov. Baker, it is the Board of Health that implements orders and regulations relative to the declaration since the actions are being taken due to a public health emergency.

If the Special Town Meeting is held on June 29, it will be a meeting within a meeting as the Select Board also voted last Wednesday to delay the Annual Town Meeting from June 8 to June 29. The Special Town Meeting is being held to determine whether the town will vote to buy the Seven Acres Poultry Farm on Concord Street under the 61A state law that gives towns the right of first refusal when tax protected land is put on the market. The farm has been in the Magliozzi family for more than 80 years.

The Select Board did not need to take the extra step to consult with the moderator to postpone the Annual Town Meeting because that warrant had not yet been signed. The Select Board had to meet on Wednesday night because of the power outages last Monday night caused by a wild wind storm, which took down power lines and trees throughout town, with over 1,500 customers losing power.