Details for Town Meeting - Saturday, June 20th, 2020, 9:00am
TOWN MEETING NOTICE FOR JUNE 20th, 2020
CHESTER ACADEMY PARKING LOT - 22 MURPHY DRIVE
* You will also receive a copy of this information in the mail. *
Due to COVID-19 concerns, our annual Town Meeting originally scheduled for Saturday, March 14th was postponed twice – first to May, and then again to June. We are proceeding with our meeting on Saturday, June 20th at 9:00am in the Chester Academy parking lot. Check-in will begin at 8:15am. The meeting will be conducted in a drive-in style where we will set up the parking lot to resemble our typical Town Meeting format – the exception being that your seats will be in your cars rather than in the MPR. This will enable us to adhere to physical distancing requirements while providing shelter from the weather.
Upon entering Murphy Drive, you will be directed to drive around the back of the school and through pop-up tents to check in with the Supervisors of the Checklist and ballot clerks. Please have your identification ready to show through your driver’s side window. Out of courtesy for and the safety of our Supervisors and ballot clerks, please wear a mask when checking in. After being checked in, you will receive your Town Meeting packet, which will contain a copy of the Warrant and pre-printed colored slips of paper for each ballot vote. You will also receive three plastic flags – green, orange, and white. Following check-in, you will be directed to an attendant in the parking lot to assist you with parking.
Vehicles will be parked in a fashion that keeps an appropriate distance between occupants. The meeting will be broadcast on FM radio 87.9. Please remain in your vehicles unless speaking at a microphone or to use the restroom. If you leave your vehicle, please observe physical distancing of at least 6 feet. Wearing of masks when leaving your vehicle is highly recommended and strongly encouraged. Please only run your vehicle if absolutely necessary.
Moderator Scott will be running the meeting from the head table in his typical fashion. As previously noted, a copy of the Warrant will be provided at check-in so you may follow along. If you plan to amend an article, please have the amendment prepared in writing to hand in before the Article in question comes up in order that the Moderator will be able to read it aloud. Petitioners will be speaking to their petition articles. Discussion on articles is strongly encouraged and there will be a microphone stand to the right of the stage area with 6’ intervals marked. There will be a roving wireless microphone to assist those with difficulty walking. Please raise your hand with the white flag through the vehicle window if you need assistance. There are five planned ballot votes. Ballot collectors will circulate through the parking lot to collect ballots from your vehicles. Articles typically requiring a voice vote will require a show of hands with the applicable flag raised through the vehicle window – green for yes and orange for no.
There will be porta potties available for public use. No food or drink will be available, so please come prepared. We will begin processing check-ins at 8:15 am with the intention of starting the meeting at 9:00 am. If you need to leave the meeting early, please proceed with caution and follow the exit plan provided in your meeting packet.
The coronavirus has required us all to adjust from our normal lives. This is another adjustment we must make to keep moving us forward. We appreciate your understanding, patience, and cooperation. For more information, please email TownMeeting2020@ChesterNH.org, visit the town’s website at http://www.ChesterNH.org, - or call the Town Office at (603) 887-3636.