An informal Harvard Press poll found strong support for holding Town Meeting outdoors, as the Select Board decided Tuesday night, but a majority would have preferred that the meeting be postponed, and COVID-related health issues are likely to keep many at home regardless of venue.
The poll was posted Monday prior to Tuesday’s Select Board meeting. Though the board decided to stick with the June 20 meeting date––holding the Town Meeting outside under tents with a scheduled rain date––the pandemic remains a cause of concern for many residents, the poll found.
Of 84 respondents to the survey, a majority, 61%, preferred that the Town Meeting be delayed, but virtually everyone, 95%, answered that if the meeting were held as planned on June 20, they would prefer it to be held outside. Residents also shared their concerns about holding Town Meeting in June, explaining why they wouldn’t feel safe attending and offering ideas for solutions. The most common reasons for concern were that assembling for Town Meeting would mean “too many people in close proximity” and “lengthy virus exposure.” With only 2% of the town’s 4,360 registered voters taking part, the survey lacks statistical significance, but their preferences and concerns were clear.
While fear of contracting the virus is of particular concern to Harvard’s older adult population, many younger residents are also concerned for their own health, as well as the health of older citizens and immunocompromised residents. For instance, Sarah Stoddard-Gunn, who voted that she might attend an indoor meeting and would attend an outdoor meeting, commented that she is concerned about the “possibility of [the Town Meeting] becoming a ‘superspreading event’ that puts our citizens (particularly elderly and immunocompromised) at risk.” That being said, most respondents, almost 63%, reported that they would not attend the meeting if it were held indoors; whereas 27% said “maybe,” and only 12% said “yes.”
If Town Meeting were held outside, on the other hand, most people said they would either attend or consider attending, with 46% voting “yes” and 42% voting “maybe” ––only 11% said “no” to this question. Jeff Boudreau wrote jokingly that we should “Meet on the Common like it’s June 29, 1732, again.” Yet many residents who favored holding the meeting outside still voiced concerns about attending.
‘It’s just natural’
Stephanie Opalka, for example, voted that she might attend the Town Meeting if it were held indoors and would attend if it were held outdoors but would still prefer that it be delayed and expressed concern about “exposure.” She wrote, “While I am being careful and wearing a mask in public spaces, many are not.” She also wrote that “it’s just natural” that social distancing is unlikely to occur throughout the conversations. Another resident, Ben FrantzDale, voted the same way in terms of whether he would attend the meeting, but voiced an even stronger concern. He wrote, “It seems reasonably likely that a Town Meeting in 20 days could get someone killed. Even more likely, turnout will be demographically skewed and therefore not a fair process.”
Voter turnout is a large, non-health related concern for respondents, the poll found. A handful of people wrote that they were worried about “poor attendance,” due to factors such as the health risk and the lack of child care available. One resident wrote that she is concerned about “an unrepresentative vote on town issues because vulnerable populations will not deign to go.” Another resident wrote that, though he would be willing to attend the meeting, the “lack of ‘camp’ to watch kids so both parents can attend” is an issue, meaning some residents who would have attended might not go since there won’t be someone to watch their kids.
Moreover, residents are worried about not having a say should they choose not to attend. One person wrote, “It would be a bad idea to hold the Town Meeting in an environment that discourages attendance by elders, especially since the budget override is on the line. Those who are on a fixed income should be able to have a say in the vote, but likely would not since attending the Town Meeting would pose a risk to them. That situation does not seem fair.”
Risk of biased vote
John Ruark expressed similar concern, writing, “With some significant decisions to be made about funding several efforts, and the likely bias we might see in attendance due to risk tolerance different families have, if held on June 20 the Town Meeting is likely to make decisions with a less than representative body of the town. I would prefer a delay until more families feel safe to attend, and some form of child-care/babysitting could be provided.” No matter the reason for not attending, a June 20 Town Meeting won’t be likely to have the usual crowd of people, according to the poll, which may affect how the town votes on certain issues.
However, some respondents came up with alternative ideas for a safer Town Meeting––many suggesting a virtual platform and wondering if doing so is a possibility. For instance, one person wrote, “Pursue a Zoom meeting. It would improve turnout.” Others had similar ideas, also suggesting that voting be done remotely as well. However, state law does not allow remote voting at open town meetings.
Conversely, a few respondents did not seem quite as concerned about holding the meeting as long as it is done so safely, one writing that “we need to move forward but do so intelligently.”
