The citizen’s petition I filed for the May 2026 Annual Town Meeting has been certified. Its purpose is straightforward: to ask the Select Board to seek special legislation from the Massachusetts Legislature that would permanently authorize Belmont to hold hybrid or remote Town Meetings.

Today, Belmont’s ability to meet in hybrid or remote form exists only under a temporary legislative authorization that expires in March 2027. I have spoken many times with State Senator Will Brownsberger and State Representative Dave Rogers about the need for a permanent solution. Both are supportive. The obstacle is not local support, but legislative inertia: statewide legislation to permanently authorize hybrid and remote Town Meetings has stalled.

More than 60 Massachusetts municipalities have already asked the Legislature for permanent authorization. Concord and Wayland have gone further, requesting town-specific legislation. While my petition is specific to Belmont, its broader aim is to increase pressure on the Legislature to act—whether through a statewide fix or legislation tailored to Belmont.

Hybrid Town Meeting has expanded participation and strengthened local democracy. This petition is about ensuring that access is not temporary, fragile, or subject to expiration.