After a series of chaotic scenes at Town Hall, the Canton Select Board says it has moved its meetings virtually so its business can run safely and efficiently.
“The Select Board meeting is a public meeting where the Select Board conducts the town’s business in an open setting with the public and the press are welcome,” Chairman Mike Loughran said at the beginning of Tuesday’s meeting. “The move to Zoom was done to ensure we are able to run these meetings in a safe and efficient manner.”
“For the time being, the town will run the Select Board meetings via Zoom,” he added.
This week’s meeting marked the second that the board has held virtually following a rowdy in-person session on July 9, when residents and community members tossed verbal blows at the board and against each other.
In-person meetings – especially public comment sections – became hotly contested amid the continuing Karen Read murder case at Norfolk Superior Court, with some supporters who live in and outside of Canton bringing signs and passionately questioning the town’s leadership and police.
The reasoning for the move to Zoom was not given before or at the July 16 meeting.
As a temporary measure last fall, the Select Board suspended public comment before residents and community members were eventually allowed to speak again during meetings.
“I will not call on members of the public who do not have a valid first and last name listed on their account,” Loughran said before Tuesday’s public comment portion. “For example, I will not call on someone with an inappropriate name listed.”
The move to Zoom is not sitting well with all residents.
“You have decided to put us in this Zoom closet. You think it’s a good way to control us and that you won,” resident Brenda Sweeney said, “but what you’re really doing is … you’re trying to control the narrative by exercising your power to be a bully.”
In interviews with the Herald last week, a handful of residents said an audit of the police department is an essential beginning for Canton to move past the turmoil that has shaken the community since the death of Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe in January 2022.
Kathy Butters, a resident who retired as Canton’s town accountant earlier this year, commended officials for making her feel safe. She highlighted how during her tenure she worked with three town administrators, multiple select boards, police and fire chiefs, and other various department heads.
“Every one of these elected, appointed and hired staff worked with the utmost professionalism and gave their heart and soul to provide the best services for the Canton residents,” Butters said. “I am proud to live in Canton. I feel safe and supported by everyone in Canton.”