COVID-19 continues to threaten our population. A new variant strain of the virus that has been reported as being more contagious has also been recently detected in New Hampshire and surrounding states. Many communities have expressed health concerns to the Governor about in-person town meetings. Governor Sununu signed an Executive order on January 22 that allowed municipalities to postpone their town meetings, but also contained provisions to legalize the use of virtual town meetings with postponed voting.
The Select Board deliberated the options available and included the voting moderator as well as members of the Supervisors of the Checklist. The central concern of the discussions is how to conduct our Town Meeting and voting in such a way that would not disenfranchise any voters but would also ensure the health and safety for all.
Since the current COVID-19 situation is not likely to improve soon, the resulting decision was to conduct our Town Meeting in an online virtual forum on Tuesdays, March 9 and 16. We would then have both in-person and drive through voting occur on Tuesday, April 13.
How this will work so that everyone who wishes to participate may do so: We will have a Zoom virtual meeting on Tuesday, March 9 beginning at 7 PM. Participants may join by computer at us02web.zoom.us/j/3418462200 and/or telephone at 1-929-205-6099, Meeting ID: 341 846 2200.
This meeting will only be to present the budget and warrant articles. Brief explanations for the budget and each warrant article will try to answer most questions that are likely to arise. Questions, concerns, and proposed amendments may be submitted to AndoverNH2021@nullgmail.com or left in the drop box located to the right of the door at the Town Office at 31 School Street.
The second meeting will be on the following Tuesday, March 16, beginning at 7 PM. Submissions received will be addressed at that time. Access to join the second meeting via computer or telephone is the same as previously noted. Voting will take place by your choice of in-person or drive-through ballot vote during polling hours of 11 AM to 7 PM on Tuesday, April 13.