Uxbridge council will be continuing virtual meetings for the rest of 2020

COURTNEY McCLURE, for The Standard

UXBRIDGE: “This will most likely be the new normal for the foreseeable future,” said Councillor Gordon Highet. He then added, Uxbridge council is currently looking into other ways they can enhance the process of hosting council meetings online for participants. They want to be as transparent and accountable to the public as they possibly can while continuing to virtually host council meetings. Township of Uxbridge staff are evaluating options for live-streaming council meetings, once the meetings have reopened to the public on a non-virtual basis. Usually, Uxbridge council has four meetings in total per month. Two of the meetings are generally used to discuss council related business and the other two are used to discuss committee related business. During July and August, there is only one meeting. A “special” meeting can also be called by the Clerk, but it is up to their discretion, said Councillor Gordon Highet. According to deputy clerk, Josh Machesney, the connectivity during council meetings has been good. Although, he added, one of the Uxbridge councillors who is from a more Northern area of the township, has experienced some connectivity issues. Mr. Machesney explained, he always makes sure each councillor has their camera on, so people viewing the meeting know who is talking at all times. “[Having cameras on for councillors] is important for maintaining transparency and openness during the meetings,” Mr. Machesney explained.

If it does become too difficult for council members and other attendees to hear, certain council members when they are speaking, will be asked to temporarily shut their camera off, to decrease the chance of lag. All other staff and people from the public who attend the virtual council meetings are asked to keep their cameras and microphones disabled, when not speaking, to increase the internet connection’s reliability. People who join the meeting, from the public or press, also have their microphones muted to reduce background noise. The Township of Uxbridge has an IT person on hand at the town hall, when virtual meetings are taking place, who will help people experiencing other connectivity issues.