Weather permitting, an outdoor town meeting would be safest because everyone wouldn’t be breathing the same air, Westport Island’s Pat Smith told selectmen via UberConference Monday night.

“Well, that’s a thought, too,” First Selectman George Richardson said. Due to COVID-19, he doubted turnout July 18 at town hall would exceed 50, but if it did, a speaker could be put outside, he said. And to ensure social distancing inside, the stage could also be used if needed, Richardson said. 

Smith figured 99% of town meeting-goers are in the most vulnerable age group for COVID-19, and she didn’t want them to stay away from town meeting for fear of exposure. “Some of us are trying to be very prudent, but we would still like to attend the meeting if we could.”

Officials told Smith they want that as well, her point was well taken, people can give more input when selectmen discuss a plan, and when one has been decided, it will go on the town website.

Town office staff announced they were reopening the office to the public, as planned, Tuesday, June 9, with normal office hours, Tuesdays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The plan officials provided has one visitor at a time in the main entry, with staff behind plexiglass; and one person at a time can get motor vehicles, boats and ATV’s registered at Municipal Agent Dedee Greenleaf-Hodgdon’s office window, left of the main door; a one-way horseshoe path leads to and from the window.

Signage will help direct visitors; sanitizer and sanitized pens will be available; restrooms will not.

Also due to COVID-19, selectmen decided, until further notice, town hall use takes selectmen’s prior approval, social distancing, face masks, trash removal, wiping down all surfaces that were used, and no entry for anyone appearing ill or who has been exposed to the virus in the past 14 days.

The board meets next via UberConference at 7 p.m. Monday, June 15.