ELEVENTH EXECUTIVE ORDER

November 9, 2021

Executive Order Rescinding the Eighth Executive Order 

(Executive Order 21-001, July 8, 2021)

WHEREAS, On July 8, 2021, Executive Order 21- 001 (Eighth Executive Order from the Town Manager) was issued in furtherance of the “State of Emergency Declaration” that was issued on March 23, 2020;

WHEREAS, Executive Order 21-001 enabled remote public access to town meetings, as mandated in the RI Governor’ s Executive order 21-72, responding to the dangers of health and life posed by COVID-19;

WHEREAS, RI Governor’s Executive Order 21-72 , which provided for virtual and hybrid meetings of public bodies, expired on July 23, 2021:

WHEREAS, in accordance RI General Laws §42-46-3 the Town of Westerly recognizes that members of the public must be permitted, in-person, to attend the open meetings of public bodies and to observe the conducting of those open meetings,

WHEREAS, the Town has found it beneficial to use livestreaming, Zoom, PegRI TV and other technology to increase access to public meetings by offering members of the public the ability to participate in the open meetings remotely by offering public comment and other remarks through virtual means;

WHEREAS, offering remote access and participation to members of the public is consistent with the intent of the Open Meetings Act (OMA), which is for government business to be performed in an open and transparent manner that is accessible by the public.

NOW THEREFORE,  I, Shawn M. Lacey, Interim Town Manager and Chief Executive Officer of the Town of Westerly do hereby rescind the Town’s Eighth Executive Order (21-001), thus allowing the public to attend open meetings in person. I further order that public meetings of the: Town Council, School Committee, Planning Board and Zoning Board also be broadcast live via PegRI TV, Livestream on the Towns Website and via Zoom to accommodate those who wish to participate remotely in said meeting(s).

This Executive Order shall take effect immediately and remain in full force and effect until such time as it is modified or terminated by subsequent Executive Order, act or declaration by the Town of Westerly.

So Ordered:

Shawn M. Lacey
Interim Town Manager