LYNN – Lynn City Council has unanimously voted to approve a new public comment period that will take place before select city council meetings.
During these sessions, the public can sign up to offer testimony on agenda items and general matters about the city. The historic addition to the regular city council format was created to establish a procedure where elected officials can hear views and opinions from Lynn residents directly.
The public comment period will take place fifteen minutes before the second city council meeting of every month. Speeches will be limited to three minutes, and there are no restrictions on topics that the speaker may choose to address. However, questions specifically directed to city council members or municipal staff are not permitted. Translation services will also be available.
The initiative was created in collaboration with Lynn’s Information Technology Department and the City Solicitor’s Office. The public comment period concept has been in talks for a few months, and was officially approved at the city council meeting on Tuesday, Sept 9th.
“This is an exciting day in this council chamber. I’m honored to read this historic addition to our future council meetings. We look forward to our next meeting,” Ward 3 City Councilor Coco Alinsug said on Tuesday.
“Thanks to Council President Jay Walsh and to fellow City Councilors Fred Hogan and Nicole McClain for being part of this task force with me and our City Attorney James Lamanna. We want to hear you, Lynn, at the people’s house,” Alinsug later wrote on Facebook regarding the initiative.
The first public comment session will occur Tuesday, Sept. 23, at 5:15 p.m. at Lynn City Hall. The first five people to sign up will be allowed to speak prior to the city council meeting.
More information about rules, procedures, and signups will soon be available at https://www.lynnma.gov/city_government/citycouncil/public_comment.
