Letters

I am writing in response to the article “East Hampton To Return To In-Person Meetings But Keep Daytime Schedule” [27east.com, March 23]. I am very disappointed, to say the least, at the Town Board’s decision to keep their midday hours upon returning to in-person meetings.

While I recognize that the decision to return to in-person meetings is beyond this board’s control, the decision by the board to keep midday hours feels like the door is being shut on all working residents like myself who wish to participate in local government. Midday in-person hours will prohibit most, if not all, of the residents I know from attending “regular meetings,” myself included.

I am a working mother of three young children, and it was only due to remote access provided during the pandemic that I was able to truly participate in my local government process. I was able to view meetings online from the office, call in during public comment, and then promptly resume my work.

Now, with the anticipated expiration of this remote access, my participation in Town Board meetings will be severely curtailed given my work and child care responsibilities.

The only hope I have to participate in future in-person meetings will at least be if those meetings are offered in the evenings. I know I am not alone in this. What average resident can attend meetings, in person, at 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. during the week?

The board will be missing out on hearing the concerns of its hard-working constituents should these midday hours continue. I urge the board to immediately offer evening hours for “regular meetings.” In addition, I urge the board to advocate at the state level to permit hybrid meetings going forward. Our democracy depends on it.

Bryony Freij

Sag Harbor

Freij notes that she is a member of East End YIMBY — Ed.