WESTFORD — Several changes to enhance the quality of the meeting for attendees are coming to this year’s Annual Town Meeting.
Technology upgrades
The Town of Westford has invested over $55,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds for technology upgrades to enhance audio-visual capabilities of the meeting.
$26,850 in funding was used to purchase 800 additional clickers – with a town wide total of 1,600 clickers available at the time of reporting. Clickers will be designated with separate colors depending on the room the voter intends to vote in.
$9,500 was used to purchase six additional poll pads to streamline the check-in process.
$18,695 was used to purchase equipment to ensure two-way audio-visual streaming between the gymnasium and the Performing Arts Center. WestfordCAT has purchased and tested equipment to ensure seamless communication between both facilities.
This equipment allows WestfordCAT to set up an interactive back-and-forth between three different rooms – or three different buildings if needed – to offer three real time collaborative meeting rooms with no latency issues for attendees.
Attendees in one room can hear everything in other rooms in real-time – where the individual speaking will be heard and presented on screen at the same time in both rooms.
Additionally, WestfordCAT is providing – at no cost to the town – two 75 inch flatscreen TVs to be placed halfway down the gymnasium to mirror the screen at the front of the gymnasium to provide greater visual accessibility to attendees.
Non-voting attendees will be directed to a separate room to view the meeting, live streamed by WestfordCAT.
Parking and lunch
The Town of Westford has once again offered free transportation and free child care for resident. However, a shuttle bus will also be available for residents who park in two new satellite lots at Crisafulli Elementary School and Robinson Elementary School from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Additionally, 26 spaces in the front of Westford Academy will be designated as accessible spaces for voters with handicap placards. Several officers will be on duty to direct traffic as well.
Food will be available for purchase with cash in the morning, as well as during the 45 minute lunch period. Residents may also bring their own lunch. Residents are advised not to leave the premises for lunch due to parking and time constraints.
Check in will begin at 8 a.m. in the Westford Academy lobby ahead of the March 23 meeting. Town Meeting is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.
