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'Your government is operating and functioning,' says Tonawanda Town Board from cyberspace

Tonawanda Courthouse
Town of Tonawanda
Tonawanda Courthouse

It sounded the same, with the same legal requirements, the same contract approvals, the same memorial resolutions. Monday evening's Tonawanda Town Board meeting was a mix of the traditional and the modern, a meeting in cyberspace.
"Public has been barred from attending this meeting, so there will be public comment period."

The Town Board members were in their own homes, tied together by the web. Much of the town government is working from home, except for those who do everything from policing the streets to making sure the sewer system operates properly.

Sometimes, the meeting sounded so usual.

"Motion is carried. Thank you."

"Resolution 198. Motion to approve and authorize the supervisor to execute."

Or

"Motion by Councilman Bargnesi and is seconded by Councilman Conrad. On the question: All in favor, you say aye?"

"Aye."

"Opposed? Motion is carried."

Supervisor Joe Emminger told residents listening to the session that their government works.

"Your town government is operating and functioning, albeit in a different way that we all are used to. A prime example of that is what we just finished," Emminger said. "I believe for the first time in the history of our town the Town Board had to prohibit the public from attending a Town Board meeting."

And the meeting closed the usual way, mostly.

"This meeting stands adjourned until Monday, April 6 at 7 o'clock. Be safe, everyone."

Mike Desmond is one of Western New York’s most experienced reporters, having spent nearly a half-century covering the region for newspapers, television stations and public radio. He has been with WBFO and its predecessor, WNED-AM, since 1988. As a reporter for WBFO, he has covered literally thousands of stories involving education, science, business, the environment and many other issues. Mike has been a long-time theater reviewer for a variety of publications and was formerly a part-time reporter for The New York Times.