A petition from Lakewood residents is calling for the Township Committee to resume in-person meetings after nearly five years of virtual sessions. Despite this demand, local officials, led by Mayor Ray Coles, have decided against reverting to face-to-face meetings. They argue that the virtual format remains effective, even though it lacks direct interaction and many residents have limited broadband access.
Marc Pfeiffer, a senior policy fellow at Rutgers University's Bloustein Local Government Center for Urban Policy Research, highlighted the importance of in-person meetings. He stated, "In person meetings have a value, they provide upfront interaction with the people they represent. It allows more direct participation and provides nuance that can’t be seen or observed or happen when you are on a webinar." Pfeiffer also noted that in-person gatherings necessitate formality and decorum reflective of their official nature.
Pfeiffer expressed concerns about potential technical issues and online disruptions associated with virtual meetings. He advised careful consideration of these risks while balancing public interests: “You should carefully consider the risks of meeting disruptions and make sure you balance the interests of people.”
