Could pandemic further erode the New England town meeting?
FILE - In this March 11, 2008, file photo, moderator Dick Kipperman, right, accepts a resident's ballot during the annual town meeting in Springfield, N.H. The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting New England town meetings in 2021, a tradition where citizens gather to debate and decide on local issues. (AP Photo/Jim Cole)

FILE - In this March 11, 2008, file photo, moderator Dick Kipperman, right, accepts a resident's ballot during the annual town meeting in Springfield, N.H. The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting New England town meetings in 2021, a tradition where citizens gather to debate and decide on local issues. (AP Photo/Jim Cole)

Feb. 26, 2021 10:08 AM EST
FILE - In this June 16, 2020, file photo, residents hold up pink cards to vote on an issue during the annual town meeting held at the high school football field to provide social distancing due to COVID-19 concerns, in North Andover, Mass. It was the first town meeting held outdoors since town meetings began in North Andover in 1646. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)

FILE - In this June 16, 2020, file photo, residents hold up pink cards to vote on an issue during the annual town meeting held at the high school football field to provide social distancing due to COVID-19 concerns, in North Andover, Mass. It was the first town meeting held outdoors since town meetings began in North Andover in 1646. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)

Feb. 26, 2021 10:08 AM EST
FILE - In this March 6, 2012, file photo, officials preside over the annual town meeting in Bethel, Vt. The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting New England town meetings in 2021, a tradition where citizens gather to debate and decide on local issues. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot, File)

FILE - In this March 6, 2012, file photo, officials preside over the annual town meeting in Bethel, Vt. The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting New England town meetings in 2021, a tradition where citizens gather to debate and decide on local issues. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot, File)

Feb. 26, 2021 10:09 AM EST
FILE - In this March 10, 2007, file photo, Erik Anderson, left, leads residents singing the national anthem before the annual town meeting in Rome, Maine. The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting New England town meetings in 2021, a tradition where citizens gather to debate and decide on local issues. (Jeff Pouland/The Central Maine Morning Sentinel via AP)

FILE - In this March 10, 2007, file photo, Erik Anderson, left, leads residents singing the national anthem before the annual town meeting in Rome, Maine. The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting New England town meetings in 2021, a tradition where citizens gather to debate and decide on local issues. (Jeff Pouland/The Central Maine Morning Sentinel via AP)

Feb. 26, 2021 10:09 AM EST
FILE - In this March 5, 2002, file photo, citizens vote to support a resolution concerning redistricting during the annual town meeting in Woodbury, Vt. The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting New England town meetings in 2021, a tradition where citizens gather to debate and decide on local issues. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot, File)

FILE - In this March 5, 2002, file photo, citizens vote to support a resolution concerning redistricting during the annual town meeting in Woodbury, Vt. The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting New England town meetings in 2021, a tradition where citizens gather to debate and decide on local issues. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot, File)

Feb. 26, 2021 10:08 AM EST
Susan Clark, moderator of the Middlesex town meeting, poses in front of the Middlesex town hall on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, in Middlesex, Vt. Clark has studied the traditional New England Town Meeting and says temporary changes during the pandemic could end up further eroding the tradition of representative democracy in town meetings. Vermont's traditional town meeting this year is Tuesday March 1. (AP Photo/Wilson Ring)

Susan Clark, moderator of the Middlesex town meeting, poses in front of the Middlesex town hall on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, in Middlesex, Vt. Clark has studied the traditional New England Town Meeting and says temporary changes during the pandemic could end up further eroding the tradition of representative democracy in town meetings. Vermont's traditional town meeting this year is Tuesday March 1. (AP Photo/Wilson Ring)

Feb. 26, 2021 10:08 AM EST