SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - Springfield city councilors may soon be returning to in-person meetings after remote and hybrid options expanded during the pandemic. One councilor is proposing a resolution that would require all members to attend meetings at city hall, with remote participation allowed only for limited emergency exceptions.

In a letter sent out earlier this week, Springfield City Councilor Gerry Martin urged the council to end Zoom attendance as the default. He said voters told him it feels disrespectful when councilors don’t show up in person and argues remote participation can hurt the professionalism of meetings when members aren’t clearly visible or easy to hear.

Martin also proposed a resolution that would require in-person attendance for regular and special meetings, allowing remote participation only for limited exceptions like a medical or family emergency, or an extraordinary hardship approved by the council president.

Just a short while ago we spoke with Councilor Martin about the proposal. He told Western Mass News that while the state has extended authorization for remote and hybrid public meetings through June of next year, he wants Springfield to adopt stricter local rules requiring members to be in the chamber, “it’s an issue of respect, with this resolution I want to show that the city council has respect for its constituents and that we’re doing the best we can to be fully present for them.”

Martin said the city council is expected to vote on his resolution during next week’s meeting on Monday.

Springfield City Council President, Trayce Whitfield issued a letter on Friday in response to this proposal reading, “I do not support a return to a fully mandatory in-person meeting model. I would rather maintain quorum and continue conducting the public’s business than delay important votes. Hybrid and remote participation options have allowed individuals who otherwise may not have been able to attend meetings — including members of the public and elected officials — to remain engaged in the legislative process.”

Later tonight on Western Mass News at 10 and 11, we’ll have more from Councilor Martin on this resolution as well as more from other members of the city councilor on their thoughts regarding the proposal.

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