CANTON – A new public meeting law approved by village leaders on Wednesday, Aug. 17, allows a board member who is possibly ill and disabled to attend virtually.

Village attorney Gerald Ducharme said the village law follows a model recommended by the New York Conference of Mayors.

The law states an extraordinary circumstance is required in order to attend virtually and that a quorum must be present at the physical location.

“Members of the public body must be physically present at one of the meeting locations where the public can attend in person unless the member is unable to be physically present due to extraordinary circumstances, such as disability, illness, caregiving responsibilities, or any other significant or unexpected factor or event which precludes the member’s physical attendance,” the law reads.

When videoconferencing is in place, the meeting needs to be recorded, the public needs to be informed of the videoconferencing, and be allowed to view and participate.

“The public body must provide the opportunity for members of the public to view the meeting by video. At meetings where public comment and participation is authorized, members of the public must be able to participate in the proceedings by videoconference in real time,” the law reads.