EASTHAMPTON – A public hearing took place during the city council’s meeting on Sept. 16 to discuss the consolidation of precincts for the Nov. 1 election.

City Clerk Barbara LaBombard explained the request to a change in the polling place for Precincts 1, 2 and 5 from White Brook Middle School to Easthampton High School. Currently, Precincts 3 and 4 use the high school as their voting location.

“It became pretty clear to me after the Sept. 1 primary that White Brook Middle School is pretty rough right now. Even if the driveway is completed for the November election, the parking lot is probably going to be pretty rough,” LaBombard said.

She said it is something to be considered because she’s worried about the safety of people with it getting dark out earlier, she does not want anything to happen while residents walk out to the parking lot.

During public speak, one resident said due to his medical issues, the doctors want him to stay away from people.

“I have never missed a vote in my lifetime. Not one I ever missed. But now the doctors don’t want me going to the polling booth and today I saw that you’re going to have all of the voters go to the high school. That’s my concern. I think you aught to shut down the construction for the day and let people vote where they have voted for 30 years,” said the resident.

“Moving all the precincts is disruptive even though it is nice for everyone to be in one place, it does make it so the precincts will be closer together even though I think three in the gym and two in the cafeteria we could probably do it. Only if there is no school because the parking lot is not real big,” LaBombard said.

The state does allow precincts to be consolidated but the City Council has to issue a report. The city cannot make a move until they issue that report and it has been made public, she explained.

The subcommittee is assigned to meet on this matter and answer any questions. The committee will vote on whether or not to condense the voting locations at their next meeting on Oct 7.