By JULIE CUNNINGHAM
(Greenfield, MA) The Greenfield School Committee shut down Tuesday night over several speakers who refused to wear masks. Despite the mask mandate being lifted by the City of Greenfield and the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, the chair of the Greenfield School Committee Amy Proietti refused to hear comments from participants who were not wearing masks. Despite being told she could not comment without a mask, the speaker Clarissa Clifford continued to speak. Proietti, speaking over Clifford, attempted to shut down the meeting at that point by motioning to take a recess. Clifford continued and eventually won the floor and was able to speak for three minutes.
Clifford argued that the mask policy was not in line with the law. Clifford also said she thought the process of lifting the mask mandate was terrifying due to resistance from the committee. At the conclusion of Clifford’s comments, Proietti shut down public comment by motioning for a five minute recess. Afterwards, another unmasked commenter attempted to speak. Proietti refused to allow the commenter to speak and asked the commenter to leave. However, the commenter refused to leave. At this point, Proietti again motioned for another five minute recess. The meeting did not continue, however, after the second recess.