The Schuylkill County Commissioners voted 2-1 Wednesday to limits public comment.

County commissioner Gary Hess voted against the measure.

“We need the people to speak,” he said.

Hess did agree that decorum is needed.

The motion sets guidelines for public participation, and among other things, requires those participating virtually to submit their comments to the county clerk in writing within a specified time frame.

Another section says “other than by county clerk for the sole purpose of preparation of the meeting minutes, there shall be no recording of the meeting either by video or audio unless the person making such a recording first discloses that a recording is being made to the chair.”

Melissa Melewsky, attorney with the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association, said previously the changes are “inappropriate barriers to access” and “unreasonable.”

Read the Times News Thursday for more information.