Council for the Township of North Huron is looking at returning to in-person meetings, but not until security measures have been increased.
At Tuesday's meeting, members approved hiring a second security guard to work future council meetings.
Council felt the need for increased safety measures after an altercation following the February 17 meeting that resulted in injuries to Deputy Reeve Kevin Falconer. Since then, meeting have been held virtually.
George Mills of Central Huron has been charged with assault in relation to the incident. The charges have not been proven in court.
CAO Nelson Santos said this measure was more financially responsible than bringing on an OPP officer, as well as a result of Council Chambers being located on Listowel-Wingham Hospital Alliance property.
"We're trying to maximize the relationship we currently have with the Alliance and bring forward a cost-effective response," he told council. "We know there are private security guards that go to other council meetings as well, not just police forces. We could investigate having OPP officers in line but the cost would be increasingly larger than what we have proposed today."
The Township previously had one guard, provided by the LWHA, stationed at meetings. Councillor Mitch Wright asked if there could be new direction provided to the guards to ensure their safety after how earlier altercations were handled.
"I was unclear of the scope of what the hospital security guard was supposed to be doing, because they had a very light touch, lets say, on past occurrences," he said. "They were there, but didn't intervene in any of the situations which occurred. So is that scope going to change? Is there going to be not just security for the property but security for the people as well?"
Santos said one guard would be stationed at each entrance and would not permit access to those that have been provided a notice of trespass. He said they could expand the parameters to include escorts in and out of meetings if needed.
The cost of an extra security guard is around $120 a meeting, plus tax. Staff will also look at purchasing crowd control barriers.
