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1. What is the quorum requirement for Town Meeting?

The quorum for the conduct of business at any annual or special town meeting is 100 registered voters of the Town.

2. Can I vote absentee for Town Meeting articles?

No. The State mandates that a person must be physically present in order to vote on articles at Town Meeting. There is no mechanism for casting a vote when not physically present at the meeting.

3. What is a warrant? What is an article?

The warrant is a list of budget items and/or articles proposed to be acted upon by voters at Town Meeting. An article is a proposal which is to be acted upon and voted by the Town Meeting, as set forth in the warrant.

4. Who determines the order of articles on the warrant?

The Board of Selectmen determine the order of the articles on the warrant. As per the Town Charter, the order of consideration of articles as printed in the warrant shall be changed only by a two-thirds vote of the town meeting.

5. Who can place an article on the warrant?

As per the Town Charter, the Board of Selectmen will place on the warrant all articles submitted by the Town Manager, the Board of Selectmen, any Town Board, and all articles supported by petition of at least 10 registered voters of the Town for an Annual Town Meeting article, and for a Special Town Meeting article, petitions supported by at least 100 registered voters of the Town. These articles are known as citizen petitioned articles.

6. How do I go about petitioning an article for the warrant?

There are a number of ways a person can get an article considered at Town Meeting. A person can discuss the issue with the Town Manager and/or a Town Board, including the Board of Selectmen, who may take up the issue and submit it directly to the warrant. A person can also petition to have an article considered at town meeting, which requires support of at least 10 registered voters of the Town for an article in on an annual town meeting warrant, and support from at least 100 registered voters of the Town for an article on a special town meeting warrant. If you are interested in submitting a petitioned article, please see the Town Clerk, who can provide you with a petition form and help guide you through the process.

7. Can I get any help in creating a petitioned article for the warrant?

Yes. In an effort to make sure that any article considered at town meeting is legal and valid, the Town may assist you in crafting an article that has legal merit. In order to have the time necessary to provide this assistance and review, it is important to have your draft article prepared well before the close of the warrant (which is 30 days prior to the start of town meeting). Anyone interested in submitting a petitioned article should have a draft article for review by later January, for example, if placed on an April town meeting warrant. See the Town Clerk, who can help guide you through the process.