What is Town Meeting?
Most towns in what is now called the United States are structured as a representative democracy. You vote for people to represent your desires.
You vote to abdicate your decision-making to your elected officials and they make decisions on your behalf.
You can bring issues to your city council members and/or mayor but they may or might not listen to you. Even if you have a majority of your community with you, the people you voted as your representatives ultimately make the decisions.
But Williamstown is different....
Williamstown operates under an “Open Town Meeting,” a form of direct democracy common in New England towns with populations under 12,000. You can read more about it on the Williamstown website here: https://williamstownma.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Guide-to-Town-Meeting-Secretary-of-State.pdf
No Mayor: Instead, we have a Town Manager—an appointed official who oversees daily operations.
Select Board: Elected by residents, this board supervises the Town Manager and sets policies.
Committees: Some are elected; others are appointed by the Select Board or Town Moderator.
When is Town Meeting?
Williamstown Typically holds town meeting 3rd Tuesday in May
While Town Meetings are generally annual, The Select Board is legally obligated to hold a Meeting if 200 citizens petition to have one.
Sometimes there is an urgent need for a “Special Town Meeting” These are rare and called by the select board as needed
Where is Town Meeting?
explain
What Happens at Town Meeting?
The event, moderated by the Town Moderator, includes:
1. Awards for awesome community members, and fabulous town employees
2. Discussion and vote on the town budget (appropriate money to run the town)
3. Discussion and vote on town bylaws
4. Discussion and vote on proposals from town citizens, “citizen petitions” (more on these later)
5. Vote to adjourn (usually a unanimous vote)
Note: The Town Moderator ensures orderly conduct and adherence to rules.
