Who Participates in Town Meetings?

The Voters

Any registered voter in the town can participate.

Guests 

Out-of-town department heads, invited subject matter experts that might have information or members of the press can address the Town Meeting only with permission of the body, they cannot vote, and they must sit in a specially designated section. 

Moderator

Presides over the Town Meeting, and is responsible for making the conduct and process adhere to the Charter and bylaws of the Town as well as parliamentary procedure. 

The Town Clerk

The clerk is an elected official responsible for maintaining town records, conducting elections, and recording of votes and actions taken at the Town Meeting. 

Town Counsel

An attorney (or firm) who provides legal services to the town and determines legality of proposed actions under debate.

Selectboard

The board prepares the Warrant and ensures it is properly posted.

Town Administrator

The Town Administrator, through the Selectboard, administers the day-to-day activities of the town, and at Town Meeting answers any clarifying questions.

Finance Committee (FinCom)

All articles on the warrant shall be referred to the Finance Committee for its analysis,  review, and report. As a body, FinCom provides its recommendations on each article.

Boards and Committees

Appointed and elected boards or committees (for example master plan (appointed) and conservation (elected)), may present articles or give a report. 

Petitioners

Any ten voters have the right to petition the Selectboard to put an article on the Annual or Fall Town Meeting Warrant. Petitioners often make the main motion for their petitioned article, give a presentation, or supply information on an article.

Call to Order
Once a quorum is confirmed as required by the bylaws, the meeting can be called to order. 

The Moderator (an elected position responsible for managing the meeting and ensuring the rules in Town Meeting Time are followed) calls the meeting to order. 

The Warrant 

A Warrant, that lists all the articles the body will consider, is created and posted at least seven days before the meeting.  

Articles
Articles are taken up in the order listed, unless a motion is made and approved to take them out of order.

Motions
Each article begins with a motion that proposes an action, such as appropriating funds or changing a bylaw. The person or board presenting the article usually explains the motion before the discussion begins.

Debate
Once a motion is made, a discussion ensues between the attending registered voters. Before speaking, voters must be recognized by the Moderator. Comments are directed through the Moderator. This helps to ensure respectful conversation, and the discussions are about the topic and not directed at a person. 

Amendments
Voters can propose amendments to motions as long as they remain within the scope of the article. Amendments are then discussed and voted on before returning to the main motion.

Points of Order
Any voter may raise a “point of order” if they believe the correct procedure is not being followed.

Points of Clarification

A “point of clarification” may be raised to request further explanation on the motion or topic under discussion.

Out of Order
A motion or comment may be ruled “out of order” by the Moderator if it violates the rules or is beyond the scope of the article.

Procedural Motions
Voters may make procedural motions during debate.

• “To lay on the table” temporarily sets aside a motion. This motion is not up for debate, and requires a two-thirds vote.
• “To table” is often used informally to postpone a motion, though it differs from laying on the table in formal rules.
• “To pass over” skips an article without taking action.
• “To move the question” ends the debate through a two-thirds vote.
• “To call for a count” challenges the result of a voice vote and prompts a counted vote.

Voting
The Moderator informs the voters if the vote requires a simple majority or two-thirds vote to pass. 

Votes are typically by voice, with the Moderator determining the result. If the outcome is unclear or challenged, a counted vote by show of hands or standing is held. 

After the vote, the Moderator shares whether the motion passes or fails.

Reconsideration
A voter who voted on the prevailing side of a motion may request reconsideration if made during the same meeting as the original vote.

Adjournment
Once all articles are addressed or the meeting votes to conclude, a motion is made to adjourn. The meeting officially ends when the Moderator declares it adjourned.