Town Meeting Reimagined Update - March 16, 2025

The Town Meeting Reimagined taskforce met in February and March to review comments, suggestions, questions, and other feedback we’ve received in response to this year’s three-step process for the town budget. Thanks to the 45 plus people who sent in comments or spoke to us at the table outside the polling place on March 4th.

The committee also reviewed attendance data from past years of town meetings. Based on vote counts in the years when there were divisions during the budget debate, in-person town meeting attendance has averaged 136, with a low of 106 (2014) and high of 164 (2024).

This year, vote counts totaled 109 participants in person plus by zoom for the January 23 Budget Discussion. Additionally, 78 people watched the meeting on MMCTV live, and 65 watched the recording before the March 4 vote. 898 citizens voted by Australian Ballot. The taskforce discussed ideas for garnering higher attendance, but was generally pleased at the level of participation in this first year.

Catherine McMains noted that 252 citizens either participated in the discussion and voting of January 23 or watched it prior to the vote on March 4. In contrast, only 2 people attended the Selectboard’s formal information meeting prior to the Australian Ballot vote.

We felt that contrast underscores Susan Clark’s research that people are more likely to attend a meeting if they have a meaningful role during the meeting and if the meeting is designed to be accessible. (Susan Clark is an author and expert on Vermont Town Meetings and moderator for the Town of Middlesex.)

The co-chair, David Barrington, offered to draft a report for the Selectboard. The taskforce plans to meet again on Thursday, April 3rd, at 6pm to discuss our draft report.