2008 Woodie Awards
Middlebury preps for Town Meeting
Democratic tradition continues with new bridge on agenda
Rachel Durfee
Issue date: 3/2/06 Section: Local News
- Page 1 of 3 next >
The town of Middlebury is poised to hold its annual Town Meeting next Monday and Tuesday. Among the items to be discussed are the town budget and appropriatesion, as well as a proposed bridge to be built across Otter Creek. The Town Meeting is a tradition unique to New England, providing every member of the community the opportunity to take part in the decision-making process that determines town policies and projects.
Selectman Peg Martin says Town Meeting is held, by state statute, on the first Tuesday of March. Formerly a full-day affair, the statute was amended and Middlebury now has a Monday evening town meeting in the town gymnasium with an Australian (secret) ballot open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday. On Monday, an elected moderator runs the meeting. Vermont Governor Jim Douglas '72, will serve as moderator once again this year. The moderator calls articles for debate and vote, interprets rules and maintains order but does not participate in discussion. Once the Board of Selectmen have presented the articles, participants can ask questions, debate and propose amendements and finally vote by voice or show of hands .
According to Professor of Political Science Bert Johnson, the tradition of Town Meeting dates back to the early-to-mid 1600s and is a form of government unique to the New England states. For "different cultural, geographic and economic reasons" other local governments hold regular elections and use elected representatives - city councils and mayors -"to decide the same issues that Vermonters decide on town meeting day."
Chairman of the Board of Selectmen John Tenney describes Town Meeting as a "fundamental governmental form, a general participatory democracy where each person has a voice and a vote." Over the years, however, participation has decreased and, said Tenney, "Town Meeting is struggling everywhere." Citizens used to take off work and devote the day to community, providing more time for discussion. There would be a midday potluck and other activities, but now, "there is not enough time to [run the Meeting] effectively." "The Meeting is unchanged but life is more complex," he added.
Selectman Peg Martin says Town Meeting is held, by state statute, on the first Tuesday of March. Formerly a full-day affair, the statute was amended and Middlebury now has a Monday evening town meeting in the town gymnasium with an Australian (secret) ballot open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday. On Monday, an elected moderator runs the meeting. Vermont Governor Jim Douglas '72, will serve as moderator once again this year. The moderator calls articles for debate and vote, interprets rules and maintains order but does not participate in discussion. Once the Board of Selectmen have presented the articles, participants can ask questions, debate and propose amendements and finally vote by voice or show of hands .
According to Professor of Political Science Bert Johnson, the tradition of Town Meeting dates back to the early-to-mid 1600s and is a form of government unique to the New England states. For "different cultural, geographic and economic reasons" other local governments hold regular elections and use elected representatives - city councils and mayors -"to decide the same issues that Vermonters decide on town meeting day."
Chairman of the Board of Selectmen John Tenney describes Town Meeting as a "fundamental governmental form, a general participatory democracy where each person has a voice and a vote." Over the years, however, participation has decreased and, said Tenney, "Town Meeting is struggling everywhere." Citizens used to take off work and devote the day to community, providing more time for discussion. There would be a midday potluck and other activities, but now, "there is not enough time to [run the Meeting] effectively." "The Meeting is unchanged but life is more complex," he added.