Understanding Town Meeting
Town Meeting is the legislative body of the town. It is held annually in the spring and in the fall, at the Lawrence School Auditorium on a date designated by the Board of Selectmen. Town Meeting authorizes and appropriates an annual operating budget and capital budget for the Town. It also considers, and acts upon, all proposed bylaws and zoning changes. All matters to be acted upon are published in the "Warrant". Articles are inserted in the warrant by the Board of Selectmen or by Citizen Petition. The Selectmen publish a copy of the Warrant in the Enterprise at least four (4) weeks before a Town Meeting and, again, with recommendations by the Finance Committee, Planning Board and Selectmen at least 14 days before a Town Meeting.
What is the difference between an Annual Town Meeting and a Special Town Meeting?
Annual Town Meetings are held in the spring and in the fall on a date designated by the Board of Selectmen. Special Town Meetings are held when a matter of some urgency comes to the attention of the Board of Selectmen after they have closed the warrant for the Annual Meeting. Not less than seven days notice is required before closing the warrant for an Annual Town Meeting, but notice of a Special Town Meeting requires not less than twenty-four hours before closing the warrant.
How do I become a Town Meeting Member?
At the beginning of March each year nomination papers are available from the Town Clerk's Office. You need to collect 10 signatures from registered voters in your precinct. Nomination papers need to be returned by the end of March and certified by the Registrars for your name to be placed on the ballot at the Annual Election held the third Tuesday in May. Check with the Town Clerk's Office or watch the Enterprise for exact dates.
How do I place an article on the Town Meeting Warrant?
To place a petition article on to the warrant for an Annual Town Meeting, at least 10 registered voters of the town must sign the petition. The petition form may be obtained at the Administrator's or Town Clerk's Office. It is then filed and stamped in by the Administrator's Office and forwarded to the Town Clerk's Office to certify the signatures. If you want a sample of an article to use to draft your article, the Town's Annual Report will have warrants from the previous year's Town Meeting, which you can use as samples. For further assistance, contact the Town Clerk, Town Counsel, or Town Moderator.
To place a petition article on the warrant for a Special Town Meeting, at least 100 registered voters of the town must sign the petition.
What is the quorum for a Town Meeting?
The quorum necessary for the conduct of any business at Town Meeting is one-half (1/2) plus one (1) of the total number of Town Meeting Members. Presently, there are 246 Town Meeting Members, so the quorum would be 124 Town Meeting Members.
Is attendance taken?
The League of Women Voters of Falmouth takes attendance at each Town
Meeting. This information is then given to the Town Clerk, who maintains
a record of those in attendance. Such records shall remain open until
the end of each session to enable latecomers to be recorded as present.
The attendance record is a public record, is posted in Town Hall,
published in the annual town report and published in The Falmouth
Enterprise.
Do I need to know "parliamentary" procedure to attend a Town Meeting?
No the Moderator is responsible for running the meeting. Simplified rules of parliamentary procedures can be found in the warrant booklet. Falmouth's parliamentary authority is "Town Meeting Time" and a copy is available in the Falmouth Public Library.
Who may speak at Town Meeting?
All of the town's registered voters, residents and taxpayers may speak on any article in the warrant. Persons who are not voters, residents or taxpayers of the town may address the Town Meeting only with the consent of a majority of those present. If you wish to speak, stand up and wait for the moderator to acknowledge you. When the moderator acknowledges you, state your name and your precinct. Speak about the topic being discussed. Don't speak about a previous topic (unless there is a motion to rescind or reconsider). Make your comments through the moderator, not directly to the Town Meeting or individual Town Meeting Members.
Who may vote at Town Meeting?
Only Town Meeting Members may vote on articles before Town Meeting.
How is a vote taken?
Many Town Meeting votes are by voice. The moderator asks that all in favor say, "AY" and then all opposed, "No." The Moderator listens and determines which side prevailed. If he cannot determine which side prevails or is questioned by at least seven Town Meeting Members, he will ask all in favor to stand. They are counted. Next, all voters who are opposed are asked to stand. They are counted. The Moderator will announce which side prevails by counted vote. In rare cases, Town meeting can vote to have a "roll call" if requested by 20 Town Meeting Members, all Town Meeting Members are called by name and asked how they choose to vote. Town Meeting can only vote to have a "secret ballot" with a motion made for such purpose and approved by a 2/3rds majority.
What is a Blanket Vote?
The Moderator will read a summary of each article, if a Town Meeting Member wants to debate an item, he or she calls out, "Hold!" The moderator will "Hold" that item, and get back to it later. After reading all articles, the moderator calls for one vote on all articles that were not "Held". The blanket vote approves all articles "as recommended" that were not held. Then the moderator takes up each article that was held. The moderator calls for debate, possible amendments, and a vote on each item.
How do I make a motion or amendment?
Only Town Meeting Members may make motions and offer amendments. The Moderator must first acknowledge you. Long or complicated motions, and other motions which he requests, need to be presented to the Moderator in writing. Only two amendments will be accepted on any article, with the exception of Omnibus Budgets.
How is the budget considered?
The budget in the form of an article is included in the Warrant. The Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee prior to Town Meeting have voted and made recommendations on the budget. The moderator will read each budget line item. If a voter wants to debate an item, he or she calls out "Hold" to the Moderator. The Moderator will recognize the Town Meeting Member for debate on the line item. An amendment may be made and voted upon. The final vote on the budget of Town Meeting will be on the recommendation of the Finance Committee as amended.
Can an article be reconsidered?
Reconsideration is allowed at any time during the meeting if the article does not involve the appropriation of money. If the article involves the appropriation of money, notice of reconsideration must be given within 30 minutes of the vote on the article. Reconsideration may then be allowed at any future time. Reconsideration will only be allowed if new information not available at the time of the original debate is being brought forward.
Who are the people on stage at Town Meeting?
The Moderator- The Moderator presides over and conducts all sessions of the Town Meeting, establishes procedures, and declares all votes.
Town Clerk - The Town Clerk shall serve as Clerk of the Town Meeting, keeps a detailed journal of all Town Meeting procedures and records all votes.
Town Council - The Town Council provides legal advise to Town Meeting.
Board of Selectmen - The Board of Selectmen prepares the warrant for Town Meeting, makes recommendations and is available to advise Town Meeting on articles of the warrant.
Town Administrator - The Town Administrator is the Chief Operating Officer who prepares and submits the budget to the Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee. He provides advice to Town Meeting relating to the budget and to other articles on the warrant.
Asst. Town Administrator - The Assistant Town Administrator provides advice to Town Meeting and may be called upon to give presentations related to articles on the warrant.
Administrative Assistant to the Finance Committee - The Administrative Assistant maintains a running total of all appropriations and funding sources of articles that have been voted upon.
Finance Committee Chairman - The Chairman makes the motion to Town Meeting on all articles where money is being appropriated and is available to provide advice to Town Meeting. The motion is based on the recommendation of the Finance Committee.
Planning Board Chairman - The Chairman makes the motion to Town Meeting on all articles related to the Zoning By-laws and is available to provide advice to Town Meeting. The motion is based on the recommendation of the Planning Board.
Definitions
Budget - Financial plan for the fiscal year of proposed expenditures and proposed means of financing them.
Fiscal Year - The town fiscal year for the proposed budget begins on July 1 and ends on June 30.
Levy Limit - Under Proposition 2 ½ the maximum amount that the town can raise in property taxes is 2-½% more than the maximum it was allowed to raise for the prior fiscal year plus adjustment for growth.
Free Cash - The amount of surplus revenue not spent from previous fiscal year over and above uncollected taxes that is certified by the State. It is available for appropriation by Town Meeting.
Reserve Fund - The fund established by Town Meeting for extraordinary or unforeseen expenditures. Transfers from fund need to be approved by the Finance Committee.
Cherry Sheet - Named for the color of the paper traditionally printed on, details the estimated State aid to be received by the Town.
2 ½ Override - A referendum procedure in which the Town can vote to increase its levy limit.
Capital Exclusion - A referendum procedure in which the Town can vote to collect property taxes in excess of its levy limit to pay for a specified period of time.
Debt Exclusion - A referendum procedure in which the Town can vote to collect property taxes in excess of its levy limit to pay for a specific expenditure.
Majority Vote - A vote of one half plus one of the Town Meeting Members present to pass an article.
2/3rds Majority Vote - The appropriation of money requires a vote of 2/3rds of the Town Meeting Members present to pass an article.
Declared Vote - The Moderator may decide the sense of Town Meeting by a voice vote. If seven or more members question the vote immediately, the Moderator will ask for a standing vote and declare the vote as final.
Unanimous Vote - A vote of all the Town Meeting Members present.
Move the Question - A motion to vote to end debate on a pending motion.
Reconsideration - To introduce new information that may change the vote of an article that has already been voted upon.
Point of Order - A question directed to the Moderator concerning a procedure of the meeting.
Town Meeting is the legislative body of the town. It is held annually in the spring and in the fall, at the Lawrence School Auditorium on a date designated by the Board of Selectmen. Town Meeting authorizes and appropriates an annual operating budget and capital budget for the Town. It also considers, and acts upon, all proposed bylaws and zoning changes. All matters to be acted upon are published in the "Warrant". Articles are inserted in the warrant by the Board of Selectmen or by Citizen Petition. The Selectmen publish a copy of the Warrant in the Enterprise at least four (4) weeks before a Town Meeting and, again, with recommendations by the Finance Committee, Planning Board and Selectmen at least 14 days before a Town Meeting.
What is the difference between an Annual Town Meeting and a Special Town Meeting?
Annual Town Meetings are held in the spring and in the fall on a date designated by the Board of Selectmen. Special Town Meetings are held when a matter of some urgency comes to the attention of the Board of Selectmen after they have closed the warrant for the Annual Meeting. Not less than seven days notice is required before closing the warrant for an Annual Town Meeting, but notice of a Special Town Meeting requires not less than twenty-four hours before closing the warrant.
How do I become a Town Meeting Member?
At the beginning of March each year nomination papers are available from the Town Clerk's Office. You need to collect 10 signatures from registered voters in your precinct. Nomination papers need to be returned by the end of March and certified by the Registrars for your name to be placed on the ballot at the Annual Election held the third Tuesday in May. Check with the Town Clerk's Office or watch the Enterprise for exact dates.
How do I place an article on the Town Meeting Warrant?
To place a petition article on to the warrant for an Annual Town Meeting, at least 10 registered voters of the town must sign the petition. The petition form may be obtained at the Administrator's or Town Clerk's Office. It is then filed and stamped in by the Administrator's Office and forwarded to the Town Clerk's Office to certify the signatures. If you want a sample of an article to use to draft your article, the Town's Annual Report will have warrants from the previous year's Town Meeting, which you can use as samples. For further assistance, contact the Town Clerk, Town Counsel, or Town Moderator.
To place a petition article on the warrant for a Special Town Meeting, at least 100 registered voters of the town must sign the petition.
What is the quorum for a Town Meeting?
The quorum necessary for the conduct of any business at Town Meeting is one-half (1/2) plus one (1) of the total number of Town Meeting Members. Presently, there are 246 Town Meeting Members, so the quorum would be 124 Town Meeting Members.
Is attendance taken?
The League of Women Voters of Falmouth takes attendance at each Town
Meeting. This information is then given to the Town Clerk, who maintains
a record of those in attendance. Such records shall remain open until
the end of each session to enable latecomers to be recorded as present.
The attendance record is a public record, is posted in Town Hall,
published in the annual town report and published in The Falmouth
Enterprise.
Do I need to know "parliamentary" procedure to attend a Town Meeting?
No the Moderator is responsible for running the meeting. Simplified rules of parliamentary procedures can be found in the warrant booklet. Falmouth's parliamentary authority is "Town Meeting Time" and a copy is available in the Falmouth Public Library.
Who may speak at Town Meeting?
All of the town's registered voters, residents and taxpayers may speak on any article in the warrant. Persons who are not voters, residents or taxpayers of the town may address the Town Meeting only with the consent of a majority of those present. If you wish to speak, stand up and wait for the moderator to acknowledge you. When the moderator acknowledges you, state your name and your precinct. Speak about the topic being discussed. Don't speak about a previous topic (unless there is a motion to rescind or reconsider). Make your comments through the moderator, not directly to the Town Meeting or individual Town Meeting Members.
Who may vote at Town Meeting?
Only Town Meeting Members may vote on articles before Town Meeting.
How is a vote taken?
Many Town Meeting votes are by voice. The moderator asks that all in favor say, "AY" and then all opposed, "No." The Moderator listens and determines which side prevailed. If he cannot determine which side prevails or is questioned by at least seven Town Meeting Members, he will ask all in favor to stand. They are counted. Next, all voters who are opposed are asked to stand. They are counted. The Moderator will announce which side prevails by counted vote. In rare cases, Town meeting can vote to have a "roll call" if requested by 20 Town Meeting Members, all Town Meeting Members are called by name and asked how they choose to vote. Town Meeting can only vote to have a "secret ballot" with a motion made for such purpose and approved by a 2/3rds majority.
What is a Blanket Vote?
The Moderator will read a summary of each article, if a Town Meeting Member wants to debate an item, he or she calls out, "Hold!" The moderator will "Hold" that item, and get back to it later. After reading all articles, the moderator calls for one vote on all articles that were not "Held". The blanket vote approves all articles "as recommended" that were not held. Then the moderator takes up each article that was held. The moderator calls for debate, possible amendments, and a vote on each item.
How do I make a motion or amendment?
Only Town Meeting Members may make motions and offer amendments. The Moderator must first acknowledge you. Long or complicated motions, and other motions which he requests, need to be presented to the Moderator in writing. Only two amendments will be accepted on any article, with the exception of Omnibus Budgets.
How is the budget considered?
The budget in the form of an article is included in the Warrant. The Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee prior to Town Meeting have voted and made recommendations on the budget. The moderator will read each budget line item. If a voter wants to debate an item, he or she calls out "Hold" to the Moderator. The Moderator will recognize the Town Meeting Member for debate on the line item. An amendment may be made and voted upon. The final vote on the budget of Town Meeting will be on the recommendation of the Finance Committee as amended.
Can an article be reconsidered?
Reconsideration is allowed at any time during the meeting if the article does not involve the appropriation of money. If the article involves the appropriation of money, notice of reconsideration must be given within 30 minutes of the vote on the article. Reconsideration may then be allowed at any future time. Reconsideration will only be allowed if new information not available at the time of the original debate is being brought forward.
Who are the people on stage at Town Meeting?
The Moderator- The Moderator presides over and conducts all sessions of the Town Meeting, establishes procedures, and declares all votes.
Town Clerk - The Town Clerk shall serve as Clerk of the Town Meeting, keeps a detailed journal of all Town Meeting procedures and records all votes.
Town Council - The Town Council provides legal advise to Town Meeting.
Board of Selectmen - The Board of Selectmen prepares the warrant for Town Meeting, makes recommendations and is available to advise Town Meeting on articles of the warrant.
Town Administrator - The Town Administrator is the Chief Operating Officer who prepares and submits the budget to the Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee. He provides advice to Town Meeting relating to the budget and to other articles on the warrant.
Asst. Town Administrator - The Assistant Town Administrator provides advice to Town Meeting and may be called upon to give presentations related to articles on the warrant.
Administrative Assistant to the Finance Committee - The Administrative Assistant maintains a running total of all appropriations and funding sources of articles that have been voted upon.
Finance Committee Chairman - The Chairman makes the motion to Town Meeting on all articles where money is being appropriated and is available to provide advice to Town Meeting. The motion is based on the recommendation of the Finance Committee.
Planning Board Chairman - The Chairman makes the motion to Town Meeting on all articles related to the Zoning By-laws and is available to provide advice to Town Meeting. The motion is based on the recommendation of the Planning Board.
Definitions
Budget - Financial plan for the fiscal year of proposed expenditures and proposed means of financing them.
Fiscal Year - The town fiscal year for the proposed budget begins on July 1 and ends on June 30.
Levy Limit - Under Proposition 2 ½ the maximum amount that the town can raise in property taxes is 2-½% more than the maximum it was allowed to raise for the prior fiscal year plus adjustment for growth.
Free Cash - The amount of surplus revenue not spent from previous fiscal year over and above uncollected taxes that is certified by the State. It is available for appropriation by Town Meeting.
Reserve Fund - The fund established by Town Meeting for extraordinary or unforeseen expenditures. Transfers from fund need to be approved by the Finance Committee.
Cherry Sheet - Named for the color of the paper traditionally printed on, details the estimated State aid to be received by the Town.
2 ½ Override - A referendum procedure in which the Town can vote to increase its levy limit.
Capital Exclusion - A referendum procedure in which the Town can vote to collect property taxes in excess of its levy limit to pay for a specified period of time.
Debt Exclusion - A referendum procedure in which the Town can vote to collect property taxes in excess of its levy limit to pay for a specific expenditure.
Majority Vote - A vote of one half plus one of the Town Meeting Members present to pass an article.
2/3rds Majority Vote - The appropriation of money requires a vote of 2/3rds of the Town Meeting Members present to pass an article.
Declared Vote - The Moderator may decide the sense of Town Meeting by a voice vote. If seven or more members question the vote immediately, the Moderator will ask for a standing vote and declare the vote as final.
Unanimous Vote - A vote of all the Town Meeting Members present.
Move the Question - A motion to vote to end debate on a pending motion.
Reconsideration - To introduce new information that may change the vote of an article that has already been voted upon.
Point of Order - A question directed to the Moderator concerning a procedure of the meeting.