What is an open town meeting?

For each Town Meeting, a Warrant is published, listing date and time of the meeting as well as the articles to be discussed and voted upon. An article can be submitted by town boards or citizens petitions. Any voter registered in the town may attend, speak on or amend the articles, and vote for or against them. If you don’t attend town meeting, you lose a say in what kind of town you have. Under state law, attendance must be in person.

The Town Meeting form of local government is only used in New England. Town Meeting is the legislative branch of town government (YOU ARE THE LEGISLATOR!) used to enact local laws, pass budgets and authorize spending of town money.

State law also requires the Town to hold at least one Town Meeting each year in the spring. This is the Annual Town Meeting, and its principal business is to appropriate money to fund Town expenses for the fiscal year which starts the following July 1st. Money can be provided by appropriation directly against the municipal tax rate levied on real and personal property, or money may be borrowed within limits set by the State. Any additional Town Meetings that are called (at the Select Board's order) are considered "Special Town Meetings".

Town Meeting Process

The Town Moderator, who manages and presides at the Meeting, is elected each year at the Annual Town Election. 

The Moderator will call each Article and its sponsor will make a motion. After the motion has been seconded, a debate will start according to Town Meeting rules of order as set forth in the book, Town Meeting Time, which is available at the Town libraries. The Moderator will recognize the speakers, rule on motions and amendments with respect to conformance to parliamentary procedure, and call for votes. The recommendations of Town Committees may be made on each Article. For additional information on the conduct of the Meeting, refer to the pamphlet "Concord Town Meeting Traditions and Procedures" which is available on the Town’s website, from the Town Clerk's office in the Town House, or in the lobby as you enter Town Meeting.  

Town Meeting is an important democratic institution open to all Concord registered voters and is Concord’s legislative body. On each Article you will hear a formal presentation and recommendations from citizen committees. You may speak on the issues if you wish and then cast your vote. By this process, the decisions made are based on the collective will and wisdom of the Meeting. We encourage your active participation, particularly for those Articles that are of greatest importance to you.  

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