The first of the year marks the start in earnest of preparations for the Annual Town Meeting (ATM) and the Annual Local Elections. Per the Town General Bylaw, the ATM is now the fourth Monday in April, which is April 28th this year. Town Elections are on the third Tuesday in May, which is May 20th this year.
The ATM is when most of the decisions on the upcoming budget are made. With our open Town Meeting form of governance, all registered voters serve as our legislative body and vote on all budgetary proposals. Residents must approve both operating and capital budgets before any expenditure can be made. Town and School District preliminary budgets for Fiscal Year ‘26, which begins July 1, 2025, were presented by staff in December. During January and February these budgets will be reviewed by the Finance Committee during their weekly meetings as well as by the Select Board and School Committee during their regular meetings. Residents are encouraged to participate as all meetings are open to the public (meeting times and agendas can be found on the Town and School District websites.)
Other articles to be taken up at the ATM typically include any bylaw changes proposed by the Select Board or Planning Board as well as any citizen petition articles. Petition articles for the ATM are due at the Town Clerk’s Office 60 days prior to the meeting which is February 27th this year. A minimum of 10 registered voters must sign any citizen petition article for it to come before the voters.
The Town’s Annual Elections are May 20th. There are 13 positions on the ballot this year. The current in-cumbent is eligible to seek re-election if he or she chooses in all cases. Nomination papers are available now at the Town Clerk’s Office. Nominations require the signature of a minimum of 29 registered voters and are due April 1st. The positions up for election this year are:
3 Constables (responsible for posting Town Meeting and Election warrants amongst other duties)
1 member of the Housing Authority (overseeing the state’s housing complexes in town)
1 member of the Library Trustees
A new Moderator (Alan Wilson is not seeking re-election after 30 years!)
3 Planning Board positions
2 School Committee positions
2 Select Board positions
Information on the process for running for an elected position is available through the Town Clerk’s Office. Town Clerk Christine Dixon is happy to talk to any resident who is interested in seeking to fill any of the 13 positions that will be on this year’s ballot. Details on the role and responsibilities for each position can be gleaned from numerous resources including the Town’s Annual Report, documents on the Massachu-setts Municipal Association’s and State’s websites and speaking with other town staff or current and pre-vious holders of the position.
The successful operation of the Town and School District relies both on elected officials (28 in total) and on hundreds of volunteers. One of the advantages of living in small town is the easy access a residents have to community decision making. Each voter has the ability to make a difference through a variety of ways – attending meetings and participating in discussions (made even easier these days with virtual at-tendance as an option), talking to your neighbor who may well serve on a board or committee, volunteer-ing to serve on the numerous boards or committees, or running for an elected position. If the latter inter-ests you, you will want to pick up the required nomination papers from the Town Clerk’s Office.
