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How the Town Meeting works
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Written by the League of Women Voters
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E-Posted
© Copyright 2010 Hersam Acorn Newspapers All Rights Reserved.
Published On April 28, 2010
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Wilton is governed by a “Board of Selectmen/Town Meeting” form of government. What exactly does that mean?
The responsibility for Wilton’s government actually rests with three entities: The Board of Selectmen, the Board of Finance, and the Town Meeting. The Board of Selectmen comprises five elected officials who generally oversee the town’s business. The Board of Finance, six elected officials, is responsible for recommending Wilton’s annual budget and its mill rate to the voters of the town. The Annual Town Meeting — made up of Wilton electors and property owners — votes on the town budget and approves bonding.
Town meetings are a 300-year-old tradition in New England. American colonists gathered together to make decisions that that affected their lives. Today, the town meeting is still the purest form of democracy, as it gives voters the opportunity to come together with neighbors and discuss major town issues.
While the Annual Town Meeting is actually an event, it can also be viewed as a legislative body for the town, especially for financial matters. The votes taken at the Annual Town Meeting are binding and supersede decisions made by any other town board. For example, if the Board of Finance recommends an operating budget for the next fiscal year, but the voters reject it at the Annual Town Meeting, the Board of Finance must return to the drawing board and develop a revised budget that addresses citizens’ concerns.
Where does the Annual Town Meeting get its mandate?
The authorization and guidelines for Wilton’s Annual Town Meeting are contained in Wilton’s Charter.
How effective is the Annual Town Meeting at representing the wishes of town residents?
That depends on voter turnout. If voters choose not to attend the Annual Town Meeting, they are allowing others to speak for them. In recent years, voter turnout in Wilton has been alarmingly low. In fact, only 10.6% of eligible voters participated in last year’s meeting.
How common is the Town Meeting form of government?
Very common, especially in New England. While many towns choose to be governed by a town council, others still hold town meetings. Recently, towns like Darien and Westport have adopted a “Representative Town Meeting” form of government, whereby neighborhoods elect delegates to represent their interests.
How does the Town Meeting operate?
According to Wilton’s Charter, the Annual Town Meeting must be held during the first seven days in May. Traditionally, it has been held on the first Tuesday of May. A moderator chairs the meeting in accordance with rules set out in the charter. These rules determine who is eligible to speak and how long any one individual may speak.
If the Town Meeting actually governs the town, then what is the role of the Board of Selectmen?
Wilton’s charter authorizes the election of five individuals to the Board of Selectmen. The selectmen serve as the town’s executive officers, with first selectman serving as chief executive officer. Implementing decisions made at the Annual Town Meeting is one of the selectmen’s many responsibilities. The selectmen also adopt policies and ordinances for the town, set fiscal guidelines for the town’s operating budget, determine capital projects, approve appointments to town boards and commissions, and hold hearings on important issues.
When is Wilton’s Annual Town Meeting this year?
The Town Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 4. The meeting will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the Middlebrook School Auditorium. Voting on the town budget will take place immediately following that meeting in the cafeteria. For those unable to attend the meeting, voting will continue on Saturday, May 8, at Middlebrook School Gym from 9 to 6.
For more information on the budget issues to be discussed at this year’s Annual Town Meeting and to view the Board of Selectmen meetings and Board of Finance, residents may tune in to Wilton’s Government Access TV station, Channel 79. This year the Annual Town Meeting will be aired on Channel 79 and the Town of Wilton’s Web site starting on May 5 and subsequent days. Board of Education meetings appear on Channel 78, Wilton’s Educational Access channel.
This is a series of columns in which the Wilton League of Women Voters discusses commonly asked questions about Wilton’s town meeting form of government. The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government. For more information, contact us through our Web site wiltonlwv.org or write to us at PO Box 71, Wilton, CT 06897.
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