Town Seeks Volunteers for Town Meeting Advisory Committee

Following a discussion at the Jan. 10 Board of Selectmen meeting about , the town is seeking volunteers for a Town Meeting Advisory Committee.

The overall objectives for the Advisory Committee are to consider changes to the town by-laws and to recommend other practices concerning Town Meeting to guide the moderator and encourage greater attendance at Town Meeting, and promote participation during Town Meeting.

The Advisory Committee will review the Massachusetts General Laws and local by-laws pertaining to Town Meeting for Weston and other towns; review formal rules of procedure including Robert’s Rules of Order and Town Meeting Time; conduct research, including focus groups and surveys; and develop and propose recommendations to the moderator. Volunteers will also be expected to attend town meetings in other towns. The public will be encouraged to attend meetings, and to provide input at any time, especially at public forums.

The moderator has appointed Tom Crane, who served at the last Town Meeting as assistant moderator, to chair the first meeting, which will be Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 7 p.m., in Town Hall. Volunteers should anticipate attending at least ten meetings through November 2012, and being available to attend at least one other town meeting in neighboring towns during March and April. We hope finalize by-law recommendations, if any, to the moderator in advance of a November 2012 Special Town Meeting, with changes to the by-law to be submitted for her consideration, but it will be up to the Committee to determine the actual timetable.

Membership will be sought on an ex officio basis from Town Meeting stakeholders and recognized Weston organizations. If you are interested in serving on the Advisory Committee on Town Meetings, contact Tom Crane at 781-642-0885 or at tom.crane@comcast.net by Thursday, Feb. 2. Anyone expressing an interest after this date may still informally participate in Committee deliberations, but not formally as a committee member unless otherwise approved by the Committee.