2-1-1.
The legislative powers of the town shall be vested in a town meeting
open to voters of the town.
2-2-1.
The town moderator, elected as provided in section 3-3-1 of this
charter, shall preside at all sessions of the town meeting.
2-2-2.
In the absence of the town moderator, the town meeting shall, as
its first act, elect a temporary moderator by a majority vote. The
town clerk shall preside until such election has taken place.
2-3-1.
In general. Subject to the provisions of this charter and to such
by-laws or other town meeting votes regarding committees as may be
provided, the moderator shall appoint for fixed terms the members
of such committees of the town meeting, special or standing, as may
from time to time be established, other than those appointed by vote
of the town meeting. In addition to such specific powers, duties and
responsibilities as may be provided to a town meeting committee by
by-law or vote establishing it, each such committee, when acting within
the scope of its authority, shall have a right to examine the pertinent
records of any town agency or department and to consult with any town
officer, employee or agent.
2-3-2.
Finance Committee. There shall be a finance committee, the members
of which shall be appointed by the moderator. The number of members,
the term of office and any other conditions of appointment or service
as may be deemed necessary or desirable shall be established by by-law.
The finance committee shall hold one or more meetings to permit discussion
of the subject matter of all articles contained in the warrant, except
those articles subject to public hearings by other multiple member
bodies and not containing appropriations. The finance committee shall
report its recommendations on the articles for which it held a public
hearing, in writing, at least ten (10) days prior to a scheduled town
meeting. The finance committee shall have such additional powers and
duties as may be provided by M.G.L.A., by this charter or by by-law.
2-4-1.
The town meeting shall meet in regular session at least twice in
each calendar year.
2-4-2.
The first regular meeting, to be held during March, April or May,
on a date fixed by by-law, shall be primarily concerned with the determination
of matters involving the expenditure of town funds, including, but
not limited to, the adoption of an annual operating budget for all
town agencies; for the purpose of electing officers, for the determination
of other matters to be decided by ballot of the voters; and which
shall be deemed to be the annual town meeting.
2-4-3.
The second such meeting, the powers of which shall also be deemed
to be those of the annual town meeting, except that it shall not include
the election of officers or the determination of other matters to
be decided by ballots of voters, shall be held during the last four
(4) calendar months, on a date fixed by by-law.
2-5-1.
Special town meetings shall be held at the call of the board of selectmen
at such times as it may deem necessary and whenever a special meeting
is petitioned by voters in accordance with procedures made available
by the M.G.L.A.
2-6-1.
Every town meeting shall be called by a warrant issued by the board
of selectmen which shall state the date, time and place at which the
meeting is to be convened and, by separate articles, the subject matter
to be acted upon.
2-6-2.
The publication of the warrant shall be in accordance with town by-laws
governing such matters.
2-7-1.
Initiation. The board of selectmen shall receive at any time all
petitions addressed to it and which request the submission of any
matter to the town meeting and which are filed by: (1) any elected
town officer, (2) any multiple member body acting by a majority of
its members, (3) any ten (10) voters for a regular town meeting and
any one hundred (100) voters for a special town meeting. In accordance
with Ch. 39, section 10 of the M.G.L.A., the board of selectmen shall
insert all petitions as articles on the appropriate town meeting warrant.
2-7-2.
Referral. The board of selectmen shall immediately upon signing cause
a copy of the warrant to be delivered the chairperson or the designee
of the finance committee and shall cause such other distribution to
be made of each warrant as may be required by by-law.
2-7-3.
Notification. Whenever a special town meeting is to be called, the
board of selectmen shall give notice of the date, time and place by
publication in a local newspaper.
2-8-1.
Every town officer, chairperson of each multiple member body, head
of each department and the head of each division within said department
shall attend all sessions of the town meeting for the purpose of providing
the town meeting with information and answering questions concerning
matters appearing in the warrant.
2-8-2.
In the event a town officer, chairperson of a multiple member body,
department head or division head is to be absent due to illness or
other reasonable cause, he shall designate a deputy to attend in his
place. If any person designated to attend the town meeting under this
section is not a voter, such person shall, notwithstanding, have a
right to address the meeting for the purpose of compliance with this
section.
2-9-1.
The town clerk shall serve as the clerk to the town meeting.
2-9-2.
In the event of the absence of the town clerk, the town clerk shall
designate a substitute; otherwise, the town moderator shall appoint
a clerk pro tempore.
2-9-3.
The town clerk shall give notice of all meetings to the public, keep
a journal of its proceedings and perform such other functions as may
be provided by the M.G.L.A., by charter, by by-law or by other town
meeting vote.
2-10-1.
The town meeting may, by by-law, establish and from time to time
amend, revise or repeal rules to govern the conduct of all town meetings.
