Hooray for Democracy!

Last night was our town's Annual Town Meeting. If you're not from the Northeast, the concept is a bit of an oddity. We have a Board of Selectpersons, elected by the citizens, who recommend acceptance or rejection of each of dozens of articles presented before the assembly. These issues range from budgets (salaries, school budgets, capital expenditures like new police and fire vehicles), to changes in by-law phrasing, establishment of new town services like public sewage and recycling, to requests for zoning changes. It's always a hoot to go to the Town Meeting. There are lots of characters among the crowd that act as gadflies - adding to the discussion whatever the article. Here's how it runs:

The moderator brings the Meeting to Order, the list of articles is certified by the Town Clerk and accepted by the assemblage. Then one article is taken at a time. The Moderator reads out the article, a member of the Board recommends either acceptance or rejection of the article, then the floor is opened to discussion by the citizenry - this is where questions are asked, concerns are raised, objections voiced, support given, gadflies entertained. This can be QUITE a lengthy process depending upon how contentious the issue is. Finally the article is put to a vote - by voicing either yea or nay. When it's too close to call, we take a hand count by raising colored tickets. Some articles require a simple majority while others require at least 2/3.

We heard 40 Articles last night, most of which were passed quickly. There was a great deal of debate over the proposed "Pay as you Throw" recycling program. It was soundly defeated and sent back for rewriting. Perhaps next year an improved porposal will pass...

Also on the agenda was an article to re-zone nearly 200 acres of agricultural land to R-40 (Low density residential). Charlton is one of the fastest growing towns in the Massachusetts. Until recently, it was not deemed necessary to create an extensive zoning plan since Charlton had been, since time out of mind, a farming town. Unfortunately, this lack of vision has resulted in a multitude of nasty subdivisions consuming what once was a beautiful dairy town with rolling hills and ponds. The growth has been astounding - the school and public services have been stretched beyond their limits. I had begun to dispair that we would become yet another sprawling suburb for lack of care by the citizenry. I was wrong. Last night we voted UNANIMOUSLY to save a 200 acre parcel of our heritage, setting a precident that I hope will serve to save the remaining farmland from development. In yet another Article, several acres of open space was committed to conservation in perpetuity...

HOORAY for DEMOCRACY!