A Saturday Town Meeting is a faster way to boost participation than remote voting
This is an “actionable” solution that can be accomplished as well as formally reviewed and approved.
I have listened to the younger generation that wants to get involved with Town Meeting. It does need to be more accessible. Waiting for remote voting may take a decade or two.
One solution I discussed with someone from the younger demographic who has a family is to hold it on the first Saturday in May. With this idea, you can’t blame a long workday for not making it.
We could start at 9 a.m., with possible short breaks after a certain amount of time. Acton-Carlisle High School home games would have to be away games or rescheduled. Middle school and elementary games would either be rescheduled or added to the end of the scheduled season. This frees up the parking at the high school that would be needed. If both parents can’t attend, at least one of them could. This would increase participation significantly and get broader representation.
Saturday Town Meeting also accomplishes two other things:
- It keeps the democratic process intact for Town Meeting;
- It lets the younger generation participate. No state approval needed.
The schedule for Town Meeting has already been set at the most recent Select Board Meeting, so we may have to wait until 2028. At least this is an “actionable” solution that can be accomplished as well as formally reviewed and approved (compared with waiting many years for remote voting).
Thank you for considering this.
Adrian Peterson
Peter Spring Road
