Position on Town Meeting

Current Town Meeting Format
Unfavorable. Town meeting is important, we need to preserve it, but the issues are too important and complex, the facility too small, and the important cross section of the community is no longer represented. It has become a contentious show and a divisive meeting in recent years, when it instead could be used as an opportunity for true progress, progressive thinking, consensus building, and formation of action plans with long reaching impact.

Continuing to hold an annual Town Meeting.
Favorable. Community Preservation principles and the long history of Sudbury, claims to the oldest continuous town meeting in the US, and our sense of community spirit would support a limited Town Meeting to celebrate and comment upon accomplishments, and to offer new ideas and hold referendum votes. But changes must be made. Town meeting should be less dreaded by the selectmen and other town officials, and more productive and cooperative.

Mail in Voting on Town Warrant Items
Favorable: Sudbury lacks any single facility large enough to maintain a quorum of voters. The population of Sudbury is now above 17,000. The timing of Town Meeting, poor auditorium seating, and school location discriminates against seniors, the handicapped and infirm, and working residents who have evening employment obligations. Holding important school affecting votes at the school results in bias.

Town Meeting Electronic Format
Favorable: Virtually all Sudbury residents have good access to at least one cable television channel and internet access could be provided to town functions, boards and meetings.