Next Steps: Citizen Petition

Having discussed the citizen petition with several people (including Krisin Las and Angela Harkness), I've concluded that we can not direct the Select Board to take a specific action, and that therefore the purpose of this petition is really to send a clear message to the board that a majority of citizens want the board to take action to enable people to vote on warrant articles without having to attend Town Meeting.

Therefore I've revised the petition advising instead of directing the Select Board. Also, instead of specifing a method in detail, I include 2 proposals (hybrid meeting or ballot vote). This is to avoid arguments over the best way to achieve the end, and to focus on the end itself.

If we can get this petition on the warrant, and get it passed, hopefully it will light a fire under the board, and get them to take action. Then they can figure out how to get it accomplished. Note that in Wayland, it was the Select Board itself that put the article on the warrant, endorsed it, and got it passed. It would be nice if the board were to take this on, but I don't expect that to occur, and we need to get moving to meet the August 22, 2024 deadline for citizen petitions.

The next step is to collect signatures in support of the petition - we need 100 signatures to get it on the warrant.  I assume that most, if not all, of you subscribers will be happy to sign.

I'm attaching both the petition itself and the signature form as a heads up. I'm working out the best way (logistically) to obtain the signatures. I think that will mean having a few people stand at public locations (e.g. Market Basket) with clipboards with both the signature forms and the petitions.

Anyone interested in helping, please contact me by e-mail (btaffel@gmail.com).

More to follow.

Petition to enable citizens to vote on warrant articles without physically attending Town .

Download • 94KB

Petition Signature Form Completed.pdf

Download PDF • 52KB