A few wise words from Darcy Dale, member of the Hamilton Select Board
Saturday May 1, 2021: Annual Town Meeting: the legislature of Hamilton will come together (under a tent, with socially distanced seating, and masking-up) to pass legislation for the Town
I think it is worth reminding voters that they are their own legislators when we come together at ATM/STM, and as such, they themselves hold the reins of power to steer the future of their Town. This is the most ancient and direct form of democratic self-government…..and Town Meeting (that was away from the seat of power in Boston) was literally invented in Massachusetts as a way to avoid traveling the dangerous, and long, Indian foot-path route to Boston from Concord – which was the first inland settlement in the New World. Governor Winthrop allowed the intrepid colonists to form their own town government, to collect taxes on behalf of the Governor, make local laws, and keep communication with the leaders in Boston. The Magna Carta was the model document that was modified by the leaders of the new colony so that they could navigate their brave, new world.
Eventually, the Massachusetts state constitution, along with our US Constitution, would be modeled after the Town of Concord’s unique “Open Town Meeting” rules and regulations. To this day, we depend upon the foresight of our First Families to guide us at Open Town Meeting (also it is known as direct democracy as opposed to “representative democracy” such as is our practice with our State Representatives and Senators). There are still over 250 – out of the 351 cities and towns – Towns in Massachusetts that continue to practice Open Town Meetings every year. The “instruction” manual that is used in every town to help guide ATM/STM proceedings is called “Town Meeting Time” and is used by every Moderator.
Open Town Meeting is almost 400 years old, and has served us well for a very long period of time!
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-law-about-town-meetings
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