Town meeting

Town meeting is a form of local government commonly practiced in the U.S. region of New England, but uncommon elsewhere in the United States. Despite the name "town," it can also apply to other governmental bodies, usually school districts.

Vermont

All cities and towns in Vermont, except for South Burlington, are required by the terms of their charters to hold an annual town meeting, on Town Meeting Day (the first Tuesday in March). However, state law requires that all matters of consequence, including election of town officials and approval of town and district budgets, must be decided by Australian ballot. As a result, many towns actually hold their public meetings the Monday evening preceding Town Meeting Day, and reserve the official day itself for voting.

Related Topics:
Vermont - South Burlington - Town Meeting Day - Australian ballot

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Day-to-day operations of cities and towns are governed by a town council or selectboard, which is fully empowered to act on most issues, but all town budgets (and those of other independent taxing authorities) must be approved by plebiscite; explaining the board's budget request to the voters is the principal business of Town Meeting. Voters at Town Meeting may also vote on non-binding resolutions, and may place items on the ballot for the following year's meeting.

Related Topics:
Town council - Plebiscite

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Because all city and town charters are established by special legislation, there is no general requirement for municipalities to observe Town Meeting or to put their budgets to plebiscite. When the Town of South Burlington was re-chartered as the City of South Burlington in the 1950s, the new charter provided for city elections in April and required only budget increases of 10% or more per annum to be placed before voters. No other municipality has been granted such a charter by the legislature, and there is strong sentiment against making future exceptions.

Related Topics:
Special legislation - 1950s

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Employers in the state often give their employees time off, or at least give the employees the option of leaving early/coming in late, in order to attend their home town's Town Meeting. Universities often also give their students the day off from class so that they may go to Town Meeting to learn more about local issues and government.

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