Town Meeting 2024: What To Know Before You Go

Here’s how even newbies can navigate TM like an expert

The Carnation encourages all voters to attend town meeting — while it does take planning, especially for parents and those who work evenings, decisions made there affect everything from whether pickleball courts can be constructed (Article 32) to how much money is allocated to our schools (Article 4) to whether Tewksbury will comply with the MBTA Communities Act (Article 41).

Spring 2024 Town Meeting is two nights, Monday, May 6 and Wednesday, May 8. It’s unusual for a Town Meeting to run longer than two hours. Many times, they’re much shorter. A paper warrant was mailed to all voters. You can also download a PDF copy, and there will be warrants as well as addendum documents available at the gym. Our summary of articles, below, explains when each will be voted on.

We’re told there will be childcare offered by Alphabest for school-age children; a registration link will be out shortly. Children are also welcome to sit with parents on Town Meeting floor.

If you are not registered to vote, March 27 was the final day to register to be eligible to vote at Town Meeting. You can still attend, but you need to sit in the visitor’s section and may not vote on articles. Note that if you register by April 26 you can vote at Special Town Meeting—submit your registration online at https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr/

Read summaries below or scroll down to our FAQs.

A 💵 denotes a budget article; a🌳shows conservation, recreation and open space; and a 🏡 is an article related to housing or zoning. A 🎾is, of course, pickleball.

MONDAY, MAY 6, 7:30 p.m.

Article 1 is always related to the election that happened last month. 

Article 2 sets the salaries of elected officials for FY25. 

Article 3 is the consent calendar, where attendees generally take one vote on routine articles, such as reauthorizing spending from revolving funds. If 37, 38, 39 or 40 is removed from the consent calendar, it will be voted on toward the end of the meeting.

Budget articles relate to spending and usually pass with little discussion. Town manager Richard Montuori has done presentations on the budget, including this one to the Select Board, and you can dig into the details here. Tewksbury Public Schools Business Manager Dave Libby has likewise provided several budget presos. Here’s a summary.

💵 Article 4 is the main FY25 town and school budget. 

💵 Articles 5, 6, 7 and 8 fund FY25 labor agreements with the Tewksbury Police Department, Fire Department and other town employees in union positions. School employee increases are within the School Department budget.

💵 Articles 9, 10, 11 and 12 fund the town’s three self-funding stabilization funds, for sewer, water, stormwater and Tewksbury Telemedia.

💵 Article 13 is where funds will come from for new flooring and to replace inefficient windows and doors for the Recreation Building on Livingston Street. The floors have broken tiles that make fitness classes a challenge.  This article will also fund construction of Phase 1 of a new sidewalk on Whipple Rd., from Pleasant St. to Ferncroft Rd., among other one-time capital expenditures.

💵 Article 14 allocates money from the town’s stabilization fund for improvements to school buildings, including HVAC at the Wynn and work on the Heath Brook School to fix flood damage not covered by insurance.

💵 Articles 15, 16 and 17 authorize the Town Manager to spend money from retained earnings in our stabilization funds for equipment and improvements, such as maintenance vehicles and hydrant replacements. Efforts to keep stormwater out of the sewer system is about saving money on treatment costs.

💵 Article 18 appropriates money to replace water lines and improve the water infrastructure. The aim is to do three miles of line annually. Tewksbury’s water distribution network comprises 160 miles of water main and three storage tanks.

💵 Article 19 allocates money to undertake a meter replacement project. Unexpectedly high water bills are often the result of meter malfunctions, and the town is looking to address that issue. 

💵 Article 20 uses money from bond premiums to pay down our debt principal.

Community preservation fund articles relate to spending CPA and Affordable Housing Trust funds, which come from a local property tax surcharge and may only be used to fund historic preservation, affordable housing and open space and outdoor recreational facilities. The state matches some CPA funds, usually around 35% to 40%. The Tewksbury Community Preservation Committee will meet next Tuesday at Town Hall to make formal recommendations. 

 🌳Article 21 appropriates CPA money to construct two lengths of boardwalk on the Chandler Well Fields that will create a 1.5 mile or so loop trail, including two viewing platforms to stop and overlook surrounding natural habitats of freshwater wetlands and pine forests. 

🌳Article 22 will also use some CPA funds to tidy up town land and reduce safety risks by removing unused pump stations.

🌳Article 23 will continue the rehab of the historic Ella Flemings School. The town previously appropriated money to remove hazardous materials. Montuori says the Historic Commission is looking to use some space; eventually a designer will present options to the Select Board

 🏡Article 24 is a standard article that offers a look at the town’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund balance, currently at $5,822,630.

🌳Article 25 is similarly a standard article that shows CPA funds. The total CPA estimated FY25 revenue is $1,108,271. 

General articles include a mixed bag of items, including acceptance of an easement for boardwalk construction.

Article 26 authorizes the Select Board to enter into agreements to sell several parcels of land.

Articles 27 & 28 authorize the Select Board to accept easements for DPW projects and access to the Chandler Well Fields.

🌳Article 29 will put three parcels totaling about 1.5 acres under the control of the Conservation Commission to protect in perpetuity watershed resources, open space and wildlife habitat.

Article 30 will transfer control of the North Street Elementary School from the School Department to the Town.

💵 Article 31 would create a Shawsheen Valley Regional Vocational/Technical School District Stabilization Fund. Learn more about what that means here; scroll down about halfway. 

🎾Article 32 will ask the Mass. legislature to revise the deed restriction on a parcel located on Chandler Street, East Street and Livingston Street to allow for a wider variety of recreation uses, including pickleball.

🌳Article 33 is a long one. The gist is that it will update the town’s Wetland Protection Bylaw. The new document is the result of work by Tewks­bury’s conservation agent, Joe Fontaine, along with the Conservation Commission. The aim was to streamline the application process, adhere better to the state law and reduce costs and effort for residents. For example, there will be a reduction in the requirement to notify abutters. Check out highlights here.

Article 34 is a citizen petition that requires property owners, both residents and businesses, to clear their sidewalks of snow within 24 hours. Those with sidewalks that are cleared by the town are exempt. The aim is to improve pedestrian safety and promote walkability. The fine is $10 per day, which is the maximum allowed by the state. Petitioner Kyle Parker pointed out that the DPW doesn’t have resources to clear all sidewalks. 

Article 35 authorizes the Select Board to accept an easement for sidewalks at 1023 East St. 

💵 Article 36 expends money from various sources for pay raises of non-union employees. This article is last because it’s a secret vote. You’ll drop a slip of paper on your way out. 

WEDNESDAY, MAY 8

The Wednesday meeting is, technically, split into two parts. Moderator Dustin Weir will open the 2024 spring Special Town Meeting at 7 p.m. to deal with five articles. Then, at 7:30 p.m., discussion will begin on zoning articles, including MBTA Communities.

💵 STM Article 1 shifts FY24 money between accounts to fund, for example, police and fire overtime and medicare for town and school employees.

💵 STM Article 2 authorizes spending of free cash for one-time capital expenditures, including maintenance on Town Hall and supplies for TPD.

💵 STM Article 3 replenishes the snow and ice removal budget.

💵 STM Article 4 authorizes payment of some outstanding bills.

💵 STM Article 5 changes the way the town manages the Opioid Settlement Stabilization Fund.

At 7:30, discussion starts on zoning articles. The numbering skips over articles that went into the consent calendar. There are only two, related, articles to discuss.

🏡Article 41 would amend the town’s Zoning Bylaw to add an MBTA Communities Multifamily Overlay District, which would run along Main St. between the Post Office and Shawsheen St. This area would keep all of the uses that are currently allowed and add by-right multifamily housing, including two-family dwellings, townhouses and condo-style units. The Planning Board, which sponsors zoning articles, unanimously recommended adoption, as did the Finance Committee, but voters can expect a fair amount of discussion.

🏡Article 42 simply amends the zoning map to match the bylaw. 

Got questions on any of these articles? Send us an email at tewksburycarnation@gmail.com and we’ll try to get answers! We’ll also run more info on select articles right up until Town Meeting and keep you up-to-date on childcare.

Now for some FAQs:

What is town meeting? Tewksbury is one of more than 250 towns that have an open town meeting form of government, where all registered voters have a say in everything from zoning to how money is spent. Town meeting is often described as “the purest form of democracy” and in Tewksbury, citizens have elected to keep open town meeting for that reason.

When is town meeting? In Tewksbury, town meetings convene in May and October. Interestingly, town elections in April are actually part of our annual TM. Town meetings are held in the gym at Tewksbury Memorial High School and start at either 7 p.m. or 7:30 p.m.

What’s the difference between annual and special town meetings? Each town must hold one annual town meeting; in Tewksbury, that is held in May. Additional town meetings are called “special” meetings. They may be called by the Board of Selectmen as many times during the year as is considered necessary.

In general, annual town meeting acts on next fiscal year budgets, zoning changes, bylaw amendments and other matters affecting the town. May town meeting is spread over two nights, with zoning addressed on Wednesday. Spring special town meetings are fast, less than a half hour typically, and deal with financial housekeeping from the current fiscal year.

Citizens may submit articles for either annual or special TM. This year, there are two citizen-submitted articles, one on snow removal and one to accept a sidewalk easement.

Who can take part? Anyone can attend, but only Tewksbury residents who are registered to vote can vote at TM. There is a visitors’ section for nonvoters, press and nonresidents who are interested in attending. Children are welcome at TM and don’t need to sit in the visitor section.

Who actually does attend? Historically, a tiny percentage of voters. Tewksbury has about 24,000 people registered. The average number of voters who’ve attended town meetings back to 2018, according to Town Clerk Denise Graffeo? 240. That means that about 1% of voters are making major decisions for the whole town. The highest town meeting attendance since 2018 was 922 in May 2019, when we voted to build the new Center Elementary School. In May 2022, there were 150 and 108 voters at TM and STM, respectively. In May 2023, there were 105 and 91 voters in attendance.

What is voted on at town meeting? Before every TM, the town clerk issues a warrant, which lists the articles up for vote. Residents can find warrants on the town’s website, and paper copies are sent to all residents. Paper warrants are also available at the library and town hall, and copies as well as addendums are available at the meeting. The warrant lists a meeting’s time, location and the articles to be considered. 

What happens when I go to town meeting? It’s a good idea to arrive at least 15 minutes early to check in. Voters will be issued a ribbon to wear that indicates they are eligible to vote. Having a license isn’t required but will speed up check in.

The moderator will call the meeting to order. After some opening formalities, articles come up for vote in order. Noncontroversial articles are bundled into a single article, called a “consent calendar,” to be voted on together. This saves time.

Any voter may speak on any article; nonresidents and nonvoters may also speak, with permission of the voting body. More on speaking dos and don’ts later.

Once all speakers have had their say, the moderator calls for a vote. Most votes are handled by either voice vote or by counters — people physically walking around with clickers to count off voters, who rise for either a “yes” or a “no” vote. Articles that deal with salaries are handled via secret ballot.

Town meetings must end by 11 p.m., but residents are normally out earlier, depending on how many articles there are and whether items are controversial.

Who runs TM? It’s the moderator’s job to run town meeting. Specifically, the moderator declares the outcome of all voice votes, decides if a standing count is needed and rules on procedural issues. In Tewksbury, the moderator has broad discretion.

Moderators are elected, and the term of office is three years in Tewksbury. Dustin Weir is our current moderator. When an elected moderator is absent, a temporary moderator may be elected at town meeting.

What if I have something to say? When it’s an article’s turn to be debated, you walk up to the podium. There may be a line to speak. When it’s your turn, the moderator will ask you to state your name and address for the record.

Do: Speak clearly and directly into the microphone so everyone can hear you, and stick to the topic being discussed. Direct all comments to the moderator. If you have a question for, say, the town manager, ask it through the moderator.

Don’t: Attack or attempt to debate any individual, official or previous speaker. Tewksbury has a proud tradition of being respectful at its town meetings, even on contentious articles. Keep arguments factual, stick to the allotted five minutes and pay attention to the moderator.

While everyone has an opportunity to ask questions, residents are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the warrant in advance. There is usually plenty of information available about complicated or out-of-the ordinary articles, and the finance committee and other boards hold informational meetings in advance of TM where residents can ask questions and get information.

Specifically, the Finance Committee holds a hearing on all the warrant articles prior to Town Meeting — and the date and time of that hearing is listed on the cover of each warrant. The Finance Committee has one major job: to advise town meeting. This hearing is the best place to ask questions about articles, as it is less formal than town meeting and staff are on hand to give answers.

Can I put an article on the warrant? Yes, though not until October. Citizen articles for annual town meetings require 10 signatures from registered voters, while articles for special town meetings require 100 signatures. Articles must be reviewed by town counsel to ensure they conform with state laws and town bylaws. The town clerk can advise interested residents on deadlines and provide examples.

Some terms you may hear, and what they mean:

Amendment: Any TM participant may make a motion to amend an article; that is, to add or change language. Amendments must be presented to the moderator in writing and be voted on.

Indefinite postponement: This is a negative motion. A yes vote on indefinite postponement, or on “tabling the article,” defeats the article.

Move the question or article: This is a motion to end discussion on an article and go to a vote. A resident may stand and make a motion to “move the question” when he or she believes the arguments are becoming redundant. Note, however, that you cannot get up, make an argument and then ask to move the question and thus shut out further debate. The moderator decides when to close debate and normally allows those in line to speak.

Two-thirds vote: Sometimes a super-majority — two-thirds of voters present —must vote yes for specific articles to pass.

Want to see a town meeting in action? You can watch the most recent annual and special town meetings on Tewksbury TV’s YouTube channel.

You can also find a Town Meeting 101 presentation by the town clerk.

The Carnation staff hope to see you on May 6 and 8. If you have questions not answered here or in the 101 video, contact the town clerk’s office or drop a line to tewksburycarnation@gmail.com and we’ll get you an answer.