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Hearing Slated on Possible Change in Madison Government

Members of the Charter Review Committee are considering changing from “town meeting’’ to “extended town meeting’’ government in an effort to increase citizen participation in Madison.

A public meeting on the matter will be held at 7:30 p.m. on June 14th at the Town Campus.

The charter committee is charged with presenting any changes to the charter to the Board of Selectmen by February of 2015.

Changing the town meeting statute is, according to committee members, the most significant change being considered.

 In a joint statement released by the committee, it said: “Residents of Madison have shared with the committee experiences of frustration when trying to participate in the governing processes of the town.  Madison practices the “Town Meeting” form of government, whereby the power of governing lies with the people and they exercise that power by attending town meetings and voting on matters brought before them.

“Attendance at town meeting has been dwindling, resulting in most recent town meetings to be adjourned without a quorum.  At present, the town charter requires a quorum of 75 in order to do the business of a town meeting.  Of the past 36 town meetings since the last charter revision, only four reached a quorum.  Members of the Charter Review Committee are working to clarify why this is and what measures Madison can take to improve civic participation in its government,’’ the committee statement said.

With Extended Town Meeting, the town meeting is called to order at the scheduled time and date, regardless of whether or not there is a quorum.  Information is shared with the attendees.  The meeting is live streamed and/or recorded for podcast to allow residents to view the information at a time that is most convenient for them to give their full attention to the matter at hand.  Hard copy materials will be made available on the town website, at town hall and at the library. 

After the presentation of information, voting will be opened.  The meeting will then be recessed, rather than adjourned.  Voting will continue for a minimum of two days at town hall for those who were not able to attend the meeting or for those who wish to obtain more information before making their decision.  Meeting attendees will have the option of voting at the meeting or waiting to vote at town hall.  Once the specified voting period comes to a close, the total number of votes cast will be counted.  If there are enough votes to constitute a quorum, then the votes will be counted, the tallies announced and the meeting adjourned.  If there are not enough votes to constitute a quorum, the rules that are already in place for lack of quorum will take effect.