MSA hosts town meeting workshop with Moderators Association

The Massachusetts Select Board Association held a virtual workshop with the Massachusetts Moderators Association on Feb. 25 to discuss select board roles and responsibilities relative to town meetings.

North Andover Town Moderator Mark DiSalvo said both select board members and town moderators are “vital parts responsible for protecting a 400-year tradition of local participatory democracy” in Massachusetts.

Westborough Town Moderator John Arnold discussed how to communicate the separation of powers at town meeting to constituents.

“The way many of us moderators talk about this is we welcome the voters at Town Meeting, whether it be open or representative, as citizen legislators,” he said.

Voters are responsible for making charter and bylaw changes, allocating funds at the department level, and defining, on a macro-level, the town’s priorities, he said. Meanwhile, the select board functions as the town’s chief executive body.

Arnold said it’s important “to get voters, including ourselves, to understand the difference between acting on behalf of the legislative branch and acting on behalf of the executive branch.”

Reading Town Moderator Alan Foulds discussed managing conflict during a town meeting, saying that the most effective tool “is to eliminate, or minimize as much as possible, the unknown.” Ahead of a town meeting, Foulds meets with the town manager, department heads, and at least one select board member to review agenda items, identify potentially contentious topics, and develop a script with detailed timing.

DiSalvo discussed how to promote optimal relationships between the select board, moderator, and other community leaders to ensure a smooth and efficient town meeting. He recommended that municipal officials start by identifying common interests and keeping communication channels open with one another outside of town meeting.

“Crafting relationships takes time, effort, and the opportunity to earn credibility each time you invest in that relationship,” he said. “It will inevitably become contentious, but you can reach into that credibility bag to offer some goodwill and move on to the next matter without harm.”

The webinar concluded with an open dialogue moderated by DiSalvo. Panelists answered audience questions on topics including strategies for making town meeting more accessible to voters, voter engagement and turnout, and the use of technology and remote participation at town meeting.