Middlesex Town Meeting Solutions Committee
Meeting Minutes
March 28, 2002

Present: Susan Clark, Gregory Whitchurch, Barbara Whitchurch, Dave Shepard, Wilson Brett, Henrietta Jordan and Phil Chase

1.Direction for the Next Year
Susan presented a list of possible projects for the next year.

Phil stated that his major concern is an overall lack of community in Middlesex unless one is involved in the political aspects of the town or has children in school. He has spoken with longtime residents who don’t generally attend meetings because they don’t feel comfortable speaking in front of large groups.
Greg suggested that having the moderator repeat questions asked from the floor might make people feel more comfortable.

2. Reflections on Town Meeting this Year
Committee members spoke about some of their thoughts and observations from Town Meeting this year. Henrietta said she doesn’t think it works as well as it could when Peter Hood is acting both as moderator and as a spokesperson for the Select Board.

Wilson said some working class people don’t feel like they belong in town anymore. He feels more explanation on Australian ballot items could be useful. Greg wondered if ballots could be worded to be more easily understood and not so legalistic.

Some feedback was received from resident Peter Clark who indicated he felt the new part-time assistant for the Select Board should spend at least part of their time making people more aware of what the Select Board does.

There were also some comments about the timing of Town Meeting. Perhaps it should be started somewhat earlier to have less competition with the dinner served at the church.

3. Project List
A list of potential projects was gone over in some detail and members indicated issues they would be interested in working on.

a. Town Charter
Henrietta said she thinks the changes necessary to allow an issue at Town Meeting to be voted on by Australian ballot at a later date may be easier to bring about than using technology to allow someone to vote who is not physically present at the meeting. Wilson stated he feels being able to vote on an issue at a later date by Australian ballot is an important issue and one that we could make progress on. Henrietta suggested the Snelling Foundation as a possible grant source.

b. Sign Language Interpreter
Henrietta knows of someone who could use this service but doesn’t want to cost the town extra money. Some discussion ensued as to whether this person should be approached about whether she would use this service if it were provided or if the service should just be provided and make sure the person is aware.

c. Events
Phil mentioned being invited to events at Rumney School where the children would show some of their work. This kind of event can foster a feeling of community. Wilson suggested a church could sponsor an event that would raise money for the fire department.

People expressed interest in working on projects as follows:

-“This is Middlesex” publication: Susan, Dave and Henrietta

-Middlesex website: Susan and Greg

-Create more opportunity for citizen participation with existing boards: Susan

-Town Charter: Henrietta, Wilson and Dave

-Links with Rumney: Susan and Phil

-Community Building Events: Wilson, Susan and Phil

-Research need for Interpreters: Barb

-Research need for Transportation to Town Meeting: Dave


Minutes recorded by Dave Shepard