Town leaders hard at work planning safe and efficient ATM
By GuestDear Editor:
I am hoping to be elected as this year’s moderator for Canton’s annual town meeting. ATM is scheduled to be held on Saturday, May 22, at 12:30 p.m. The plan is for it to last until all business has been concluded. Town leaders are working hard to plan a safe and efficient meeting. It will be held outdoors, with appropriate spacing, at Canton High School’s Memorial Field, and we are asking everyone to wear masks. There are 42 articles, including some that were postponed from last year’s ATM. Based on my prior experience, it would normally take five to six hours, and two or more meetings to dispose of all articles to handle all articles in the usual manner.
I have asked the Finance Committee to include as many articles as possible in the consent agenda (Article 4) so that they can be voted in a single vote. In doing so, I am not trying to take away the voice of the people; rather, I am trying to give people more time to speak on the articles that need to be debated. Knowing that Canton uses a lottery system, I am concerned that people will not want to come and sit for six hours waiting to speak on the one or two articles they have questions on. As always, if an article that is listed in the consent agenda needs to be debated, I will ask people to rise and put a hold on the article as we read the items that were included.
There will be two other opportunities for town members to have their voice heard. There is a public Zoom meeting scheduled for May 12. Town leaders will discuss the articles and address questions. Please see details on the town of Canton website. We will include an agenda and discuss articles in order. The consent agenda will be discussed at the beginning and end of the meeting. If you have a question on an article, there will also be an option to submit a question in advance.
I look forward to seeing everyone. Please stay safe.
Alan Hines, Past Moderator
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=74385
Posted by Guest
on May 7 2021. Filed under From One Citizen to Another, Opinion.
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