Politics & Government

A Guide to Special Town Meeting

Here are some helpful tips from Betsey Anderson, the Town Moderator, on how to be an effective participant in Special Town Meeting.

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With town meeting being held tonight, Nov. 13, at 7:30 p.m. in the Bedford High School auditorium, every Bedford resident probably has an issue that they would like their voice to be heard on. 

The Bedford Town Moderator, Betsy Anderson, provided a "Guide to Town Meeting" so Bedford voters know exactly how they can participate and get their point across on the issues that really matter to them.

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The full version of the guide is attached to this article above as a PDF, but here are some key points to take away:

Debate Rules:

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  1. No voter may speak without recognition by the Moderator.

  2. Speakers must give their name and address before commencing.

  • No voter may speak in debate more than twice on any article without specific permis- sion from the Moderator, except to correct a :statement. Questions do not fall under this rule.

  • Speakers must keep their debate within the scope of the motion on the floor.

  • All questions must be directed through the Moderator. 

    • Time Limitations on Debate:

    1. A speaker presenting an article or amendment to an article shall be limited to ten (10) minutes.

    2. Other speakers shall be limited to five (5) minutes.

    3. No article shall be presented after 10:45 PM.

  • Town Meeting by majority vote may waive A, B, or C.

    • Making a Motion  

     1. Be recognized by the Moderator (stand at a microphone in the aisles or raise  your hand).

     2. State your name and address.

     3. State the motion: “I move that ...”

     4. Wait for another voter to second your motion.

     5. The Moderator will allow you to make a presentation explaining the reason for  the motion in accordance with the debate rules.

     6. In Bedford, all motions for warrant articles are made by the Selectmen or other  town board members except in the case of articles submitted by petition. 

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