Power And Responsibility - Town Meetingby Bill Gouveia for the Sun Chronicle
The institution of open town meeting (OTM) is an example of democracy in its purest and simplest form.
The institution of open town meeting (OTM) is an example of democracy in its purest and simplest form.
But in these days of multi-million dollar budgets and complicated municipal finance regulations and obligations, OTM can also serve as a dangerous threat to the long-term stability and financial planning of a local community.
That was in evidence in Norton this week when town meeting began work on the town’s $55 million proposed budget. The budget total recommended by the finance committee was ultimately approved, but there were some changes proposed and one amendment passed concerning how that budget is distributed.
Voters approved an amendment put forth by the school committee to add $143,900 to the school budget, and another to reduce the town’s health insurance account by the same amount. School committee member Deniz Savas said the figure represented the amount of health insurance saved by the committee’s decision earlier that evening to privatize the school food services and eliminate the jobs of cafeteria workers.
Because the decision was made literally minutes prior to the start of town meeting, there was no opportunity for the finance committee to review it or assess the impact.
But it was passed overwhelmingly by those in attendance at town meeting, who seemed to represent a mostly “pro-school” crowd.
That in itself is not alarming, as it is the right of town meeting to pass the budget it wants.
However, there was talk of adding even more to the school budget by transferring from various other accounts and budgets that were deemed “not as critical” by some speakers.
If school officials had been so inclined, they no doubt could have gotten the meeting to add a lot more money to their budget. To their credit, they stuck to the amount they had voted to support. But the very real possibility was there, and such a move would have caused major financial and budget problems in other areas for the town.
What’s the point? Well, voters at town meeting have complete power to change the budget numbers, but no responsibility to have studied them or be aware of the ramifications. This means the final word on crucial budget decisions is made by whoever decides to show up to just one single meeting.
You don’t have to convince a majority of councilors or selectmen or finance committee members. You don’t have to go to hearings, provide information in advance, or meet any other standards other than getting the most votes in a popularity contest after perhaps an hour of discussion.
All you have to do is turn out people who will support your efforts. It becomes a battle of political wills and organizing skills, rather than a discussion of facts before elected representatives.
Kudos and respect to all those who make the effort to be informed and show up for town meeting.
But when it comes to spending $50 million to $100 million budgets, the decisions should not be the result of a vote by whoever happens to show up.
Democracy is a wonderful thing, but it still has to be tempered with the right dose of responsibility.
Bill Gouveia is a local columnist, longtime local official, and the Norton town moderator. He can be emailed at billsinsidelook@gmail.com and followed on Twitter at @Billinsidelook.
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