To the editor:
Marblehead’s Annual Town Meeting is just about a month away, on Monday, May 5th. Unlike open public meetings held by the boards and commissions of our executive branch, Town Meeting is the gathering of the citizenry of our town, which becomes the legislative body once the meeting is opened, through to completion. It is a privilege to be Town Moderator and an honor to oversee the important business of the town through this legislative process. Unlike other legislative bodies at the state and national levels, I do not take a position in the debate and, like almost all moderators, choose not to vote. Leading up to Town Meeting, I see my job as facilitating articles for submission to the warrant from conception through to the presentation of motions on the floor of the meeting. There are many nuances to this process, and my goal is to assist, most importantly, the citizen legislators, in the successful evolution of this process. During the meeting, state law is prescriptive in part that “The moderator shall preside and regulate the proceedings, decide all questions of order, and make public declaration of all votes…” The 2025 Annual Town Meeting Warrant can be found on Marblehead.org under the Town Meeting tab on the left side.
There are several open public meetings between now and Town Meeting. Those meetings can be found on Marblehead.org and are typically available to watch remotely via Zoom. One of the most important meetings coming up will be the Finance Committee’s Warrant
Hearing. This is a mandatory meeting where the articles on the warrant are open for presentation and discussion before we get to Town Meeting. The Warrant Hearing is April 7 at 7 p.m. in the Select Board Room at Abbot Hall. The Finance Committee’s primary responsibility is to make recommendations to Town Meeting on any article that impacts the budget.
Since being elected in 2022, I have looked to make measured improvements to foster greater participation and efficiencies at our town meetings. One change is that I have solved a long-term challenge pertaining to an amendment from the floor calling for the reconsideration of a prior vote. Up until last year, and for as long as the accommodation was instituted in our bylaws, the moderator has had to rely on faith that the person presenting such an amendment voted on the prevailing side. After two years of seeing this amendment presented and considering alternatives, I discovered that our new electronic voting devices can be used in the verification process. Although the distribution of the voting devices is random, should a citizen call for such an amendment, their vote will be confirmed through the electronic voting device that they were provided. After the device is given to me to confirm the direction of their vote, they will be given another random voting device.
The power and privilege of Town Meeting have been ingrained in our traditions since Marblehead’s founding, more than 375 years ago. They continued through to the founding of our great nation 250 years ago, when Town Meeting became the original instrument of our independence and governance. The primary tenet of Town Meeting is the deliberative process that enables the citizens to gather for the common good of the town. Although the practice can bring even the most modest to fervent debate, I am reminded that many a vote has been swayed during the factual exchange of views. I doubt any have changed through intimidation or discourse, which is why I will expect and call for order when necessary, for the benefit of all. I will continue to remind people that we gather because we care about the existence of our town governance and common good, and hope that we all show up on Monday, May 5, at the Veterans School Performing Arts Center, mindful to meet that end. I am always available should you have questions about Town Meeting and can be reached at 781-883-3200.
Jack Attridge
Marblehead Town Moderator
