Town Moderator

Julia P. Califano

Annually the Committee on Appropriations (COA) prepares budgets for the next fiscal year starting July first for the operation of the schools and municipal government, and for capital expenditures; for presentation at a May Financial Town Meeting (FTM).

Paraphrasing Town Charter (7-1-10), "the moderator, after having heard all electors desirous of speaking at the town meeting, shall cause votes to be taken." This simple directive precludes the use of Roberts Rules of Order as motions to table, call the question, or curtail or stop debate are not in order.

Thus the Moderator's basic function is to prosecute the FTM agenda so that the will of the voters is made known in the most expeditious manner. In the absence of strict parliamentary procedures, the Moderator also acts to facilitate questions, motions, and votes in timely fashion.