Town Meeting Begins Monday

It is that time of year again - time once again for Canton's .

Call me a geek, a political junkie or someone who needs to get a life, but I look forward to it every year!  

Annual Town Meeting commences this coming Monday, April 30 at 7:30 pm at  Morse Auditorium.  It runs until approximately 11:00 pm and runs every consecutive Monday and Wednesday until all items in the 100-plus page have been voted.  All registered voters in Canton are eligible to attend and vote at the Annual Town Meeting.

At Annual Town Meeting, the town's budget for the upcoming fiscal year is voted on and approved.  In addition, there are usually various zoning articles to be voted on, along with a variety of other articles.  All of these have been previously presented to the Town's , who have taken a position of being in favor of or opposed to the article.  However, the final decision is up to the voters at Annual Town Meeting.

 can be a lively event, with some matters being more controversial than others.  Voters who wish to speak on a matter have the opportunity to step up to one of the microphones to address the body. There is a moderator who maintains control and ensures that the proper procedures are followed. There are often last-minute substitutions and interesting debates.  For those unable to attend, the meeting is broadcast live by .  However, if you are not  there, you cannot vote!

I find it to be an interesting and entertaining event to attend, not to mention my civic responsibility. How often does a citizen get to make decisions that will directly impact the quality of life in his or her community? 

So, you will find me on Monday evening at Canton's Annual Town Meeting. Will I see you there?

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About the Author: Christine Smith is a Realtor, Buyer's Agent, Attorney, social media fan, parent and Canton resident. She writes about real estate and events in the Canton area on her blog – Canton MA Events and Real Estate