Town Meeting:Opening Ceremonies

The Annual Town Meeting is called to order by the Moderator. There are some initial formalities, following which the Moderator announces, "The meeting is now open on Article 2." (Article 1 is the annual Town election, usually held about three weeks prior. See Town_Meeting:When and Where for more information.)

Under Article 2, which remains open throughout the meeting, all reports of Town Officers, Boards, and Committees are received. Town Meeting Members are asked to accept each report individually and place it on file with the Town Clerk. This vote of acceptance places the report on record with the Town but does not approve, adopt, endorse, or ratify the contents of the report. The meeting, normally, then takes up the articles in the order on the Warrant unless otherwise voted by Town Meeting.