We could not get 150 people to Town Meeting so we could have the Special Town Meeting. But you will hear 1000 or more complain about the budget etc.that was passed. . Thank you to the 90 or so people who did attend.

Joe, what do you think can be done to increase participation?

Advertise more. Invest in free standing signs that can be updated easily eliminating reoccurring cost. Put those signs in busy intersections through out the town. Everyone sits at a red light.

Might be time to think about another form of government. Open town meeting is great, but if no one shows up, the purpose it totally defeated.

I didn't even know there was a special town meeting, so lack of advertising could be at least part of the problem. Maybe put some signs in schools?

Can someone explain the difference and purposes of Town Meeting vs Special Town Meeting?

I have a suggestion as to how to get more people to come. Why not get a local supermarket (like Stop and Shop) or restaurant to sponsor it. They would have a HUGE banner on both sides of the auditorium showing their sponsorship. In return, they would provide free food and beverages. From experience organizing other events, I have seen that free food attracts people.

First and foremost thank you to the people who did what they needed to do to make decisions as there was a disgustingly low turnout.
I do however agree with Mel - maybe it is time to look into how our town's government is run and to decide if it really is the best way to meet the needs of North Reading? I am curious to know what other towns use "our" type of government? Since moving to North Reading 8 years ago all I have heard is that nothing passes easy in this town. Everything takes 3 times, years go by and more money is spent. Why is that? If North Reading is to strive to be a desirable to town for young families to settle and want to be a part of the town - how do we change to get people to work together for town decisions ? PS: I agree getting the word out/and or advertising is definitely a weakness.

Town meeting is advertised throught out the Town. In the news paper, On Patch, a banner on the fence at Park & Haverhill mentioned at several Selectmens meetings and a Town Meeting Warrent is mailed to every residence in town. What more do you want them to do? it is advertised plenty. As I said in an earlier post there were 90 or so people there but 1000 will complain about what those 90 voted on. The sad truth is unless a special interest group has something on the warrent that they want to get passed they are not there. This shows every time a special interest group has an article on there they get up and leave after it is voted on. I have seen the Moderator many times ask people to stay but they get and leave anyways.
I do not know how to fix it but I would leave it alone. Open Town Meeting allows everyone no just an elected number to speak and vote in the issues.

If town meeting had taken place one hour before, there would have been a quorum. The senior class grand march took place in the high school gym and there were PLENTY of parents there! I don't think it's a matter of advertising more.....I think people just don't want to take time out of their evenings.

Terry, You are 100% correct. It is not because of poor advertising.

Look at all of the cowards (Joe V.'s characterization, not mine) on this thread. Come on people, use your full name!!!

Other than getting sponsorship to provide free food, I do have another idea. I think quite often people may not understand all the fine details of each appropriation. They may not know the difference between different accounts (I know that I was confused at various points in the meeting). Consequentially they may view the town meeting as a rubber stamp. I would suggest that to solve this problem, a workshop be offered that explained the purpose of all the different accounts as well as to explain other aspects of how town meetings are structured. Then people may feel more empowered and the meeting may be more meaningful for them.

RBL, That might be a good idea but do you really think people would go to a workshop? I do not think they would. Someone like you would because you are interested in the workings of Town Meeting but the special interest groups could care less. They come to vote on their one or two articles and go home.

Peter the coward, There you go again lying to all the people. I said not all the people were cowards just a few like you. I know you like to look at old posts so look it up and you will see that I am correct again..

Peter the Coward, You say I lied. If someone is told information and if it should turn out to be incorrect that does not mean the person who stated it is lieing. I know you will have a hard time understanding what I said but do your best.

Joe the Blowhard, I appreciate yet another feeble attempt on your part to discredit me but the fact is you that you are continuing to spew your misinformation and are not human enough to own up to it but instead choose to resort to name calling.