Town Meeting: Misc Information

Town Meeting

INFORMATION ABOUT TOWN MEETING GOVERNMENT
From the Secretary of the Commonwealth: "The purest form of democratic governing is practiced in a Town Meeting. In use for over 300 years and still today, it has proven to be a valuable means for many Massachusetts taxpayers to voice their opinions and directly effect change in their communities. Here in this ancient American assembly, you can make your voice heard as you and your neighbors decide the course of the government closest to you."

The Town Clerk maintains the record of every Special Town Meeting (STM) and Annual Town Meeting (ATM). The record consists of the articles on the warrant, motions and amendments, and the outcomes or votes of the meeting. This document becomes the journal (Minutes) of the meeting and then a permanent record of the Town of Lakeville.

Information about taking part in Town Meetings, click on the link (Guide to Voting in Town Meeting): http://www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/cistwn/twnidx.htm


Voter Registration
The Town Clerk's office will be open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on voter registrations sessions.
 
The last day to register to vote to be eligible to attend an act: 
  •  10 days before an Annual Town Meeting; and
  • 10 days before a Special Town Meeting to register voters.

Town Meeting Information

The Town of Lakeville has an Open Town Meeting which means that all registered voters may speak and vote at the meeting.

Town Meetings are held in the Auditorium at Apponequet Regional High School, 100 Howland Road, Lakeville, MA.

  • Annual Town Meeting is held on the 2nd Monday of May (Town Bylaws-subject to change)  
  • Special Town Meetings are held as necessary and are called for by the Select Board

You must be a registered voter in the Town of Lakeville to attend and vote at any Town Meetings. 

The responsibilities of Town Meeting are to:
  • Appropriate funds for operating and capital budgets for the upcoming fiscal year (July 1st to June 30th)
  • Approve all General and Zoning By-Laws; and  
  • Accept certain "local option" statutes of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.    
Process and Procedures:
  • The Town Clerk reports on the actions of each Town Meeting session and is the keeper of the official minutes.
  • All matters of Town Meeting business are included in the Warrant. Each item of business is called a Warrant article. The Select Board determines the content and order of articles in the Warrant, and sets the deadline for closing the warrant.
  • The Town Moderator, who is elected by the voters for a three-year term, presides over the business and conduct of Town Meeting. Operating procedures and rules are dictated by statute, by-laws, or tradition; in their absence "Time Meeting Time governs."  Citizens may address the Town Meeting, and when recognized by the moderator, may make motions and may participate in votes taken.
Quorum:
  • To hold an Annual Town Meeting there needs to be a quorum of 100 legally registered voters.
  • For Special Town Meetings a quorum of 100 legally registered voters needs to be present for the meeting to take place.

Note: Absentee voting is NOT allowed for Town Meetings.