BRATTLEBORO — Representative Town Meeting offers a unique opportunity for community members to become educated about the issues being discussed. In my experience, these meetings have genuinely allowed all present to ask questions and share their views. The atmosphere is formal, but cordial and respectful. Participants devote at least a day to the process.
Town-wide votes have the risk of overly simplifying issues and having less-informed people making decisions.
Most years, plenty of Town Meeting representative positions are available, even after the election. No resident who is willing to spend the time is likely to be excluded.
The process is imperfect, lengthy, and at times frustrating. But it offers an opportunity to come together with fellow residents to discuss important items of mutual concern. Diminishing its role by shifting decision-making toward more town-wide referenda would likely lead to poorer decisions made by less-informed people.
Charter changes currently being considered would diminish the capability of Representative Town Meeting to perform its function. Devoted and valued community members would be excluded after their term limits expire. Decisions made by the group could more easily be challenged and negated by a vocal and well-organized minority.
The Selectboard appropriately is concerned about Brattleboro moving toward a more dysfunctional decision-making process. I applaud their efforts, and I respect their (often thankless) contributions of time and energy.