The Moderator is elected by ballot at the Annual Town Election for a one-year term, and is responsible for presiding over Annual Town Meeting, Special Town Meetings, and other meetings that he or she is requested to officiate at to ensure that order is maintained.  The Moderator is responsible for regulating proceedings, deciding all questions of order, and making public declaration of all votes.  As Moderator, my goal is to conduct the Town Meeting in a fair, yet expeditious manner, allowing all points of view a fair hearing while still keeping the process moving.

The powers and duties of the presiding officer, not especially provided for by state law (see below), or by Town bylaws, shall be determined by the rules and practices contained in the most recent edition of Town Meeting Time, so far as they are adapted to the conditions and powers of the town.

The Town Moderator also appoints the members of the Finance Committee and the representative to the Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School Committee.

Massachusetts General Laws / Chapter 39: Moderators

• Powers and Duties - Section 15
• Powers of Moderator; Preservation of Order - Section 17
• Duties of Moderators; Reception of Votes - Section 18

Also see Article 3 of The Charter of the Town of Acton and Chapter A of the By-Laws of the Town of Acton.

Links to other pertinent documents:

• A Guide to Acton’s Town Meeting
• Moderator’s Rules and Parliamentary Procedure for Town Meeting
• Moderator’s Guidelines and Helpful Tips for Powerpoint Presentations at Acton town Meeting
• League of Women Voters – “Making Town Meeting Work Better” December 11, 2008

Additional Resources

• 2021 Municipal Budget Supplement
  
• Town Meeting Warrant and Procedure
• Parliamentary Procedure
• Budget Information
• Map of High School and Parking
• Town Charter
• Town By-Law
• Zoning Bylaws
• Zoning Map
• Annual Town Reports
• Glossary of Terms Commonly Used in Municipal Finance

Past Town Meetings

Town Meeting Warrants

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Town Meeting Results

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