Note: This page provides information about the Concord Town Meeting. For more information about the Carlsisle Town Meeting, please visit the Town of Carlisle website.
What is Open Town Meeting?
In an Open Town Meeting form of government, every registered voter may attend, speak and vote. Under state law, attendance must be in person; no absentee voting is permitted in a Massachusetts Town Meeting. State law also requires the Town to hold at least one Town Meeting each year in the spring. This is the Annual Town Meeting, and its principal business is to appropriate money to fund Town expenses for the fiscal year which starts the following July 1st. Money can be provided by appropriation directly against the municipal tax rate levied on real and personal property, or money may be borrowed within limits set by the State. Any additional Town Meetings that are called (at the Select Board's order) are considered "Special Town Meetings".
Town Meeting Process
The Town Moderator, who manages and presides at the Meeting, is elected each year at the Annual Town Election.
The Moderator will call each Article and its sponsor will make a motion. After the motion has been seconded, a debate will start according to Town Meeting rules of order as set forth in the book, Town Meeting Time, which is available at the Town libraries. The Moderator will recognize the speakers, rule on motions and amendments with respect to conformance to parliamentary procedure, and call for votes. The recommendations of Town Committees may be made on each Article. For additional information on the conduct of the Meeting, refer to the pamphlet "Concord Town Meeting Traditions and Procedures" which is available on the Town’s website, from the Town Clerk's office in the Town House, or in the lobby as you enter Town Meeting.
Town Meeting is an important democratic institution open to all Concord registered voters and is Concord’s legislative body. On each Article you will hear a formal presentation and recommendations from citizen committees. You may speak on the issues if you wish and then cast your vote. By this process, the decisions made are based on the collective will and wisdom of the Meeting. We encourage your active participation, particularly for those Articles that are of greatest importance to you.
Consent Calendar
The Consent Calendar is a tool of the Meeting intended to expedite action on Articles that are expected to be non-controversial. The Consent Calendar is proposed by the Moderator, with feedback accepted from the Select Board, in advance of the Meeting and will be published in advance on the Town's website and in the Annual Town Meeting Briefing Book.
High Interest Articles
Certain Articles that attract a high level of community interest may be scheduled for specific dates and times at the discretion of the Town Moderator. This will be published in advance of the Meeting on the Town's website and in the Annual Town Meeting Briefing Book.
Source: Town of Concord Website—Information about Town Meeting Process
Read more on the Town of Concord Website
Rethinking Concord Town Meeting
In spring 2025, a town study committee completed its work examining possible changes to how Concord Town Meeting functions. Some of the propsed changes were implemented for the 2025 Town Meeting. The materials below outline recent discussions and proposals.
In the Press:
- The Concord Bridge, June 6, 2025: After a lively debate, clickers get a Town Meeting test drive
- The Concord Bridge, June 6, 2025: Town Meeting’s hybrid future?
- The Concord Bridge, June 16, 2025: A Town Meeting tradition ends — not with a bang but a clicker
