Structure of the Stockbridge Annual Town Meeting

By Judith Wilkinson

I am an Investor Relations Professional and a resident of Stockbridge. I do not have expertise in town governance, but it has struck me that the format of the Town Meeting could benefit by an Investor Relations mindset and approach.

The goals of the Stockbridge Annual Meeting (I presume) are:

1) Inform the voters of the financial condition of the town

2) Enable voter participation in economic decisions of the town

3) Assure voters that the town's operations and finances are in good hands and are being well-managed

These goals are similar to those of an investor meeting (absent the voting on operational budget items). If we draw a parallel to an investor meeting, the select board is the Board of Directors, the Town Administrator is the CEO, the department heads are the operational management and subject matter experts, and the taxpayers are the investors.

It would be more meaningful to begin with an overview presentation by the Town Administrator, and then mini presentations by the department heads (at least those who have the most warrants to be approved and/or the most controversial line items).

Sample Agenda:

Presentation (with slides) by Town Administrator

Explain year to year changes in revenue

State projected budget (if all warrants are approved) compared to last year's actual expenses

Highlight the five largest items up for vote at the meeting and state that detail will come with the Dept. Head presentation

(I know that some of this data is currently provided in a handout)

Presentation (with slides) by Dept Heads

Proposed budget compared to last year's actuals

Major changes (represented by warrants) and explanations of why they are necessary.

Ask if there are any questions

When questions have been answered, the moderator will

Ask for approval of all relevant warrants

The Select Board

The most appropriate role for the Select Board is a strategic one since they are the elected town leadership. Being mindful of not making the meeting too long, some possible roles:

1. Recount accomplishments from the prior year

2. Raise and provide status on 2 or 3 "Hot Button" issues

3. Give a summary of upcoming issues and encourage voters to attend their meetings

4. Do a general Q and A for 15 minutes

These ideas are just "food for thought" on how one might make the annual meeting more cohesive and informative.

Photo: Lionel Delevingne