Publis
Please consider this as a new topic for discussion.
It's in regards to the length of time we take at our deliberative session.
Atkinson's is too long and we don't get a very good turn out, especially at the end.
So, why do communities like Hampstead succeed with starting their deliberative session at 7PM. Hampstead has their meeting tonight, Feb 7th. I wonder if they are going until 2AM ?
This is from yesterday's tribune:
Deliberative sessions
Salem
What: School deliberative session
When: Tonight at 7
Where: Salem High School auditorium, 44 Geremonty Drive
Sanborn
What: School deliberative session
When: Tonight at 7
Where: Sanborn Regional High School auditorium, 17 Danville Road, Kingston
Timberlane
What: School deliberative session
When: Tonight at 7
Where: Timberlane Performing Arts Center, 40 Greenough Road, Plaistow
Hampstead
What: Town deliberative session
When: Tomorrow at 7 p.m.
Where: Hampstead Middle School, 28 School St.
Londonderry
What: School deliberative session
When: Tomorrow at 7 p.m.
Where: Town Hall, 268B Mammoth Road
Windham
What: School deliberative session
When: Tomorrow at 7 p.m.
Where: Golden Brook Elementary School, 112 Lowell Road
I believe that - once upon a time - Atkinson started their meetings at 7:00 p.m. I remember watching, as we arrived at midnight, and the Moderator turned the clock back an hour. (These were held on Saturday....can't go over on to the Sabbath.)
ReplyDeleteDon't try to encourage a greater turnout because you'll never get it. Senate Bill 2 was developed because, during an old town meeting style, only the people in attendance were the once to vote in the budget and any warrant articles. If you weren't there, too bad. That was pre-cable TV. Today, nobody has to attend. They can watch and form their own opinions in the comfort of their own home. I'm pretty sure that the voter turnout, percentage-wise, is larger than in days of yore.
In short, about the only people who EVER show at at a town meeting/deliberative session are those who have to be there and other department heads and town employees. Get used to it.
And by the way, the crowd this year was the largest one I've seen in years and years.
I would not want to change from Senate Bill 2.
ReplyDeleteI would like to know how other communities that are similiar in size to Atkinson, handle the length of time to run their respective meetings. Are some communities completing their business in a couple hours. I have been/watched the last 10 years worth of our meetings. I dont recall any that were over in less then 4 hours.
What are we doing so differently from other communities that it takes us so long?
I'm not suggesting getting rid of SB2. I am saying that the attendance at either meeting was negligible. Just don't complain. It's life in Atkinson. I do remember calling restaurants at 9:00 p.m. at Town Meeting to see if we could get them to postpone our reservations until 10.
ReplyDeleteDo other communities completely rewrite warrant articles during their deliberative sessions ? If they can finish in a few hours I assume they do not and just move the articles to be voted on by the people.
ReplyDeleteThat we can ammend these articles into something that removes the original intention, is bad. People raised the signatures to get these articles included and they should be voted on.
it is because of extremely low participation at other town meetings. Last year Derry has 53 people there to discuss a 30 million budget.
ReplyDeleteVery few town enjoy the level of participation that we have here in Atkinson
Publius: Please consider this as an article.
ReplyDeleteANOTHER POLICE DONATION ACCOUNT?
Shopping today, I saw a large donation container in the store, labeled "Atkinson Police Relief Fund" and with the request to please donate to this non-profit organization.
Let's see; We have an elderly fund; we have an equipment fund; we have donation letters going out at least twice a year (if not more). That apparently isn't enough to compliment our $900,000 police budget!
I'm livid!
It was probably for Officer Lappham. Give it a break. Why not say what store? AT D.D. there is a can for the Officer. This is the only donation acct can that I've seen. Please respond with the facts.
ReplyDeleteI hope your right. It was Hannafords in Hampstead. I rarely go there, but today, there it was.
ReplyDeleteNo names were mentioned; nothing other than what I listed.
I think the police donation fund is so that the chief can buy another new car.
ReplyDeleteI HEARD THE BUDGET COMM ADDS UP THE LIST FROM EACH DEPT AND SUBMITS IT AS A BUDGET NEVER ASKING ANY ?????
ReplyDeleteYou heard wrong.
ReplyDeleteNon profit organizations are accountable to the government (AGO, IRS). Are the PD funds registered as non profit agencies in NH??
ReplyDeleteHere's the website for the NH AGO's Guidebook.
http://doj.nh.gov/publications/guidebook.html
Here's a list of the charitable orgs registered in NH. No PD funds listed.
http://doj.nh.gov/charitable/pdf/charlist.pdf