Recently we asked Shawn Dahlen, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, to share his thoughts on the school building project. Here is what he had to say:
"Building a new co-located middle/high school, as proposed by the School Building Committee (SBC), is a significant decision that affects everyone in our community. The SBC has spent countless volunteer hours deliberating the most appropriate way to update our aging school buildings and provide educational facilities for our children for the next 50 years. This process started long before our last Annual Town Meeting (ATM) and subsequent debt exclusion vote. Both of these previous votes were overwhelmingly in favor of the SBC moving forward with schematic design and cost estimates for a co-located middle/high school, on the site proposed, for which the voters approved $2.9 million of funding. At last year's ATM, the SBC told the voters the estimated cost for schematic design for a non-model school would be about $2.9 million, the new co-located middle/high school would be about $130 million including the design cost and the projected MSBA state contribution would be about 43%.
The SBC is coming back to us for the final approval, having spent $1.55 million of the approved funds for schematic design for a model school. The proposed co-located middle/high school will cost residents less than the SBC previously anticipated, and the town will receive a higher percentage of MSBA state reimbursement than projected. SBC members have done their job, as directed by our votes, and now it's time for residents to make a final decision. I urge all residents to learn as much as they can about the proposed school project so they can make a well-informed decision. The SBC has held several public informational meetings, and the DuxburyCARES website is full of information about the project.
I support this proposal because we have an obligation to provide the best educational opportunities to our children that we can, for as long as we live in our wonderful community. Education starts in the classroom with teachers, but a quality education requires a variety of positive influences, including parents, the teaching environment, and technology. I know the additional taxes required to fund this proposal will be challenging for many of our residents, especially those living on fixed incomes. That said, I hope that each of us can weigh the positives and negatives, both for ourselves and community, and vote to support this very well-thought out proposal."
Thank you, Shawn, for your support and leadership on this matter.
YES for SCHOOLS. YES on 1.
Special Town Meeting
Saturday, October 29, 2011 -- 9:00AM
Performing Arts Center, Duxbury
Monday, October 24, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Special Town Meeting Child Care Update
We have an update to the list of child care otions during Special Town Meeting. Add in the DSU event listed below. Big thanks to Before and After Dark, the DHS Volleyball team and the DSU for putting together these options!
We strongly encourage voters to make childcare plans sooner rather than later! Sign up NOW!
Special Town Meeting Child Care Service Offered by Community Education (Before and After Dark)
Child care services for preschool age (3 years old and up/must be toilet trained) to school age children will be available at a reduced cost for Duxbury residents attending Special Town Meeting on Saturday, October 29th. Community Education staffers and DHS students will provide care in the Extended Day program classroom at the Alden Elementary School. The service is available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the exception of the town meeting lunch break, when parents are asked to pick up their children. The cost is $12 per child per day, or $6 per child for the morning session or afternoon session. Each child should bring his/her own drink and snacks. Families must register in advance for the child care service and may do so beginning October 12, 2011. Registrations will be processed on a first-come, first-serve basis, and the number of children attending will be limited to ensure proper staffing ratios. Please call the Community Education office at 781-934-7633 if you wish to register your child for the reduced cost child care service.
Community Education also provided the slightly out-of-date 2010-11 Babysitting List that was compiled last year at Magic Dragon with students that were participating in the Child Development course at DHS. That program has been discontinued at the High School, so this list is not up-to-date, but it may provide another resource for families that prefer at home care or need a babysitter for their infant/toddler age children. If you are interested in that list, email us as it has home phone numbers and we don't want to post it publicly.
Childcare offered by DHS Girls Vollyeball Team
The DHS Girls Volleyball team will be offering childcare from 9-12 on Saturday October 29 in Alden room 104. Children must be potty-trained. The cost will be $10 per child with a $20 per family maximum. Please sign up in advance by emailing Barbara Vetch at barbaravetsch@comcast.net.
Duxbury Student Union
Duxbury Student Union is sponsoring a "Special Howl Meeting" event on Saturday, October 29 during Special Town Meeting. Say goodbye to Mom & Dad from 9am - noon as they discuss new schools while we have some LOL fun of our own. Halloween games, contests & prizes in typical wacky DSU spirit. $20 per person or $35 per family. Sign up for Student Union events at admin@duxburystudentunion.com.
We strongly encourage voters to make childcare plans sooner rather than later! Sign up NOW!
Special Town Meeting Child Care Service Offered by Community Education (Before and After Dark)
Child care services for preschool age (3 years old and up/must be toilet trained) to school age children will be available at a reduced cost for Duxbury residents attending Special Town Meeting on Saturday, October 29th. Community Education staffers and DHS students will provide care in the Extended Day program classroom at the Alden Elementary School. The service is available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the exception of the town meeting lunch break, when parents are asked to pick up their children. The cost is $12 per child per day, or $6 per child for the morning session or afternoon session. Each child should bring his/her own drink and snacks. Families must register in advance for the child care service and may do so beginning October 12, 2011. Registrations will be processed on a first-come, first-serve basis, and the number of children attending will be limited to ensure proper staffing ratios. Please call the Community Education office at 781-934-7633 if you wish to register your child for the reduced cost child care service.
Community Education also provided the slightly out-of-date 2010-11 Babysitting List that was compiled last year at Magic Dragon with students that were participating in the Child Development course at DHS. That program has been discontinued at the High School, so this list is not up-to-date, but it may provide another resource for families that prefer at home care or need a babysitter for their infant/toddler age children. If you are interested in that list, email us as it has home phone numbers and we don't want to post it publicly.
Childcare offered by DHS Girls Vollyeball Team
The DHS Girls Volleyball team will be offering childcare from 9-12 on Saturday October 29 in Alden room 104. Children must be potty-trained. The cost will be $10 per child with a $20 per family maximum. Please sign up in advance by emailing Barbara Vetch at barbaravetsch@comcast.net.
Duxbury Student Union
Duxbury Student Union is sponsoring a "Special Howl Meeting" event on Saturday, October 29 during Special Town Meeting. Say goodbye to Mom & Dad from 9am - noon as they discuss new schools while we have some LOL fun of our own. Halloween games, contests & prizes in typical wacky DSU spirit. $20 per person or $35 per family. Sign up for Student Union events at admin@duxburystudentunion.com.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
More on Childcare Options for Special Town Meeting
As promised, here are some more details on childcare available during Special Town Meeting on October 29.
Special Town Meeting Child Care Service Offered by Community Education (Before and After Dark)
Child care services for preschool age (3 years old and up/must be toilet trained) to school age children will be available at a reduced cost for Duxbury residents attending Special Town Meeting on Saturday, October 29th. Community Education staffers and DHS students will provide care in the Extended Day program classroom at the Alden Elementary School. The service is available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the exception of the town meeting lunch break, when parents are asked to pick up their children. The cost is $12 per child per day, or $6 per child for the morning session or afternoon session. Each child should bring his/her own drink and snacks. Families must register in advance for the child care service and may do so beginning October 12, 2011. Registrations will be processed on a first-come, first-serve basis, and the number of children attending will be limited to ensure proper staffing ratios. Please call the Community Education office at 781-934-7633 if you wish to register your child for the reduced cost child care service.
Community Education also provided the slightly out-of-date 2010-11 Babysitting List that was compiled last year at Magic Dragon with students that were participating in the Child Development course at DHS. That program has been discontinued at the High School, so this list is not up-to-date, but it may provide another resource for families that prefer at home care or need a babysitter for their infant/toddler age children. If you are interested in that list, email us as it has home phone numbers and we don't want to post it publicly.
Childcare offered by DHS Girls Vollyeball Team
The DHS Girls Volleyball team will be offering childcare from 9-12 on Saturday October 29 in Alden room 104. Children must be potty-trained. The cost will be $10 per child with a $20 per family maximum. Please sign up in advance by emailing Barbara Vetch at barbaravetsch@comcast.net.
We understand that there will be one more option and will communicate that as soon as we have details.
Special Town Meeting Child Care Service Offered by Community Education (Before and After Dark)
Child care services for preschool age (3 years old and up/must be toilet trained) to school age children will be available at a reduced cost for Duxbury residents attending Special Town Meeting on Saturday, October 29th. Community Education staffers and DHS students will provide care in the Extended Day program classroom at the Alden Elementary School. The service is available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the exception of the town meeting lunch break, when parents are asked to pick up their children. The cost is $12 per child per day, or $6 per child for the morning session or afternoon session. Each child should bring his/her own drink and snacks. Families must register in advance for the child care service and may do so beginning October 12, 2011. Registrations will be processed on a first-come, first-serve basis, and the number of children attending will be limited to ensure proper staffing ratios. Please call the Community Education office at 781-934-7633 if you wish to register your child for the reduced cost child care service.
Community Education also provided the slightly out-of-date 2010-11 Babysitting List that was compiled last year at Magic Dragon with students that were participating in the Child Development course at DHS. That program has been discontinued at the High School, so this list is not up-to-date, but it may provide another resource for families that prefer at home care or need a babysitter for their infant/toddler age children. If you are interested in that list, email us as it has home phone numbers and we don't want to post it publicly.
Childcare offered by DHS Girls Vollyeball Team
The DHS Girls Volleyball team will be offering childcare from 9-12 on Saturday October 29 in Alden room 104. Children must be potty-trained. The cost will be $10 per child with a $20 per family maximum. Please sign up in advance by emailing Barbara Vetch at barbaravetsch@comcast.net.
We understand that there will be one more option and will communicate that as soon as we have details.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Kids, Childcare and Town Meeting
We recognize that one of the hardest parts about getting all voting members of a household to Town Meeting is childcare. Not everyone has an older child that can look after the younger ones, or a mother-in-law a couple towns away who can come over to help out.
But please, please, don't let childcare issues limit your participation! As such, we have this preliminary information for you:
In addition, there probably will be three other care options for parents, in and around the school campus:
If you have a regular sitter that can come to your home, super. Call them now! But again, please don't let childcare issues limit your participation in the very important town meeting! YOUR vote is critical and we need you at Special Town Meeting on October 29 at 9AM at the PAC
Whatever questions we can answer on this topic, we will. Email us at duxburycares@gmail.com.
But please, please, don't let childcare issues limit your participation! As such, we have this preliminary information for you:
- In the PAC, during Town Meeting, seats are meant for registered voters. Although town officials can't really exclude children from the PAC, they can request that kids not take up a seat that a registered voter would use. They also expect that children be sufficiently quiet and well-behaved so all can hear the motions and discussion and so on. There were many, many kids in the PAC in the spring and the vast majority did just fine (all of you should be commended for that!) -- just please be aware of the seat issue and respectful of the business that is being conducted.
- As we hope there is a big crowd of voters, the Alden cafeteria will be used as overflow space, and kids are welcome there. The cafeteria can hold about 400 people. If needed, the practice room in the PAC can also be used as kid-friendly overflow space; that space can hold about 200.
In addition, there probably will be three other care options for parents, in and around the school campus:
- Before and After Dark will be offering coverage for a limited number potty trained children. Details will be available on October 12, and we will post them as soon as we have them.
- The DSU has said that they intend to offer an event that morning, as they did for the spring Town Meeting. Again, details will be forthcoming.
- The DHS girls volleyball team will be offering childcare in Alden 104 as a fundraiser for this new sports team. As with the above listed options, as we get specifics, we will distribute them.
If you have a regular sitter that can come to your home, super. Call them now! But again, please don't let childcare issues limit your participation in the very important town meeting! YOUR vote is critical and we need you at Special Town Meeting on October 29 at 9AM at the PAC
Whatever questions we can answer on this topic, we will. Email us at duxburycares@gmail.com.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Practical Implications of a Co-located Middle School and High School
Throughout the election season in the spring, we talked about how co-location make sense for Duxbury by addressing two schools in one big project, maintaining separate identities while sharing certain common functions. Now, as we seek to appropriate construction funds for the project, there have been some additional questions about the practical issues of sharing a building. A you read this, you may wish to reference the floor plans as published here: Renderings, Site Plans, Floor Plans and More.
The long "main street" corridor connects the two school wings and the common areas. It runs the full-length of the school, from the high school entrance to the middle school entrance, and it separates the side with the academic wings from the side with the shared/community components.
When students ride to school by bus -- and middle school and high school students have been riding the bus together for years without incident -- they are dropped at the high school entrance. Students enter the building, and the older student peel off into the high school wing, while the younger students continue down to the middle school wing. When students are dropped at school by parents, they are dropped at the middle school entrance. Younger student peel off into the middle school wing while older students continue down the main street to the high school. All this happens within full view of the administration offices of both the middle school and high school. (High school students who drive themselves would be walking into the building at the high school entrance after parking across the street.)
The U-shaped corridors that run through each wing of the building can be closed, thus containing students in their respective areas. This layout also makes it possible for hallways on each floor in each wing to be monitored during class changes by two staff members as there are clear sight lines of two hallways from any of the four corners. Hallways will also have security cameras, and students are required to have a pass from a teacher to leave a classroom.
The plans call for two separate gyms, fitness rooms, and sets of locker rooms, one each for the middle school and high school. There is also music space that will be shared.
The middle school and high school have different bell schedules, so even when students are moving between academic wings and common areas, they would not be moving at the same time. Middle school students would be in class while the high school does a class chance, and visa versa.
The two most "common" areas of the proposed new building are the cafeteria and the library. In each case, they are located toward the middle school side of the building. This is because, generally speaking, middle school students "travel" less during the course of their day, and this maintains that lesser travel time. High school students are more accustomed to traveling a little further between classes.
The cafeteria has two entrances, two "scramble" areas, and two seating areas. The divider in the cafeteria can be removed to make a larger area, but on a day-to-day basis, kids will be separated. The middle school entrance to the cafeteria is toward the middle school building entrance. The high school entrance to the cafeteria is closer to the high school end of the main street, and in view of the middle school administration offices.
Similarly, the library on the 3rd floor has two entrances: one closer to the middle school entrance end of the building primarily for the middle school students, and one closer to the high school wing primarily for the high school students.
It may also be helpful to understand how the library is used. As the repository of knowledge in its books and data center, the library is a tremendous resource -- but it is not used in the same way the library is used at Chandler and at Alden. Students don't have regular library time as in the elementary schools, and it is not allowed to be used as a social gathering space (indeed, neither the high school or middle school programs have study halls that would use it as such -- it is only used when supervised). At the middle school and high school level, teachers schedule time in the library for their classes for specific purposes, and students are well-supervised. In addition, there are middle school and high school "classrooms" within the library itself for further student sorting.
High school students will not travel "through" the middle school to get to the cafeteria or library. They will travel down the main street; they will not enter the U-shaped corridor that contains the middle school classes.
We learned from the principals of the combined middle school and high school in Ipswich that there is much self-segregation that happens with students -- but in areas where the age groups do mix, the older students tend to act better around the younger students. There is more mixing of age groups in Ipswich than there will be in our co-located school; their cafeteria, for example, is fully shared. The Ipswich principals tell us that they have never had an issue related to the disparate age groups in the 10 years their combined school has been open -- discipline in all age groups improved. (Ipswich Principals Talk About a Middle School and High School Under One Roof)
The co-located model is expected to promote positive interactions between the two populations -- where appropriate, of course. Many middle school students already take music lessons from high schools students, and the scheduling of these lessons will only become easier. Similarly, it will be easier to make cross school contact for academic tutoring between students.
Easier communication between the middle school and high school is expected to further improve the transition of students from the middle school to high school in the co-located building as well.
The co-located model is best of two worlds: two distinct schools in one project with shared spaces for efficiency where it makes sense. Populations can be kept apart in their respective academic wings and are supervised when interacting.
The long "main street" corridor connects the two school wings and the common areas. It runs the full-length of the school, from the high school entrance to the middle school entrance, and it separates the side with the academic wings from the side with the shared/community components.
When students ride to school by bus -- and middle school and high school students have been riding the bus together for years without incident -- they are dropped at the high school entrance. Students enter the building, and the older student peel off into the high school wing, while the younger students continue down to the middle school wing. When students are dropped at school by parents, they are dropped at the middle school entrance. Younger student peel off into the middle school wing while older students continue down the main street to the high school. All this happens within full view of the administration offices of both the middle school and high school. (High school students who drive themselves would be walking into the building at the high school entrance after parking across the street.)
The U-shaped corridors that run through each wing of the building can be closed, thus containing students in their respective areas. This layout also makes it possible for hallways on each floor in each wing to be monitored during class changes by two staff members as there are clear sight lines of two hallways from any of the four corners. Hallways will also have security cameras, and students are required to have a pass from a teacher to leave a classroom.
The plans call for two separate gyms, fitness rooms, and sets of locker rooms, one each for the middle school and high school. There is also music space that will be shared.
The middle school and high school have different bell schedules, so even when students are moving between academic wings and common areas, they would not be moving at the same time. Middle school students would be in class while the high school does a class chance, and visa versa.
The two most "common" areas of the proposed new building are the cafeteria and the library. In each case, they are located toward the middle school side of the building. This is because, generally speaking, middle school students "travel" less during the course of their day, and this maintains that lesser travel time. High school students are more accustomed to traveling a little further between classes.
The cafeteria has two entrances, two "scramble" areas, and two seating areas. The divider in the cafeteria can be removed to make a larger area, but on a day-to-day basis, kids will be separated. The middle school entrance to the cafeteria is toward the middle school building entrance. The high school entrance to the cafeteria is closer to the high school end of the main street, and in view of the middle school administration offices.
Similarly, the library on the 3rd floor has two entrances: one closer to the middle school entrance end of the building primarily for the middle school students, and one closer to the high school wing primarily for the high school students.
It may also be helpful to understand how the library is used. As the repository of knowledge in its books and data center, the library is a tremendous resource -- but it is not used in the same way the library is used at Chandler and at Alden. Students don't have regular library time as in the elementary schools, and it is not allowed to be used as a social gathering space (indeed, neither the high school or middle school programs have study halls that would use it as such -- it is only used when supervised). At the middle school and high school level, teachers schedule time in the library for their classes for specific purposes, and students are well-supervised. In addition, there are middle school and high school "classrooms" within the library itself for further student sorting.
High school students will not travel "through" the middle school to get to the cafeteria or library. They will travel down the main street; they will not enter the U-shaped corridor that contains the middle school classes.
We learned from the principals of the combined middle school and high school in Ipswich that there is much self-segregation that happens with students -- but in areas where the age groups do mix, the older students tend to act better around the younger students. There is more mixing of age groups in Ipswich than there will be in our co-located school; their cafeteria, for example, is fully shared. The Ipswich principals tell us that they have never had an issue related to the disparate age groups in the 10 years their combined school has been open -- discipline in all age groups improved. (Ipswich Principals Talk About a Middle School and High School Under One Roof)
The co-located model is expected to promote positive interactions between the two populations -- where appropriate, of course. Many middle school students already take music lessons from high schools students, and the scheduling of these lessons will only become easier. Similarly, it will be easier to make cross school contact for academic tutoring between students.
Easier communication between the middle school and high school is expected to further improve the transition of students from the middle school to high school in the co-located building as well.
The co-located model is best of two worlds: two distinct schools in one project with shared spaces for efficiency where it makes sense. Populations can be kept apart in their respective academic wings and are supervised when interacting.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Voter Registration and Absentee Voting Information
Just over three weeks until Special Town Meeting on October 29 and just over four weeks to Special Town Election on November 5. Now is the time to double-check your calendar and double-check your voter registration status.
Voter Registration
If you voted in the election in the spring, your voter registration is likely fine. However, if you have moved to a new home between then and now, you might want to check to be sure your voter registration is up-to-date.
If you have previously been registered to vote but have not voted in the last couple of elections, you should definitely check your voter registration status. To check your status, contact the Town Clerk's office in Town Hall, 878 Tremont Street, or call 781-934-1100, ext 150.
If you are not registered to vote, there is still time to do so. The LAST DAY to register to vote for this election is Friday, October 14.
To register to vote, drop by the Town Clerk's office during regular business hours and complete an affidavit of registration, which must be answered truthfully under the penalty of perjury. The questions on the affidavit will include your name, residence and date of birth. Town Clerk hours are as follows:
Monday 8:00AM-7:00PM
Tuesday-Thursday 8:00AM-4:00PM
Friday 8:00AM - 12:30PM
Please call if coming between noon and 1:00PM.
Note that the Town Clerk's office will be open late on Friday October 14 to accommodate registrants. The hours on that day will be 8:30AM to 7:00PM
Absentee Voting
If you will be out of town on November 5, you can vote absentee. The state allows for absentee voting if you will be away from town on the day of the voting. First, download the following form from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts website:
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/absentee_ballot.pdf
Fill out the form in its entirety. Then you have several options:
In any case, the absentee ballot MUST be back in the hands of the Town Clerk no later than 12NOON on Friday November 4!
Town Clerk's office, Town Hall
878 Tremont Street
781-934-1100; EXT. 150
Hours
Monday: 8:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.
Tuesday – Thursday: 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Friday: 8:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.
Please call if coming between noon and 1:00PM.
Additional information about voting absentee in Massachusetts is here:
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleifv/howabs.htm
You can also call the Town Clerk, Nancy Oates, with any questions.
Absentee Voting and Town Meeting
You may also be wondering why absentee voting is not available for Town Meeting.
The very intent of the Town Meeting form of government is to get people active and involved and attending Town Meeting. Town Meeting tends to be a fairly fluid process: amendments and contingencies are offered on the floor of Town Meeting that affect the meaning and intent of the issue being voted. If absentee voting were to apply to Town Meeting, it actually offers the potential for voting for something you don't agree with, or something you do agree with.
For example, say there is a warrant article regarding land use. You agree with the article as written and printed. But on the floor of Town Meeting, an amendment is offered that you would vehemently disagree with. If absentee ballots were available, would an absentee vote Yes for the article still apply after the amendment were offered? How would you know? How would the Town Clerk discern which absentee votes to apply to the final, altered article, and which to discard?
Voter Registration
If you voted in the election in the spring, your voter registration is likely fine. However, if you have moved to a new home between then and now, you might want to check to be sure your voter registration is up-to-date.
If you have previously been registered to vote but have not voted in the last couple of elections, you should definitely check your voter registration status. To check your status, contact the Town Clerk's office in Town Hall, 878 Tremont Street, or call 781-934-1100, ext 150.
If you are not registered to vote, there is still time to do so. The LAST DAY to register to vote for this election is Friday, October 14.
To register to vote, drop by the Town Clerk's office during regular business hours and complete an affidavit of registration, which must be answered truthfully under the penalty of perjury. The questions on the affidavit will include your name, residence and date of birth. Town Clerk hours are as follows:
Monday 8:00AM-7:00PM
Tuesday-Thursday 8:00AM-4:00PM
Friday 8:00AM - 12:30PM
Please call if coming between noon and 1:00PM.
Note that the Town Clerk's office will be open late on Friday October 14 to accommodate registrants. The hours on that day will be 8:30AM to 7:00PM
Absentee Voting
If you will be out of town on November 5, you can vote absentee. The state allows for absentee voting if you will be away from town on the day of the voting. First, download the following form from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts website:
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/absentee_ballot.pdf
Fill out the form in its entirety. Then you have several options:
- Mail the form to the Town Clerk. The Town Clerk can then mail you the ballot. Make sure you return the ballot promptly, with sufficient postage!
- Take form into the Town Clerk's office yourself. You will be able to complete your absentee ballot right then and there.
- Have a family member take the form into the Town Clerk's office for you. The family member can pick up the ballot for you. Once you have completed the ballot, mail it back, or have your family member return it.
In any case, the absentee ballot MUST be back in the hands of the Town Clerk no later than 12NOON on Friday November 4!
Town Clerk's office, Town Hall
878 Tremont Street
781-934-1100; EXT. 150
Hours
Monday: 8:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.
Tuesday – Thursday: 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Friday: 8:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.
Please call if coming between noon and 1:00PM.
Additional information about voting absentee in Massachusetts is here:
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleifv/howabs.htm
You can also call the Town Clerk, Nancy Oates, with any questions.
Absentee Voting and Town Meeting
You may also be wondering why absentee voting is not available for Town Meeting.
The very intent of the Town Meeting form of government is to get people active and involved and attending Town Meeting. Town Meeting tends to be a fairly fluid process: amendments and contingencies are offered on the floor of Town Meeting that affect the meaning and intent of the issue being voted. If absentee voting were to apply to Town Meeting, it actually offers the potential for voting for something you don't agree with, or something you do agree with.
For example, say there is a warrant article regarding land use. You agree with the article as written and printed. But on the floor of Town Meeting, an amendment is offered that you would vehemently disagree with. If absentee ballots were available, would an absentee vote Yes for the article still apply after the amendment were offered? How would you know? How would the Town Clerk discern which absentee votes to apply to the final, altered article, and which to discard?
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