I checked in with Town Clerk Paul Berry on the attendance numbers for town meeting this year. Turns out it was pretty grim.
On Monday night, 227 voters showed up. On Tuesday night it was down to 131. The quorum is 100.
Berry described the turnout as “very low.” He said town meeting normally sees 300-400 voters on the first night.
If you didn’t attend town meeting in April, you may get another chance. Selectmen are considering a special town meeting in September to take up hot-button items like the new police station and a new aerial ladder truck.
I guess it all depends on the warrant articles. People certainly showed up for the Special TM on the Chestnut Hill property! I made myself suffer through two nights of TM this year, but was proud to have done so, knowing that so few can make such big decisions!