THE NEW ENGLAND TOWN MEETING
Hanover, Norwell and many New England towns have an Open Town Meeting. This means every registered voter may be present, take part and vote in the legislative arm of the town government. No Town Meeting in Hanover may act on the articles of the Warrant unless there is a quorum of voters.
Moderator elected, one-year term, unsalaried
A Moderator is elected to preside over Town Meeting. He/she appoints a Deputy Moderator to serve as needed. The Moderator's appointments also include members to the Warrant Committee and to the School Planning and Building Committee. A three-member appointing authority, of which the Moderator is one, names members to the Personnel Board
Functions Of Town Meeting
As the legislative body of town government, the Town Meeting authorizes funds for the operating budgets of all town departments and approves borrowing of money and issuing of bonds. Town Meeting establishes policy and procedures of town administration; it adopts, amends and repeals town by-laws and zoning laws
Warrant
Town Meeting is called by issuing a document called a Warrant. The Warrant, drawn by the Selectmen, states the time and place of Town Meeting and the agenda of business to be considered. Action may not be taken on any matter at Town Meeting unless it is within the scope of an article in the Warrant
Any registered voter may include an article in the Warrant by filing with the Selectmen a request signed by ten registered voters. One hundred signatures are necessary to include an article in the Warrant of a Special Town Meeting. The date for closing the Warrant and the date of the Town Meeting are announced by the Selectmen. This announcement appears in the local newspaper and is sent by letter to town boards and departments.