A Petition for Saturday Annual Town Meetings

An Informational Post:

Dear Sturbridge Residents,

Tomorrow, from 10-1 pm, I will be at the Sturbridge Recycling Center collecting signatures on a petition that will ask voters to move Annual Town Meeting to daylight hours on Saturday. This petition was started by resident Marilyn Desy, who heard from many senior citizens that they would like to see the Annual Town Meeting held during the day on Saturday. It has become very apparent that many senior citizens would like to participate in Town Meeting, but for personal or safety reasons, cannot leave their homes when its dark outside or do not feel safe being out late at night. In addition, I've heard from many Sturbridge residents who work long hours that commuting, travel, and the late hour at which town meetings conclude, usually prevents many working folks from attending or staying through the entire meeting as they have to work the next day.

As some of you may know, the numbers of residents who attend Town Meetings has dwindled in recent years. By moving Town Meeting to Saturdays, it is hoped that we will see a larger turnout. This petition requires 100 signatures from registered voters; if enough signatures are collected, residents in attendance at the upcoming fall Special Town Meeting (the date is yet to be set) will be asked to vote on this issue.

Please come to our wonderful Recycling Center and sign this petition! If you can't make it tomorrow, I'll be at Feast and Fire on August 20th from 2-6 pm and would be happy to take your signatures then. Looking forward to seeing many of you -

Best to all,

Carol Childress
childresscarol@rocketmail.com