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Brentwood residents urge preservation of traditional Town Meeting during SB 2 public hearing
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Summary
At a public hearing on a citizen petition to adopt SB 2 (RSA 40:13), dozens of Brentwood residents and several board members expressed concerns that SB 2 would reduce deliberation and empower small voting blocs; the petition will be decided by voters at Town Meeting.
Brentwood — At a Select Board public hearing Tuesday evening on a citizen petition to adopt SB 2 (RSA 40:13), residents overwhelmingly urged the town to retain its traditional Town Meeting format, saying in-person deliberation produces better-informed decisions than a ballot-based SB 2 model.
Chair read a statement submitted by lead petitioner Catherine Armstrong outlining support for SB 2, saying it "allows residents who are unable to attend town meeting to have access to voting on the town budget and warrant articles." Armstrong’s statement was read into the record by the chair because she could not attend.
Supporters and opponents then spoke in multiple rounds. Bill Ferreria of South Road called SB 2 the "lazy person's vote," telling the board that one annual Town Meeting is the proper time for residents to debate and decide budgets and warrant articles. Lois DeYoung, a 52-year resident, said Town Meeting is “your government” and that deliberation can change minds; Jim Hazard and others said deliberative sessions give speakers the chance to explain complex warrant items and to amend proposals before a final ballot.
Several speakers cited turnout figures from a multi-town school SB 2 vote where 153 people voted out of about 27,000 possible voters; one speaker noted 29 votes from Brentwood in that example to illustrate the concern that ballot voting can leave many residents uninformed about details. Others argued SB 2 increases accessibility for voters who cannot attend a long in-person meeting.
The board did not take a formal vote on the petition at the meeting. Chair noted that this is a citizen petition and that the final decision will be made by voters at Town Meeting; he encouraged turnout and information-sharing. The public hearing was closed by motion and unanimous voice vote.
What happens next: The citizen petition will appear on the warrant and be decided by Brentwood voters at Town Meeting. The chair urged residents to attend deliberative sessions and Town Meeting to hear arguments and possible amendments.
