Greenwich RTM raises citizen petition signature threshold from 20 to 50 after extended debate

The Representative Town Meeting voted to amend Article 13, section 13-173 of the town charter to require 50 registered-voter signatures for a petition to place an item on the RTM call, replacing the longstanding threshold of 20 signatures. The measure passed after a sequence of committee amendments and recorded votes.

The original charter change on the call proposed increasing the threshold from 20 to 350 signatures. That proposal prompted committee review across the RTM; seven committees submitted a joint motion to reduce the proposed new threshold to 100 signatures. Committee chairs said they supported an increased threshold to reduce frivolous and narrowly supported petitions while preserving resident access.

BOC chair James Waters described the rationale for the 100-signature amendment: “members believed an item placed on the call with 100 signatures would help ensure there is broader community support for a proposal prior to consideration by the RTM.” Opponents argued higher thresholds could disenfranchise residents with fewer resources to gather signatures.

Seth Bacon (District 4) framed the principal opposition: “It's a privilege to serve on the RTM. ... We should be encouraging participation, not creating obstacles.” He and other speakers warned that raising the number risks making the RTM less reachable for underrepresented residents.

Procedural path and final votes: The RTM first adopted the joint committee amendment to cut the 350 figure to 100. The health and human services committee then moved to set the threshold at 75; that motion failed. The finance committee’s motion to set the threshold at 50 carried (99–92–4), making 50 the operative amendment. District 4’s motion to postpone the entire item indefinitely (which would have preserved 20) failed (56–133–3). The RTM suspended the second-read requirement by the required two-thirds vote (172–17–2) so it could take an immediate final vote. The final up-or-down vote on the charter amendment as amended to 50 signatures carried 130–64–4.

What changed: The charter text (Article 13, Representative Town Meeting, section 13-173) will be read and filed as amended to require 50 registered-voter signatures for a petition seeking an RTM meeting. The moderator instructed staff to record the vote and the item carried.

Why it matters: Supporters argued the revision modernizes a 1933 threshold to reflect Greenwich's larger electorate and reduces time spent on narrowly supported petitions. Opponents said the change raises a barrier to civic participation and risks privileging organized or better-resourced advocates over individuals or underrepresented constituencies.

Next steps: Because the RTM suspended the second read and took a final vote, the charter will proceed according to the town’s formal amendment process as amended to 50 signatures. Members who opposed the change said they could reintroduce petition items under the new rules or use alternative avenues to place matters on the call.