Council approves resolution backing amendments to House Bill H8546; resident warns it would curb voters' rights

The council voted to approve a resolution expressing support for amendments to House Bill H8546 that would change how the town posts its recommended budget and how citizen petition motions are noticed.

David F. told the council the draft "sub A" now before the body would require the recommended budget, rather than the approved budget, to be posted on the town website within seven days. He said the draft also would require that notice of any motion supported by a petition of signatures be included in the warrant or posted on the town website, and that petition signatures be set by a May 15 deadline in the draft before the council.

The proposal’s supporters described the edits as procedural clarifications to improve notice and online availability of budget materials. Opponents argued the changes would reduce the ability of taxpayers to propose and pass amendments during the traditional finance town meeting.

Richard, a resident of Bridge Road who addressed the council during public comment, said the change was less about transparency and more about limiting voters’ power. "I think it's about restricting voters' rights," he said, arguing the finance town meeting has long allowed taxpayers to propose amendments and should remain unchanged.

After brief discussion about distribution, council members agreed to send the signed resolution to state-level contacts; participants mentioned sending it to Daniel Riley and Quattrochi and using an email chain through Bobby Groi to reach Riley's office.

The council called the question and the resolution passed; the clerk recorded "Five" for the journal. A motion to adjourn followed and the meeting concluded.

The council did not record movers or seconders for the resolution on the transcript, and no individual roll-call votes by name were read into the record in the provided transcript excerpt.