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Natick committee to review new Town Meeting Time edition and study hybrid, accessibility options
Summary
On Aug. 27, 2025, the Charter and Bylaw Review Committee agreed to review the 4th edition of Town Meeting Time, examine handling of CPC projects under state law, and consider forming a committee to study hybrid and remote Town Meeting formats with an emphasis on accessibility.
The Town of Natick Charter and Bylaw Review Committee on Aug. 27 began a review of the 4th edition of Town Meeting Time and discussed possible updates to local practice and bylaws to support hybrid or remote Town Meeting options.
Committee members shared links to the 4th-edition Town Meeting Time materials and compared changes to the third edition required by bylaw. Committee member Paul Griesmer summarized his review, saying most of the 4th edition consists of clarifications and guidance rather than substantive rule changes.
Town Moderator Jeff Alderson highlighted a 4th-edition section on handling Community Preservation Committee (CPC) projects and noted state law limits Town Meeting’s ability to amend CPC project amounts on the floor — Town Meeting may increase funding or reject a CPC-funded project but cannot reduce an approved CPC amount. Alderson suggested the committee consider forming a new working group to study hybrid and remote Town Meeting formats and any related edits to a Town Meeting handbook or local bylaw to improve accessibility.
Alderson also recommended reviewing the use of consent agendas to streamline proceedings. The committee agreed to split review assignments of TMT sections among members and to reconvene on Sept. 9, 2025 after members have reviewed selected sections. Griesmer confirmed that proposed bylaw motions will be sent to the committee's special legal counsel for review before filing.
Next steps: members will review assigned TMT sections, the committee will consider a potential working group on hybrid/remote Town Meeting and accessibility, and the CBRC will meet again on Sept. 9, 2025.
