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Presenter Susan Clark outlines models to boost attendance and meaningful participation at Town Meeting
Summary
Susan Clark presented detailed examples of how Vermont towns manage both the "quantity" and "quality" of Town Meeting participation; the committee will use those models to inform recommendations and outreach materials.
Susan Clark led a presentation on the range of Town Meeting formats used around Vermont, focusing on both turnout ("quantity") and deliberative quality. Her material described how different towns structure voting and discussion to balance broad participation with substantive deliberation, and committee members discussed which approaches could be adapted to Waterbury.
Members asked for Susan Clark’s presentation to be posted as a separate resource on the committee’s website so residents can review the models ahead of public outreach. The committee indicated this material will inform the July–September period when the group designs specific process recommendations to present to the Select Board.
