Report of the Town Moderator 2009

The Town Moderator is an elected town position that has two primary responsibilities:

1.  To preside over Annual and Special Town Meetings and to decide all points order regarding Town Meeting process, and

2.  To appoint the members of the Finance Committee.
 

Town Meetings are open to all registered voters in the Town of Southwick. Your participation is not only your right, it is critical to a healthy town government process. As Town Moderator, I regard my role as making your participation comfortable and productive. I try my best to uncomplicate things and keep the process fair. If you ever have a question about Town Meeting process and procedure, either at a Meeting or outside of a meeting, please ask me. I am open to suggestions for improvement and how to encourage greater attendance.
 

The Finance Committee’s primary responsibility is to study and evaluate all monetary articles that come before Town Meeting and to make its best recommendation to the voters. It is a critical part of having a successful open town meeting process, and I greatly appreciate the many hours of honest deliberation that this group invests in fulfilling its responsibilities. It is always challenging to find new members to the Finance Committee so I always welcome volunteers who are interested in considering appointment to the FinCom. You do not need to be an accountant or a financial person – any voter with good business and/or decisioning skills who is willing to be fair and invest time in learning the process is a good candidate. My goal is to appoint individuals of diverse backgrounds and interests to this committee.
 

I always welcome your questions. I can be contacted either by email or 569-9283.
 

Thanks for the opportunity to serve our great Town of Southwick as your Town Moderator.

        

Respectfully submitted,
 

James N. Putnam, II