Dartmouth's Town Meeting has three hundred sixty-nine members. Thirty-nine representatives are elected in each of ten precincts; and the precincts elect one-third of their representatives each year.
The Select Board calls the Annual Town Meeting, which acts on a wide range of subjects such as; police and health protection, proposed modifications in administrative structure, capital improvement needs and zoning. The Annual Meeting approves the Town budget including departmental and agency budgets. Town Meetings are held the first Tuesday in June and the third Tuesday in October.
The Select Board prepares the Town Meeting Warrant, with Articles to be considered. Individual voters, property owners, town agencies, and the Select Board may submit Warrant Articles. A written explanation or justification accompanies each article. The Finance Committee recommends for or against Articles, giving reasons for its recommendations.
A quorum consists of a majority of the membership. Although most articles require a simple majority for passage, by-laws, zoning changes, bond issues and certain other measures demand a two-thirds vote.
Any citizen may observe Town Meeting, and may be recognized by the Moderator.
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