Dear Town Meeting Members,

Our Special Town Meeting begins Monday, October 20 at 7:00 PM in the Belmont High School Auditorium. We will be in a hybrid format. If you’re attending in person, please arrive early to park and get settled in. Remote participation will be available via Zoom, or you can watch live on Belmont Media if you do not plan to speak (see details below). We have a full agenda and hope to conclude in two nights—so please come ready, focused, and informed.

Be Prepared

Preparation makes for an efficient, productive meeting.

• Review all articles, motions, and background materials on the Town Meeting website here, including any recent revisions.
• Watch the League of Women Voters Warrant Briefing, available on Belmont Media here.

Our aim is to finish each evening by 10:30 PM—being informed helps us stay on track.

Speaking and Time Limits

To keep things moving:

• Each presenter for a motion has a specific time limit to present decided by the Moderator (this is not part of the three minute speaking limit for members).
• Each member may speak up to three minutes per motion until debate is closed. 
• No member will be recognized to speak for a second time on the same motion until all other members in line have had a chance to speak.
• Every speaker is timed. In response to a request by the Moderator’s Advisory Committee, we are trialing a timer that should be visible to speakers (however, it is the Moderator’s exclusive responsibility to enforce the time limits). 
• When you reach the speaking limit or the Moderator calls the time, please yield the floor so someone else will have the chance to speak.
• The Moderator will provide gentle reminders as the time limit approaches—please don’t request extra time or extend with wrap-ups once your three minutes are up.

Stay Within Scope

Debate must stay within the scope of each article. For example, Articles 5 and 6 authorize easements for the Community Path. Discussion should focus on those easements—not whether the Path should exist. If you disagree with an article, you may simply vote no, but please keep your remarks on topic.

Be Civil

We won’t all always agree, but we’re all here because we care about Belmont.

Let’s keep debate respectful, avoid personal remarks about one other, and treat one another as neighbors working for the common good.

Amendments

The formal amendment deadline has passed, but minor amendments—a correction or numeric changes—may still be made from the floor.

Accessibility and Accommodations - View Floorplan Here

To make participation comfortable for everyone in the auditorium:

• Front Row reserved for presenters, guests and specific committee members
• Rows 2–3 center section: for members with vision challenges
• Back right section (as viewed from the stage): reserved for those who are immunocompromised or health-conscious (masks should be worn)
• Headsets: a limited number are available at registration for hearing assistance—please make your request when signing in
• Wheelchair spaces: limited cutouts available
• Mobile microphone: raise your hand if you need to speak but have mobility concerns, and it will be brought to you

Hybrid Participation Options

• In Person (preferred): Attend in the high school auditorium, vote via PointSolutions, and join the line to speak at one of the two microphones at the front of the aisles.
• Full Remote: Join on Zoom, vote with PointSolutions, and raise your Zoom hand to be recognized speak. 
• Limited Remote: Watch via Belmont Media livestream here, or Comcast Channel 8 or Verizon Channel 28, and vote through PointSolutions (no speaking option).

The Exclusive Access Instructions for Zoom and electronic voting for Town Meeting Members will be emailed to members by the Town Clerk within two business days of the meeting. (Do not share this information with the public.)

Remote Participation Guidelines

Please ensure you’re comfortable using Zoom before the meeting. If you experience technical issues, Town staff will be available 6 PM until 8:30 PM each session at 617-993-2866  (617-993-BTMM). If problems persist, you may decide to attend in person or watch on Belmont Media and continue voting via PointSolutions. 

Voting Procedures

All voting will occur through the PointSolutions app.

• Make sure the app is installed on your phone or laptop, and that you’ve logged into the correct Session ID provided in the Town Clerk’s email (your username is your email address provided for Town Meeting). 
• Use the “Forgot Password” prompt if needed.
• In-person help will be available in the high school lobby for anyone having trouble.
• If your electronic vote fails, in-person members should raise their hand and remote attendees should raise their Zoom hand, wait to be recognized, and state your name and vote verbally (the verbal vote will be counted only if your electronic vote wasn’t received).

Speaking Procedures

• In person: approach a microphone when recognized
• Remote: raise your Zoom hand to be recognized

The Moderator will alternate speakers roughly in proportion to attendance (e.g., three in-person speakers for every two remote, if attendance is 60% percent in-person and 40% remote). The Town Clerk will routinely alert the meeting with the names of the next three people in line and the total number of speakers waiting. Listen for your name and be ready.

Quick Reference

A concise two-page guide to Town Meeting procedures is available here.

If you have questions, please email tminfo@belmont-ma.gov, moderator@belmont-ma.gov, or townclerk@belmont-ma.gov.  

I look forward to seeing you at our Special Town Meeting!

Mike Crowley

Town Moderator

moderator@belmont-ma.gov

(617) 752-2250