Guest Linda Posted May 16, 2011 at 03:09 PM Report Share Posted May 16, 2011 at 03:09 PM Is it a proper to make a motion at a town hearing to put money back into the town budget for a specific purpose? If so, how should it be worded? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmtcastle Posted May 16, 2011 at 03:12 PM Report Share Posted May 16, 2011 at 03:12 PM Is it a proper to make a motion at a town hearing to put money back into the town budget for a specific purpose? If so, how should it be worded?Assuming you're a member of the body that is meeting (e.g. the town council or the budget committee), just make a motion to put $100 back into the budget for refreshments (or whatever the amount is and whatever the specific purpose). If you're not a member, find a member who is willing to make the motion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Wynn Posted May 16, 2011 at 03:34 PM Report Share Posted May 16, 2011 at 03:34 PM Is it a proper to make a motion at a town hearing to put money back into the town budget for a specific purpose?It's impossible to say for sure with such limited information. It's not clear if this hearing is a business meeting or if the assembly has the authority to take such action.If so, how should it be worded?It depends on the details of the proposal. Would you be amending a budget, transferring money from one account to another, or something else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Linda Posted May 16, 2011 at 03:52 PM Report Share Posted May 16, 2011 at 03:52 PM If this is a general town meeting for taxpayers to discuss the budget, can any registered voter or taxpayer make such a motion? thanks so much for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmtcastle Posted May 16, 2011 at 04:01 PM Report Share Posted May 16, 2011 at 04:01 PM If this is a general town meeting for taxpayers to discuss the budget, can any registered voter or taxpayer make such a motion? thanks so much for your help.As far as RONR is concerned, only members of the body that is meeting have a right to attend, make motions, and vote. Your rules (and applicable laws) may vary.In some (mainly New England?) towns, the townsfolk (?) actually do make motions and vote at the annual town meeting. In many other towns, such decisions are left to a town council.If you're not sure, ask someone in your town who should know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Wynn Posted May 16, 2011 at 04:01 PM Report Share Posted May 16, 2011 at 04:01 PM If this is a general town meeting for taxpayers to discuss the budget, can any registered voter or taxpayer make such a motion? thanks so much for your help.Probably not, since only members have the right to make motions. First, you will have to determine who the members are for this particular meeting. Then, you will have to determine if the assembly at this meeting has the authority to amend the budget. It could be that the meeting is merely to gain input from town residents. In any event, these questions can be directed to the chairman of the meeting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest linda Posted May 16, 2011 at 04:12 PM Report Share Posted May 16, 2011 at 04:12 PM Tim - It is a general town meeting to discuss the proposed budget. Taxpayers and registered voters are eligible to participate and make comments. May they also make a motion to add money to the budget for a specific position that has been cut to part time? We would like to add the money so that this position could be full time again. Thanks Linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Wynn Posted May 16, 2011 at 04:34 PM Report Share Posted May 16, 2011 at 04:34 PM Tim - It is a general town meeting to discuss the proposed budget. Taxpayers and registered voters are eligible to participate and make comments. May they also make a motion to add money to the budget for a specific position that has been cut to part time? We would like to add the money so that this position could be full time again. Thanks LindaI would advise you to ask the chair that exact question, since we on this forum would only be guessing at the details of a specific meeting.Even if the meeting were merely for discussion, without the power to amend the budget, anyone able to participate would be able to suggest those changes as part of the discussion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Martin Posted May 16, 2011 at 05:47 PM Report Share Posted May 16, 2011 at 05:47 PM It is a general town meeting to discuss the proposed budget. Taxpayers and registered voters are eligible to participate and make comments. May they also make a motion to add money to the budget for a specific position that has been cut to part time? We would like to add the money so that this position could be full time again.Such a motion would violate no rule in RONR, assuming the individual is a member. I have no idea whether such a motion is in order under the laws of your town. You should consult a lawyer (or as Mr. Wynn suggests, ask the chair). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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