Moderator's role at town meeting

[Guest Shmoeman]

I recently attended a town meeting where the moderator routinely asked his own questions of the selectboard and one point, set down his microphone to go into the audience to speak as a "resident" of the town. Is this sort of action allowed when you are chosen as the moderator?

[Rev Ed]

How large is the Council? If it is no large than around a dozen members, it could follow the relaxed rules of RONR which allows the Moderator to enter into debate, make motions, and vote. This is barring any rules affecting the Council which may state otherwise.

However, the Moderator could have stayed in his/her seat when entering into debate if you use the relaxed rules of RONR.

[Guest shmoeman]

It was at the annual town meeting. There are 5 selectmen on the board. The moderator is not a member of the select board. He is paid to serve in that capacity at this meeting.

[David A Foulkes]

It was at the annual town meeting. There are 5 selectmen on the board. The moderator is not a member of the select board. He is paid to serve in that capacity at this meeting.

Normally, I'd say that the moderator should have kept his mouth shut and done the job he is paid to do, what with not being a member of the board and therefore having no attendant rights such as speaking in debate. But since this is a town meeting, with residents (non-members) present and apparently allowed to speak, that often muddies things a bit, being a "public meeting" (?), and with the rules in force governing the moderator's position as both resident and moderator.