Special Town Meeting in the high school gymnasiums where residents debated the Community Preservation Act at great length.
The town of Scituate is governed by town meeting. This form of government goes back to the Colonial days and is often referred to as democracy in its purest action. Any registered voter who is a resident may come to town meeting and participate in the process. At our annual town meeting, residents approve budgets, vote on bylaws and take care of other routine matters.
A special town meeting is called to address issues which can’t wait for the next regular town meeting. Last night, the article which inspired the heaviest turnout and most passionate debate was a citizen request to repeal the Community Preservation Act, which has provided funding for affordable housing, historic preservation and open space conservation.
The voters overwhelmingly voted down the proposed repeal of the CPA. Times are hard right now, and more hard times are ahead – but town residents felt strongly that the CPA was an extremely important tool in maintaining the unique character and beauty of Scituate and worth the financial commitment.
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