When Town Meeting rolls around each year, Press writers roll up their sleeves. We’re as overwhelmed as anyone by the number of initiatives and issues that suddenly come to the fore at this time of year, but as the town’s paper of record, it’s our job to explain and provide context for the decisions that Town Meeting attendees will be asked to make.
In this issue you’ll find a range of articles and stories that we hope will give you the strength to stand up and do what a free citizen must do (to paraphrase a certain radio host of liberal leanings): go to Town Meeting, exercise your right of free speech, and vote for or against the actions our town leaders have proposed. Think of it this way: at Town Meeting every attendee is a legislator; the more of us who attend, the more representative our government becomes.
The centerpiece of this issue—literally—is our 2014 Town Warrant in Brief, where we explain the purpose and fiscal impact (if any) of all 53 articles in the Town Warrant. For historical context, we’ve provided a look at town meetings past, including the very first gathering in 1732. Our Insider’s Guide has information to help you prepare for and navigate the Tuesday night meeting. And our profile of Bob Eubank will introduce you to the man who has moderated Town Meeting for the past six years.
We’ll be there. Watch for breaking news on our website at harvardpress.com. Friend us on Facebook at Harvard Press. And follow us on Twitter @harvardpress, where you can join the conversation at #ATM2014.
