This week the selectmen once again debated whether to send out postcards or booklets for next spring’s Annual Town Meeting.
Selectwoman Alice von Loesecke argued that postcards were the better choice since they would save the town roughly $20,000 and would give the Finance Committee and Capital Planning and Investment Committee more time to complete their reports, which along with warrant articles make up the bulk of each year’s booklet content.
Selectwoman Lucy Wallace said the booklet was “an invitation to come to Town Meeting,” and both she and Selectman Stu Sklar asserted that booklets have a positive impact on attendance, a claim that von Loesecke said was not supported by the evidence.
Selectman Ron Ricci favored cards, arguing that booklets “end up in the trash,” while cards can be posted on the family refrigerator.
Chairman Ken Swanton was the tie-breaker, saying he wanted “to keep the book going” and calling for an end of discussion. No vote was taken, but look for town meeting booklets in the mail this spring.
