Voters decided to maintain and formalize the town’s unique lottery system for determining the order of warrant articles, despite a vocal attempt to scrap the practice. Article 4 sought to codify the lottery system into the town’s general bylaws, but it sparked a debate over the efficiency of town meetings.

Resident John Sites moved an amendment to eliminate the lottery entirely and return to a numerical order, calling the current system a ridiculous bingo basket that slows down proceedings. It accomplishes nothing and slows things down, Sites argued. However, other residents defended the lottery as a tool for maintaining a quorum throughout the night. Resident Steve Curley noted that without a lottery, voters often leave as soon as the specific item they are interested in is finished. The current system allows business to get done in an orderly fashion, Curley said. The amendment to remove the lottery failed, and the main motion to formalize the system passed by a clear majority.

Motion: To amend the town general bylaws Article 2, section 11 as set forth in Article 4.

Vote: Passed - Clear majority