The New England Town Meeting. A system of municipal government almost unique to this part of the world. The entire population of the town is invited to come together and vote on the direction we, the townspeople, want our town to go in. It feels like a very personal form of democracy.

I did a little research into the origins of the Town Meeting. It seems that, unlike the Virginia Colonies, New England was largely settled by family groups. My Puritan ancestors, who came here en masse, sometimes entire villages would relocate to the New World. They tended to form planned villages, with a town common, bordered by the church, the school, and the settlers’ homes, surrounded by farmland.

Meetings were held regularly to deal with any issues that might come up. It seems that even women were allowed at these gatherings, though, of course, the were not allowed to vote. But, if you have ever been to a Town Meeting, the official vote is less important than the discussion beforehand, and my guess is that those women made their voices heard. 

This eventually became the preferred municipal government structure throughout New England, and, while some of the larger towns have modified or eliminated it, towns like Lincolnville remain run by the Town Meeting.

We elect a Select Board, a five person group of citizens, responsible for overseeing the town government, who hire the town administrator, a full time employee who actually deals with the day to day issues. We also elect a school board, which deals with issues related to the school (LCS) and works with the Principal and Superintendent. We elect a budget committee, which reviews both school and municipal budgets and offers their recommendations. 

Every year, in late winter, school and municipal budgets are proposed, debated, and eventually brought to the people at Town Meeting. And there it is up to the citizens attending the meeting to vote on whether they approve of where the town is proposing to spend their tax dollars.

For a politics nerd like myself, this is such a cool system, and, at its best, seems to be a very pure form of democracy.

Traditionally, in this little town, the meeting would start off with a community supper- see my column last week. This has not happened in my memory, but it appears that Lincolnville’s Heart and Soul Committee is looking to restart the tradition this year. They invite you to bring your favorite casserole, salad, or dessert (I bet there will be Jello!) to Walsh Commons at Lincolnville Central School at 4:30p.m. on Thursday, June 15 for a 5p.m. supper before the 6p.m. town meeting.

As important as Town Meeting is, it can be tricky to get a large turnout on a Thursday evening. Perhaps the prospect of cheesy pasta, beans, and pie beforehand may draw a few of you in. Come, participate in Democracy, meet your neighbors!

Election Day, Tuesday, June 13:

Prior to Town Meeting on June 15, head down to Lincolnville Central School to cast your ballot for town officials.

There are three people running for two openings for three year terms on the Select Board. Michael Ray, Robyn Tarantino and Jean Botley.

The School Board has two openings, and two people on the ballot, Tracee O’Brien and Amy Peterson. There is also an open position on the Five Town CSD School Board, to represent Lincolnville’s interests at Camden Hills Regional High School.

The Budget Committee has two people on the ballot for three three year positions, Ed O’Brien and John Williams. No one is on the ballot for the two-year position on the Budget Committee, but Leda Stoutenburg has stepped up to run for the one year open position on the Budget Committee. 

I have said this before, and my bias as a long standing member of the Budget Committee is clear- there is no better way to get introduced to the intricacies of small town government than serving your town on the Budget Committee. Reach out to a few friends and neighbors, ask them to write you in. Or get them to write in someone you think would do well in this position with or without their knowledge. They can always decline if they are elected, but this how I ended up on the committee when, one June morning, 15 or so years ago, Town Administrator David Kinney called me up to congratulate me on my election to a position I did not know I was running for.

Town Report

The Town Report is published and available at the Town Office, or at the following local businesses: Mike’s Align and Repair, The Beach Store, Western Auto, Drake Corner Store, The Lincolnville Community Library, and The Lincolnville Center General Store. This years report is dedicated to former fire chief, and all-around good guy, Mike Eugley! You can also pick up a copy at the Town Meeting…

Flea Market:

Saturday, June 17, from 8-12, is the monthly flea market at the Community Building, 18 Searsmont Road. Antiques, handcrafts, and value-added farm products. And I have it on good authority that the talented UCC church ladies will be selling their delicious goodies to anyone who might be feeling a bit snackish on a Saturday Morning.

LIA Scholarships

The Lincolnville Improvement Association has long offered scholarships to Lincolnville graduates pursuing higher education. Congratulations to this years recipients: Althea Dayhoof, Avery Laite, Michah Mosheyev, Zoe O’Brien, and Claudine Webber. I had the privilege of witnessing the CHRHS graduation Friday night, and I extend my congratulations to all the graduates, and especially those of you from Lincolnville. I realized that it was 30 years ago that I too received my diploma, albeit from the slightly differently named CRHS…

Library Programs

The Lincolnville Community Library will offer a combined program on Saturday, June 17, at 10a.m. Maine author Kaitlyn Rollin will read her new book Peeka the Penguin Takes a Trip, and will share and sign copies of her earlier books as well.

“Help Me Grow Maine” representatives will also be present at the library. Help Me Grow is an organization that connects Maine families to community resources for children and families.

And that’s all the news I have this week. Tend your gardens, beware of ticks. Look out for one another, be nice to yourselves. And of course, reach out at ceobrien246@gmail.com.