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Basic Information
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Selectmen and School Committee make time
available at the beginning of each meeting for public comments. They
generally ask speakers to stay within a three minute time limit --
however, if there are many speakers, the Chair may ask people to make
comments as brief as possible to give more people a turn to speak -- and
to still get to the agenda items in a timely fashion. Comments made
during "public comments" should not be about items listed on the
agenda. If you must leave early, request permission to give your
comment, even though you see it is listed as an agenda item.
If you want to comment on an item that is being discussed during the
meeting, raise your hand or step up to the microphone and wait to be
recognized.
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Procedures for Public Comments during
the Opening Part of School Committee or Selectmen's Meetings |
 | Raise your hand to be acknowledged when public
comments are called for, or walk up to the microphone and stand patiently. |
| It is OK for a line to form at the
microphone. When there are many speakers, it is the custom for
people to line up in order to save time. This also allows the
Chair and Committee to see how many people are hoping to speak. |
| Speak at the microphone. Meetings are
recorded (videotaped) and it is important for everyone to be able to
hear public comments. |
| State your name, address and
precinct.
"Thank you, my name is Eileen Buckley, and I live at 37 Name of
Street, in precinct 9."
You might be asked to spell your name. You may hear others share
the school their children attends, their role in town, the size of
their family, etc. All optional. |
| If you have written out your comments, you may
hand them to town official. |
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Procedures for Speaking During the
Meeting |
| Raise your hand and wait to be acknowledged, or
quietly walk to the microphone and wait to be addressed. |
| State your name, address and precinct. |
| Pause when you are done -- sometimes you may be
asked a clarifying question. |
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Tips |
| Sharing something unique captures attention
during long meetings. |
| You can write out a statement and read directly
from the paper. |
| If you think well on your feet, you are free to
use that approach -- just watch your time. |
| Speak clearly for those who might be taking notes
so they can accurately summarize your comments. |
| If you are nervous speaking in public, take heart
in knowing that people genuinely want to know what you think.
Consider practicing out loud, or asking a friend to hear you read
through your comments. |
| Be respectful of the others who are waiting for
their turn to speak. |
| When a line forms, try not to block off the view
of those who are seated (sometimes this is unavoidable). |
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Sharing |
| Consider sharing what you have said with the
Lexington community by writing a letter to the editor of the Minuteman.
Minutes summarize public comments, rather than take them down
word for word. |
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