Purpose: The Waterbury Town Meeting Study Committee (WTMSC) shall explore ways to improve the quality and quantity of citizen engagement in public decision-making at the annual Waterbury Town Meeting through a year-long deliberative study.

Mandate: At the direction of the Waterbury Select Board, the WTMSC will convene its first meeting on Wednesday, Jan 21 at 7 pm in the SAL Room of the Public Library. The WTMSC will elect a chair and secretary, determine and post a regular monthly public meeting schedule and determine steps for members to participate in informed discussions. Susan Clark, a local researcher, author and authority on town meeting and civic engagement has offered to provide a presentation on considerations at that first meeting. The WTMSC will select a representative to provide a preliminary summary of their work and future opportunities for public input at Waterbury Town Meeting on March 3, 2026.

Based on their work during the ensuing six months, the WTMSC will present their initial recommendations to the Select Board in October 2026, incorporate feedback from the public and the Board and provide final recommendations by Jan. 8, 2027 for consideration at Waterbury Town Meeting 2027. Unless this mandate is expanded by the Waterbury Select Board or a vote at Town Meeting, the WTMSC will be disbanded upon adjournment of the 2027 Waterbury Town Meeting.

Formation: The Select Board aims to include a wide spectrum of viewpoints on the WTMSC and encourages all interested members of the Waterbury community to apply. The Select Board will solicit and accept applications for membership on the WTMSC from Dec. 22, 2025 through Jan. 9, 2026.

Applications can be directed to the Town Clerk’s office or the Select Board. The Select Board will review and appoint up to 9 members of the WTMSC on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026 Leaving 4 remaining slots for appointment following Town Meeting Day on March 3, 2026.

Please complete and return this application for consideration.