Speak to the Selectboard

Participating in a Selectboard meeting provides an opportunity for members of the public to share input, express concerns, or provide feedback on community matters. Speaking during these meetings follows a structured process designed to ensure fairness, order, and respect for all participants. Understanding and following these procedures helps ensure that comments are heard and considered effectively.

Addressing the Selectboard

When addressing the Selectboard, remarks should always be directed to the Chair, who presides over the meeting and maintains order. Speakers are typically asked to state their full name and town of residence for the official record. 

Be Brief

Preparing remarks in advance and focusing on key points helps keep your comments brief and avoids going off-topic. It also ensures your message is clear and concise. A typical comment period is about 3 minutes. 

Civility

Respectful communication is essential. Comments should focus on issues, policies, or decisions rather than individuals. Personal attacks, inflammatory language, or slander are not appropriate and may result in the speaker being asked to stop. Maintaining a professional tone demonstrates credibility and increases the likelihood that the message will be taken seriously. Read the Selectboard's Invocation of Civility.

Public to be Heard

Public to be Heard is generally near the beginning of the meeting and is open for comments about items that are not on the agenda. The Chair typically asks for comments about items on the agenda after the items have been presented. If you wish to make a comment, please raise your hand to signal you wish to speak and wait to be recognized by the Chair.

Public comment periods are generally intended for one-way communication. This means that while the board listens to public input, members typically do not engage in back-and-forth discussion or debate during the meeting. Selectboard members may ask clarifying questions, but decisions or extended discussions are usually deferred to a future agenda item. This structure ensures that all viewpoints are heard without disrupting the meeting’s flow or decision-making process.

Written Comments

Providing written copies of comments or supporting materials can be helpful for the Selectboard’s later review. Written submissions become part of the public record and allow Selectboard members to consider the information more thoroughly after the meeting. This can be especially valuable for complex issues that require additional research or deliberation. Comments may be emailed to selectboard@essex.org. 

Submissions for Future Agendas

If you have items for the Selectboard meeting packets or a request to be placed on an agenda, please send your request to Town Manager Greg Duggan at gduggan@essex.org. To be considered, all submissions and requests must be received by noon on Wednesday before the date of the next scheduled Selectboard meeting.

More about the Selectboard

To learn more about Selectboard Members, agendas, minutes, hybrid meetings, perspective, functions and more, please visit the Selectboard page.