Robert Rosen
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On the article We're Live at Town Meeting
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On the article Who Makes the Best Sandwich in Natick?
Robert Rosen
12:45 pm on Monday, May 13, 2013
Thanks for the recommendation, Dean. I'm wondering if you have a couple of favorites from Pizza Peddler?
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On the article What Would Make More People Want to Attend Town Meeting?
Robert Rosen
3:36 pm on Friday, May 10, 2013
Sooz, to my knowledge, most towns who hold Town Meeting in their form of government do so once per year, but Natick does it twice (it will happen again in the fall). I've been told this is so adjustments can be made based on how things have gone budget-wise, etc.
I was also told by several people that this current Town meeting has the most number of articles that anyone can seem to remember, so it is not usually this long. I think the size of Natick (don't forget how much commercial business is here in addition to residential) may make it take longer than some other towns.
I'm not sure how you could do it more often than twice per year. You would need people to be available more than twice per year for all those nights. With people's work, family and other activities that might be difficult. Also, they don't meet every night; just Tuesday and Thursday, although it meets for as long as it takes to get through everything on the agenda.
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On the article What Would Make More People Want to Attend Town Meeting?
Robert Rosen
12:31 pm on Friday, May 10, 2013
Thank you for commenting, Larry. As an observer at Town Meeting, I think the frustration on many members' faces has been clear. There are certain article, motions, etc. that seem to bring a lot of discussion, and some of that discussion sometimes repeats itself as more people speak.
In fairness to the moderator, I think he has a tough job. In my observation, I think he's tried to let people have a little bit of leeway when they begin to speak because you never know where they might be heading and he wants to give them the opportunity to make their point. I imagine that can be a tough judgement call at times.
I have noticed that it is mostly the same people who speak at Town Meeting and I'm wondering if you could offer some insight as to why you think that is? Are some members shy in front of big crowds, or have they maybe just already made up their minds on how they're voting before they get to the high school?
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On the article What Would Make More People Want to Attend Town Meeting?
Robert Rosen
12:25 pm on Friday, May 10, 2013
Thank you so much for pointing this out, Mauryne. As someone who grew up here in Massachusetts, I don't think I had thought of that. I hope the summary that Frank Foss wrote below is helpful to you.
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On the article Have You Seen This Dog?
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On the article Remembering Natick's Veterans
Robert Rosen
5:47 pm on Monday, May 6, 2013
ReplyHi Paul,
Thank you so much for the kind words. The best way to get all of our top headlines is to sign up for our newsletter so you'll get Natick news delivered straight to your inbox. Simply go to this link to sign up http://natick.patch.com/newsletters -
On the article Strong Chief Status for Fire Chief up for Vote at Town Meeting
Robert Rosen
12:03 pm on Tuesday, April 30, 2013
ReplyAnother useful piece of information: the Board of Selectmen are sponsoring these two articles and asking for referral. Also want to reiterate that you can view further explanation by following the link given above straight to the FinCom Recommendation Book. The direct link is not active at the moment (it has been in previous days), but here is the page from which you can access it.
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On the article Possible Relative of Bombing Suspects Arrested in Natick Last Year
Robert Rosen
4:18 pm on Friday, April 19, 2013
In addition, this address is on the FBI Wanted Poster, so it is a very public listing. I appreciate your comments and feedback, though.
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On the article Possible Relative of Bombing Suspects Arrested in Natick Last Year
Robert Rosen
4:13 pm on Friday, April 19, 2013
Don, Patch posts the address of all people who are arrested as it is part of the public arrest report.
Robert Rosen
12:54 pm on Monday, May 13, 2013
Thank you for commenting, Hugh. There was a lot of discussion about whether to cancel this meeting at the previous meeting that was held on the May 7. I didn't get all of the different arguments so the this link doesn't show how many people spoke about this from both sides, but I wanted to give it to you just in case you wanted to take a look: http://natick.patch.com/articles/we-re-live-at-town-meeting-f95d681e
A motion had been made to cancel the meeting on the 9th, but not enough people voted to do so. Still, you're probably right that many people didn't attend because of the holiday.