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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING <br />Reading Memorial High School April 14, 1997 <br />Paul C. Dustin presented the gavel to the newly elected Moderator, Alan E. Foulds. The meeting <br />was called to order by the Moderator, Alan E. Foulds, at 7:50 p.m., there being a quorum present. <br />George V. Hines, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, presented a lifetime award to Paul C. <br />Dustin for his service in local government. <br />The Invocation was given by The Reverend Jean Russo-Parks, Old South United Methodist <br />Church. There was a moment of silence for Town Meeting Members, Frank Gorgone and Bob <br />Griffin, who passed away this year followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. <br />The new Town Meeting Members were given the Oath of Office by the Moderator, Alan E. <br />Foulds. <br />The Warrant was partially read by the Town Clerk, Cheryl A. Johnson, when on motion by <br />George V. Hines, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, it was voted to dispense with further <br />reading-of the Warrant except for the Officer's Return, which was read by the Town Clerk. <br />Moderator Alan E. Foulds makes the following announcements: <br />1. When speaking, please use the microphone and state your name and precinct. This <br />will enable not only those in attendance to hear you, but those watching on cable, as <br />well. <br />2. All proposed amendments, except for minute procedural and grammatical errors, must be <br />submitted to the Town Clerk in writing. All reports must also be submitted to the Clerk. <br />3. According to our By-Laws, non-Town Meeting Members may speak but only after all <br />Members that want to speak have done so. If you are a non-Town Meeting Member and <br />you know beforehand that you may want to take part in the debate, it would be wise to <br />inform the Chair in advance. <br />This does not preclude those with information pertinent to the debate from speaking, as <br />Town Meeting has the right to be fully informed before all votes. The Chair will decide <br />those issues as they arise. <br />Only those sitting in front of the checkers will be considered as voting members. <br />4. Moving the Question: This motion is a legitimate tool for ending debate. Since it takes a <br />2/3 vote, debate can only be closed when an overwhelming majority feels that enough has <br />been said, safeguarding the minority. <br />-I- <br />