Poll: Should Avon Have an Annual Town Meeting?

Much like last year, Avon's annual budget meeting at the was sparse Monday save for town and school officials and a few members of the public.

The yearly town meeting serves an informational purpose now, but up until 1998 it was when residents voted on the budget via and a show of hands.

Avon resident Florence Stahl petitioned for a charter revision to have people vote at a referendum instead, and it passed. Charter revision began in 1997 and was completed about 18 months later, .

Voting is no longer a part of the annual town meeting and attendance has been low the past few years.

Yet, the town meetings continue because they are part of the charter. If the charter were reopened to remove the annual meeting requirment, any part of the document could be considered for revision.

As Avon residents, what do you think? Does the annual town meeting have a valuable purpose because of its informational nature? Should it continue? Or do you think that it is dated and unnecessary because voting is no longer involved?

Take our poll! And be sure to tell us in the comments what purpose you'd like an annual town meeting to serve. What would motivate you to come?

The Avon Town Charter is available online through the town website.