Dear Editor:

I read with interest Susan Johns’ comments (March 21) on “Voting quantity v quality.”

Generally the polls are used to approve or disapprove longer term major issues like bonding, school construction, legislation. Open town meetings tend to deal with passing legislation, town budgets,  and year to year issues of running a town. The polls are not geared for short term decision-making.

The budget process should be open to the public so that the town manager and budget committee can receive comments before the final budget comes for approval at the town meeting. If the town manager and budget committee adjust their thinking based on public comment, it should decrease the debate at the town meeting. As far as debate is concerned, the presiding officer at the town meeting has the ability to set a time limit on each presenter to prevent de facto filibustering.

It would seem that the town meeting could appoint subcommittees to investigate, report out and make recommendations to the town meeting on major issues. The use of an independent committee of the town meeting to conduct research and report might help bring understanding and resolve issues.

Seth Morton

Boothbay Harbor