Town Meeting
In Buckfield, registered voters serve as the Town’s legislative body and make many of the Town’s most important decisions through referendum voting by secret ballot.
Through Town Meeting, voters consider matters such as the annual municipal budget, ordinances, capital projects, borrowing, appropriations and other matters requiring voter approval.
The Town Meeting Warrant
Each Town Meeting is called through an official Town Meeting Warrant approved by the Select Board. The warrant identifies the questions, known as warrant articles, that will be presented to voters.
Each article is voted on individually by secret ballot. The Town may only take action on matters that have been properly placed before the voters through the warrant.
Annual Town Meeting
The Annual Town Meeting is the Town’s primary opportunity each year to approve municipal business for the upcoming fiscal year.
Voters may be asked to consider departmental budgets, capital expenditures, reserve accounts, ordinances and other municipal matters. Because these questions are decided by secret ballot, voters have the opportunity to review the warrant and supporting information before casting their votes at the polls.
The Town will make warrants, budget information, recommendations and other supporting materials available to residents in advance.
Special Town Meetings
A Special Town Meeting may be called when an issue requiring voter approval needs to be considered before the next Annual Town Meeting.
Like the Annual Town Meeting, Special Town Meeting questions are presented to voters through a warrant and decided by referendum using a secret ballot.
Public Hearings and Voter Information
Although Town Meeting articles are decided at the polls, public participation before the vote remains an important part of the process.
The Town holds public hearings or informational meetings to explain warrant articles, present financial information and provide residents with an opportunity to ask questions before voting.
Residents are encouraged to review the warrant, attend public hearings, review supporting materials and contact the Town Office with questions.
Proposing an Article
Residents who believe an issue should be considered by the voters are encouraged to contact the Town Office to discuss the appropriate process.
Maine law also provides a process through which registered voters may petition to have certain matters placed on a Town Meeting warrant.
Stay Informed
Upcoming Town Meetings, warrants, sample ballots, public hearing notices, supporting materials and election results will be posted on this page as they become available.
Next Annual Town Meeting: June 8, 2027
For questions regarding Town Meeting, warrant articles or the referendum process, please contact the Buckfield Town Office.