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Moderator Rebecca M. Townsend

@townmoderator.bsky.social

Moderator, Town of Longmeadow, Massachusetts. Elected in 2015, 1st woman elected to preside over Longmeadow's open Town Meeting. Advocate for local democracy. Fun fact: shortest town meeting was conducted under my watch. Personal: @rmtownsend.bsky.social

Posts Replies Media

Moderator Rebecca M. Townsend @townmoderator.bsky.social · 2h

Longmeadow celebrated the Declaration of Independence on October 4, 2026, 252 years after the very 1st Declaration of Independence, that Worcester, Massachusetts Town Meeting voted to approve. On Sun., 13 students took turns reading the Declaration aloud. We also planted a Liberty Tree! #Rev250

Group of elected officials pose with a framed Declaration

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Moderator Rebecca M. Townsend @townmoderator.bsky.social · 8h

Happy Town Meeting Day!

A Proclamation
Whereas, Jrench diplomat, hístorian, and philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville stated, "Town meetings are to fiberty what primary schools are to science; they bring it within the people's reach", emphasizing the significant role of town meetings within society; and
Whereas, Town meetings have served residents both for routine matters and in times of crisis by coming to public judgement on matters of self-governance; and
Whereas, The notion of a participatory democracy was a foundational rationale for the American Revolution; and
Whereas, Town meetings have embraced the inalienable right to self-determination practiced by local communities for over 400 years; and
Whereas, Revolutionaries learned to engage in deliberation with each other to further their communities' causes and pledged their lives and liberties to the principles of self-governance in their efforts for freedom; and
Whereas, The Declaration of Independence and the 'U.S.Constitution were crafted by town meeting members who sought to bring the _precepts of participatory self-determination and democracy to the scryture of our founding documents; and
Whereas, The town meeting legislature and principles it embodies are as vital and relevant today as they were amidst the founding of our nation,
Now, Therefore, I, Maura T. Healey, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do
hereby proclaim October 8th, 2025,
to be,
TOWN MEETING DAY
And urge all the residents of the Commonwealth to take cognizance of this event andparticipate fittingly in its observance.
Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston, this first day of October, in the year two thousand and twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the two hundred and forty-nínth.
BY HER EXCELLENCY
MLT MHURA T. HEALEY GovERnOR oF THE COMMONWEALTH
ciwlelus Bniorel KIMBERLEY DRISCOLL
LT. GoverNOR oF THE COMMONWEALTE
WILLIAM FRANCIS/GALVIN SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWBALTH
God Save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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Moderator Rebecca M. Townsend @townmoderator.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Celebrating Our Declaration of Independence: A Public Reading and the Planting of the Tree of Liberty on Sunday, October 4, 2026 at 1:00 pm on the Longmeadow, MA Town Green. #Rev250 #MA250

Flyer with picture of a bas relief elm tree,
for Celebrating Our Declaration of Independence:A Public Reading & the Planting of the Tree of Liberty
Sunday October 4, 2026 1:00 PM Longmeadow Town Green

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Moderator Rebecca M. Townsend @townmoderator.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Moderator’s Statement Read at the Annual Town Meeting on May 13, 2025 We have been called to meet here by the Warrant, which begins with "GREETINGS: In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts." 1/ #Rev250 #Massachusetts250 #IndependenceDay #America250

Photos of two old documents, warrants from Town Meetings held in 1774 and 1776, called in His Majesty's Name and later in the Name of the People of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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Moderator Rebecca M. Townsend @townmoderator.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

Also appreciated is the citation to the Massachusetts Moderators Association, noting the Spark of a Revolution initiative to celebrate Town Meetings' roles in the American Revolution.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Massachusetts Moderators Association
ON BEHALF OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS,
I AM PLEASED TO CONFER UPON YOU THIS GOVERNOR'S CITATION IN RECOGNITION OF YOUR ORGANIZATION'S LONG HISTORY OF PROMOTING PEACEFUL AND DELIBERATIVE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT. AS YOU PROGRESS THE "SPARK OF A REVOLUTION" INITIATIVE IN COMMEMORATION OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION AND THE FIRST TOWN MEETING IN DORCHESTER ON OCTOBER 8, 1633, WE COMMEND THE IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS YOUR
ORGANIZATION HAS MADE IN LEADING THE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS AND INFORMATION THROUGHOUT THE TOWNS OF MASSACHUSETTS, AND THE PATIENT AND TACTFUL WAY IN WHICH YOUR MEMBERS NAVIGATE THESE VITAL COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS. WE WISH YOU CONTINUED SUCCESS IN HOSTING VIBRANT DISCUSSIONS AND ENSURING EVERYONE'S VOICES ARE HEARD.
THIS EIGHTH DAY OF OCTOBER IN THE YEAR 2025
MAURA T. HEALEY
Governor

KIMBERLEY DRISCOLL
Lieutenant Governor

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Moderator Rebecca M. Townsend @townmoderator.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

Happy Town Meeting Day! With appreciation to @massgovernor.bsky.social For the proclamation!

A Proclamation

Whereas French diplomat, historian, and philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville stated, “Town meetings are to liberty what primary schools are to science; they bring it within the people’s reach” emphasizing the significant role of town meetings within society; and

Whereas, Town meetings have served residents both for routine matters and in times of crisis by coming to public judgement on matters of self-governance; and

Whereas, The notion of participatory democracy was a foundational rationale for the American Revolution; and

Whereas Revolutionaries learned to engage in deliberation with each other to further their communities’ causes and pledged their lives and liberties to the principles of self-governance in their efforts for freedom; and

Whereas, The Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were crafted by town meeting members who sought to bring the precepts of participatory self-determination and democracy to the scripture of our founding documents; and

Whereas, The town meeting legislature and the principles it embodies are as vital and relevant today as they were amidst the founding of our nation,

Now, Therefore, I, Maura T. Healey, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim October 8th, 2025, to be,

TOWN MEETING DAY

And urge all the residents of the Commonwealth to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance.

Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston, this first day of October, in the year two thousand and twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the two hundred and forty-ninth.
By Her Excellency
Maura T. Healey
Governor of the Commonwealth
Kimberley Driscoll
Lt. Governor of the Commonwealth
William Francis Galvin
Secretary of the Commonwealth

God Save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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Moderator Rebecca M. Townsend @townmoderator.bsky.social · 24/08/2025

Have Little Ones? Consider registering them to participate in the Little Voter's Lounge on Sept. 9. #Longmeadow #TownMeeting longmeadowma.myrec.com/info/activit...

Little Voter's Lounge
Fun for Kids While the Grown-Ups Vote!
Tuesday, September 9, 2025
VHO: Grades K-5 - children of registered Longmeadow
voters
WHAT: Crafts . Homework Help . Games . Peanut-Free
Snacks . Social Time . Special "Kids Vote"!
WHEN: Opens 1 hour before the Special Town Meeting
closes 30 minutes after it ends
WHERE: Longmeadow High School- Small Gymnasium
COST: FREE - Pre-registration required HERE
LIMIT: First 50 participants - Waitlist available
While you attend the Special Town Meeting, your kids will
enjoy a safe,
engaging evening filled with activities and fun!
Hosted by Longmeadow Parks & Recreation and
High School Key Club
the

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Moderator Rebecca M. Townsend @townmoderator.bsky.social · 24/08/2025

Local democracy at work in Longmeadow, Massachusetts: a Special #TownMeeting on September 9, 2025 will decide whether thr Middle School Builidng Project proceeds to the next stage.

Screenshot
Special Town Meeting
Tuesday, September 9, 2025
7:00P
Longmeadow High School Gymnasium
Visit www.longmeadowma.govTownMeeting
to view theWarrant

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Moderator Rebecca M. Townsend @townmoderator.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

FRIDAY 6/6 @ Noon! Town Meeting ensures citizen's voices are heard in Longmeadow, MA. Jesse Cummings joins me in a Stories Change PowerPoint webinar to discuss how he advocated for change. #CivicEngagement #CitizenPower #TownMeeting #CivicMuscle #Advocacy #Massachusetts #MakeADifference

Poster with photos of 2 people, Jesse Cummings, Owner Titan Fence
Rebecca M. Townsend, Ph.D., Moderator Town of Longmeadow, MA

CITIZEN POWER: Advocacy in Action in Longmeadow, MA
June's Monthly Webinar
06.06.2025
12 PM ET/9AM PT

Stories Change Power

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Moderator Rebecca M. Townsend @townmoderator.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

Longmeadow #TownMeeting honored 98-year old Saul Finestone as Citizen of the Year!

Man in a Veterans hat at a microphone behind a lectern speaks while 4 men and 1 woman look on smiling. The woman is taking a photo.

One man in a blue jacket shakes the hand of a man in a hat and pats him on the back. Audience claps.

Man in Veterans hat and woman in green dress with a Gavel smile together

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Moderator Rebecca M. Townsend @townmoderator.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

Among the wonderful events at Longmeadow's Storrs Library next week is #TownMeeting 101! 4/15 6:00pm longmeadowlibrary.libcal.com/event/14112460

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Moderator Rebecca M. Townsend @townmoderator.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

TONIGHT: Speaking at Longmeadow's Select Board meeting tonight about Annual #TownMeeting on May 13, 2025 at 7:00 PM in the High School. Sharing info on TM prep, on participating, our new rulebook, & how we will commemorate TM & Longmeadow's role in the American Revolution. #Revolution250 #MA250

TOWN MEETING HOW LJBEAEAISSA TE I N LEGISLATURE Longmeadow's Town Meeting voters determine the budget and bylaws for our community through delilberation and voting on motions shaped during the meeting. Citizens have the power to decide what kind of Town they want by participating: Longmeadow is a wonderful community due to the decisions Town Meeting makes. 1. REGISTER TO VOTE Citizens must be registered to vote in Longmeadow at least 10 days before Town Meeting to participate If you are already registered to vote you are all set!
2. SHOW UP Arrive at Longmeadow High School Gymnasium by 7:00 PM. The Annual Town Meeting is always the 2"d Tuesday in May A Special Town Meeting is usually in October or November.
3. SIGN IN Give your name and address to the Clerk's Office staff member or volunteer who greets you as you enter. They will give you anything you need to participate
TAKE A SEAT Choose a seat on a bleacher or chair on the main floor. Adult non-voter visitors may sit in the Visitor's Section. Children may sit with parents or guardians. The Moderator will run the meeting. Rules are printed on the back of the agenda (called the "warrant").
5. ONCE THE MEETING BEGINS Each topic Article" " willl need to be 'moved" and seconded" before talking about it. Motions may be slightly different than what is printed in the warrant. Motions may also be amended.
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6. EVERY VOTER HAS THE RIGHT.. to speak (or not), suggest changes to the motion (or not) and vote or not).
7. TO SPEAK: Go to a mic in the center of the Gym. They are marked green (in favor), yellow (ask questions/make motions), or red (opposed). Wait for the Moderator to recognize you, State your name and address. Stay on topic and within time.
8. TO VOTE: The Moderator will tell everyone when it is time to vote. Voting is done by use of an electronic clicker. The Moderator wil declare the outcome of each vote.

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Moderator Rebecca M. Townsend @townmoderator.bsky.social · 30/12/2024

Thank you, President Carter, Governor Carter, State Senator Carter, Lieutenant Carter Board of Education Member (and Chair) Carter, Citizen Carter.

State of Georgia

Secretary Executive Department

By His Excellency

GEO OP

Marvin Griffin

1776

Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy of this State and of the Militia thereof.

To

J. E. CARTER, JR.

Esq., Greeting:

By Virtue of the Power and Authority in me Vested by the Constitution and Laws of this State, and in pursuance of your election, I do hereby commission you as a MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION of the County of SUMTER

for the term beginning.

December 6, 1955

and ending

June 15, 1959.

MY THE GOVERNOR: Bou J. Wiggin

YOU ARE, therefore, hereby authorized and required to do and perform all and singular the duties incumbent on you as a MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION of the County aforesaid, according to law and the trust reposed in you. This Commission to con- tinue in force for and during the term pointed out by the Constitution and Laws of the State aforesaid, and above expressed, or until removed in accordance with the same.

Given under my hand and seal of the Executive Department at the Capitol, in the City

of Atlanta, the twenty-ninth day of December

in the year of our Lord One Thousand Nine Hundred and Fifty-five.

State Superintendent of Schools

Governor

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