Town Moderator

Ed Batchelder
Term expires 2010

Office Address:
Town Hall
8 East Street
Southampton, MA 01073

Telephone: Board of Selectmen 413-529-0106
Fax: Board of Selectmen 413-529-1006
Email: moderator@town.southampton.ma.us

General Duties and Responsibilities
The Town Moderator’s primary responsibility is more about process than policy. The Moderator is in charge of the running of the annual and all special Town Meetings. It is the Moderator’s job to insure a civil debate that protects the rights of the minority while ensuring the will of the majority.

The Moderator works closely with the Board of Selectmen who set the meeting date and post the agenda and the Finance Committee who are required to make recommendation to the voters on items brought before the Town Meeting.

The Moderator serves a one year term and stands for reelection every year.

Links
Citizen's Guide to Town Meetings.