Moderator Rebecca M. Townsend
banner
townmoderator.bsky.social
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
Town Meeting 101 - Richard Salter Storrs Library
Longmeadow #TownMeeting
12/3
6pm

share.google/RZmZlRL9bsrc...
Town Meeting 101
Longmeadow is a wonderful community due to the decisions citizens have arrived at together through deliberation and participation. Local, participatory democracy relies upon the...
share.google
November 20, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Longmeoadow Special #TownMeeting Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at 7:00 pm in the High School

Warrant here:
www.longmeadowma.gov/283/Town-Mee...
Town Meeting | Longmeadow, MA
Read Town Meeting minutes and warrants.
www.longmeadowma.gov
November 4, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Happy Town Meeting Day!

With appreciation to @massgovernor.bsky.social
For the proclamation!
October 8, 2025 at 11:59 AM
September 9 Special Town Meeting news from @reminderpublishing.bsky.social
thereminder.com/local-news/p...
thereminder.com
September 4, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Town Meeting is community-spirited local democracy.
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.
August 25, 2025 at 12:55 AM
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.
August 24, 2025 at 4:19 PM
"Town Meeting helped provide the spark for Revolution, DiSalvo said, as the defense of a free, local government became part of the provincial response, which also became absorbed in the broader Colonial debate."

#MA250 #Revolution250

www.bostonglobe.com/2025/07/04/m...
George Washington spoke in Massachusetts in 1775 about unity and an American purpose. His words resonate today. - The Boston Globe
When George Washington, from Virginia, arrived in Cambridge 250 years ago, one of the first things he did was talk to his Massachusetts soldiers about the need for a unified American effort.
www.bostonglobe.com
July 9, 2025 at 1:01 AM
In Congress, July 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, ...

#IndependenceDay
share.google/fCCQE9KMpCz6...
Declaration of Independence: A Transcription
Note: The following text is a transcription of the Stone Engraving of the parchment Declaration of Independence (the document on display in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum.) The spelling a...
share.google
July 4, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Today
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
June 6, 2025 at 12:33 PM
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
June 5, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Longmeadow #TownMeeting honored 98-year old Saul Finestone as Citizen of the Year!
May 14, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Among the wonderful events at Longmeadow's Storrs Library next week is #TownMeeting 101!
4/15
6:00pm
longmeadowlibrary.libcal.com/event/14112460
April 10, 2025 at 1:43 AM
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
April 7, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Rebellion declared in Massachusetts (1775)

“On February 2nd, after two weeks of intense debate, Parliament voted to officially declare Massachusetts to be in a state of rebellion.

1/7
#Revolution250 #MA250
February 19, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Reposted by Moderator Rebecca M. Townsend
This was a lot of fun.

The 250th anniversary of the American Revolution is a good opportunity to reflect on the power of #democracy and the deliberative and decision-making power of citizens in #TownMeeting.

#MA250 #Massachusetts250
Yesterday I was delighted to speak with Longmeadow's Girl Scout Troop about local #Democracy, the power of people in #TownMeeting, and the skills we need to participate in a deliberative legislative body.

We also talked about women in government.
1/
January 11, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Longmeadow Annual #TownMeeting has been set for Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 7 p.m. in the Longmeadow High School Gymnasium.
Town Meeting | Longmeadow, MAArrow LeftArrow RightSlideshow Left ArrowSlideshow Right Arrow
Read Town Meeting minutes and warrants.
www.longmeadowma.gov
January 16, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Reposted by Moderator Rebecca M. Townsend
#DailyDemocracy Day 52: what is your local legislative branch? Is it a city or town council? Town Meeting? If it's Town Meeting, is it representative (with elected members) or open (meaning any voter in town can go)? #democracy #TheMoreYouKnow #politics #mapoli #civics #DemocracyInAction #localgov
January 8, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Reposted by Moderator Rebecca M. Townsend
#DailyDemocracy Day 54: local legislative operations. Who manages the legislative body in your municipality? Is it a city or town council president? A town moderator? How is that person elected to their role? #democracy #TheMoreYouKnow #politics #mapoli #civics #DemocracyInAction #localgov
January 10, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Yesterday I was delighted to speak with Longmeadow's Girl Scout Troop about local #Democracy, the power of people in #TownMeeting, and the skills we need to participate in a deliberative legislative body.

We also talked about women in government.
1/
January 11, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Reposted by Moderator Rebecca M. Townsend
#DailyDemocracy Day 37: local government form. Do you live in a town or a city? What kind of municipal government structure do you have? Mayor + city council? Town council? Select Board + Town Meeting? #democracy #TheMoreYouKnow #politics #mapoli #civics #DemocracyInAction #localgov
December 24, 2024 at 4:59 PM
And who leads the municipal legislature? :)

Most Massachusetts communities have a Moderator who regulates the legislative body, known as #TownMeeting or #RepresentativeTownMeeting
Regular citizens are legislators, w/ proposal, deliberative, & decision-making power in Open TMs. #civics #democracy
#DailyDemocracy Day 50: what is your town or city government executive body? Do you have a mayor? A town council? A select board? Who serves in the executive body? #democracy #TheMoreYouKnow #politics #mapoli #civics #DemocracyInAction #localgov
January 6, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Thank you, President Carter,
Governor Carter,
State Senator Carter,
Lieutenant Carter
Board of Education Member (and Chair) Carter,
Citizen Carter.
December 30, 2024 at 12:21 AM
Reposted by Moderator Rebecca M. Townsend
A work in progress starter pack for local government voices in Massachusetts
go.bsky.app/9Jx35DQ
November 16, 2024 at 10:33 PM
Reposted by Moderator Rebecca M. Townsend
Lights on the evergreen tree on Longmeadow's Town Green!
December 1, 2024 at 10:38 PM