Town Meeting Clicker Information Session & Mock Town Meeting
On Saturday, March 7, 2026, Town Moderator Nettie Harrington Pangallo held an information session and mock Town Meeting at Shutesbury Elementary School so members of the public could learn more about voting by clicker. For anyone who was unable to attend, the following materials provide some information about what was presented:
- Video recording of the Information Session & Mock Town Meeting [audio quality is mixed; turn on Closed Captions in Youtube for help following along]
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Introduction (Nettie Harrington Pangallo, Shutesbury Town Moderator) 0–5:29
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Explanation of Clickers (Drew Chase, OTI) 5:30–11:48
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Background of Shutesbury’s Research into Clickers (Paul Lyons, former Shutesbury Town Moderator) 11:49–19:27
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The Benefits of Clickers and the Financial Costs (Nettie Harrington Pangallo) 19:28–28:32
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Guest Speakers:
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Grace Bannasch, Groton Town Clerk and former Shutesbury Town Clerk 28:33–35:02
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Rebecca Townsend, Longmeadow Town Moderator 35:03–44:40
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Jim Pistrang, former Amherst Town Moderator 44:41–51:55
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Mock Town Meeting 51:56–1:13:14
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Q&A 1:13:15–1:38:40
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- Clicker information handout
- Additional comments from other Towns' officials
- Mock Town Meeting warrant, with articles by Shutesbury Elementary School students
Town Moderator is an elected position with a three-year term. There is no limit to how many terms can be served.
Massachusetts General Law Chapter 39, Sections 14 & 15, provides the charge for the position. In Shutesbury, the duties of the Town Moderator are:
- Conduct or moderate Town Meetings
Town Meeting Time describes the parliamentary procedures to be followed in both Annual and Special Town Meetings. The Moderator meets with the Selectboard to discuss the Warrant in advance of meetings to review logistics.
- Make appointments to Committees
The Moderator appoints the seven members of the Finance Committee in staggered three-year terms and three members of the Personnel Board in staggered three-year terms.
- Conduct information sessions
Prior to Town Meetings, the Moderator conducts information sessions on the Warrant as requested by the Select Board and conducts other information sessions on issues that arise town-wide as needed and as requested.
The Town Moderator should have knowledge of the general functions of small-town government and of parliamentary procedure. The Moderator's role is to be fair-minded in conducting meetings to ensure that discourse is respectful and that all voices are heard. In making appointments, the Moderator should be judicious in ensuring that there is balance and appropriate representation of townspeople on the Committees.