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The dirt road that passes by Calais, Vermont’s town hall is almost always free of traffic. A glaring exception to this rule takes place every year on the first Tuesday in March: Long lines of vehicles are parked along both sides of the snow covered road, and residents bundled in winter clothing can be seen making their way toward the town hall building that was constructed in the 1800s. Once inside, the heavy clothing is no longer needed: An old wood burning stove, combined with the heat radiating from many bodies seated in pew seats and standing along the walls, create a hot, almost sauna-like environment. The residents of Calais have gathered in this former church for the annual town meeting; a unique form of local government that places more power and responsibility in the hands of residents than perhaps any other form of democracy. During this meeting they decide which direction the community will move in over the next year and how much of their money will be spent doing this.
 A major difference between the town meeting form of local government and representative forms of government is the involvement of residents in the process. In representative forms of local government, city councilors, aldermen or town selectmen are elected by residents to run the government, pass budgets and establish tax rates. In the town meeting form of government, residents decide how much of this will be done. Selectmen are still elected to oversee the government, but the residents decide, by voting, how money will be raised and spent in their community. Town meetings also provide an opportunity for the residents to debate budget questions and other issues before they are put to a vote. Throughout New England, especially in the three Northern New England states, this is how local government is run in many communities with small populations.
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