Questions raised about previously donated voting devices
The Rochester Select Board at a meeting on Monday, July 20. From the left: Cameron Durant, Adam Murphy, Paul Ciaburri and Bradford Morse
David Arancio presented his comments to the Select Board.
The Rochester Select Board at a meeting on Monday, July 20. From the left: Cameron Durant, Adam Murphy, Paul Ciaburri and Bradford Morse
David Arancio presented his comments to the Select Board.
ROCHESTER — Town Moderator David Arancio has raised questions about voting devices that were previously anonymously donated to Rochester this spring.
At a Select Board meeting on Monday, July 20 Arancio questioned the future use of the voting devices even though the devices were not used at Town Meeting this year.
On April 16 the Rochester Select Board accepted the donation of the 400 Meridian voting devices and decided to use them for Town Meeting.
The board later changed its decision on April 27 and said they did not want to use them because of the need for training and more information about the devices.
The devices operate on radio frequency that sends a signal to a receiver. The receiver is then connected to a computer with software to count the number of votes. The devices are not connected to the internet, and do not use WiFi or bluetooth.
Residents would be able to vote from their seats completely anonymously, instead of the traditional method of raising a ballot slip or using a voice vote.
Arancio questioned how much time the voting devices would actually save and more community members and leaders, like Arancio, should have been asked to decide if the devices should be used or not.
The Town Moderator said that he believes he has worked with the town administrators to make the annual meeting more efficient and effective without the need for these devices.
“Town Meetings should not be done in one hour,” Arancio said.
He was also concerned that the Select Board was drafting a new bylaw that would require the use of these devices.
Town Administrator Cameron Durant said to use the voting devices a bylaw must be made. After the bylaw is passed it is not mandatory to use the devices during every vote.
Select Board member Adam Murphy said they will not use the devices until they have fully practiced and understand the new equipment.
“We practice in private before we perform it in public,” Murphy said.
The board decided to table the discussion until everyone, including Arancio, could review and comment on the proposed articles for the bylaw.
