WILTON – A public hearing held on Feb. 14 to discuss adopting the provisions of the Official Ballot Law (SB 2), drew a half dozen residents, with another half dozen emailing in comments. None of them supported the idea.

SB 2 replaces the traditional town meeting with a “deliberative session” at which voters discuss the warrant articles and determine the wording, including dollar amounts, which is placed on the ballot. Voters then have only a yes or no option as there is no further discussion. No further changes can be made to the proposed articles or the budget.

Select Board Chairman Kellie-Sue Boissonnault said she had proposed the warrant article after several residents asked her about it. The change has been suggested several times over the past years.

Selectman Kermit Williams said he had “also talked to numerous people” after the warrant article was announced. “I haven’t heard anyone who thought it was a good idea. I feel Town Meeting is important,” he said. “We need to explain complicated ideas, people need to discuss them.” He added, “I’d love to see more people come to town meeting. It’s an important tradition.”

Selectman Matt Fish said, although he personally favored town meeting, would abstain since “it’s not the selectmen’s role to support or not.”

Those calling in noted the few people who attend the deliberative session. Although many more people vote, “they are generally uninformed.,” Ron Brown said.

Moderator Bill Keefe wrote, “The traditional format has worked well, it allows for discussion and follow up. SB2 is a small group of people who can control the issues.”

In some towns, the deliberative session has “zeroed out” an article, effectively denying all other residents the ability to vote on it.

Resident Tom Schultz agreed. “Major projects rarely pass,” and noted recent problems in Milford. “They can’t pass a bond.”

Several noted that they had gone to town meeting with an idea which was then changed after discussion.

DJ Garcia said, “We should be working to get more participation (in town meeting) allowing people to come together and communicate with each other.”

Because of the general opposition to the idea, and the few people in attendance, it was suggested it be removed from the warrant. The Board, however, said, since it was out there for discussion to leave it on.

“Come and vote it down at Town Meeting,” Williams said.

Town meeting will be held on Thursday, March 10 at the high school.