LIVERMORE — Tensions ran high at the May 21 Livermore Select Board meeting as residents expressed frustration over a scheduling error for the town meeting and demanded improved notification methods.

The confusion stemmed from the town’s annual report, which incorrectly listed the town meeting date as April 25. The actual meeting occurred on April 23, leading to discontent among residents. Of the 1,593 registered voters, 147 attended, which the Select Board noted is typical for the town’s voter turnout.

Present at the meeting were Selectpersons Scott Richmond, Joshua Perkins, Brett Deyling, Jeremy Emerson, Chair Mark Chretien, Administrative Assistant Carrie Judd and several residents. Resident Lee Parker questioned the legality of the notification process, emphasizing the need for proper resident notification.

“Our annual report stated April 25, who changed the date two days earlier?” Parker asked. “Legally, you didn’t notify anyone of the correct time and date.”

Richmond clarified that the town annual report is advisory, not a legal document. He noted that the correct date had been posted at various local spots, including Castonguay Meats, Brettuns Variety, Guilds Hardware, the Town Office, Facebook, the town website, the Sun Journal, and on town bulletins and road signs.

“Our usual turnout is about 200,” Deyling said, but residents argued that the low turnout was due to inadequate notification. Deyling insisted that expecting 1,000 residents to attend was unrealistic. “That is a mischaracterization of our elections in general to say 1,000 people show up to any of them,” Deyling said.

“We have never had that kind of turnout. It is a mistruth of what we see as a turnout at our elections. It has never been a 1000 people to show up to vote. It is never, ever been close to the number of registered voters. I would appreciate it that you would not misconstrue the truth of what our elections see for a turnout.”

Richmond explained that upon realizing the error, the board consulted their attorney, who advised them to amend the date legally. The corrected date was posted in compliance with state law, as confirmed by a letter from the town attorney. Deyling read the letter allowed from the lawyer.

Richmond concluded by expressing satisfaction with the turnout of 147 voters. “I am tickled to death that we have 147 people voting,” said Richmond. “When we used to have open town meetings, we were lucky to get 25, including the five selectmen.”

However, residents remained unsatisfied. “I don’t go to Castonguay Meats, Brettuns Variety, or the hardware store, and the only time I go to the town hall is when I pay my taxes” Parker said. “I don’t go on your Facebook, I don’t need to go on your Facebook. As a matter of fact, a lot of elderly people don’t go online or on Facebook.” She and others demanded more direct notification methods, such as mailed notices.

Chretien responded, “It would cost about $2,000 for such mailings, which isn’t in our budget.” He explained that such expenditures would need voter approval during budget votes.

“We followed the law, posting in places frequented by residents,” Deyling added. “It’s startling you don’t visit any of these places. These are mainstays of the town.”

Another resident suggested using tax mailings to notify residents, but Chretien explained that the town outsources tax mailings, making this impractical.

Richmond proposed exploring text or email notifications. “We could have residents sign up for notifications,” he said, while Deyling noted privacy concerns and potential misuse of residents’ contact information.

Michele O’Ben, who spearheaded the petition said 98% of the people she spoke to were unaware there was a vote or what it was about. “My petition has 196 registered voter signatures, more than the number who voted,” O’Ben said.

Bren said in her cover letter for the petition, it was noted that there are 1,593 registered voters in the town of Livermore. “Of those voters, only 147 voters actually voted,” she said.

Bren read the petition, “We the undersigned being registered voters, of the town of Livermore, request the municipal officers to notify all registered voters in the town of Livermore in writing, like they do the tax notices of any meeting that require a vote.” She said at that time she didn’t know the town doesn’t mail the tax notices directly.

“You submitted it,” Deyling said. “We can talk about. It is not something we can address this year, but we are happy to bring it up on the warrants for the next town meeting in 2025.”

“I like the idea of a text or email notification,” said Parker.

Richmond asked, “Will that satisfy you if we look into those two things?”

Parker said, “Oh I think that would be fantastic.”

Selectperson Perkins offered to personally notify Parker of future meetings, but she reiterated that the point was about broader, legal notification methods.

“We thought we covered everything, but apparently, we did not. I apologize for that,” Deyling said, committing to further discussions on the issue in future meetings.

The board agreed to consider the concerns at future meetings. The next Select Board meeting is scheduled for June 18.