A Step Backward for Local Governance: Why Less Frequent Council Meetings Harm Our Community
Progressive, growing communities do not thrive by doing less. They succeed through active leadership, open debate, and continuous civic engagement. At the Tuesday, Spet 8th town council meeting, the council decided to lengthen the time between meetings, shifting from a biweekly schedule to a once-every-three-week rotation. While this decision technically complies with Section 39 of the Newfoundland and Labrador Towns and Local Service Districts Act —which only requires councils to meet publicly at least once per month—it represents a major step backward in how our town is governed. A town council's primary role is to act as the governing body that sets the strategic direction, establishes policies, and provides financial oversight for the municipality, rather than managing its day-to-day operations. As formalized in the province's governing Towns and Local Service Districts Act , individual councillors are legally obligated to " consider the welfare and interests of t...