Nothing can take town meetings’ place, for their debate, humor, common sense, muffins and egg salad sandwiches.

But for many towns, including Alna’s this weekend, something has: The ballot box. It is silent, humorless and devoid of goodies, unless the ballot clerks have out bowls of candy near the exit. But common sense still lives within the voter, and safety from a deadly virus makes everyone a winner no matter who or what gets the most votes. 

Some in our towns have lamented forgoing the open town meeting; others say a referendum is the only way to go this spring, the pandemic’s second one and hopefully its last. Towns’ elected and hired officials appear to be doing their best to inform residents of the ballot issues. The rest is up to voters, to absorb the information and get their questions answered.

Wiscasset usually does its annual meeting at the polls anyway, and all typically goes fine, with an occasional revote called. 

So spare the egg salad this budget and election season, and do your homework on the ballot items.

Week’s positive parting thought: To hear Wiscasset talking sidewalks, Wiscasset Art Walk and the long discussed Schoonerfest again, adds hope for what can be this year. Keep planning and keep being safe, as the vaccinations continue.