<P> A town meeting is a form of direct democratic rule , used primarily in portions of the United States -- principally in New England -- since the 17th century , in which most or all the members of a community come together to legislate policy and budgets for local government . This is a town - or city - level meeting where decisions are made , in contrast with town hall meetings held by state and national politicians to answer questions from their constituents , which have no decision - making power . </P>
town meetings practiced in many small new england towns are examples of what
direct democratic rule