Marty,

Tried that, alot of people showed up for a Board meeting to express their comments about a particular item on the agenda. But the Board had eliminated the Public comments time from their agenda. Worst part, the board didn't bother to mention this upfront. It was  real obvious alot of people came for for just that reason.

  So alot of people who came to speak about a specific item on the agenda waited the entire meeting ,a couple of hours, just to have the meeting end. The Board went about getting up and when some one called for Public comments the Board appeared to ignored the comment.  However  a relative of one of the Board member spoke up and said it wasn't on the agenda.

A man next to me said "screwed again."

I have pondered this.

Regarding the Town Meeting, I heard the Town Meeting was to part of the plan for the Board to gain support for their building plan. So make sure what is on the agenda and if and how much time will allowed for Public comments. And what will be allowed in Public comments.

As for step it up, well it doesn't appear like the usual methods for change ie.complaints, comments, petitions  from individual and groups, are making any difference.