When you vote in a class election,

you participate in direct democra-

cy. In some regions of the country

that have small populations, direct

democracy is still practiced at town meetings. When

a town grows, elected representatives are needed to

make the decisions.

Town GovernmentTowns fi rst developed as New England colo-

nists built homes and churches. A town is a

unit of local government, usually larger than

a village and smaller than a city. The colonial

town included both the homes, churches, and

other buildings and surrounding farmlands.

The people who lived in early New

England towns created the town meeting,

a simple yet powerful form of local gov-

ernment. In a town meeting, all citizens

meet regularly to discuss town issues. After

all opinions regarding an issue have been

voiced, the people at the meeting vote on

that issue. This means that each person has

a direct voice in the government.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT 231

Many smaller communities in New

England still hold town meetings to

deal with local issues.

Town, Township, and Village GovernmentsBEFORE YOU READ

The Main Idea

Although counties are

the largest unit of local

government, they share

the job of governing

with other units of local

government.

Reading Focus

1. Where did town government

begin, and what is the

purpose of the town meeting?

2. Why did townships and

special districts develop, and

how does each function?

3. Why are villages and

boroughs created, and

how do they operate?

Key Terms

town, p. 231

town meeting, p. 231

township, p. 232

special district, p. 233

As you read,

take notes on

the different kinds of local

governments and the purpose

of each. Use a chart like this

one to record your notes.

TAKING

NOTES

Local Governments

Kind Purpose

During a town meeting, a moderator is usually elected to preside over the meeting.

SECTION 2 231

Why It MattersPreview the headings in Section 2 with

students. Ask students to name their

type of local government. (Answers may

vary for students who attend regional

schools, but students should name a

city, town, township, or village govern-

ment.) Explain to students that local

governments provide places such as

town meetings where people can share

their opinion about local issues or prob-

lems with others in their community.

Discuss with students why it might be

easier for citizens to become involved in

local government than in other levels of

government.

Key Terms

Preteach the following terms:

town unit of local government, usually

larger than a village and smaller than a city

(p. 231)

town meeting public meeting at which

townspeople meet regularly to discuss and

vote on town issues (p. 231)

township small unit of local government

(p. 232)

special district unit of government formed

to meet many different needs (p. 233)

Taking Notes

Local Governments

Kind Purpose

Town to govern an area smaller than a city but larger than a village

townships,special districts

township: to perform a variety of local functions, special district: to meet an area’s specifi c need

villages,boroughs

to provide services in a growing rural area

1. Teach Ask students the Reading Focus

questions to teach this section.

2. Apply Have students write the section’s

three main heads on separate sheets of

paper. As students read, ask them to record

details about each type of government on

the appropriate page.

3. Review Lead the class in a discussion

about local government. Allow students to

refer to their notes during the discussion.

4. Practice/Homework Have students

create an encyclopedia entry about one form

of local government.

Town, Township, and Village Governments

Teach the Main Idea At Level

Collaborative Learning

Research Required

232 CHAPTER 9

Town meetings often are held in con-

junction with town elections. At the elec-

tions, townspeople typically elect from three

to fi ve offi cials to manage the town’s affairs

between town meetings. The town meeting

form of government can work well in areas

that have small populations. Direct democ-

racy is practical in such towns because it is

easier for all the voters to gather in one cen-

tral location at one time.

READING CHECK Analyzing Information

In what kind of community does a town meeting

work well?

Townships and

Special DistrictsIn some states, land is often divided into oth-

er smaller units. Two common subdivisions

are townships and special districts. Town-

ships are more common in certain states, but

special districts are found in every state.

Townships

In colonial times, New England states used

the town form of government. Other states,

especially New York, New Jersey, and Penn-

sylvania, used a form of government called

a township. Townships in other parts of the

country, especially the Midwest, have a dif-

ferent history. In the early 1800s, the United

States expanded westward. Americans moved

into new land where they had not previously

settled. Congress divided this new land into

perfectly square units, usually 6 miles (an

hour’s buggy ride) by 6 miles on a side. As peo-

ple from the East moved in, they set up local

governments they called civil townships.

Colonial townships were usually smaller

than New England towns, while the Mid-

western townships may have been larger

than towns. But all townships perform many

of the same governmental functions, such as

building schools and roads, that towns per-

form. In general, a township is headed by

an elected chairperson or supervisor. Voters

also elect a board of commissioners or trust-

ees to make township rules and regulations.

An elected constable enforces the laws, and

often an elected justice of the peace tries

minor legal cases. Today, many township

governments have decreased in importance

as cities have taken over many of the govern-

mental responsibilities.

Finding Information

on the InternetDoes your town have leash laws for pets? How

many people live in your state? These questions

can all be answered by using Web sites provided

by your local government.

The Internet is also a great place to find practical infor-

mation for daily life. Unfortunately, it can be hard to know

if the Web sites you visit contain complete and accurate

information. Many sites are sponsored by groups trying to

sell a particular product or service.

Using a Web site sponsored and maintained by your

local government can help you avoid these problems.

These sites provide residents with useful information. ANALYSIS

SKILL MEDIA INVESTIGATION

Evaluating How do you know you are on government

Web sites?

Local government Web sites often provide useful links to public services, such as libraries.

Illustrated example of a township Web site

KEYWORD: SZ7 CH9

go.hrw.com

Reading Focus

Where did town government begin,

and what is the purpose of the town

meeting?

Town Government

Identify Where did the fi rst towns

develop in the United States? in the

New England colonies

Make Inferences What kinds of

issues are discussed at town meetings?

Possible answer: issues that affect the

local community

Why did townships and special

districts develop, and how does each

function?

Townships and Special Districts

Explain Why have many township

governments decreased in importance?

Cities have taken over many govern-

mental responsibilities.

Summarize What benefi ts do special

districts provide citizens? They meet

health, safety, and cultural needs such

as fi re protection, libraries, parks,

public transportation, and sewage

disposal.

From the Source: Readings in

Economics and Government: Reading

55: Democracy in America

AnswersMedia Investigation Government

Web sites usually end with “.gov”.

Reading Check a small community

Hold a Town Meeting1. Assign students roles as town offi cials and

townspeople.

2. Have students hold a mock town meeting,

with offi cials giving reports and presenting

new issues. Suggest that students fi nd

and research community issues in local

newspapers. They can also present fi ctional

issues.

3. Have students debate and vote on the

community issues that have been raised

by the “town offi cials.” Verbal/Linguistic,

Interpersonal

Alternative Assessment Handbook: Rubric 11:

Discussions

232

Reading Focus

Above Level

Special Districts

People living in a certain area may have a

special need. In such cases these people may

go directly to the state legislature and ask

for a charter to set up a special district. A

special district is a unit of government

formed to meet many different needs,

including fi re protection, libraries, parks and

recreation centers, public transportation,

and sewage disposal. A special district may

include several cities. For example, a hospital

district might serve several cities. Each city

would have to pay taxes for the services it

receives. The state legislature usually sets up

a commission to handle the details of estab-

lishing and operating the special district.

The commission members may be elected or

appointed.

School districts are considered special dis-

tricts by some researchers. These districts are

created by states to provide funds for local

schools. There are more than 13,000 school

districts in the United States. Each district

has its own governing body called a board

of education. An executive, usually called a

superintendent of schools, manages the dis-

trict’s day-to-day operations.

READING CHECK Finding the Main Idea Why

do school districts qualify as special districts?

Village and Borough

GovernmentsWhen rural communities grow to a popu-

lation of 200 to 300, their residents often

encounter problems that require them to

work together. The residents may decide to

establish a village or a borough and create

their own local government.

A request to establish a village or bor-

ough must be approved by the state legis-

lature. The legislature permits the village or

borough to be a self-governing municipality.

It then can collect taxes, set up fi re and police

departments, and provide other services that

larger communities offer their residents.

A village or borough is often governed by

a small council, or board of trustees. The vot-

ers also elect an executive or president of the

board of trustees to carry out the laws.

If the population of a village or borough

becomes large enough, the people may ask

the state legislature to grant the community

a city charter. When this happens its govern-

ment would change accordingly.

READING CHECK Analyzing Information Why

does an increase in population require the forma-

tion of a government?

Reviewing Ideas and Terms

1. a. Defi ne Write a brief defi nition for each of the following terms: town and town meeting.

b. Explain Why did town meetings develop?

2. a. Defi ne Write a brief defi nition for each ofthe following terms: township and special district.

b. Make Predictions What might happen if a local government did not make use of special districts?

3. a. Recalling What is the role of the state in the creation of villages and boroughs?

b. Sequence When do rural areas become villages or boroughs?

Critical Thinking

4. Comparing and Contrasting Copy the graphic organizer. Use it and your notes to explain why townships and special districts develop, and how each is organized.

Focus on Writing

5. Writing to Persuade Write a letter from the perspective of a resident arguing why a rural area should or should not become a village.

KEYWORD: SZ7 HP9

go.hrw.com

Online Quiz

SECTION 2 ASSESSMENT

Townships

Why:

Organization:

Special Districts

Why:

Organization:

LOCAL GOVERNMENT 233

Reading Focus

Why are villages and boroughs cre-

ated, and how do they operate?

Village and Borough Governments

Recall Who often governs a village

or borough? a small council or board

of trustees, headed by an executive,

president of the board, or mayor

Elaborate What kinds of problems

might lead a rural community to form a

village or borough? Possible answers:

needing tax revenue to pay for local

services, needing emergency services

such as police and fi re departments

CloseDiscuss with students how the govern-

ments of towns, townships, special

districts, villages, and boroughs were

created and how they function today.

Review Online Quiz: Section 2

Quiz Game

AssessSE Section 2 Assessment

Daily Quizzes: Section 2

Reteach Main Idea Activities for Differentiated

Instruction: Section 2

AnswersReading Check (left) They provide

funds specifically for local schools. (right)

As population grows, the need for

community services and cooperation

increases.

Section 2 Assessment Answers

1. a. town, p. 231; town meeting, p. 231

b. to help solve problems and issues that

occurred in towns

2. a. township, p. 232; special district, p. 233

b. Possible answer: Needs would not be met

as efficiently, and local government might be

overburdened with problems.

3. a. Requests to establish them must be

approved by the state legislature. b. when

population reaches about 200 to 300 people

and more organization is needed to address

community needs

4. Students should use the graphic organizer to

explain why townships and special districts

develop and how each is organized.

5. Students’ letters will vary but should show

understanding of the purpose of a village or

borough.

233