But in Jericho, at least in the town meeting, people seemed relieved not to have to talk about national politics.

“This is Vermont, and it’s a wonderful way to be part of a small community — independent of Bernie,” said Deborah Waterman, 71, who moved here about six years ago from Washington, D.C.

Emilie Alexander, 78, was helping run the bake sale outside the auditorium during the meeting, and reported that it raised several hundred dollars for the town library.

“The whole tone of the country is so discordant now that it’s difficult to get enthusiastic about what you need to do,” she said. “This makes you figure that there’s a four-letter word out there that is still going to work. It’s called hope.”

Sean McCann, the fire department’s second assistant fire chief, attended most of the meeting and said it was even more democratic than similar events in his home state of Massachusetts.

“This is a very in-tune process that incorporates more freedom of speech,” he said. “It doesn’t create animosity, but everyone walks away having had their opinion heard. That’s your democracy.”

Inside the meeting, Dave had gotten things in order. The citizens had heard presentations from their two state representatives, George Till and Trevor Squirrell. Anyone who wanted to speak was allowed to remain in his or her seat until the town administrator, Todd Odit, arrived with a microphone. A couple of women were knitting. There were a lot of plaid shirts, although one man, a retired financier who said he had some grievances with the way the town goes about making capital expenditures, wore a puffer vest.