Pawtucket has done what few cities have done but should. It has officially invited private citizens to stand up and voice their opinions before public boards, committees and agencies. The ordinance took effect only in July, so it’s probably too soon to tell whether public input will move Pawtucket closer to paradise.

Most public bodies allow comment but do not publicize the right, and rarely go far out of their way to make it easy. Pawtucket has ordered its City Council, its School Committee and other bodies to include a session for public input on their meeting agendas. (The Juvenile Hearing Board is exempted; the Redevelopment Agency and Housing Authority were urged but not required to invite public comment.)

Since angry citizens occasionally make their voices heard at meetings even without official invitation, the sessions could open the floodgates to a stream of vitriol. We think it is more likely, however, that institutionalizing dialogue will bring order and focus to public clamor.

Rules for the sessions will be crucial. Civility and (not least) brevity are not censorship but part of moving democracy beyond the voting booth. Pawtucket’s action will help elevate citizens’ sense of their constitutional right to free speech.