Is this in New England? Are you talking about Selectmen's meetings? At least in Massachusetts, Town Meeting is a once-a-year thing unless something critical comes up, then a Special Town Meeting is called. TM is expensive both in money and time so STMs aren't called unless it really can't wait.

Selectmen meet more frequently but yes, we have some persistent contrarians with perhaps too much free time on their hands too. It's good to have a devil's advocate sometimes as it keeps everyone honest.

Speaking time is mostly at the whim of the moderator, elected at the start of TM. If the Town doesn't like it, they should choose a different moderator.