I have always been a strong advocate of citizen participation, whether it is promoting the board and committee structure in West Boylston or seeking public input into major projects such as the Tivnan Drive Recycling Facility Project or the Master Plan. Citizens often have wonderful perspective on wants, needs and desires and since I have been in West Boylston I have attempted to draw upon citizen input whenever feasible.
In the past, I have sought input from the public in the form of written comments or emails on the municipal budget however responses have been spotty. This time, I intend to take the message to the people in order to get comment from various departments, users of services and the citizens at large.
Do you have thoughts on how the budget can be improved? Do you feel that priorities of the Town are not reflected in the current budget? Do you see opportunities for cost reduction in municipal expenses? Are you interested in how the budget revenues and expenditures are developed? You will have your opportunity to share these comments with me as I am finalizing the Town's Fiscal Year 09 Budget.
I will be hosting two public meetings in the next month to hear from interested people about their thoughts about the budget and to accept testimony to be delivered to the Selectmen, Finance Committee and other town officials as we consider budget matters. Each presentation will begin with a simple explanation of the revenue expectations up to this point and to share preliminary budget requests. The majority of the time however will be spent receiving testimony on the budget and the taxes. If you have questions please feel free to come to the meeting and participate in this important governmental process.
The public hearings will be held February 26th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and March 13th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the temporary municipal offices at 127 Hartwell Street, Door 1. I look forward to your participation.
Leon A. Gaumond Jr.
Town Administrator
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