- Do we require more Administration in the form of a Town Manager?
- Do we require Formal Zoning that defines our informal desires if only to keep things as they are?
- Must we prepare a Comprehensive Plan to steer our towns future?
- Should we have a Town Charter to operate by?
I personally love our town with all it’s unique personality and timeless character. I am sure many of you feel the same way. With each day that passes I am worried we operate at risk of losing a piece of that character to new development, mismanagement and or by simply making usual decisions because it’s the way we always have. I believe we need more dialogue and resident involvement in town.
Selectmen Churchard mentions the need for a Comprehensive Plan. Others speak of worries of not having a more formal Zoning Plan. The need of a Town Manager has been raised, perhaps an Accessor part-time or under contact.
Now don’t get me wrong I am not in favor of spending any money. Understand though there is a cost for doing nothing and for not acting as well.
I am in favor of protecting our Town’s character and learning more detail about these issues and others. I also favor maximizing the return on spending we presently do in regards to town expenses. Based on history You can’t simply place an item on a warrant article and see if it passes or expect one night of discussion at a town meeting to answer everyone’s concerns. These issues are important, complex and need discussion with more opportunity for resident involvement.
I propose we ” Citizens” hold a regular meeting to discuss issues impacting the present and future of our town. We invite our Selectmen and others, and delve into the Towns needs. We review the pros and cons of these issues and others, and where sensible and consensus is found, create referendums or warrants.
An agenda could be created through input on this website. I am also willing to use a webcam to record the preceding for residents who can’t attend and post it online on this site or perhaps YouTube.
You have heard the Selectmen at the recent meetings, they need our help, they want our help. A Citizen’s round table would seem to be a perfect forum. We could even invite guest speakers from other districts and the state or experts on specific topics to provide insight if needed to learn how others handle such things.
This is your town, and there is no better place to be heard or to vote than in your town. People get excited about Presidential elections but the fact is a single resident’s voice matters most and rings most loudly in your local town hall.
What do you think? Do I schedule some space, call the papers to get notice out and send some invites?
Please comment as well as vote your will below…
In your comments please specify a night that works best..ie. 1st Wednesday, 2nd Thursday etc. also specify a frequency preference of monthly or bi-monthly We will take these into account for scheduling as well as trying not to impact other town meetings like budget, planning etc.
Would you participate in a Citizens Rountable meeting?
- Yes - I would participate and plan to attend (70%, 21 Votes)
- No - I have no desire to participate (17%, 5 Votes)
- No - I currently can't, but I like the Idea and will Follow Progress (13%, 4 Votes)
Total Voters: 30
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Obviously I favor the Idea..and think the 1st Wednesday of the month is a good day. If needed we could meet with greater frequency say bi-weekly initially and wind down to bi-monthly over time. It all depends on what YOU want.
I see my role as a facilitator. A resident who cares and can help make things better. I certainly don’t have all the answers but am willing to shepherd things along along so others may learn, participate and become more involved.
I’m a Lieutenant on the Fire Department and have seen and delt with a number of things that bother me. I’ve been to all the Town Meetings and was not pleased with this years Property Tax. I believe they did not raise taxes the previous 2 years to complete the Town Hall and now, we are paying the price to preserve a former Selectman’s legacy. The 1st Wednesday of the month is good for me.
Glen, the first Wednesday of the month works for me as well.
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I thought the regular town meetings was to serve this purpose!?
Most people have their own lives to lead and don’t have time to attend meetings.
Most people, I think, expect our elected officials to do what’s good for the community!
I also don’t think raising the taxes 30%+ is what most people in this town would think was good for them!
I like the fact that I now have the ability to see the town meetings on our website at my leisure, and have the ability to air my points of view on the web site also!
I don’t think we need a community round table for discussions, because of our web site, but, to not have one would be like only having “x” amount of avenues available for your thoughts to be heard!
I have a suggestion…….Why not have our community round table? We could have someone take notes on suggestions and other things then have them typed up and given to the town selectmen, it would be away for our community to stay in touch and get involved…… maybe the selectment would be open to hearing the town’s suggestions and concerns (the way it should be)……..I am going to try to get more involved in helping anyway I can
A round table meeting would be a great idea to see what residents have issues with and need to be addressed . Our board of selectmen could careless what the residents have to say . How many questions (polls) have been discussed on this site and NONE have been even mentioned . They will look into it !!! Heard that line before ??? All too many times .
I think it would be a great idea for residents to voice concern and opinions. I would attend and help out in anyway. Great Idea!
I think a Round Table, Workshop or whatever you want to name it would be a great idea. I have spoken with State Representatives that have recommended this approach as a means to impart improvement.
They recommended publicly posting the dates, inviting the Selectmen to the meeting to answer questions, inviting any guest speakers needed, but instead of the meeting being run by the Selectmen it is run by the people.
An alternative which requires less planning is to come to the Selectmen Meeting….come in some NUMBERS, ask questions and press your concerns. If there is no action, then elevate….People can complain one at a time, and be ignored or brushed asside.
Having a turnout at meetings regularly could help and can’t hurt.
Our newly re-elected Selectmen is for Democracy, I am for Democracy are You??
Come to the meeting for 30 mins or an hour twice a month.
Anyone fluent in Robert Rules and willing to moderate if needed?
First meeting July 1st?
These selectmen don’t want to hear what the residents have to say ? They’ll look into it ! Your not on the agenda ! The town attorney is working on it ! We don’t have the time with our full time jobs ! Enough said ???
I think thats a great date Corinna, what do you think Glen? We need time and place and an agenda I guess……….What do I know LOL…..
Well…. I just made arrangements for a meeting space at the Old Town Hall for July 1st from 6:30pm to 10:00pm for the first Citizens Roundtable. All are welcome!! If you plan on attending please let me know so I can get an idea of how many will be there. Hope this works for you Glen : ) We can work on the agenda.
I would like to attend to hear any concerns and be there if anyone has questions of me, as long as no one objects to having a selectman there.
Thanks for hosting a citizens forum
Jason Cole
Selectman
Sounds good to me…Corinna
It is close to a Holiday weekend but we should get started soon.
Jason…of course all residents are welcome, your knowledgeable, and I am sure would have much to add.
Three and a Half Hours is a long meeting. Most likely too long to be effective Lets shoot for 60-90 min max. It’s better to meet more frequently for shorter periods.
Residents…post your agenda suggestions and honor Corinna by giving her a heads-up if your attending so she can plan seats and so forth.
I ask one thing…
Should Mr. Cole, any other officials or Town Employees attend…they are attending as knowledgeable residents to share in the dialogue.
Unless we formally invite them as Selectmen to specifically answer questions it wouldn’t be fair to press Mr. Cole to much (as Selectmen).
I appreciate Mr. Cole’s involvement, he has much experience, and I glad to see he’s taking an active role.
Wonderful!!! I am very glad you will be there Jason and Glen, at least I will not be there alone. (lol)
As for the length of the meeting, I only booked it for that long, just in case…. I will not lock the doors on anyone.
Thanks Corinna for setting this up my husband and I will be there.
July 1st at 6:30. My husband and I will be there!
Please keep a seat warm because I’ll be there . (late or not) Jason , before the meeting if you could check and see how our newly elected selectman is not in conflict working at the transfer station and also being a selectman . Isn’t this under the new policy the town adopted ?Maybe this should be the first petition put together for the next election .
Do we have to wait until the next election? Can’t we get people to sign a petition now, I don’t know what the procedure is and am just asking questions.
I think I might have left my message about flyers in the wrong place, forgive me lol…. I’m old and tired. I was wondering is it too late to make flyers about the roundtable and put them on everyones cars here in Lebanon so they would be informed of the meeting?