Before Town Council's recent refresher course on Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) laws, citizens really weren't sure what meetings were being held, or where or when. Sometimes it's still difficult to cypher what will actually be discussed and/or acted upon, even when you get an agenda or visit town hall to check out the special bulletin board tucked on a landing between the building's entrance and council chambers/administraive offices on the second floor.
The T's recently stated progress is being made in providing open government. A reader then pointed out the annual budget was appearing on the town's web site not because of citizen efforts, rather in response to a revision in State Code. To paraphrase, this was not done in response to public feedback, rather to be in compliance with a state mandate.
But did you see that a meeting notice was published in a local newspaper for a just-established ad hoc committee to meet and examine whether there should be any constraints placed on allowing low speed vehicles on town streets? Could the speed with which this matter progressed be the result of who proposed it, or because it was handed over to a specially formed ad hoc committee, or because it was an outstanding idea?
One citizen comment, an immediate response and action by the council that same evening, one ad hoc meeting, and presto -- a recommendation to allow golf carts on town streets will go before council August 19. Progress, action. Plus, the published notice reflecting the Mayor's commitment to following the letter and intent behind FOIA law. More progress.
Now let's go back to the budget and see if it can be determined what amount was allocated for this year's advertising/marketing expenses promoting town events, providing public notices, employment opportunities or committee vacancies, and requests for proposals (RFP). It might, however, be similar to cypering out the total cost of gasoline expenses for prior and current budget cycles -- and so not something easily quantifiable in the budget, as presented. Maybe there's a state mandate about budget format, too?