New Town Adminstrator's Long-Term Grand Tour

Joining Bruce Springsteen, Katie Perry and Keith Urban on tour this summer will be ... Belmont's new Town Administrator.

That's the plan by the still-to-be-selected candidate – the decision on naming the – by his "promoters," the Belmont Board of Selectmen.

OK, The tour – to take place in July or August – will be exclusively within Belmont, the target audience are precinct caucus members and don't expect much music at these performances. What the Selectmen hope is that those attending will get to know this new kid on the block.

And the Board sees using these meet-and-greets – said one of their first actions will be to meet residents – as an introduction to the town's legislative representatives on a critical town initiative: embracing a long-term financial plan for the town and schools.

While these discussions will highlight concerns in the districts, "part of the meeting as well should be framed on a discussion around the long-term financial plan" in an effort to help "construct an approach that works," said Selectmen Chairman Mark Paolillo, who would like to see members of the School Committee participate in the get-togethers. 

"Precinct caucuses are much better meetings then the town-wide ... meetings since they are much more structured," said Selectman Ralph Jones, who suggest going to half of the eight districts whose representatives are influential with their fellow residents.

"This dove tails rather nicely with the Town Administrator decision," said Selectman Andy Rojas, who he would like to see the new town official "be heavily involved" so he can "put his stamp on ... how we proceed with" creating a four-or-five year project to secure a stable budget as the town seeks ways to secure additional revenue to fund town and school programs down the road.

The goal of a multi-year budget is one of the Selectmen's top priorities for the coming term as it beings a transition into a policy group as the incoming town administrator takes on a greater role in the budgeting process and day-to-day responsibilities.

At the beginning of the fiscal 2013 budget process last year, the town and School Department agreed in principal last to begin studying the feasibility of a "town" budget process with the School Committee's new financial subcommittee leading the effort.

School Committee member Kevin Cunningham – who along with Laurie Slap make up the subcommittee – said the group is prepared to release an outline of the school's long-term financial plan in September.

Kelli Hebert, the town's assistant town administrator, said meeting the precinct members in "their homes" will be beneficial for the permenant administrator as it will be good to hear from them on all issues, not only on budgeting.