Survey Says: Speak To The Residents

Town officials need to find a better way to communicate with residents about what’s being done to maintain the quality of life in Belmont.

That’s one of the observations members of made after reviewing the survey results from the forum titled “Making Tough Choices” that was held Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010 at the Beech Street Center.

Approximately 75 residents attended and 50 of them completed evaluations at the forum’s conclusion, Vision 21 Implementation Committee Chairman Timothy Bowman said during a presentation to the Board of Selectmen on Monday, Feb. 7.

“This is a great, caring community and there’s a great desire to find solutions to uphold our quality of life,” Bowman said.

However, he said, many of the residents who filled out evaluations mentioned things that have already happened or are underway in town.

Therefore, Bowman said, the committee recommends the selectmen explore enhanced communication between residents and town departments.

The “Making Tough Choices” forum, co-sponsored by the and Vision 21 Implementation Committee, was Belmont’s first town-wide conversation with residents and their priorities for the community’s future, suggest solutions for solving problems and recommend steps needed to ensure its economic and environmental health in the coming years.

Sharing the 411

Bowman said a complete report of the forum can be found on the committee’s website and should be shared with appropriate boards and department heads.

He also recommended the selectmen, in conjunction with town departments, complete an annual “report card” on progress Belmont is making so residents have a better idea of what is going on in their community.

The majority of the residents who evaluated the forum found it to be an extremely helpful, positive event and said they’d like to see it held again, Bowman said.

“The committee recommends convening a ‘Making Tough Choices’ forum again in the fall, prior to the budget talks,” he said. “We offer our support for this any of these initiatives.”

Selectmen Vice Chairman Mark Paolillo said he fully endorses the recommendations made by the Vision 21 Implementation Committee.

“It was a successful event but only the beginning,” he said. “If we don’t keep up an ongoing dialogue with the community, we won’t know residents’ needs.”

Perhaps the Vision 21 Implementation Committee can take as its charge a way to best keep residents informed about what the town is doing, said Selectmen Angelo Firenze.