From Ralph Jones, Board of Selectmen
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Thank you for BelmontBudget.org
February 16, 2010

I want to thank all of you for taking the initiative to create BelmontBudget.org. I seem not to have e-mail addresses for everyone, but I hope that you will pass this note along to the entire organization.

As I said at the last Town Meeting, I appreciated the thoughtful discussion about the role of Town Meeting Members. Since the Government Structure Review Committee's primary objective was to find a way to make the Town Meeting into a more active, deliberative body (particularly on the budget), your organization meets those needs. The Town's budget reflects its values, and a meaningful discussion of budget issues should be a priority for all citizens.

I am pleased to note that you emphasize revenues as well as expenditures. I would hope that your organization could find a way to become involved in determination of revenues. At the last ATM, there was a successful motion to increase expenditures, but it was funded out of the Town's reserves. Ideally, the legislative body would debate both revenues and expenditures. The referendum process required for increasing revenues by more than 2.5% may frustrate that idea.

If you need information on the budget, or any subject relating to the budget, I would be happy to help you obtain the information. Please don't hesitate to call. If you need speakers for meetings on the budget, I would be happy to participate.

My best wishes in this new enterprise.

Ralph