Citizen Engagement - What does that mean to you?

The Town Wide Planning Committee has been working on an update to our Town's Master Plan.  That plan identifies key areas of town governance (such as housing, open space, land use, etc.), and establishes a list of key goals for each of these areas that the Town feels need to be achieved.   In the 2005 master plan, the executive summary opens with a Town Vision Statement that lists numerous ideal conditions that residents hope our Town's future includes.  One of these ideal conditions was:  An active citizenry involved in Town government dedicated to improving public services and nurturing our sense of community. The Town should adopt measures to encourage public participation in Town government.   As your town administrator, I agree wholeheartedly that this is ideal, but I am wondering how we can work together as a community to achieve it.  Luckily, we have many opportunities coming up for you, our citizens, to weigh in on topic, as well as on the master plan update as a whole. Starting in January, the Town Wide Planning Committee will begin reaching out to invite you to be part of this discussion.  I encourage you to participate in the various discussions and surveys.  But, equally important, I encourage you to give us feedback about the best way to invite and encourage citizen engagement.   Share with us what that term means to you.  Share with us how we can make it easier, or more enjoyable, for you to be active and participating in your town's governance. 

Please help us to help you.  And please stay tuned for news about the upcoming events we will be holding to discuss ways we can work together to create a master plan that clearly voices for West Boylston's future.