This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.

A Critical Element

On Wednesday, April 13, Clinton’s Board of Finance will hold its annual public hearing on the proposed 2016-2017 budgets. The Clinton PTA encourages your readers to mark their calendars and express their support for the budgets as proposed. Public support is a critical element in the approval of budgets going to referendum. We know every vote counts—so does every voice!

Equally important to attending the meeting on April 13, now is time for the citizens of Clinton to become educated on the proposed 2016-2017 budgets. The Clinton boards of Education, Finance, and Selectmen have worked hard to balance the need to provide appropriate services to our community with the responsibility to control the taxpayer’s burden. Readers should find out what is included and what is not, and more important, what measures have already been taken to control spending of taxpayer dollars. They should learn about the town’s funding priorities, participate in the conversation about why the expenditures are necessary and how the decisions concerning the budget are made, and be part of the solution to the challenges that Clinton faces.

The budget process is an exciting time in our town, a time for us all to support our priorities and contribute to the function of our town. I encourage your readers to add their voices to the conversation.

Erica Gelven

Clinton

Erica Gelven is president of the Clinton PTA.