The Meredith News July 24th, 2008
To the Editor:
The 2009 Summer Informational Meeting that the town of Moultonboro put on this year has come and gone. It was held at the Academy auditorium on Saturday. Thursday evening, at the Life Safety Building there was an equally important (and I would say more significant) meeting where Carter Terenzini, town administrator, presented the selectmen with his proposals to the charge they gave him when he came on board this spring. I thank those that took time from their schedules to be on the stage and in the audience at the SIM. However, the meeting was less than exciting from any aspect. Attendance was poor and the information presented, for the most part was very tedious and too detailed. This was the third annual such meeting and likely the last…..
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It was clearly evident from the expressions of those officiating that this was an exercise in futility. With but 43 soles in the audience, and several of those there as part of the program, the dais found itself “preaching to the choir.” Look, I think the effort is a noble one and should continue. It is meant for those property owners that may not be residents and those that may have missed the spring political season, as a chance to catch up on what is going on in town.In this light the town administration is attempting to quiet the grumblings of those heavy taxpayers that do not get to vote on town issues. However, the selectmen need to understand that “if you build it they will come” only works in Hollywood. They need to take a course in marketing. A public notice on a page of public notices is not going to attract the attention of anyone expect those engaged in the business of reading public notices. The taxpayers they are trying to attract to this meeting are not so engaged. How ‘bout having it in August when more of the folks they want to reach are here? How ‘bout a couple of half-page ads in the weeks leading up to it? How ‘bout tying it in with a “Volunteer Appreciation Day” and other community functions? A word to those that may have read the obscure notice and chose not to attend, yet still grumble about their nonvoting tax money… shame on you. This was your chance to express your ideas as did some of those attending; and the boards listened and responded. As for the Thursday evening meeting… That was exciting! And it shows hope for the town to move forward from the squabble that has been disputed in the papers and at meetings for several months. Reading through Mr. Terenzini’s comprehensive report, “Charting a Course,” one may agree or disagree with his conclusions and suggestions in part or as a whole, but he has done his homework. I commend him in this effort. It is clear that he has listened to all factions of the several areas of debate that was his charge. He offers fresh and stimulating ideas that challenge the town and both sides of the issues. Let us not muddy the waters with challenges that may be looming on the horizon. If we do not get these issues resolved now, they will not go away. If we do, however come to some common ground and deal with such issues as aging seniors, recreation, the waste management facility, volunteerism, capital improvement, etc.with reasonability we will be years ahead of our neighboring towns. Those future challenges will be easier to take on if the board of selectmen does their homework now.
Rick Heath
Moultonboro
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