Elected to ask questions
An important part of my job on the town board is to ask questions. Harrietstown residents and taxpayers deserve and need to know “why,” and, just as importantly, “why not” when it comes to how we spend money and govern. No town councilperson should sit through a meeting as a mere bobblehead, nodding in agreement to everything presented. It is vital that ideas, policies and proposals are vetted and thoroughly explained. Asking questions is part of that process, the democratic and governmental process. It is part of “transparency,” to which so many politicians give lip service. This is the spirit that I bring to my first budget process as a member of the Harrietstown board.
I appreciate the hard work the town supervisor, budget officer and department heads put into the first draft of the budget. Residents should be pleased with the honest and open discussions the board is having about various items in the budget. While we don’t always agree, the discussions are respectful and informative. Unfortunately, very few residents attend or listen to these meetings and since they aren’t recorded and posted online, something I feel we should be doing, no one will get the chance to witness and learn from these constructive conversations.
It is important for our town to invest in housing, parks, transparency and fiscal responsibility and here are four key proposals I have made to the town board:
1. Town housing plan: We are living through a housing crisis and we all know someone who has been affected. No, town government can’t solve all of our housing problems, but we should not sit back and “wait it out” and hope things get better. We have lost a generation of residents because of the crisis and the town of Harrietstown must do its part. I proposed investing in a housing plan that will (1) set realistic shared housing goals, and (2) attract public and private investment to our community.
2. Parks plans: The town has four wonderful parks and recreation areas, each with their own needs and opportunities. Do you know what the future ideas and plans are for each park and how the town plans to achieve those plans? The answer is no because they aren’t written down. A simple plan for each park, with a description, concept map and budget, will (1) help the board and residents know what’s in store for our parks and (2) help the town secure grant funding for implementation.
3. Online town code: To enhance transparency, increase efficiency and make it easier for residents to access information such as the zoning code, I proposed consolidating and posting all town laws online. Currently, there is no single place where all town laws are available, either on paper or online. Online codes are easy to use, simple to maintain, and are a cornerstone of transparent town government.
4. Reserve accounts: Whether for your family, your business or your town, it’s smart to set aside money for future projects you know you will have to pay for. That’s why many communities have reserve accounts dedicated for future construction projects or equipment purchases. And this is why I proposed establishing and/or growing reserve accounts, especially for water and sewer districts. These reserves will help us better manage future repairs and upgrades more effectively, avoiding unexpected financial strain.
Each one of these investments addresses critical topics important to the town. I appreciated the opportunity to discuss them with my fellow board members during our recent work sessions and I hope the board will join me in recording our future meetings so you, too, may see and hear how your money is spent.
(Jeremy Evans, of Saranac Lake, is a member of the Harrietstown Town Board.)