*Indicates non-voting status.
The commission is comprised of members with a variety of experience on town boards/commissions and expertise in planning, management, engineering, financial, and general business experience. The commission meets twice per month and has been tasked to complete their work by June 2004.
The Commission for Efficient Town Government, originally titled the Blue Ribbon Commission, was established in June 2002. The Commission's charter is to find long-term, creative solutions to reduce the gap between projected revenues and expenses. The conservative estimates of the projected* deficits are shown in Figure 1:
*Based on Fiscal 2003 Town Initiatives document distributed at Selectman/Finance Committee Budget Forum on March 4, 2003.
Meetings
Meetings are held on alternate Tuesday mornings and Thursday evenings in accordance with the Open Meeting Law. Meetings are generally held at the Fire Station Training Room on Town Farm Road. You can check the Town Hall or Library for meeting postings.
Progress to Date
The commission has adopted a value statement, written a plan detailing our tasks, and have interviewed several departments to gather data. We are now investigating ideas generated from those interviews.
Meeting with Department Heads
As of February 2003, the commission has met with the Library, Fire, Highway, School and Recreation departments to learn about each department and gather information, and formulate a list of areas needing further evaluation.
Value Statement
The commission felt it was critical to develop a statement that defined our philosophy and our approach to meeting the challenges established in the commission charter. The value statement was approved on September 17, 2002.
The Commission for Efficient Town Government Value Statement
The commission will be guided by the values of Innovation, Respect, Responsibility and Responsiveness.
The magnitude of Westford's financial challenge will require innovative ideas and the ability to champion change.
We will be respectful and honest in our interactions with each other and with all Town departments and commissions, and we will strive to work collaboratively to jointly meet the financial challenges ahead.
We assume the responsibility for completing our individual assignments and the Commission "Overall Plan" within the two-year term.
We will be responsive to the spirit of the 2002 Annual Town Meeting characterized by the residents request for precise and clear data and efficient government.
It is our hope that Westford will emerge from this period of extreme financial challenge as the fiscally and socially responsible, cohesive, community-minded Town of which we are so proud.
Commission Plan
The commission developed a plan to ensure an organized approach to accomplishing the tasks and also to serve as a checklist to measure our progress against the goals. A summary of plan milestones follows:
Evaluate the long term budget projections to aid in project decision making.
Identify mandated vs. traditional vs. optional services provided by the town.
Determine adequate levels of service, staffing and spending for all departments
Evaluate the current town organizational structure for efficiency of operations and elimination of duplication of effort/resources
Evaluate cost reductions and additional sources of revenue
Analyze the budget/spending system and implement improvements
Evaluate appropriate training programs for town departments and committees
Determine appropriate programs for continuous improvement
Ensure systems are in place to ensure that the work accomplished with this commission remains in place.
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