From the First Selectman
Every day, municipal employees work quietly behind the scenes to keep communities functioning. They repair roads, answer questions at town halls, operate the Transfer Station, maintain our buildings, assess your property, inspect buildings, collect taxes, process permits, and respond to emergencies. Yet despite the essential nature of their work, they often face frustration, impatience, and hostility from the very residents they serve.
Municipal employees operate within systems that are governed by laws, regulations, budgets, and procedures. The person behind the counter at the Town Office building or on the phone with the public usually does not create these rules. Their role is to apply them fairly and consistently. A respectful conversation is far more productive than directing anger at the employee responsible for enforcing it.
Municipal workers are neighbors, parents, volunteers, and taxpayers themselves. They choose public service careers because they care about their communities. However, dealing with a constant stream of complaints, demands, and the use of profane language takes a toll. A simple “thank you,” patience during a busy moment, or acknowledgment of their effort can go a long way in boosting morale and reinforcing the shared purpose between residents and public servants.
Civility does not require grand gestures. It begins with small choices — listening before responding, speaking respectfully, and remembering that the person across the desk is doing their job under the same constraints that shape any public system.
It is budget season and the Board of Selectmen has invited department heads and board and commission chairpersons to provide input for both the Ten-Year Plan and the annual budget. These meetings are all posted on the town’s website and referenced in the minutes of the Board of Selectmen’s meetings.
Save these dates! The Budget Hearing will be held on Thursday, April 30 at 7 p.m. at Eastford Elementary School. The Annual Town Meeting will take place on Thursday, May 14, at 7 p.m., also at Eastford Elementary School. Budget packets will be available beginning April 16 at the Town Office Building and the Eastford Public Library.