A good step forward in Moultonboro

The Meredith News   July 3rd, 2008

Editorial 

Anyone who prepares a budget knows that it’s not an easy process, especially as wants have to give way to needs nowadays, and even needs have to be prioritized. Multiply that by a hefty number, and with a far more needs to consider, and you’ve got any town budget. It’s a grueling process for any town, but was especially true for Moultonboro last year. Without a town administrator, the selectmen took on multiple duties and budget sessions in order to see the budget to its presentation this year. It’s why we’re happy to see Moultonboro establishing an advisory budget committee in town. Extra pairs of hands and eyes are always useful when it comes to financial matters, and especially so in a time when hard decisions may have to be made. The more opinions that can be voiced, the more complete picture the selectmen and the school board will have to work with in the next budget season. As to whether this becomes an annual occurrence, we hope everyone looks at the committee with an open mind. Fears have been expressed to us in the past that if Moultonboro gets a budget committee, the budget process will become rancorous and would divide the community. It’s true that money can be a divisive issue – most married couples we know will admit to an argument or two (or three). Come Town Meeting, though, it’s in the hands of Moultonboro residents to make the decision – not just about the budget, but about the committee itself. If residents like the input of the advisory budget committee this year, they may very well make the committee an elected one…or not. Residents might like the advisory committee just the way it is. There is the third possibility that residents just find the whole committee unnecessary, and don’t wish to continue with it at all. With or without such a committee, there will always be a debate over where the funding goes – just look at the debate over the community/senior center earlier this year. We’d like to say that a budget committee, advisory or elected, is a forward-thinking step for the town, and we support its institution.We’d encourage residents to go out and attend these meetings, so that they know where the funding is going, and the reasons that it’s going there.

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