Kudos to engaged residents

This year I have been very gratified to see so many residents going to the effort of attending the public budget review meetings for Andover. I'm sure that there are more who watch from home, but it's certainly a clear expression of interest and engagement for someone to come down to Town Hall and sit around for several hours, a couple times a week.

It's probably reckless for me to start naming people who I've noticed attending frequently, because I'm bound to offend someone by not including them. Apologies in advance.

Mary Carbone, of course, has a very long history of active attendence at town meetings. I was concerned last Fall because I hadn't seen her for a while, but fortunately she has more recently resumed her regular attendence and participation.

Over the past two years, I doubt that any 'unofficial' resident has attended more Selectmen or Finance Committee meetings than Tom Deso. In addition to the time he spends serving on other volunteer committees, Tom shows up to most board meetings as regularly as any of the board members, and has become the voice of reason that these boards frequently turn to for input. At the Joint Meeting of the Selectmen and Finance Committee last night, Tom made a simple and clear observation that swiftly concluded a 20 minute rambling discussion about tax foreclosure property sales, that could well have consumed the Board for another hour had Tom not spoken up. He is a valued contributor to the leadership of the town.

I have been particularly pleased to see John Pasquale attending the recent CIP and budget article review meetings. John has been an outspoken advocate of reason at Town Meeting for several years, and has particpated in several Selectmen meetings in the past. His engagement with the review of capital projects and warrant articles this year has been constructive and welcome. It would be great if more residents could ask their questions and make their concerns known during the review period leading up to Town Meeting, so that they could have more input to the recommendations that are put forward at the Meeting, and better informed when the time comes to vote. John sets a fine example in this regard.

Of course, the candidates for Selectmen and School Committee positions have been fairly regular in attending the budget review meetings for the past few months. They have my respect for being interested enough in the operation of the town to put themselves into the election process, and to be willing to make the commitment of time and energy that their potential roles will demand.

There are plenty of other people who have shown up to enough meetings in recent memory that I should give them mention as well. John Zipeto, Diane Costagliola, Peggy Kruse, and Bill Pennington come to mind, just to name a few more. For any other residents who feel interested and engaged in the process of making Andover 'work' - thanks!