Editorial
Resolutions

The tradition of making New Year’s resolutions is as popular and as time-honored as breaking them.

Some will resolve to stop drinking so much caffeine, some will resolve to lose that pesky extra five pounds, and some will resolve to start exercising.

But while the resolutions may not stick, the intent is clear: people want to have a fresh start at the beginning of the year.

A new beginning doesn’t only apply to individuals, but it can also to our towns.

And we are here to help in that endeavor.

First, resolve to take the time to listen to each other. Don’t listen to only what you think a person is saying, but also to the meaning behind the words.

Many times in debates it becomes less about agreeing and compromising and more about hearing. “You’re right and I am wrong” is rarely heard.

A lot of times the truth is not that simple.

This is real life — not television — so nobody is reading from a script that was forged by professional writers who sat around a table for weeks trying to figure out the best ways to say something. Life is not as easy as it appears on sitcoms or dramas.

Second, resolve to be penny wise but remember not to be pound foolish.

Everybody needs a few more dollars in their pocket, every town department head needs a few more dollars in their budget and every employee wants a raise.

It is hard to balance every interest.

Each town will be looking at tight budgets and pending building projects in the next 12 months. It is important to watch the building committees and to ensure that those committee members are making wise decisions.

But don’t argue the location of every stairwell or every bathroom. There are people who have sat through the meetings, heard the presentations and debated the specific issues from the beginning of the process.

That leads to the third resolution — get involved. A good way of determining how many showers will be in the public safety building is to become part of the committee.

Ashby, Ashburnham, Townsend and Westminster have many committees that cover everything from buildings to finance, to parks and recreation to future planning.

Good decisions can be made if these three resolutions are attempted. Let’s all look forward to a productive 2007.