Residents’ concerns led to town councilors approving a budget advisory committee, consisting of residents who do not work for the town. That budget jumped to more than $1.4 million in 2022 compared to $982,255 in 2020, when the town added ambulance services along with fire. That budget passed with a 3-to-2 vote.įor years, residents had also felt ignored when voicing concerns about the town’s new ambulance service. In June 2022, town councilors passed a total budget of $7,739,591, which included figures not publically shared in previously recommended budgets. A public forum will be held later this month, with a survey open online until July 1.īut in the meantime, Foster already can imagine a future where more checks and balances will be needed for future town leaders, including a town manager. Town councilors still need to hear resident comments before deciding whether to adopt some or all of Ingraham’s recommendations.

“ value transparency, open communication, the ability to participate and town officials that take time to speak with community members,” Ingraham said in the introduction to her findings. Ingraham’s recommendations include adding a probationary period and an emphasis on transparency to the town manager’s contract requiring a 4-to-1 council vote on crucial items like the annual budget and major spending hiring a human resources director and placing a public comment period at the end of town council meetings, in addition to one at the start. The town paid Ingraham $2,500 for her services. In February, the town hired Perham-based consultant Catherine Ingraham, who has released a report detailing 13 recommendations for how the town can be more transparent with residents and prevent future communication issues that could lead to financial problems.

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