MANDATE
PUBLIC INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS PLANNING GROUP
INTRODUCTION
The Working Vision for Belmont’s Future contains the following statements:
· “Town government responds to the concerns of the residents.”
· “(we will) foster and maintain an open and inclusive decision-making process.”
· “We will promote the involvement of all residents in the life of our community, support citizen involvement in our town affairs, and rely on an effective, representative local government.”
MANDATE
The mandate for the Public Information and Communications Planning Group will be to recommend new and improved methods of reciprocal information sharing and communication between the public (residents and business owners) and town government. All communication vehicles should be explored, including but not limited to public meetings, print (newspaper and mailings) and cable television, but special attention should be paid to the rapidly expanding possibilities of the Internet.
COMPOSITION
The group will include representatives of the following:
· Vision Implementation Committee (VIC)
· Management Information and Communications Committee
· Cable Television Advisory Committee
· Cable Access Committee
· League of Women Voters
· Board of Library Trustees, or library administration
· Belmont Municipal Light Department
· Others, as recommended by the Planning Group and VIC
PROCESS
The Planning Group will study past and ongoing efforts in this area, as well as initiatives undertaken by other communities.
The Group will seek outside sources for funding recommended initiatives.
The process will continually seek public input, by open meetings and representation on the Group.
The first meeting of the group will be convened by the representative of the VIC.
The VIC will have a continuing role in facilitating and overseeing the process, to ensure that objectives are established which are specific and measurable, with a stated time for completion of each objective.
TIMELINE AND COMMUNICATION
No later than one month after convening, the Group will meet with the Selectmen to review and clarify the scope of the mandate.
The Selectmen will be informed periodically of the Group’s progress.
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