It looks like one of Oxford Township Trustee Sue Bellairs? dreams is about to come true. At the Dec. 9 meeting, the township board is expected to decide on a date to hold its first annual meeting.
‘I’ve always wanted to have one,? Bellairs said. ‘We’ll probably do it around budget time in the fall ? September, October, November.?
Bellairs proposed that once a year the township conduct a meeting during which elected officials would inform the public about the municipality’s overall status, discuss the budget and educate citizens about what they and their departments do, their goals and available services.
‘It’s mainly to let people know what’s going on and make everybody more accountable,? she explained. ‘It’s mainly (about) the goals and to see did you complete the goals. What can we expect this year? Everybody wants to know where they’re tax dollars are being spent.?
Hopefully, this meeting would give people a better understanding of what the supervisor, clerk, treasurer and trustees are responsible for.
‘People don’t understand what each of the positions do,? Bellairs said.
This annual meeting would also feature a question-and-answer period during which citizens could ask about anything and everything.
‘I think there are people out there that want to know the answers to things,? Bellairs said.
Right now, residents can attend the township’s regular monthly meetings and address the board during the public comment portion. However, if someone has a question, unless it’s something on the agenda, it’s been the board’s policy to not answer it right then in order to keep the meeting moving and get on with the scheduled business.
‘You can ask, but you won’t get an answer because it’s comment only,? Bellairs said. ‘I know people that have stopped going to meetings because there’s no sense asking anything unless it’s right on the agenda.?
‘Having sat out in the audience for many years, it looks like they just don’t care about what you have to say,? she noted.