Community Conversation Series Final Report

In September of 2007 the Town hosted its first Community Conversation. Tolland residents and Town staff gathered together to begin discussions on issues pertaining to the theme of “Your Town, Your Budget, Your Future: Tolland at a Crossroads.”

Interested residents were asked to volunteer to work in small groups to address a pre-identified series of issues pertaining to Town services, their cost and subsequent impact on the next fiscal year tax rate.

Issues identified included the following:

  • Develop a Vision Statement pertaining to Town services.
  • Review and comment on Department Activity Centers/Expenditures.
  • Review and comment on revenue projections anticipated for the next fiscal year.
  • Provide suggestions on cost efficiencies for Town operations.
  • Provide suggestions on methods for improving communication with residents.

Three groups of residents worked diligently for over two months researching the identified issues which culminated in a final report presented to the Town Manager in January of 2008. The final reports of the three groups are posted below for your review.

At a Townwide Community Conversation session held on January 17, 2008, the Town Manager worked with group participants and other interested citizens to reach a consensus on a final blended report which took into consideration suggestions from all three groups. The final blended report is also posted below for your consideration.

All participants are to be congratulated for the excellent work that they did and their willingness to devote substantial time to the process. The information produced will be used by the Town Manager and the Town Council as they prepare and review the 2008-09 budget.

For more information on the process, please view the history of the process page or contact the Town Manager, Steve Werbner.

Group 1 Recommendations
Group 2 Recommendations
Group 3 Recommendations
Vision Statement Pertaining to Town Services (Blended Report)

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