Norway needs volunteers for budget committee

NORWAY — The town of Norway is asking for volunteers to staff its budget committee.

Members will be asked to evaluate the budget drafted by the town manager ahead of Norway's town meeting, where their recommendations will be included on the warrant alongside those of the selectmen.

Meetings will commence on April 7 in a joint session with the Board of Selectmen, in which members will choose a chairperson and settle on a meeting schedule for the rest of the month. Subsequent committee meetings are typically held one or two times a week for the rest of the month, depending on the availability of its members.

The first few meetings will be conducted as joint sessions with the selectmen, in which the budget committee will be able to ask questions of the board and hear presentations from the department heads who receive their funding from town funds.

Membership is capped at 25 members, but according to Selectman and long-time budget committee member Russell Newcomb, the last couple years have seen 10-12 volunteers.

According to Newcomb, becoming part of the budget committee allows residents a unique opportunity to witness and take part in the workings of town governments.

"It is really a very informative and interesting process for anyone interested in how many tax dollars are needed to run the town, as well as what they are spent on."

Interested citizens can fill out an application at the Norway town office on Danforth Street. In the past, everyone who has applied has been accepted onto the committee.