During my successful campaign for a seat on the Poland Board of Selectman, my platform clearly stated that appropriate citizen input was the key to a healthy town.

The town of Poland is about to review and update its comprehensive plan.

The members of the board of selectman are required to appoint the members of the Comprehensive Planning Committee

At the last selectmen’s meeting, it was arbitrarily decided by a 4-1 vote that the committee would be comprised of seven residents, representing the 5,500 citizens..

I voiced my opposition to a scenario that I believed is not in the best interest of the town, the process or the resulting product. I was told, “The people can have their say at the public hearings during the process.”

This is unrealistic, because without significant initial public input, as the plan is being created and shaped prior to the public hearings, our residents will again feel that their opinions are not valued enough to be included.

The other significant issue is the current lack of any formal list of qualifications needed by persons wishing to serve on this committee.

We need to rethink the process so that the document we create has the large and diverse authorship of our residents. If we fail to interest, integrate and include our newest residents into workings of our town, we may find ourselves living in a community where our citizens are not engaged in our future.

Sandra T. Knowles, selectman, town of Poland