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March 27, 2005
Easter Egg and Budgets
My brain hurts.
With this being a three-day weekend, I set aside time to review the mountain of paperwork that was required reading now that I serve on the RTM (Representative Town Meeting). Now I know the Town Charter and the rules of the RTM, I’ve conquered the exhaustive minutes from the last meeting complete with all the sub-committee reports on the same two issues. I’ve gained a new appreciation for certain town officials who have to show up at these committee meetings and repeat themselves four and five times. I’ve read the resume of a long-time buddy who needs to be voted onto a town board tomorrow night.
What I haven’t finished wading through, yet, is the town budget. Ever read a budget? Without ever once taking an economics class, I find this daunting. It’s also exhaustive but I see that our First Selectman used a scalpel instead of an axe to the various departmental requests. Most of the increases I’ve read about so far are required by changes in state law or replacement of outdated equipment or vehicles. I think I’m reading it right so my impression is favorable.
But I’m not done. And it’s Easter Sunday, a day that’s supposed to be about family. We imported Kate from college for the weekend. She’s applied herself well, making sure there’s been one-on-one time with son, with wife and with me (although my time seems more about filling out financial aid renewal forms). We’re making a nice dinner, timed early enough to get her on the 6 p.m. train back to Washington.
And having her here has reinforced more traditions. Remember, they’re 16 (a week shy of 17) and 19 and both insist on Easter baskets and an Easter egg hunt. Both came downstairs this morning to see that indeed the Easter Bunny stopped by with relatively age-appropriate gifts. Once they return from church, Kate and Rob will tear through the main floor in search of plastic eggs filled with treats. And then the rule of the day applies: no limit to amount of crap consumed.
The mere thought of that much sugar and chocolate actually will make my stomach hurt, taking my mind off my brain hurting as I complete the town budget.
Posted by Bob Greenberger at March 27, 2005 12:14 PM
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