Norfolk Re-Engineering Committee Off to a Strong Start The Norfolk Re-Engineering Committee has met twice and is off to a strong start with the adoption of this mission: "to research and evaluate opportunities to increase efficiencies, explore non-tax revenue opportunities and enhance service delivery to the residents of the town of Norfolk." "The Re-Engineering Committee provides to Norfolk residents an opportunity for an independent team to take a fresh look at town resources, processes, and expenses. Our open-minded group will research ideas from other residents, town employees, and officials. The goal is to identify 'Best Practices' and high-impact prospects to share resources and control costs," said Ari Alpert, who serves as Committee Chair. "There are almost always new and better ways to provide services. Like other residents of Norfolk, we want to ensure we're getting the optimum services and resources for our tax dollars." The Re-Engineering Committee is a recommendation committee with non-binding authority but operates as any other committee. The Re-Engineering Committee will actively seek input from any and all sources in the development of its recommendations. To that end, the Committee encourages Norfolk residents to share any innovative and viable approaches to current or foreseeable situations the town will face. As such, one of the Re-Engineering Committee's first actions was to create an email address, norfolkrc@comcast.net, so that residents may contribute their ideas. Explains Selectman Ramesh Advani, "This committee was formed to explore and come up with workable ideas that we could possibly implement here in Norfolk. And to keep it citizen driven, we wanted to a committee to be made of members who are not on any elected or appointed committee today and can look at possibilities with fresh eyes," The Re-Engineering Committee recognizes that our town is full of residents with diverse qualifications, perspectives and experiences that can be leveraged for the betterment of Norfolk. The committee members themselves are a good example of how different experiences and skill sets from different precincts can be brought together for a common purpose. Members are: Ari Alpert (Chair), Jack Campbell, Eric Carlson, Thomas Doyle, and Catherine MacDonagh. Advani said "As we face budget challenges year over year, it is important for us to be thinking out-of-the-box to come up with ideas on how to run all local government efficiently and control costs and taxes while still providing our residents with the services they need. I firmly believe that there are always new ways of looking at things. The Re-Engineering Committee will examine opportunities and ways of sharing resources and working with other Massachusetts communities facing similar challenges." Among the Re-Engineering Committee's initial tasks will be to understand its resources and processes as well as seek input and ideas. This will enable it to develop and offer opinions and recommendations regarding improvements and opportunities to the town of Norfolk. 11/26/2007 ### Norfolknet.com your community, on-line