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BETHLEHEM — Town officials will be holding the first in a series of community conversations next Tuesday, April 24, at 7 p.m. in the North Bethlehem Fire Department located at 589 Russell Road in Albany.
“At Town Board meetings, people can share their views during the Public Comment period and at Public Hearings,” explained Supervisor David VanLuven. “But to keep the meetings flowing, we typically don’t respond (though we’re always happy to talk after the meetings or at other times). The result can be people feeling like they’re not being heard.”
VanLuven said the forums are deliberately intended to be informal and will not follow any agenda.
“We’ll talk about whatever people want,” he said. “And though I want the emphasis to be on the Town Board and me listening, it’s a conversation so we can answer questions and ask questions back. Town government needs to be open to the public, and the community conversations will be one of many doors people can use to participate.”
According to VanLuven, every member of the Town Board is enthusiastic about the opportunity to discuss town issues, ideas, opportunities, and concerns with residents in a casual setting.
“We’re planning to schedule community conversations through the year and throughout town so it will be easy for people to attend and we can get into neighborhood-specific issues,” he said. “I’m looking forward to it and hope people will come talk to us.”