NEWBURYPORT — Mayor Donna Holaday said she plans to organize another community-wide forum in the future after Saturday's event drew 200 people to the high school to meet with department heads and elected officials.
Yesterday, the mayor said calls, e-mails and cards have been pouring into her office.
"It was fabulous," Holaday said. "The feedback has been nonstop."
The Saturday morning session offered residents a chance to interact directly with the city's department heads, City Council, School Committee, Holaday and her transition team. They could ask questions about a particular topic during breakout sessions that focused on education, public safety, planning and development, finances and social services.
Holaday visited each of the sessions, noting that each group differed. The education session focused on five key areas, while the auditor explained more about the details of the budget in his group. The Planning and Development session discussed a range of topics from the Green Communities Act to the possibility of a dog park in the city, the mayor said.
"Department heads loved the interaction," Holaday said.
Many of the residents also took the opportunity to sign up to volunteer in the city, including filling openings on different boards and committees, the mayor said. Evaluation forms also reported high marks, as people praised the administration's transparency and willingness to communicate directly with taxpayers, Holaday said.
"Everybody left wanting more," Holaday said. "People really want the opportunity to have this kind of dialogue with department heads. It was wonderful; it met every one of my expectations."
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