Last month, Plainville voters went to the polls and passed a $650,000 override by a narrow 10 votes. The board of selectmen joins most citizens in their dismay that stagnant growth in revenue and escalating costs put us here.

The additional tax dollars created by the passage of the override will help stabilize Plainville this year and allow the town's elected officials to continue to provide most of the services we all come to expect.

Now we must look to the future. The board of selectmen has already begun to address the budget that will begin in July 2009, by continuing a hiring freeze for most positions, by reviewing the impending street light reduction decision to reduce the costs and by reaching into the cushions of the proverbial town couch to capture each and every cent that may be there. As you can see, we realize that it's not too early to set the gears in motion. But the work has just begun.

Given the status of the nation's economic outlook and the state of Massachusetts' financial prospects, we realize that once again we will be challenged to keep Plainville operating as it has in the past. The key word in working towards the future and resolving issues is "we."

Plainville depends on volunteers to make the town function. All the key decisions are made by people elected to boards and commissions by you. In normal circumstances, the few dozen people that volunteer for town public service are adequate. However, we are not in ordinary times.

This new era of fiscal austerity that we find ourselves in requires new approaches and we ask town residents for their help. Plainville is a repository of talented people with expertise in many fields. We ask that you get involved and contribute your time and your knowledge to the betterment of our future.

An e-mail address (Selectmen@plainville.ma.us) has been set up for town residents to submit their ideas for ways to save money or increase efficiencies. You can also send your suggestions to each individual Board member, if you prefer: Rob Rose (LSXPLRER@comcast.net ), Andrea Soucy (andisoucy@comcast.net ) and Bob Fennessy (RHFennessyEsq@aol.com.

We will consider anything that may be viable. We are looking for specific ideas and not the nebulous "Town officials need to come up with creative ideas" response.

Please remember that every town and city in the state is facing the same hard prospects. The conventional solutions have been put into play in our town.

We also ask that you consider volunteering for town service. There are always openings on town boards and committees but there are committees yet to be formed that could yield bountiful results. Energy, regionalization or charter reform committees are among some that we hope to fill if enough residents come forward.

Town officials cannot do this alone. Only the collective efforts of Plainville residents working together, contributing their experience and skills, can move us into the future.

The key word is 'we'.

ROB ROSE is chairman of the Plainville Board of Selectmen. The column is also signed by selectmen Andrea Soucy and Bob Fennessy.