SEEKONK - Town Administrator Michael Carroll says town departments need to do a more effective job communicating with the public.

To accomplish that, Carroll said he wants the heads of the departments to better inform residents of the services they provide.

Another of Carroll's goals is to encourage greater participation in town government. A way to accomplish that would be for the chairmen of town boards to explain their responsibilities to residents, he said.

The town's Web site also needs to be improved, so that residents will have access to town documents and other vital information.

Carroll said the Web site was "functional," but "not the best in the world." An economic development commission is also needed, Carroll told selectmen at their last meeting.

The purpose would be to "attract business that establish the character the town wants," Carroll said. "(Residents) don't want honky-tonks, strip malls and flashing lights."

Department heads also are preparing their budgets for the next fiscal year. Carroll said he hopes a town budget can be drafted without an override of the Proposition 2 1/2 tax-limiting law.

"I think it can be done," Carroll said.

Carroll also said the town's greatest asset was its employees, and noted that recognizing their accomplishments would build confidence among the public regarding their abilities.

Joseph S. SiegeL covers Seekonk for The Sun Chronicle. He can be reached at joesiegel@cox.net.