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Sherborn Governance Task Force III: 2026 Citizen Outreach

Part 1: About You & General Sentiment
1.How many years have you been a resident of Sherborn?
2.What is your age?
3.How many children aged 17 or younger live in your household?
4.How likely is it that you would recommend Sherborn as a place to live?
Not at all Likely
Not Likely
Neutral
Likely
Very Likely
Not Sure/Don't Know
5.How satisfied are you with the overall quality of services provided by the Town of Sherborn?
Not at all Satisfied
Not Satisfied
Somewhat Satisfied
Very Satisfied
Not Sure/Don't Know
6.How satisfied are you with the communication from the Town of Sherborn?
Not at all Satisfied
Not Satisfied
Somewhat Satisfied
Very Satisfied
Not Sure/Don't know
7.How satisfied are you with the quality of services provided by the following departments:
Not at all Satisfied
Somewhat Satisfied
Satisfied
Very Satisfied
Not Sure/Don't Know
Administration (Select Board, Town Administrator, Town Clerk)
Finance and Taxes (Collector/Treasurer, Accountant, Assessor)
Planning and Development (Planning, Building, Board of Health, Conservation)
Public Safety (Police and Fire Departments)
Other (Council on Aging, Library, Recreation)
Committees (Advisory, Capital Budget, Schools)
Transfer Station, Department of Public Works, Cemetary
8.How well do Town departments continuously improve themselves to better meet your needs?
Part 2: Financial Management & Growth
9.How concerned are you about the long-term fiscal health of the Town?
Not Concerned
Somewhat Concerned
Concerned
Extremely Concerned
Not Sure/Don't Know
10.How satisfied are you with the Town’s financial planning and budget oversight?
Not Satisfied
Somewhat Satisfied
Satisfied
Extremely Satisfied
Not Sure/Don't Know
11.Would you support a change to centralizing budgetary oversight under a single entity (e.g., Select Board) to improve long-range planning?
Strongly Oppose
Oppose
Neutral
Support
Strongly Support
Not Sure/Don't Know
12.To reduce property tax burdens, the Town could seek to grow its tax base (e.g., through new housing or business development). Which approach do you prefer?
13.How satisfied are you with the current level of transparency and public engagement regarding the Town’s budget process?
Not at all Satisfied
Not Satisfied
Somewhat Satisfied
Very Satisfied
Not Sure/Don't Know
14.How satisfied are you with the current level of transparency and public engagement regarding the schools budget process?
Not at all Satisified
Not Satisfied
Somewhat Satisfied
Very Satisfied
Not Sure/Don't Know
Part 3: Modernizing Government Structure
15.A Town Charter acts as a "Constitution" for the Town, clearly defining who makes decisions and how. How valuable do you believe it would be for Sherborn to adopt a formal Town Charter?
Not at all Valuable
Somewhat Valuable
Valuable
Very Valuable
Not Sure/Don't Know
16.Sherborn currently has a large number of elected boards. Would you support changing technical/management-based roles (such as the Cemetery or Recreation Commissions) from elected to appointed positions to ensure specific expertise?
Not Support
Somewhat Support
Support
Highly Support
Not Sure/Don't Know
17.It can be difficult to find volunteers for all Town committees. Which of the following would make you more likely to volunteer? (Select all that apply)
Part 4: Communication & Engagement
18.How well do you understand Sherborn’s Town government - including how it is structured, who is responsible for what, and how decisions are made?
Not at all
Understand Somewhat
Understand
Understand Very Well
Not Sure/Don't Know
19.Which of the following Town communication methods would you find most valuable?
20.How often do you attend Town Meeting?
21.What would make you more likely to attend Town Meeting?
Part 5: Final Thoughts
22.What is the single most important issue you believe the Sherborn Governance Task Force III should prioritize in its final recommendations?
23.Are there any other issues you believe the Governance Task Force III should consider for its final recommendations?