Guilford recently had a budget referendum. As usual there was not a great effort to inform all residents of the date.

The town has a very efficient way of reaching all households via cellphone, landline or email/text. This year the banner was not posted on the green. On voting day, I spoke with several people who had no idea that the polls were open for this vote.

The passage of the budget was based on 12.4 percent participation. It hardly reflects a mandate or acceptance by the 22,000 residents in this town.

Colleen A. Otis

Guilford