Resident thanks town for eliminating unnecessary billing envelopes

During the recent Town Meeting in Norwood, a resident expressed gratitude for a significant change in the town's billing process that has led to cost savings and reduced waste. The speaker recalled a decade-old discussion with former Town Manager John Carroll about the unnecessary envelopes sent with utility bills, which were costly and environmentally unfriendly.

Highlighting the evolution of the billing system, the resident noted that after advocating for a more efficient approach, the town transitioned from colorful envelopes to more economical glassine ones. Recently, the resident discovered that they no longer received any envelopes at all, prompting a wave of appreciation for the change.

The speaker sought to identify the individual or team responsible for this improvement, particularly praising the IT department for potentially coding the system to eliminate the envelopes for those who pay bills directly from their checking accounts. This change not only saves money but also reduces paper waste, a point that resonated with many attendees who emphasized the importance of small adjustments leading to significant impacts.

As the meeting progressed, the resident's remarks underscored a growing awareness in the community about the importance of efficiency and sustainability in local government operations. The discussion reflects a broader commitment to improving municipal services while being mindful of costs and environmental responsibility.