To the editor:

Last week, in a letter to the editor, Barry Lial wrote that the recent special Warren Town Council meeting “had only one concern — money”. As a member of the council who attended the meeting, I respectfully, but completely disagree with his perception of that meeting.

The meeting was a Warren Strategic Planning and Vision Workshop presented by our Town Planner Bob Rulli. The meeting covered some of the proposed revisions to our Comprehensive Plan in addition to other important planning ideas and concepts. I can only speak for myself, but I believe that my colleagues on council, members of the Planning Board and the large public audience that attended, would agree that the meeting was certainly not, as Mr. Lial asserted, “focused solely on the almighty dollar."
One of the goals of our Comprehensive Plan is provide guidance for responsible growth while protecting the community. And yes, one of the outcomes hopefully is economic vitality, but to say that “the end is money” is rather absurd and misleading.

 I believe most members of the public understand the importance of good community planning, support efforts to pursue it, and don’t consider it merely a money grab.

 Brandt Heckert
26 State St.

Mr. Heckert is a member of the Warren Town Council.