Every future, no matter how distant or obscure, crosses the same threshold of now. So as Newtown’s new long-term strategic planning committee prepares to consider what our community might become in five, ten, or 20 years, it first needs to consider what our town is right now. More specifically, it needs to know what Newtown residents think about their town and what their expectations are for its future.

We spend our days and nights here at The Bee trying to sketch a reasonable likeness of our shape-shifting town for the benefit of our readers, and we know what a difficult task it is to get a true sense of Newtown in any given week. You have to spend a lot of time with people to understand how they respond to events, what motivates them, and what their intentions and hopes might be. So how can a town, or even a committee representing that town, assess these intangibles for 26,000 citizens? Fortunately, one of those citizens — an expert in survey research — has stepped forward to volunteer the services of his marketing and research firm.

The survey questionnaires prepared by Newtown resident Paul Lundquist and the Waterbury-based Harrison Group, Inc and Intellisponse, Inc conveniently compress the process of creating a current snapshot of the town into a 30-minute session with a survey form. Survey respondents will be asked about themselves and their views on a range of local issues, including the use of the town’s resources at Fairfield Hills, commercial and residential development, education, and recreation. Survey forms may be completed online at www.esurveyhome.com/NewtownSurvey. For those without access to a computer, forms may be picked up and returned to The Newtown Bee’s offices at 5 Church Hill Road or the Senior Center at 14 Riverside Road. If you prefer, the survey can also be mailed to you — call 203-573-0400, extension 114.

It is fair to ask, as we set sail for the future, whose hand will be on the rudder. Newtown’s officials intend to use the results of this survey to guide their long-range planning efforts, so the answer to that question is you — if you can spare 30 minutes. The future is a long, long time. Thirty minutes is not. Take the time today for the sake of tomorrow.