With Berlin’s water and wastewater utilities continuing to fall far short of breaking even, and a cash reserve that needs big-time bolstering, the public process of hashing out the town’s budget for the new fiscal year takes on greater importance.

Property owners — i.e. taxpayers — should acquaint themselves with the town’s fiscal facts now so they will have a better understanding later when the mayor and council determine the time is right for an increase in water and sewer charges.

As it is now, the town continues to subsidize these operations with revenue from the general fund, a large portion of which is generated by property taxes. In that respect, the town’s taxpayers are already helping to cover these shortfalls, albeit indirectly.

To be clear, the mayor and council did not create this problem, which  began years ago, but it will have to be dealt with sooner or later by them or their successors, and whatever they decide isn’t going to be greeted warmly.

The public, however, has its own job to do, which is to learn more about the town’s financial circumstances. Gaining a greater understanding of where the town’s revenue comes from, how and why it’s spent and what areas need more financial support will help take some of the sting out of otherwise unpopular decisions.

All too often members of the public are quick to blame government for actions they oppose without having made much of an effort to inform themselves about the circumstances that caused or influenced those actions.

Unfortunately, many people don’t realize they also have a role to play in good government, and that is to pay attention to what it’s doing.

Come Monday, they will get another opportunity to begin doing that. It’s important, too, because when the town does tackle its weak reserve fund and utility rates problems, people won’t be shocked by something they just can’t understand.