The public service campaign, “It’s 11 o’clock. Do you know where your children are?” asked parents a serious question that should still be asked today. But like so many other ads and PSA’s over the decades, it has also been fodder for humor.

We offer this well-intended turn: It’s budget season. Do you know when your town meeting is?

Town meeting voters get to, more or less, decide the size of the next property tax bill. They also might vote to change a town rule or add a new one.

Some towns carry out their town meetings at the polls. In that case, hearings ahead of time air the arguments and clarify the issues.

However a town votes, in a booth, or with raised hands in a gym, fire station or town hall, the results direct the next year’s spending.

Property taxes can impact real estate sales, and even those not looking to leave might prefer to pay the least possible while still meeting the needs of the town and its students.

If that’s you, get to town meeting if you can.

Or, if you would like to invest as much of your and everyone else’s income as possible into the town, get to town meeting also, if you can.

Those who show up, sometimes a fraction of voters, make the call, warrant article by warrant article.

Large turnouts marked the region’s Democratic and Republican caucuses over the weekend. We’re hoping some of that voter spirit carries over to this year’s town meetings.

Maybe another public service announcement would help: Make parking a problem at town meeting. Come vote.