"I don't think so." "I don't believe it is."
Before my evil twin takes over and points out what she considers to be some important issues, let me take a few moments to give you some scenarios to think about.
1) You go to a doctor because you really are not feeling well (pick your disease symptoms). After doing a thorough examination, running a lot of tests, and generating a large bill for you or your insurance company, the doctor comes back in the room and tells you you are indeed sick. He gives you the name of some malady you have never heard of and that is all he provides you. You ask the doctor if it is a serious, possibly fatal disease, and he responds "I don't believe so".
2) You call your trusted banker because you have an opportunity to buy a piece of land you have wanted for years. The seller needs a substantial good faith fee that is non-refundable in order to hold the property for you as other people are also interested. "Hello, Mr. Banker" you say. "Why, hello there loyal, valuable customer" he responds. (okay, writing dialog is not my forte)... Anyway, you ask the banker if he can assure you that the bank will be able to process a loan for you before you put down the gazillion dollar good faith fee. His response is "I think so".
3) You have your older child watching a younger sibling while you are preparing a meal or working on your car (can't be too careful these days in making assumptions about who is doing what in the household). You hear a door close and the sound of the refrigerator being opened and you assume it is the children getting something to drink. All of a sudden you hear the sound of tires squealing and someone outside screams. In a flash, you look and see the older sibling chugging down milk out of the milk container no less and quickly ask "where is your ____" (insert brother or sister in blank....I am not getting into gender wars with anyone). The response is "I'm not sure."
Now, maybe I am a bit weird or something, but for me none of the responses provided in those scenarios were adequate for the situation. In each of those situations, I am going to want to know or do more. There is no way I would settle for less than all of the facts I would need to feel comfortable in deciding what I need to do about the given situation. (Uh-oh...here comes the evil twin.)
In recent months, I have attended Town Council and Planning Commission Meetings and I have heard some of those same responses (and similar ones) come from the Town Manager, Planning Department, or other source of important information, in response to questions asked by members of the Council and the Commission. It is my opinion that when these officials are having to make important decisions, those answers are unacceptable. I would like to hear either more specific answers or an "I do not know, but I will find out" from the Town Manager, Planning Department, or other source, or else hear Council and Commission members ask for and receive a more definitive answer.
It may well be that these responses are just verbal habits that have evolved over time, and maybe they are meant to imply concise responses. However, to the public, it can appear as an answer that is vague and not based on the facts of the situation. Responses that give the appearance of being non-committal or disinterested is a good way to give people the perception you do not care enough to find the answers to important questions. This is a simple matter of taking the time to choose words that convey you care enough to do the research. The only possible downside is that it then makes the speaker accountable for the words. In both of those, it is the citizens who benefit.