Templeton chapter 93 of special acts 2000.

SECTION 2. The manager of the Templeton municipal lighting and water plant shall exercise and perform such of the powers, rights and duties transferred under section 1 of this act and those contained in chapter 164 of the General Laws and otherwise as may from time to time be designated. Said manager shall be specifically fitted by education, training and experience to perform the duties of his office and need not be a resident of the town during his tenure of office. Said manager shall be responsible for the efficient exercise and performance of such powers, rights and duties.

During his tenure, said manager shall hold no other elective or appointive office nor engage in any other business or occupation. Said manager shall appoint such assistants, agents and employees as the exercise and performance of his powers, rights and duties may require. Said manager shall render to the board of selectmen, as often as they may require, a full report of all operations under his control during the period reported upon, and annually, and from time to time as required by said board of selectmen, shall make a synopsis of such reports for publication and shall keep said board of selectmen advised as to the needs of the town within the scope of his duties; and shall annually, not less than 120 days prior to the expiration of the fiscal year of said town, furnish to said board of selectmen a detailed estimate in writing of the appropriations required during the next succeeding fiscal year for the proper exercise and performance of all said rights and duties.

 From Templeton Water dept. web page; 2013 water rate study (the most current one on web page)

Background

Brian Goetz and Jeff Faulkner met with John Driscoll and Ron Davan on April 26, 2013. We discussed the history of the TMLWP and past rate increases. The water system last increased their consumptive usage rates six years ago and their service fees four years ago. John noted that he believes that due to the decrease in consumption over the years, increasing the service fee again is the most feasible way to increase revenues. Expenses are currently more than their revenue. A recent water main break (on a large 16-inch asbestos cement water main) cost the water system $33,000 to repair. Water customers are billed quarterly utilizing Billtrust billing services. The TMLWP is fairly satisfied with this service. Over the course of a billing cycle approximately 100 shutoff notices are issued but rarely do more than a few actually result in shut offs. The vast majority of customers pay. The current rate of administrative costs for the water versus electric administrative duties is 86% electric and 14% water. This has been the way the TMLWP has split costs since the water system was established. The TMLWP does not have any capital reserve.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8LmBM1P7BYuUHRjU0V4QVNjc0E/edit?usp=sharing

The above link should provide access to information on how and when the Templeton Water dept. was merged with the Templeton light dept.

 I hope the town building & grounds dept. have taken care of the water in the basement of the Boynton public library. I also hope if the need is there, a dehumidifier gets installed, much the same situation of the basement of another town building known as scout hall. Discharge of the downspouts at town library might need some adjustment. If looked at, they seem to just discharge right next to the building, which probably does not help the situation.

 Templeton, MA weekly town administrator reports; from September 19, 2024 to December 11, 2024, nothing reported from Templeton fire/EMS. Must be pretty quiet over there.

Town Administrator states he has not seen Templeton police chief in a month or more, how is that possible?

 Templeton financial management policy stating 67% of free cash goes to the administrator to spend has got to go. It needs to be adjusted to zero. Stop using free cash to fund things such as assessors revaluation, free cash is one time funds that change with each year, those funds need to go into the various stabilization funds the town has. Putting less money into those funds means less money put aside for things such as building upgrades, savings, money to pay for capital projects. Town also needs a real capital plan inline with the town bylaw. Free cash can no longer be a shopping fund for town employees.

 If Templeton had a proper capital improvement plan, as required by town bylaws, the kitchen for the Senior Center would be at or very near top of the list. Royalston Road would probably be number 1. Templeton does not follow the bylaw though. At the upcoming special town meeting, this kitchen project needs to be approved. About 25% of Templeton population is 60 years or older, Senior Services are a very important item that this town needs to be providing. I happen to be a veteran as well as a 68 year old "senior". so not all seniors are veterans, all veterans will eventually become a senior, if not already there. We all will achieve senior status at some point, so it is a critical need for the community. This project needs and deserves the support of all.

Please attend the upcoming special town meeting and please support the Senior Center and the senior residents of this town, they deserve it. Thank You!