---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Kent Songer <sewsup@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, Dec 14, 2016 at 7:23 AM
Subject: Audit visit
To: Mark <m129@comcast.net>, Tom Jeleniewski <tom200is@juno.com>, Bobby <rdennis5870@comcast.net>
Cc: John Caplis <veteransservices@templeton1.org>, Selectmen John Columbus <seljcolumbus@templeton1.org>, Julie Richard <julie.richard@verizon.net>, Selectmen Doug Morrison <seldmorrison@templeton1.org>, Selectwoman Diane Haley Brooks <seldhaleybrooks@templeton1.org>, Wilfred Spring <185wilberdr@gmail.com>
Morning guys:
One of the members of the audit team came down to begin the review of our books and procedures. We had about 15 minutes notice from Kate(who also didn't know they were coming). I almost put him off to another day, but told him to come down. When he arrived I met him and asked him if coming without notice was common practice. I told him if we knew before hand, we could have gathered the information he needed to facilitate the process. He said he was surprised that we didn't know he was coming and that we should have been told. We provided him with all of the information we could on no notice. He said he would come back Thursday after we exhume some paper records from the archives.
You have to wonder and worry why Carter can write a long letter specifically to me, which includes quotes from MGL and Town Bylaws when he wants to gain control over our budget, but he can't send a one sentence email notice that would aid the financial and management review that he hopes we will help pay for?
I am writing this to you and copying the Board of Selectmen and Advisory Board Chairman for 2 reasons. The first is that I am not convinced that the full board is aware of everything Carter is up to, and secondly I want a written record to substantiate my actions in what is building up to be a stormy and contentious budget process.
Regards,
Kent
posted by Jeff Bennett
It seems that Carter could have passed this information along to Mr. Songer with little effort. I do agree that it would be a good idea to have a DPW, but how will that work ? What happens to the Cemetery Commissioners ? What happens to the Sewer Commissioners ? Who is going to be in charge of the Planning Department, or the Board of Health ? The Board of Health is the strongest board we have in this town. They have the ability to make laws for this town to follow. The only thing they cannot do is control what they have for money in their budget. The BOH has to come to the town for that. When the Light Company went after the Water Department the selectmen had been working in a new water plan, and were going to put it in place. So, you may ask yourself did they give approval to the Light Co. to take the department over ?
ReplyDeleteAs I told you the BOS, acting as Water Commissioners had selected Tata and Howard as the consulting engineering firm for the town's $3,800,000. water improvement project. "This was the initial step in beginning the rejuvenation of our aging water system, and we are truly gratified to be a part of it". This is what the 1999-2000 ATR said, so what happened to change this ? Well, the explanation in the same Annual Town Report is this.. The Light Commissioners and the manager identified areas where the merger would serve the town more effectively both in efficiency and in expansion of the water utility. Commissioners felt the Light Department Enterprise had the administration and meter reading capabilities along with computer software to handle both utilities.
Delete"While we had mixed feelings about this action, since we have been putting a great deal of effort into the water system issues in the last several years, we are taking the long view that this change will be a positive and stabilizing and are working to make a smooth transition possible" Sorry, the BOS could not look ahead to the day that they would/could have their own computer system for the town Departments ??
Of course hindsight is always 20/20, but if they had envisioned how things have worked out with this "little plan" I do wonder if they would do this again ? As a result of separating the water and sewer departments the sewer cannot get people to pay their bill. It is because the manager of the Water Dept. will not work with our Sewer Commission to shut off the water. The town had already voted for Sewer Commissioners, and in reality the water and sewer bills should have gone out together like most communities do, eliminating a big headache, but this action did nothing but cost the people of this Town more in the long run.
DeleteI am pointing this out as an example of not thinking things through, and where it can get you. Bev.
I have talked to my husband about this division of work, and how they want to replace Alan or Bud, one or the other or both. It does seem if you make decent money, that you worked for and earned over the years, a guy like Carter can come along and say " how much do you need to cut ?" And slash and burn ! Bart. Said "Bud is a working boss". "The same is for Alan". There is no shame in that, and what do we need some guy to come sit his dead ass in front of a desk, and refuse to help out when we are short handed ? Bart said we would need two guys to replace Alan. The same goes for Bud. Bart's best idea for saving money is to get rid of Carter ! That will save us some money ! ! Here hee
DeleteSorry if anyone is offended ! It is kind of funny even though it makes some sense.
DeleteI agree with you there Bev. This is all rushed and again I have said I do not agree. No solid game plan and there has to be a right way and we need to look long term and not make decisions based on right this second. Raises. That's a good thing to look at and I said as much in an email and in public.
ReplyDelete