Funny thing happened at last night's meeting of the Advisory Committee. The superintendent of schools was asked how the reduction of $15,000.00 in Templeton's school assessment came about. He said he was not aware of that, but Phillipston did get a $15,000.00 reduction. School committee member Rae Ann Triffilo also suggested that was not correct and indicated there may have been some confusion. That seems plausible here in Templeton, seeing how it was widely reported in the news paper. Is this the continuation of the apparent fraud being put forth by this group of selectmen? It is, in my opinion. The real problem is that $15,000.00 figure is being put forth as one item to help close the $200,000.00 gap in the 2017 expense plan. Looks like there is a $15,000.00 problem as well as some selectmen unable to do simple math. So, do you really wish to trust these people with a 47 million dollar debt?
On the positive side, it is said Templeton tax rate will be about $16.12. The thing is, even with the new valuation: $1.00 on the tax rate will now raise about $597,000.00. If you do the math, along with the prop 2 1/2 increase, the Town will be raising pretty close to the same amount as last year. All other things keep going up so what happens when your pay check stays the same but your costs go up? That is where Templeton and many other towns are. Mean while, selectmen seem content to keep kicking the can down the road. Tax rate goes down, costs go up and the shortages keep happening. Any guesses as to the cause?



posted by Jeff Bennett