Where the money comes from.
There are 224 exempt properties in Templeton that pay no property taxes. They belong to another city, the town or the state, etc. The total worth is $69,518,650.00. Templeton collects no property tax for these and will not because of the rules/law etc.
According to the Board of Assessors, $1.00 per thousand now raises $597,739.00. If you double that, as in $2.00 per thousand, you will find it raises a little less than 1.2 million dollars, so can anyone tell me how $1.74 was/is going to raise 1.4 million dollars to make a loan payment for a new school - 24 million for 28 years at 3.5% = a 1.4 million per year loan payment. How would that work when $2.00 per thousand does not even do it? But you were told that a $1.74 would do it. Were you told the truth? Were you duped? Contact selectmen Brooks and ask her!
posted by Jeff Bennett
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Templeton selectmen decide to not ask again for a state guaranteed loan for a school, will go to plan B, whatever that is. Templeton does not have a new town administrator as the selectmen and candidate were unable to come to terms with a contract. This is the second time, first being a fire chief. What is the problem? are the selectmen intentionally doing this or does no one wish to come to Templeton? If they do not wish to come, why do they apply and interview and be chosen? Something looks funny here, in my opinion.
posted by Jeff Bennett
posted by Jeff Bennett
Sunday, February 26, 2017
Wonderful system that could use attention and a change.
FYI , Gardner received 12 bills ($0 due) from the town of Templeton. So glad Templeton has money to waste. This is not new but is something that should be looked at to see if a change could save a few bucks. Kind of silly to send out paper bills that tell you, well, you owe us nothing and we have money to burn so we spent it on paper and postage.
posted by Jeff Bennett
FYI , Gardner received 12 bills ($0 due) from the town of Templeton. So glad Templeton has money to waste. This is not new but is something that should be looked at to see if a change could save a few bucks. Kind of silly to send out paper bills that tell you, well, you owe us nothing and we have money to burn so we spent it on paper and postage.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Saturday, February 25, 2017
How it could be done.
Posted: Tuesday, November 15, 2016 12:00 pm
The room was small, windowless, cluttered. For 13 years, two dispatchers sat inside, handling and diverting 911 police calls around Cheshire County.
It was cramped and not well ventilated. The heat from the equipment sometimes made it stifling.
But this fall, all that changed as dispatchers moved into a $650,000 newly furnished space in the old Cheshire County Courthouse, complete with windows, wide monitors and spacious desks. The center, which serves the Cheshire County Sheriff’s Department, as well as police departments around the region, opened Sept. 20.
The project was a three-year endeavor that brought in extensive funding from federal and state agencies. At the helm was Sheriff Eliezer “Eli” Rivera, who first was elected to the position in 2013 and has made the renovation a focus of his time since.
Rivera, a Democrat who was re-elected to his position Nov. 8 after beating Republican Earl D. Nelson, said he knew as soon as he came on board that the facility should be moved.
For one, it was removed from the rest of the office, which had been moved upstairs after the county courthouse relocated to a new facility next door. Separated from their colleagues, the dispatchers felt left out, Rivera said.
It was also very small.
“From day one, when I got here, I realized that they were in a pretty tight room for what they did,” he said.
The space has long served a vital service. In 2003, the Cheshire County Sheriff’s Office took over handling police dispatching services from Southwestern N.H. Fire Mutual Aid, according to Arlene W. Crowell, director of communications at the sheriff’s office. Since then, she said, the office handles more than 53,000 phone calls and 1 million radio transfers a year.
All 911 calls in New Hampshire go directly to a dispatch center in Concord, where they are then sorted by type of emergency, Rivera said. Police-related calls from Cheshire County towns outside of Keene are transferred to the sheriff’s office, where dispatchers relay them to the local police departments throughout the county. All Keene-related calls go through the Keene Police Department on Marlboro Street.
At least two dispatchers are in the office at every hour of the day, though more staff is added to handle weekend calls, Rivera said.
In 2014, with a goal to expand, Rivera lobbied for a new space for the dispatch center in the former grand jury room, a floor above. The project was estimated to cost $650,000, and Rivera and Cheshire County Administrator Christopher Coates worked to apply for funding grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and other agencies. Homeland Security kicked in $306,000 for purchasing new communications equipment, while $100,000 from New Hampshire’s Department of Emergency Management went toward furniture, moving equipment and computers, according to Rivera. New tax revenues brought in $75,000, with the rest of the money sourced from leftover funds in previous capital projects, Crowell said.
The results have been transformative. Once situated in a dark cubby, the new dispatch center has a modern flair. Sunlight pours over the monitor banks as dispatchers sit before broad, curved desks with ample leg room. Television screens showing everything from security footage to “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” hang on the wall above.
Steve Buckley, who started with the sheriff’s office in 2000 and has worked full time as a police communications specialist since 2007, said the new setup was more comfortable and more efficient.
“It’s better organized, and there’s more information available,” he said, gesturing to the six-screen monitor system in front of each technician. The office has four.
Rivera said the enthusiasm for the new facilities was mirrored across the board.
“It’s like night and day for them,” he said, referring to change for the dispatchers.
Rivera added the new facilities were full of hidden benefits.
“The best part is the windows: Now we can look outside when people call to ask if it’s raining,” he joked.
Ethan DeWitt can be reached at 352-1234, extension 1439, or edewitt@keenesentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter at @EDeWittKS
posted by Jeff Bennett
Diane Haley BrooksFebruary 24, 2017 at 8:44 PM
Jeff, at which meeting did I stop the debate? I don't recall that. I will go through all of them that their was a school article. If there was an opinion I will send it and post it. I believe dispatch belongs here and I am not alone in that. I believe that we should not merge and have I public safety director nor do I believe we should contract out ambulance as that is not what our community wants based on how the receipt reserve was set up. Public safety is priortybine. I did not fight to keep any records a secret, unless it was stated we couldn't release them; they are public records as. Some iformation needs to be redacted but people should have what they ask for they should get unless legally it's not allowed. I have asked at meeting for us to see any potential denials of those requests ahead of time. Do you recall some of the board members said no? Oneill continue to support our elementary school and I haven't backed down from that for 8 years. We were told we would have 750,000 in free cash and of course I asked more questions about that and was told the same thing. The books were not all finished and they will be soon. How long did the argument about how the deficit of 505,000 came to be go on and finally uiubsaid you would take responsibility? Who else should have stood up? Never did. The numbers that came out of the finance dept was the issue and the Assessors office? Perhaps, but not from what I was shown after I was elected. I will get you any opinion I can. I didn't know there was one out there. I will see.
Personally, I think the Advisory Committee should have stood up and that would have given them credit and respect and perhaps people would have listened to that committee last year. The meeting I refer to is the special town meeting where you made a motion to take no action. It would have been a better move democratically is selectmen would have asked town counsel for wording to allow debate to happen rather than to close it down. If public safety is number one, then you really cannot touch much, you cannot pay for public safety if no one is there to collect the funds, record and approve then pay the bills such as salary. You have to have public health, building inspections, which are consumer protection, ensuring housing is safe. I can go on and on but I think the picture is clear.
Question; Town accountant received increases in hours and pay a while back with the reasons being there much work to do with regards to town records and getting them ready for audits. Now that the work is completed, or almost completed, as we were told recently, will the accountant's salary be scaled back? Wait, there was mention of an accountant assistant being created so I guess not. I cannot think of nor can i find any law that states any material in a public record that has to be redacted or blacked out or removed. Legal bills are not personnel files. You as a selectmen did not provide the legal bills in a timely manner so take responsibility for that. The board of selectmen is responsible for the actions of the town administrator so yes you did block the release of legal bills. No one asked for the name and address of a police officer or any town employee, although if they are a Templeton resident, that information is on the town website, you know that right? There was a request for a record of the spending of public money and that is that. The records did exist and therefor they should have been provided upon request but that is not what you selectmen did.
There is no spin on this one, it is on paper and you stated at the most recent workshop for selectmen that you go over the warrant very thoroughly and you ask questions on things, so I believe you saw the legal bill and you saw it showed that you selectmen looked at ways to prevent the article 8 from being discussed and then you asked for ways to keep the record of that from being public, it is right there in black n white.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Hey Templeton, Pizza is on you!
From: townadministrator [mailto:townadministrator@templeton1.org]
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2017 11:58 AM
To: 'PhillipstonSelectmen'sOffice'
Cc: Holly Young
Subject: Local Ch. 30B Training
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2017 11:58 AM
To: 'PhillipstonSelectmen'sOffice'
Cc: Holly Young
Subject: Local Ch. 30B Training
Local Chapter 30B Training
Trainers from the Massachusetts Inspector General’s Office will be in Templeton
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Templeton Town Hall
160 Patriots Road
Templeton, MA
They will provide a 4 hour mini session on bidding basics and surplus. This is a great overview for people who have not taken the full course(s) and a way to learn about recent changes in statute.
THERE IS NO COST TO YOUR TOWN.
Please let us know the names, job title and department of any of your staff or committees you would like to attend by 12 Noon on March 6, 2017 so we may have enough presentation material available. (Max of 50 attendees)
Many Thanks
Carter Terenzini
Interim Town Administrator
Town of Templeton
160 Patriots Road
East Templeton, MA 01438
(978) 894-2753
posted by Jeff Bennett
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Does anyone consider the purchase of a truck a capital investment? Should that be considered a capital expense? So did the purchase of a highway truck by way of using the "charge card" of snow & ice deficit spending violate the process. That is after all, borrowed money that has to be paid for somehow. Funny how this process works, or is it a lack of a process that is the problem?
Just for clarity sake, the above is really a 2 part question rather than a statement.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Just for clarity sake, the above is really a 2 part question rather than a statement.
posted by Jeff Bennett
While some play word games, Advisory Committee is trying to find answers to why Templeton always seems to be in financial hardship.
From: "townadministrator" <townadministrator@templeton1.org>
Subject: RE: Revenue projections
Date: January 26, 2017 at 11:29:20 AM EST
To: "'Paul Grubb'" <grubbp@comcast.net>
Thanks for your kind thoughts - I am doing better and back at it:
I distinguish between baseline tax levy, the tax levy voted to be excluded from the normal and ordinary baselines, and new growth. I suspect that the numbers you are looking at do not use such distinctions but blend it all together. Given that exclusion tax levy income is directly tied to your outstanding debt - some of which remains yet to be floated - I generally do not project that until I am closer to Town Meeting. If you had cleaner accounting and better systems I could actually do so now but... We are where we are. Also, given that they are "wash numbers" (i.e. income matches expense) it does not have any impact upon the bottom line.
That bottom line to bottom line expense for FY ;19 is also intended to try to line everything up apples to apples.
If you think it is something else give me a shout and we can look at it.
Many Thanks
Carter Terenzini
Interim Town Administrator
Town of Templeton
160 Patriots Road
East Templeton, MA 01438
(978) 894-2753
-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Grubb [grubbp@comcast.net]
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 11:09 AM
To: townadministrator <townadministrator@templeton1.org>
Cc: Wilfred Spring <185wilberdr@gmail.com>
Subject: Revenue projections
Hi Carter
I hope you are feeling better. The cold bug has taken its toll on quite a few of us.
Please could you explain the source of your January 12 revenue estimate, specifically for the actual property tax receipts? I have attached a worksheet that I’ve been working on which shows significant variances between your projections and mine. The largest variance comes from the actual collected amounts of property tax revenue.
My source for this data is the Advanced Reconciliation Report that I received from the tax collector’s office. I was attempting to identify the actual property tax revenue collected going back to 2012. I added together 2 rows from the Advanced Reconciliation report to arrive at the total property tax amount collected; Supplemental Tax & Tax. (Please see attached report with rows highlighted for FY2015.)
I want to be sure we are comparing apples to apples. Is the Advanced Reconciliation Report not the correct source or am I interpreting it incorrectly? Please let me know if I should follow up with someone else for this information.
I distinguish between baseline tax levy, the tax levy voted to be excluded from the normal and ordinary baselines, and new growth. I suspect that the numbers you are looking at do not use such distinctions but blend it all together. Given that exclusion tax levy income is directly tied to your outstanding debt - some of which remains yet to be floated - I generally do not project that until I am closer to Town Meeting. If you had cleaner accounting and better systems I could actually do so now but... We are where we are. Also, given that they are "wash numbers" (i.e. income matches expense) it does not have any impact upon the bottom line.
That bottom line to bottom line expense for FY ;19 is also intended to try to line everything up apples to apples.
If you think it is something else give me a shout and we can look at it.
Many Thanks
Carter Terenzini
Interim Town Administrator
Town of Templeton
160 Patriots Road
East Templeton, MA 01438
(978) 894-2753
-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Grubb [grubbp@comcast.net]
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 11:09 AM
To: townadministrator <townadministrator@templeton1.org>
Cc: Wilfred Spring <185wilberdr@gmail.com>
Subject: Revenue projections
Hi Carter
I hope you are feeling better. The cold bug has taken its toll on quite a few of us.
Please could you explain the source of your January 12 revenue estimate, specifically for the actual property tax receipts? I have attached a worksheet that I’ve been working on which shows significant variances between your projections and mine. The largest variance comes from the actual collected amounts of property tax revenue.
My source for this data is the Advanced Reconciliation Report that I received from the tax collector’s office. I was attempting to identify the actual property tax revenue collected going back to 2012. I added together 2 rows from the Advanced Reconciliation report to arrive at the total property tax amount collected; Supplemental Tax & Tax. (Please see attached report with rows highlighted for FY2015.)
I want to be sure we are comparing apples to apples. Is the Advanced Reconciliation Report not the correct source or am I interpreting it incorrectly? Please let me know if I should follow up with someone else for this information.
posted by Jeff Bennett
https://1drv.ms/b/s!Ag8wbGi1Ag0zgXZJRnYZyYBoPcp2
the above link should take you to the 2nd quarter financial report that will show all of the numbers.
posted by Jeff Bennett
the above link should take you to the 2nd quarter financial report that will show all of the numbers.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Not sure where everyone went to school but I learned to read and write at the Templeton Center school.
According to the Webster's unabridged dictionary of the English Language,
on page 1872,
Stipend: 1. periodic payment - 2. fixed or regular pay; salary
the same dictionary on page 1693;
Salary: a fixed compensation periodically paid to a person for regular work or services.
So, if anyone with any indication of education wishes to make a silly argument about words that seems to have the same meaning, by all means, go for it. Payment is payment and the spending of taxpayer dollars is the spending of taxpayer dollars, be it by way of the word stipend, salary of free boots, which are not really free, they come from someone's money/pocket, as in the taxpayer, so again, play the word games while the Advisory Committee tries to get a clear open transparent accounting of the taxpayers monies while others try to see how much they can take.
posted by Jeff Bennett
According to the Webster's unabridged dictionary of the English Language,
on page 1872,
Stipend: 1. periodic payment - 2. fixed or regular pay; salary
the same dictionary on page 1693;
Salary: a fixed compensation periodically paid to a person for regular work or services.
So, if anyone with any indication of education wishes to make a silly argument about words that seems to have the same meaning, by all means, go for it. Payment is payment and the spending of taxpayer dollars is the spending of taxpayer dollars, be it by way of the word stipend, salary of free boots, which are not really free, they come from someone's money/pocket, as in the taxpayer, so again, play the word games while the Advisory Committee tries to get a clear open transparent accounting of the taxpayers monies while others try to see how much they can take.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Looking for information and answers, I contacted "someone from Templeton Town hall and this is what I got for answers!
Holly,
I am wondering if you have the latest project budget versus actual document for the elementary school? If is available electronically, that would be cool.
Regards,
Jeff Bennett
answer received;
Jeff:
I don’t have a specific project budget versus actual document, but I do have a rough copy spreadsheet with the amounts spent and reimbursements to the Town that was given to me when I started processing the reimbursements. I have not had the extra time to update it and enter all of the hard copies of payments and reimbursements that I have processed. I’m hoping to have some time to do that soon, but it may be a while-most likely after we get a Town Administrator and new assistant in place.
Holly A. Young
Holly A. Young,
Assistant to the Town Administrator
Good Day,
Kate,
I am wondering do you have the latest project budget versus actual for the Templeton new elementary school? If you do and it is available electronically, could you send that to me? If it is not, please advise me when i could pick up a paper copy.
respectfully;
Jeff Bennett
Hi Jeff,
I don’t not have any paperwork on the new school. Maybe the selectmen’s office or the school. If you are looking for general ledger information that would be Kelli.
Kate Myers
Town of Templeton
Treasurer/Collector
PH 978.894.2764
FAX 978.894.2790
posted by Jeff Bennett
Monday, February 20, 2017
Debt of the Town of Templeton.
Town debt for Templeton covers many things, school, water tank, sewer pump station, water mains and contracts. Labor contracts for a year or more equates to debt, or money owed or will be owed by the Town of Templeton. So when some complain or point out debt on some things, they should be reminded that they pushed for and represented those who wanted this and that and received it by way of a labor contract. Things such as free work boots, shirts, coats and eye glasses are all things promised in a contract that can be for three years. Templeton now has a promissory note that will be due each year for the length of the contract. Future revenue, no matter how big or small now has to be set aside to meet those promises and is not available for other things.
One example of debt by a contract is the agreement between the Town of Templeton and the Templeton highway & Sewer departments, on behalf of public employees local union 39.
The agreement is to run between July 1, 2016 thru June 30, 2019.
One of the items in the contract is a uniform & boot allowance;
Templeton taxpayers will provide each highway department employee 11 cotton uniforms. Templeton taxpayers will provide coats and uniforms at 100% of the costs to include cleaning and mending. Templeton taxpayers will purchase for each employee five (5) tee shirts to be worn in July & August; and to purchase the employee's choice of one insulated winter jacket per year or one pair of insulated coveralls per year for each employee. Templeton taxpayers will make available water-proof boots, gloves, rain gear and safety equipment. Each employee bears personal responsibility for said items, unless those items are torn or damaged in the line of duty, as in at work, the taxpayers shall replace them.
Boot allowance: the town (taxpayers) will reimburse each full time union employee an amount up to $250.00 per year for work boots. Effective July 1, 2018, the boot allowance will go up to $300.00 per year.
Templeton taxpayers will reimburse each full time union employee up to $165.00 for approved prescription safety eye glasses.
The above is just one example of a contract that puts taxpayers on the hook for money, money that has to be put aside so the Town can pay for those items. This agreement has the Town making promises and now must have the money set aside to pay the promissory note, it is now legally owed.
Other contracts contributing to debt of Templeton;
Audit contracts fiscal year 2013 thru fiscal year 2017 / Roselli & associates
UMass. - Collins institute contract for town administrator
Dispatch union contract July 1, 2015 thru June 30, 2018
Police union contract July 1, 2015 thru June 30, 2018
Police chief contract July 1, 2016 thru June 30, 2021
posted by Jeff Bennett
Town debt for Templeton covers many things, school, water tank, sewer pump station, water mains and contracts. Labor contracts for a year or more equates to debt, or money owed or will be owed by the Town of Templeton. So when some complain or point out debt on some things, they should be reminded that they pushed for and represented those who wanted this and that and received it by way of a labor contract. Things such as free work boots, shirts, coats and eye glasses are all things promised in a contract that can be for three years. Templeton now has a promissory note that will be due each year for the length of the contract. Future revenue, no matter how big or small now has to be set aside to meet those promises and is not available for other things.
One example of debt by a contract is the agreement between the Town of Templeton and the Templeton highway & Sewer departments, on behalf of public employees local union 39.
The agreement is to run between July 1, 2016 thru June 30, 2019.
One of the items in the contract is a uniform & boot allowance;
Templeton taxpayers will provide each highway department employee 11 cotton uniforms. Templeton taxpayers will provide coats and uniforms at 100% of the costs to include cleaning and mending. Templeton taxpayers will purchase for each employee five (5) tee shirts to be worn in July & August; and to purchase the employee's choice of one insulated winter jacket per year or one pair of insulated coveralls per year for each employee. Templeton taxpayers will make available water-proof boots, gloves, rain gear and safety equipment. Each employee bears personal responsibility for said items, unless those items are torn or damaged in the line of duty, as in at work, the taxpayers shall replace them.
Boot allowance: the town (taxpayers) will reimburse each full time union employee an amount up to $250.00 per year for work boots. Effective July 1, 2018, the boot allowance will go up to $300.00 per year.
Templeton taxpayers will reimburse each full time union employee up to $165.00 for approved prescription safety eye glasses.
The above is just one example of a contract that puts taxpayers on the hook for money, money that has to be put aside so the Town can pay for those items. This agreement has the Town making promises and now must have the money set aside to pay the promissory note, it is now legally owed.
Other contracts contributing to debt of Templeton;
Audit contracts fiscal year 2013 thru fiscal year 2017 / Roselli & associates
UMass. - Collins institute contract for town administrator
Dispatch union contract July 1, 2015 thru June 30, 2018
Police union contract July 1, 2015 thru June 30, 2018
Police chief contract July 1, 2016 thru June 30, 2021
posted by Jeff Bennett
Sunday, February 19, 2017
This needs to stay in the conversation as we get into the so called budget season and approach town meeting.
This email shows that the financial kick the can down the road and or take from this to pay for that is alive and well in Templeton. An unforeseen event, such as a pump failing, could be a reason for the fire department to go before the Advisory Committee and request a transfer from the reserve fund to cover the pump replacement/repair and thereby not messing up another department's budget.
This action was done by the same people who "are in the know" according to one town employee.
These are the same people who let employees dictate Town policy.
The same people who used funds from the fire/EMS salary account (not the ambulance receipts fund) to cover a prior years snow & ice deficit amount. Now this year, these same people in the know, have allowed a truck to be bought on credit, as in adding to the snow & ice deficit, as well as allow the repair of a screening plant to be repaired by way of credit, as in adding to the snow & ice deficit. The final amount, what ever it is, will have to be paid. From where is the question? Either from available funds or from general aid which will be deducted off of the "cherry sheet" which contains an amount of money called unrestricted general government aid. That money is always used to cover Town charges (spending) for the upcoming year. That is also the figure or item that these same people in the know are trying to use as collateral to secure a loan from through the state for a new school.
These same people in the know, as they are referred to by at least one town employee have not really done much to reduce town costs for health insurance, as they continue to let employees dictate policy.
These people are the selectmen!
With word coming from the selectmen's office that group insurance, as in health insurance, looking to increase by 12% or more, I believe something needs to change and now. Back in 2012, group insurance or health insurance only went up 2.09%. The prior years increase was 10.2%. (from the 2012 annual Town report) One of the reasons for that small increase could be that it was made known to MIIA that the town was shopping for health insurance.
One thing that appears to be happening in Templeton, Town costs are going up and revenue is not keeping up, so things have to change. Whether it is the source of health insurance coverage, the Town employee split, retirees coverage, town hall hours, guidance from management, or a combination of all. Things have to change and rather than spending scarce funds on outside agencies, perhaps the town should use things already paid for, such as the division of local services for help.
posted by Jeff Bennett
This email shows that the financial kick the can down the road and or take from this to pay for that is alive and well in Templeton. An unforeseen event, such as a pump failing, could be a reason for the fire department to go before the Advisory Committee and request a transfer from the reserve fund to cover the pump replacement/repair and thereby not messing up another department's budget.
Kelli,
I have strong concerns that the vehicle expense account will not have enough funds in the account to repair and service the town fleet until June 30th. As you may recall $20,000 was taken from this account to repair a water pump on the Towns ladder truck. Without a transfer back to this account, vehicles will have to be parked until July 1st. If this happens the Town has only one mechanic, it will take time to restore service to the vehicles that need repairs.
Bud
This action was done by the same people who "are in the know" according to one town employee.
These are the same people who let employees dictate Town policy.
The same people who used funds from the fire/EMS salary account (not the ambulance receipts fund) to cover a prior years snow & ice deficit amount. Now this year, these same people in the know, have allowed a truck to be bought on credit, as in adding to the snow & ice deficit, as well as allow the repair of a screening plant to be repaired by way of credit, as in adding to the snow & ice deficit. The final amount, what ever it is, will have to be paid. From where is the question? Either from available funds or from general aid which will be deducted off of the "cherry sheet" which contains an amount of money called unrestricted general government aid. That money is always used to cover Town charges (spending) for the upcoming year. That is also the figure or item that these same people in the know are trying to use as collateral to secure a loan from through the state for a new school.
These same people in the know, as they are referred to by at least one town employee have not really done much to reduce town costs for health insurance, as they continue to let employees dictate policy.
These people are the selectmen!
With word coming from the selectmen's office that group insurance, as in health insurance, looking to increase by 12% or more, I believe something needs to change and now. Back in 2012, group insurance or health insurance only went up 2.09%. The prior years increase was 10.2%. (from the 2012 annual Town report) One of the reasons for that small increase could be that it was made known to MIIA that the town was shopping for health insurance.
One thing that appears to be happening in Templeton, Town costs are going up and revenue is not keeping up, so things have to change. Whether it is the source of health insurance coverage, the Town employee split, retirees coverage, town hall hours, guidance from management, or a combination of all. Things have to change and rather than spending scarce funds on outside agencies, perhaps the town should use things already paid for, such as the division of local services for help.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Saturday, February 18, 2017
Fire Department Salaries:
from spread sheet presented at Town meeting in May of 2016 for fiscal year 2017.
Under fire department - deputy fire chief's salaries is an amount of $65,000.00.
Also under fire department, there is deputy fire chief stipend of $2,020.00.
(2 deputy fire chiefs)
That information is on page 7 of the spread sheet and this information is available on the town web site, where you have to look for it. Or, as one selectmen stated, "you can call someone at town hall and ask" Who that someone is, I do not know, but I would begin with the town accountant, if she is cleared to give out such information.
On the 2nd quarter financial report approved by the town administrator, there is no line with deputy fire chiefs salary amount. It could be buried in the fire/EMS salary amount, but that will have to be checked on. There is the deputy fire chief's salary of $2020.00 on the 2nd quarter report..
posted by Jeff Bennett
from spread sheet presented at Town meeting in May of 2016 for fiscal year 2017.
Under fire department - deputy fire chief's salaries is an amount of $65,000.00.
Also under fire department, there is deputy fire chief stipend of $2,020.00.
(2 deputy fire chiefs)
That information is on page 7 of the spread sheet and this information is available on the town web site, where you have to look for it. Or, as one selectmen stated, "you can call someone at town hall and ask" Who that someone is, I do not know, but I would begin with the town accountant, if she is cleared to give out such information.
On the 2nd quarter financial report approved by the town administrator, there is no line with deputy fire chiefs salary amount. It could be buried in the fire/EMS salary amount, but that will have to be checked on. There is the deputy fire chief's salary of $2020.00 on the 2nd quarter report..
posted by Jeff Bennett
from the town administrator report of February 16, 2017
The T/A met with a representative from MIIA,town insurance rates will be rising up to 13.3%. The Town Administrator (T/A) states he does not think the rates will go below 12% increase.
Also, highway department has spent $192K on snow & Ice with about $20K on ordered material, so the T/A has authorized an additional $50K in deficit spending for a total of $250K in snow & ice spending, with $125,000.00 of that in "charge card" spending. That is $125 thousand spent more than what was appropriated at town meeting.
The town is supposedly looking at cel phone usage and looking into paying employees a stipend to use their personal phones rather than using town supplied phones. Perhaps the question should be, do we absolutely have to have cell phones? Can the town run without cell phones? More importantly, have town finances gotten to the point where phone expense is a major concern? Enough of a concern that the selectmen are going to conduct a study or research project to analyze cell phone usage. Perhaps if 16% pay increases (raises) were not given to some employees, this would not be an issue.
posted by Jeff Bennett
The T/A met with a representative from MIIA,town insurance rates will be rising up to 13.3%. The Town Administrator (T/A) states he does not think the rates will go below 12% increase.
Also, highway department has spent $192K on snow & Ice with about $20K on ordered material, so the T/A has authorized an additional $50K in deficit spending for a total of $250K in snow & ice spending, with $125,000.00 of that in "charge card" spending. That is $125 thousand spent more than what was appropriated at town meeting.
The town is supposedly looking at cel phone usage and looking into paying employees a stipend to use their personal phones rather than using town supplied phones. Perhaps the question should be, do we absolutely have to have cell phones? Can the town run without cell phones? More importantly, have town finances gotten to the point where phone expense is a major concern? Enough of a concern that the selectmen are going to conduct a study or research project to analyze cell phone usage. Perhaps if 16% pay increases (raises) were not given to some employees, this would not be an issue.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Could this be part of the financial problem?
On the expense/revenue spread sheet presented to town meeting in the spring of 2016, for the fiscal year of 2017, motor vehicle excise tax was represented as $1,110,000.00. On the fiscal year 2017 tax recap sheet, motor vehicle excise tax is represented as $1,000,000.00.
Now, on the 2nd quarter Templeton financial report, approved by Carter Terenzini, interim town administrator, it shows motor vehicle excise tax as $1,110,000.00, indicating that is the expected revenue available to support expenses. Question is, which is correct? the number on the local report or the number sent to the DOR/DLS?
Information is gained from documentation that one town employee calls "people in the know"
This is financial information that may affect town finances through June 30, 2017 and possible beyond. You should know this information.
posted by Jeff Bennett
On the expense/revenue spread sheet presented to town meeting in the spring of 2016, for the fiscal year of 2017, motor vehicle excise tax was represented as $1,110,000.00. On the fiscal year 2017 tax recap sheet, motor vehicle excise tax is represented as $1,000,000.00.
Now, on the 2nd quarter Templeton financial report, approved by Carter Terenzini, interim town administrator, it shows motor vehicle excise tax as $1,110,000.00, indicating that is the expected revenue available to support expenses. Question is, which is correct? the number on the local report or the number sent to the DOR/DLS?
Information is gained from documentation that one town employee calls "people in the know"
This is financial information that may affect town finances through June 30, 2017 and possible beyond. You should know this information.
posted by Jeff Bennett
from the 2nd quarter report, which now has to be approved by Carter Terenzini??
Expenses to watch:
Town Counsel expense - on the high side, will need to watch and may need transfer at annual town meeting to cover expenses.
Fire/EMS department expenses - department will need to watch spending to make sure they stay on budget.
Inspectional services - under budgeted and will need to transfer funds at annual town meeting.
Dispatch wages - 911 grant will affect this, will have a full report on this in the third quarter.
solid waste disposal expense. Trash disposal has increased and this account will be short about $1450.00. This newly identified potential shortfall may be covered by a transfer from well monitoring, which currently has a balance of $1415.00. This amount could cover that shortfall. How does $1415.00 cover $1450.00??
Long term debt, principle and interest - may need further adjustment.
Unemployment - under budgeted and awaiting a rate recalculation to provide relief but will not know for another month or so. We expect to request a transfer from the Advisory Committee /reserve fund in March because shortfall cannot wait until the annual town meeting.
Group insurance (health insurance) the shortage for this account seems to be narrowing and could potentially be even by the end of the year.
Expense concerns??
Snow & Ice deficit - this account will need additional funds to make it through fiscal year.
Group Insurance: The gap seems to be closing, however there still may be a need for a transfer at annual town meeting.
So, this supposed group of selectmen, in the know, will be carrying on the tradition of moving the pea from cup to cup and or robbing pete to pay paul and maybe harry too.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Expenses to watch:
Town Counsel expense - on the high side, will need to watch and may need transfer at annual town meeting to cover expenses.
Fire/EMS department expenses - department will need to watch spending to make sure they stay on budget.
Inspectional services - under budgeted and will need to transfer funds at annual town meeting.
Dispatch wages - 911 grant will affect this, will have a full report on this in the third quarter.
solid waste disposal expense. Trash disposal has increased and this account will be short about $1450.00. This newly identified potential shortfall may be covered by a transfer from well monitoring, which currently has a balance of $1415.00. This amount could cover that shortfall. How does $1415.00 cover $1450.00??
Long term debt, principle and interest - may need further adjustment.
Unemployment - under budgeted and awaiting a rate recalculation to provide relief but will not know for another month or so. We expect to request a transfer from the Advisory Committee /reserve fund in March because shortfall cannot wait until the annual town meeting.
Group insurance (health insurance) the shortage for this account seems to be narrowing and could potentially be even by the end of the year.
Expense concerns??
Snow & Ice deficit - this account will need additional funds to make it through fiscal year.
Group Insurance: The gap seems to be closing, however there still may be a need for a transfer at annual town meeting.
So, this supposed group of selectmen, in the know, will be carrying on the tradition of moving the pea from cup to cup and or robbing pete to pay paul and maybe harry too.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Gov. Charlie Baker filed a transportation bond bill yesterday that includes $200 million for the Chapter 90 local road and bridge program.
The bill includes a technical change that would remove a requirement that an appropriation be made by the local legislative body to use the funds.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation reimburses cities and towns for costs incurred for eligible transportation projects through the Chapter 90 program. Chapter 90 funding is distributed to cities and towns through a formula that takes into account population, road miles and employment.
At a meeting of the Local Government Advisory Commission on Feb. 14, Arlington Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine asked the administration to file a multi-year Chapter 90 bond bill at $300 million per year as soon as possible.
Chapdelaine stated a long-held MMA position that $200 million is inadequate for communities across Massachusetts to keep roads in a state of good repair, the industry standard. Cities and towns also face increased construction costs if they don’t receive Chapter 90 funds by April 1 each year.
The governor’s bond bill includes $30 million for a mobility assistance program and regional intercity bus and intermodal service, as well as $70 million for upgrades to the Registry of Motor Vehicles information technology system.
The administration funded Chapter 90 at $200 million annually in the MassDOT and MBTA five-year Capital Investment Plan for 2017-2022. The MMA submitted comments last year asking for an increase in Chapter 90 to $300 million annually, which will allow cities and towns to more properly fund local road and bridge maintenance programs.
The MMA’s 2014 Chapter 90 survey found that cities and towns need $639 million annually to keep 30,000 miles of local roads in a state of good repair.
Posted by Jeff Bennett
The bill includes a technical change that would remove a requirement that an appropriation be made by the local legislative body to use the funds.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation reimburses cities and towns for costs incurred for eligible transportation projects through the Chapter 90 program. Chapter 90 funding is distributed to cities and towns through a formula that takes into account population, road miles and employment.
At a meeting of the Local Government Advisory Commission on Feb. 14, Arlington Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine asked the administration to file a multi-year Chapter 90 bond bill at $300 million per year as soon as possible.
Chapdelaine stated a long-held MMA position that $200 million is inadequate for communities across Massachusetts to keep roads in a state of good repair, the industry standard. Cities and towns also face increased construction costs if they don’t receive Chapter 90 funds by April 1 each year.
The governor’s bond bill includes $30 million for a mobility assistance program and regional intercity bus and intermodal service, as well as $70 million for upgrades to the Registry of Motor Vehicles information technology system.
The administration funded Chapter 90 at $200 million annually in the MassDOT and MBTA five-year Capital Investment Plan for 2017-2022. The MMA submitted comments last year asking for an increase in Chapter 90 to $300 million annually, which will allow cities and towns to more properly fund local road and bridge maintenance programs.
The MMA’s 2014 Chapter 90 survey found that cities and towns need $639 million annually to keep 30,000 miles of local roads in a state of good repair.
Posted by Jeff Bennett
Jeff just so you understand the GIC is a commission and NOT a plan.
A plan is like Blue Cross Blue Shield.
The people who now these things and understand it voted after we were told there is no guarantee we could get a plan but only might get what we choose.
The price could actually have been higher after our pool of people were considered.
Our pool has had higher than normal high cost patients and that has like the workers comp increases been the factor in the cost increases to the town.
All towns offer good benefits to keep and attract employees as the wage scale we know is of a lower than private level.
Beat all the drums you want but in the end we know your history and how you come across
A plan is like Blue Cross Blue Shield.
The people who now these things and understand it voted after we were told there is no guarantee we could get a plan but only might get what we choose.
The price could actually have been higher after our pool of people were considered.
Our pool has had higher than normal high cost patients and that has like the workers comp increases been the factor in the cost increases to the town.
All towns offer good benefits to keep and attract employees as the wage scale we know is of a lower than private level.
Beat all the drums you want but in the end we know your history and how you come across
Dave, you do not know me at all and if you recall, one reason I started this blog was because you stated on a post that if I did not to "tow the line" there would be one less administrator on Pauly's blog. Since I do not "tow the line", well here we are. Secondly, you may think you know what you will get from me, but you do not and you may as well not try guessing.
posted by Jeff Bennett
posted by Jeff Bennett
Drum beats from Templeton Highway Department?
Kelli,
I have strong concerns that the vehicle expense account will not have enough funds in the account to repair and service the town fleet until June 30th. As you may recall $20,000 was taken from this account to repair a water pump on the Towns ladder truck. Without a transfer back to this account, vehicles will have to be parked until July 1st. If this happens the Town has only one mechanic, it will take time to restore service to the vehicles that need repairs.
Bud
This is interesting, a sitting department head is basically stating that action taken by selectmen may put the town in jeopardy.
posted by Jeff Bennett
April 19, 2016 - Insurance Advisory Committee meets at Town Hall in the conference room.
Mr. L. Kirby from MIIA speaks to the committee and those present.
Mr. Kirby states that the town administrator had looked into the town changing health insurance to GIC and plan design changes were proposed. Town employees did not like them so that was tabled. This is another example of employees running the show rather than management.
There is a reason that all cities and towns are suppose to be putting away money to pay retiree health insurance costs, those costs are ever increasing and no one has the funds put aside to cover all future costs. Everyone simply kicks the can down the road. Some towns have eliminated health insurance for retirees all together because they simply cannot afford it any longer.
Templeton Insurance Advisory committee is made up of town employees and a retiree. So who is looking out for the town, as in the taxpayers? The selectmen have the final say on what is offered and i suppose when selectmen maintain status quo and give employees all that they want, then those selectmen are praised. Same goes for when selectmen give out raises and labor contracts that the town cannot really afford, those selectmen are praised again. One of the things stated by Carter Terenzini while attending a meeting of Templeton Advisory Committee was that group insurance (health insurance) may come up short before the end of the fiscal year. Short, as in lack of enough funds to make required payments. He further stated that one thing that might help was leaving the fire chief position open so as to save some money and hope it evens out before the end of the year.
If retirees and town employees wish to continue to have health insurance and if town employees are interested in maintaining financial health for the corporation, changes must take place, such as the percentage split of town and employee. Employees are going to have to pay a larger percentage so the whole ship may stay afloat.
Financial trend monitoring by the Advisory Committee has uncovered what looks like a bad practice. It looks like the collection rate for property taxes may not be as high as indicated on the tax recap sheet. Hopefully that information will be available at the next meeting of said committee on March 1.
All one has to do is to look at the spending plan presented to town meeting to see change is needed and the flow of information needs improvement. Sunshine is the answer.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Mr. L. Kirby from MIIA speaks to the committee and those present.
Mr. Kirby states that the town administrator had looked into the town changing health insurance to GIC and plan design changes were proposed. Town employees did not like them so that was tabled. This is another example of employees running the show rather than management.
There is a reason that all cities and towns are suppose to be putting away money to pay retiree health insurance costs, those costs are ever increasing and no one has the funds put aside to cover all future costs. Everyone simply kicks the can down the road. Some towns have eliminated health insurance for retirees all together because they simply cannot afford it any longer.
Templeton Insurance Advisory committee is made up of town employees and a retiree. So who is looking out for the town, as in the taxpayers? The selectmen have the final say on what is offered and i suppose when selectmen maintain status quo and give employees all that they want, then those selectmen are praised. Same goes for when selectmen give out raises and labor contracts that the town cannot really afford, those selectmen are praised again. One of the things stated by Carter Terenzini while attending a meeting of Templeton Advisory Committee was that group insurance (health insurance) may come up short before the end of the fiscal year. Short, as in lack of enough funds to make required payments. He further stated that one thing that might help was leaving the fire chief position open so as to save some money and hope it evens out before the end of the year.
If retirees and town employees wish to continue to have health insurance and if town employees are interested in maintaining financial health for the corporation, changes must take place, such as the percentage split of town and employee. Employees are going to have to pay a larger percentage so the whole ship may stay afloat.
Financial trend monitoring by the Advisory Committee has uncovered what looks like a bad practice. It looks like the collection rate for property taxes may not be as high as indicated on the tax recap sheet. Hopefully that information will be available at the next meeting of said committee on March 1.
All one has to do is to look at the spending plan presented to town meeting to see change is needed and the flow of information needs improvement. Sunshine is the answer.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Friday, February 17, 2017
GIC - Group Insurance Commission.
All GIC Employee and non-Medicare Retiree/Survivor health plans include a deductible. This is a fixed dollar amount you must pay before your health plan begins paying benefits for you or your covered dependent(s). The deductible is on a fiscal year to make it easier for members to change health plan carriers at Annual Enrollment.
All GIC Employee and non-Medicare Retiree/Survivor health plans include a deductible. This is a fixed dollar amount you must pay before your health plan begins paying benefits for you or your covered dependent(s). The deductible is on a fiscal year to make it easier for members to change health plan carriers at Annual Enrollment.
The Group Insurance Commission (GIC) was established by the Legislature in 1955 to provide and administer health insurance and other benefits to the Commonwealth's employees and retirees, and their dependents and survivors. The GIC also covers housing and redevelopment authorities' personnel, participating municipalities, and retired municipal employees and teachers in certain governmental units.
Health coverage options include an Indemnity plan, Point of Service (POS) plans, Preferred Provider-type Organizations (PPOs), an Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO), and several HMO plans. As part of its UniCare state indemnity and active employee Tufts Health plans, it manages mental health/substance abuse benefits and also manages pharmacy benefits for the indemnity plans. For active state employees only, the GIC offers a long term disability (LTD) program, two pre-tax employee programs - Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) and Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), and for managers, legislators, legislative staff and certain Executive Office staff, a dental/vision plan. The GIC offers a discount vision plan for Commonwealth retirees and a dental plan for state and certain municipal retirees
The Group Insurance Commission is a quasi-independent state agency governed by a seventeen-member Commission appointed by the Governor. Commission members encompass a range of interests and expertise including labor and retirees, the public interest, the administration, and health economics.
The GIC’s FY2017 appropriation is $2.1 billion. There are currently over 250,000 enrollees and over 436,000 people covered by the GIC.
This is the plan Town employees said they did not want to change to.
The idea of looking at GIC was to see if changing would save the whole Town money, as in reducing the amount of tax dollars spent on Town employee health insurance.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Thursday, February 16, 2017
A thought from Jeff Bennett
My thought on all these moves and there is a public "history" lesson to back it up. The removal of Bud Chase is a long time in the making, as in 2010. That is when Bud Chase was not going to be reappointed by the selectmen. It was an article in The Gardner News and is on the record by way of selectmen meeting minutes. There was another article in the news that had one selectmen talking about some deal and nothing was going to be done until that particular selectmen was back from a trip to Washington D.C.. In the end, selectmen backing Chase said they would vote to retain the town coordinator if Bud Chase was retained. If Bud went, the town coordinator was also gone. Bud Chase stayed. In 2011, the town coordinator was let go so here we are in 2017 and Bud Chase is run out of town. Nothing will convince me that this is nothing but simple payback. That is my opinion and I do not have nothing "on paper" to prove this other than history, a question from the current chairman of the board of selectmen to me on what I thought about a particular person (can you hear the echo?)This is history repeating itself. Also the financial things happening now were spoken about by the Advisory Committee last year; motor vehicle excise tax, debt exclusion, debt schedule and pay raises that were beyond what the town could afford. Those concerns fell on deaf ears, as people at town meeting voting to not go line item by line item. Now the people have to live with what they wanted. Time to suck it up buttercup. You wanted to keep local dispatch, time to pay for it. You wanted to keep local ambulance service, time to pay for it. Did not want to discuss the spending of upwards of 13 million dollars of your money, time to pay for it. If you want a real laugh, watch Templeton tv channel about highway department doing some things at what looks like Sadie's pit. There are three loaders in the video, 3 ! ! and here I thought Bud Chase told the selectmen, along with Dave Smart, that the two old loaders were worn out and no long any good. Highway needed a new loader, so the selectmen with push from Bud Chase, did not listen to the people and bought a loader out of road maintenance funds. If you are not going to listen to the people, why ask in the first place. Your road in bad shape, don't worry, Templeton highway is spending your road money on toys, that they apparently did not really need. And the merry go round goes round and round.
The above is my opinion.
posted by Jeff Bennett
My thought on all these moves and there is a public "history" lesson to back it up. The removal of Bud Chase is a long time in the making, as in 2010. That is when Bud Chase was not going to be reappointed by the selectmen. It was an article in The Gardner News and is on the record by way of selectmen meeting minutes. There was another article in the news that had one selectmen talking about some deal and nothing was going to be done until that particular selectmen was back from a trip to Washington D.C.. In the end, selectmen backing Chase said they would vote to retain the town coordinator if Bud Chase was retained. If Bud went, the town coordinator was also gone. Bud Chase stayed. In 2011, the town coordinator was let go so here we are in 2017 and Bud Chase is run out of town. Nothing will convince me that this is nothing but simple payback. That is my opinion and I do not have nothing "on paper" to prove this other than history, a question from the current chairman of the board of selectmen to me on what I thought about a particular person (can you hear the echo?)This is history repeating itself. Also the financial things happening now were spoken about by the Advisory Committee last year; motor vehicle excise tax, debt exclusion, debt schedule and pay raises that were beyond what the town could afford. Those concerns fell on deaf ears, as people at town meeting voting to not go line item by line item. Now the people have to live with what they wanted. Time to suck it up buttercup. You wanted to keep local dispatch, time to pay for it. You wanted to keep local ambulance service, time to pay for it. Did not want to discuss the spending of upwards of 13 million dollars of your money, time to pay for it. If you want a real laugh, watch Templeton tv channel about highway department doing some things at what looks like Sadie's pit. There are three loaders in the video, 3 ! ! and here I thought Bud Chase told the selectmen, along with Dave Smart, that the two old loaders were worn out and no long any good. Highway needed a new loader, so the selectmen with push from Bud Chase, did not listen to the people and bought a loader out of road maintenance funds. If you are not going to listen to the people, why ask in the first place. Your road in bad shape, don't worry, Templeton highway is spending your road money on toys, that they apparently did not really need. And the merry go round goes round and round.
The above is my opinion.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Sunday, February 12, 2017
The Gardner News now is aware of the lie!
---------- Original Message ----------
From: <jpb01468@comcast.net>
To: cssmith@thegardnernews.com
Date: February 11, 2017 at 10:00 AM
Subject: Fwd: Public record requestAttached, you will find the response of the Town to a directive from the MA secretary of state's office involving public records. It is a lie that the person is dead. How does one not know their assistant is or is not dead?---------- Original Message ----------
From: <jpb01468@comcast.net>
To: jpb01468@comcast.net
Date: February 6, 2017 at 7:48 AM
Subject: Fwd: Public record request
Saturday, February 11, 2017
from the latest handbook for selectmen.
Contracting Authority :
Towns enter into contracts for a variety of purposes. Contracts are made in the name of the town and under the authority granted to the town by state laws and town bylaws. Under Chapter 40, Section 4, a town “… may make any contract for the exercise of its corporate powers, on such terms and conditions as are authorized by the town meeting … [and] a town may not contract for any purpose, on any terms, or under any conditions inconsistent with the applicable provision of any general or special law.” This section of law does not expressly authorize any town officer or board to sign contracts. In general, authorization to sign contracts must be set forth in town bylaws, charter or by vote of the town meeting. Additionally, a contract is not valid unless all the necessary legal requirements are met, and there is a prior appropriation. Generally, a board or official may be authorized to enter into a contract and may negotiate terms and conditions. A contract cannot exceed three years unless a longer term is authorized by town meeting, town bylaws, or a charter. Under Chapter 30B, many communities have voted to authorize, in general, contracts in excess of three years. A town may also enter into an agreement with one or more other governmental units to jointly perform services or undertake any activity that the town could undertake independently. These are generally referred to as inter-municipal agreements [G.L. c. 40, §4A], and the board of selectmen may authorize such contracts.
There are several different statutory schemes governing public bidding procedures for municipal contracts. The primary laws are the Uniform Procurement Act [G.L. c. 30B], the law relating to public works contracts [G.L. c. 30, §39M], and the law relating to public building construction [G.L. c. 149, §§44A-M]. The Uniform Procurement Act The Uniform Procurement Act governs the general bidding procedures for the procurement of all town supplies and services costing $10,000 or more, unless the particular contract is contained in the list of exemptions, such as solid waste, engineering, insurance contracts, legal services, and certain professional service agreements. (This extensive list is found in Section 1 of Chapter 30B.) For procurements under $10,000, sound business practices are to be followed. The following chart gives a general overview of the procurement process thresholds. As the law is amended from time to time, it is important to be sure that the most current requirements are being followed. (This chart was updated by the Office of the Inspector General, which administers the Uniform Procurement Act, in May 2014.)
1. G.L. c. 30B, §2, defines sound business practices as “ensuring the receipt of favorable prices by periodically soliciting price lists or quotes.” 2. G.L. c. 30B, §2, defines a responsible bidder or offerer as “a person who has the capability to perform fully the contract requirements, and the integrity and reliability which assures good faith performance.” 3. G.L. c. 30B, §2, defines a responsive bidder or offerer as “a person who has submitted a bid or proposal which conforms in all respects to the invitation for bids or request for proposals.” 4. G.L. c. 30B, §17(a), states, “All contracts in the amount of [$10,000] or more shall be in writing, and the governmental body shall make no payment for a supply or service rendered prior to the execution of such contract.” 5. G.L. c. 30B, §12(b), states, “Unless authorized by majority vote, a procurement officer shall not award a contract for a term exceeding three years, including any renewal, extension, or option.” If the chief procurement officer determines that selection of the most advantageous offer requires a comparative judgment of other factors as well as price, the town may issue a request for proposals (RFP). This procedure requires the submission by each offerer of separately sealed price and nonprice proposals. The non-price proposals are opened first and evaluated and ranked in accordance with published evaluation criteria. After the evaluation, the price proposals are opened and a contract may be awarded to the person offering the most advantageous proposal, taking into consideration price and the evaluation criteria.
Public Building Projects If the contract involves the construction, reconstruction, installation, demolition, maintenance or repair of any building by the town, the process to be used depends on the estimated costs. For projects estimated to cost in excess of $25,000, the contract must be awarded in accordance with the filed sub-bid law [G.L. c. 149, §§44A-44M]. This law requires the preparation of written specifications and an invitation for bid, the separate solicitation of filed sub-bids and general bids, advertisement of the contract in accordance with established procedures, and the award of the contract to the lowest responsible and eligible bidder. A building is defined as any building with four walls and a roof, not including sewer or water pumping stations. Design Services for Public Buildings If a contract involves the procurement of design services for a public building project where the estimated cost of construction exceeds $100,000 and the design contract exceeds $10,000, the contract must be awarded in compliance with designer selection procedures established by the town in accordance with state law [G.L. c. 7C, §§44-57]. Construction Materials Not Involving Labor Municipalities may use the bid procedures contained in Section 5 of Chapter 30B for contracts for construction materials if the purchase entails no labor [G.L. c. 30, §39M(d)]. The bid procedures of Chapter 30B, Section 5, differ slightly from those of Chapter 30, Section 39M
The municipal modernization act may have affected some of this as this handbook was prepared in 2014.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Contracting Authority :
Towns enter into contracts for a variety of purposes. Contracts are made in the name of the town and under the authority granted to the town by state laws and town bylaws. Under Chapter 40, Section 4, a town “… may make any contract for the exercise of its corporate powers, on such terms and conditions as are authorized by the town meeting … [and] a town may not contract for any purpose, on any terms, or under any conditions inconsistent with the applicable provision of any general or special law.” This section of law does not expressly authorize any town officer or board to sign contracts. In general, authorization to sign contracts must be set forth in town bylaws, charter or by vote of the town meeting. Additionally, a contract is not valid unless all the necessary legal requirements are met, and there is a prior appropriation. Generally, a board or official may be authorized to enter into a contract and may negotiate terms and conditions. A contract cannot exceed three years unless a longer term is authorized by town meeting, town bylaws, or a charter. Under Chapter 30B, many communities have voted to authorize, in general, contracts in excess of three years. A town may also enter into an agreement with one or more other governmental units to jointly perform services or undertake any activity that the town could undertake independently. These are generally referred to as inter-municipal agreements [G.L. c. 40, §4A], and the board of selectmen may authorize such contracts.
There are several different statutory schemes governing public bidding procedures for municipal contracts. The primary laws are the Uniform Procurement Act [G.L. c. 30B], the law relating to public works contracts [G.L. c. 30, §39M], and the law relating to public building construction [G.L. c. 149, §§44A-M]. The Uniform Procurement Act The Uniform Procurement Act governs the general bidding procedures for the procurement of all town supplies and services costing $10,000 or more, unless the particular contract is contained in the list of exemptions, such as solid waste, engineering, insurance contracts, legal services, and certain professional service agreements. (This extensive list is found in Section 1 of Chapter 30B.) For procurements under $10,000, sound business practices are to be followed. The following chart gives a general overview of the procurement process thresholds. As the law is amended from time to time, it is important to be sure that the most current requirements are being followed. (This chart was updated by the Office of the Inspector General, which administers the Uniform Procurement Act, in May 2014.)
1. G.L. c. 30B, §2, defines sound business practices as “ensuring the receipt of favorable prices by periodically soliciting price lists or quotes.” 2. G.L. c. 30B, §2, defines a responsible bidder or offerer as “a person who has the capability to perform fully the contract requirements, and the integrity and reliability which assures good faith performance.” 3. G.L. c. 30B, §2, defines a responsive bidder or offerer as “a person who has submitted a bid or proposal which conforms in all respects to the invitation for bids or request for proposals.” 4. G.L. c. 30B, §17(a), states, “All contracts in the amount of [$10,000] or more shall be in writing, and the governmental body shall make no payment for a supply or service rendered prior to the execution of such contract.” 5. G.L. c. 30B, §12(b), states, “Unless authorized by majority vote, a procurement officer shall not award a contract for a term exceeding three years, including any renewal, extension, or option.” If the chief procurement officer determines that selection of the most advantageous offer requires a comparative judgment of other factors as well as price, the town may issue a request for proposals (RFP). This procedure requires the submission by each offerer of separately sealed price and nonprice proposals. The non-price proposals are opened first and evaluated and ranked in accordance with published evaluation criteria. After the evaluation, the price proposals are opened and a contract may be awarded to the person offering the most advantageous proposal, taking into consideration price and the evaluation criteria.
Public Building Projects If the contract involves the construction, reconstruction, installation, demolition, maintenance or repair of any building by the town, the process to be used depends on the estimated costs. For projects estimated to cost in excess of $25,000, the contract must be awarded in accordance with the filed sub-bid law [G.L. c. 149, §§44A-44M]. This law requires the preparation of written specifications and an invitation for bid, the separate solicitation of filed sub-bids and general bids, advertisement of the contract in accordance with established procedures, and the award of the contract to the lowest responsible and eligible bidder. A building is defined as any building with four walls and a roof, not including sewer or water pumping stations. Design Services for Public Buildings If a contract involves the procurement of design services for a public building project where the estimated cost of construction exceeds $100,000 and the design contract exceeds $10,000, the contract must be awarded in compliance with designer selection procedures established by the town in accordance with state law [G.L. c. 7C, §§44-57]. Construction Materials Not Involving Labor Municipalities may use the bid procedures contained in Section 5 of Chapter 30B for contracts for construction materials if the purchase entails no labor [G.L. c. 30, §39M(d)]. The bid procedures of Chapter 30B, Section 5, differ slightly from those of Chapter 30, Section 39M
The municipal modernization act may have affected some of this as this handbook was prepared in 2014.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)