Selectmen workshop and financial news.
About 30 minutes spent discussing a policy to deal with the approximate 30 "bad" checks per year written to the town to pay various bills. Much of the time was spent on do we collect phone numbers, drivers license numbers etc. Social security numbers already off the table. Apparently if you mail in your payment, you would not be subject to this as no one could ask for the information before you mail in your payment. Another item was what if a person does not have a drivers license?
On the policy and procedures item, at least one member of the select board, the chairman, wanted to change a few words on the selectmen policies & procedures so we do not get banged every time we act! Fail to follow the procedures and it gets pointed out so lets change the words so it is harder to "bang them". I would think it easier to just follow the procedures as I thought that was the whole idea behind all of the policy writing to begin with. One of the "hangups" was "the board should only go into executive session with the whole board present" The question or position was what if someone is out sick and we have a pressing issue, the government cannot stop because of one person. I think if you look at the words, should only, as not being a directive, such as you must or you shall but rather you should only, more of a good suggestion and not a requirement. As in, in most circumstances, the select board should only go into executive session when the full board is present. But whatever, if the policy is hard to follow, just change it "so we do not get banged every time we meet."
On the financial side, I was told the Town accountant refused to give some information on public funds "because every thing ends up on the blog" I take that to mean this blog, but no matter. The important thing is that a town department head, the town accountant is saying no to release of public funds information because, well, it will end up being public information! Perhaps it is time for a policyt on public information! Wait, there is already one, it is called the public records law. I see a very public discussion on this coming soon. Apparently, the accountant said if you want that information, talk to the town administrator. Might be time for some more training for town employees.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Is this another thing for the Att. General to waste their time on, because the people in top positions of Templeton's government do not know that the law is there for them to follow ?? Do our State officials have to write two or more letters to these people after the same thing was done just a matter of months ago, to the Admin. Assistant ?? Maybe they should just have a letter on hand to send out to the Templeton Town Hall employees, (a few not all) because no matter how much they are shown or told, it is the law, they just don't get it. Embarrassing isn't it ! Well it is to me. Bev.
ReplyDeleteSounds like our BOS chairman is learning to get around policies they plan to put in place. Good going, like things at not bad enough. Now we will have policies with loop holes, so they can pull crap but it will be legal !! Unless the Att. Gen. says "oh, no you don't !" Funny that happens ! Policies are there to be followed, write them down, then follow them ! If you do not have a full board, then you wait a week and vote then. What is so hard about that ! Bev.
DeleteGetting "banged".......hmmmm. You mean like pointing out that votes should not be taken at working meetings.
ReplyDeleteLike not following their agenda policies and procedures regarding Citizens comments.
So Kelly refused to give info because it ends up on blog? Does she realize every meeting can be recorded by the public. I could post recordings, videos of the meetings and its perfectly legal as long as I notify the Chair.
Carter didn't say anything. The Chair said nothing? Do these folks understand the meaning of the term PUBLIC MEETING! All this info is public, its not Kelly's personal info. What right does she have to say no?
I think the people have a right to know what is going on in the business they support with their hard earned money. If the people in town hall do not get it, it is about time they did. The blog does not make things up. If you do not do your job, tough luck ! Do your job, and you will have nothing to worry about. Bev.
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