Perhaps a lack of understanding on Town government?
Perhaps an attempted fast one?
Either way, the attempt to change how the Templeton Advisory Committee would be appointed in the future seems to be on the shelf - for now. One item needs to be brought to every ones attention; the NRHS school committee having any say on the appointment of any town committees - why would a selectmen wish to have members of another town have input on the Templeton finance (advisory) committee? The NRHS school committee is a separate legal entity from Templeton Town government, made up of some Phillipston residents. Granted, Phillipston already rides Templeton taxpayers like a rented mule (my opinion) but I do not feel it is correct (or smart) to have out of town residents choosing who will serve on such an important committee. Especially when said committee will be looking at their budgets and making recommendations to same.
While it (the change) appeared to be patterned after Littleton's way of doing things, I do not believe Littleton belongs to a regional school district, which makes a difference. (my opinion) Perhaps selectmen Fortes can or will focus on the budget process and the following of Templeton by-laws and "fight" for a true balanced budget that does not have to be back filled at a later date because of lack of revenue to cover expenses presented to Town Meeting. Just begin at fiscal 2015 and follow through to fiscal 2018; you will find alot of "fixing" of the finances, which indicates their is still things to do and work on for Templeton finance and budgeting. There is really no excuse for having to "back fill" a department budget, especially salaries, these are known expenses and should and must be covered by monies available. If the money is not there, do not present nor ask for those numbers.
This is from page 3 of the Oct 10, 2017 Financial Policies approved by the BOS.
ReplyDelete"The Town will not balance the budget by using one-time or other nonrecurring revenues to fund ongoing expenditures, except in the event of an emergency or extraordinary or unforeseen events. If extraordinary or unforeseen events necessitate a budget in which current revenues are less than current expenditures, and which thus relies one-time revenues to balance, the Board and the Town Administrator shall provide along with the budget a plan to return to a structurally balanced budget in no more than three years."
This is from same Fin Policies but relating to Free Cash on page 8:
Upon certification of the Town's free cash, the Town Administrator shall prepare a plan of its use to guide the expenditure of free cash. He shall, first deduct an amount anticipated to be needed at the Annual Town Meeting to meet unanticipated operating deficits such as snow and ice. He shall then deduct for extraordinary or unplanned needs which have arisen since the annual town meeting with a target of having a remainder of no less than fifty percent of the certified free cash. The remainder shall be, subject to rounding factors, used for contributions to reserves and as working capital for the balance of the fiscal year, provided that it shall be available for appropriation for capital needs at the annual town meeting, as follows:
I do not believe the town can continue to function as it has unless big changes are made to the way we run the Town Hall and the rest of the departments. I do not believe that the revenue that is brought in from taxes is enough to fund all of the things that the BOS has continued to prop up. If the budget that the town is living with is not sustainable for the next fiscal year, why haven't changes been made ? Why does this town continue to go from crisis to crisis ? Where is the "plan" ?? I do not believe there is a plan and that is very wrong.
Deletethe plan is TAX AND SPEND
ReplyDeleteHow comforting !
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