An update: On the town administrator's weekly report, dated February 2, 2017, he wrote that "the contribution rate for unemployment dropped dramatically. It now looks like that account may be close to making it through the balance of the fiscal year."
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
david smart8:17 PM
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
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