Well, at least the firms hired and paid to look at things and make suggestions are doing their homework???? Right!!
from the Collins memo concerning Advisory Committee:
TO: Templeton Board of Selectmen
FROM: Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Management
DATE: October 16, 2017
RE: Miscellaneous findings regarding the Advisory Committee in Templeton
Although the primary focus of this Community Compact project is Templeton’s budget document,
process, and related financial policies, throughout the research for the project, the Center project team
has become aware of various issues affecting the Town’s ability to develop its budget and financial
policies. This memo addresses one of these topics: the role and responsibilities of the Town’s Advisory
Committee. (Future memos may address other aspects of the process.)
Advisory Committee Vacancy Appointments :
The Center project team was reviewing the Town’s finance‐related bylaws and noticed an unusual
provision related to how the Advisory Committee is constructed (emphasis added):
Article IV, Section 3. The said committee shall fill any vacancy which may occur in its
membership, by vote, attested copy of which shall be sent by the secretary to the Town Clerk. If
any member is absent from five consecutive meetings of said committee, except in case of
illness, his position shall be deemed to be vacant and shall be filled as herein provided. The term
of office of any person so chosen to fill a vacancy shall expire at the final adjournment of the next
succeeding Annual Town Meeting, and the Moderator thereof shall appoint his successor to
complete the unexpired term of the member in whose office such vacancy originally occurred.”
The project team is aware of only one other town (Townsend) that similarly provides for the Advisory
Committee to select its own members in the event of vacancies. In those towns where the Moderator is
the appointing authority of the Advisory Committee (which is a plurality of Massachusetts towns), the
Moderator typically fills vacancies that appear. Allowing a board or committee to appoint its own
members, even for a short period of time, risks creating a situation where any traits or points of view
can become self‐reinforcing.
It would be worth considering a revision to the bylaw to remove this provision to reduce the potential
that a future Advisory Committee becomes self‐reinforcing.
from the website of the town of Bolton, MA:
chapter 10; boards, committees and other bodies
article I Advisory committee
Saturday, November 24, 2018
Wednesday, November 21, 2018
Templeton All Boards Meeting
Monday, November 26, 2018, at 6:30 P.M
Kamaloht-1 North Main Street, East Templeton, MA-01438
Board of Selectmen is hosting this third joint meeting of all Town Boards and Committees
Agenda
1. Call the Meeting to Order
2. Chairman of SelectBoard ~ Finance & Progress Overview FY’18
3. Timeline & Outlook for FY’20
4. Round Robin of Board & Committee Members a. Needs/Wants for improved efficiency & service to the community; b. Possible Goals for their units c. Comments, Additions, Revision to BoS Goals
5. Wrap-UP & Comments
You Are Invited!
All Boards Meeting
Monday, November 26, 2018, at 6:30 P.M
Kamaloht-1 North Main Street, East Templeton, MA-01438
The SelectBoard will be hosting this third joint meeting of all our Town Boards and Committees on November 26, 2018. Based upon what we learned from the last two years’ meetings, we hope to improve upon this avenue of communication. The purpose of this meeting is several fold. Certainly, we hope to convey to you the progress we have made this past year. However, we also hope to hear from you with respect to your view of that progress, the direction you feel our organization should be heading in and - most importantly - your ideas of how we might better work together to improve communications, efficiency, and better serve our community. My fellow Board members and I look forward to seeing you on the 26th for some great communication!
Sunday, November 11, 2018
The subject that no one seems to want to talk about:
Tax over ride for the school district. The district has said it will seek a tax override but so far, no amount or reason (s) have been given. The school supporting selectmen all of a sudden want answers about this, as if they seem upset, surprised or both. This subject has been talked about multiple times, especially this past budget season. Get ready for an interesting time and remember, you have already voted on and approved three tax increases since May of 2018. In case you forgot, override for ambulance service, meals tax and the new animal control by-law that increased the cost of dog licenses and fines for any violations. It has been stated the tax increase will be significant. Then there will be the tax increase to pay for the building itself. Remember, you voted on that back in 2015, so enjoy all of the tax hikes you voted for and remember to break out the check book.
Tax over ride for the school district. The district has said it will seek a tax override but so far, no amount or reason (s) have been given. The school supporting selectmen all of a sudden want answers about this, as if they seem upset, surprised or both. This subject has been talked about multiple times, especially this past budget season. Get ready for an interesting time and remember, you have already voted on and approved three tax increases since May of 2018. In case you forgot, override for ambulance service, meals tax and the new animal control by-law that increased the cost of dog licenses and fines for any violations. It has been stated the tax increase will be significant. Then there will be the tax increase to pay for the building itself. Remember, you voted on that back in 2015, so enjoy all of the tax hikes you voted for and remember to break out the check book.
Thursday, November 8, 2018
Countdown to 2020 Town Meeting
Checkpoint Day Date
Town Election Monday May 20, 2019
Town Meeting Wednesday May 15, 2019
Advisory Committee Drop Dead to Issue Report Monday May 13, 2019(1)
Annual Town Report in Town Clerk’s Office Monday May 13, 2019(2)
Target Date for Voter’s Guide to be Available to Public Wednesday May 8, 2019
Drop Dead for Warrant & Advert to be Posted/Published Wednesday May 8, 2019(3)
Drop Dead for BoS to Submit Warrant to
Constable & Advert to Newspaper Wednesday May 1, 2019
BoS Takes Final Vote on Warrant Wednesday April 24, 2019
Advisory Committee Public Hearing on Budget TBD TBD Advisory Committee(4)
Drop Dead for Ballot Questions for Annual Town Election Wednesday April 17, 2019
BoS Drop Dead to Transmit ATM Warrant & Budget
Recommendations to Advisory Committee Monday April 8, 2019(5)
Last Day to return nomination papers Monday April 1, 2019
BoS Adopts Budget & Warrant Recommendations Wednesday March 27, 2019
BoS Budget Workshop (Answers to Q’s) SNOWDATE Monday March 25, 2019
BoS Budget Workshop Thursday March 21, 2019
Desired Date for NRSD to Adopt OPEX budget Monday March 18, 2019
BoS Budget Workshop Presentations SNOWDATE Saturday March 16, 2019
BoS Budget Workshop – Presentations Saturday March 9, 2019
ATM Warrant “Closes” Monday March 4, 2019(6)
TA Presents Budget & Warrant Package Wednesday February 27, 2019
Nomination Papers Available at Town Clerk Monday February 25, 2019
Drop Dead TA Concludes 2nd Review Tuesday February 19, 2019
BoS “Opens” ATM Warrant to Citizen Petitions Wednesday February 13, 2019(7)
Drop Dead TA Concludes 1st Review Wednesday February 6, 2019
Request to BoS for Suggestions of Cover & Dedication Thursday January 31, 2019(8)
Budget Estimate from WRRS Thursday January 31, 2019
House 1 w/Cherry Sheets Released Wednesday January 23, 2019(9)
TA 1 on 1 DH Reviews (Week of) Monday January 21, 2019
BoS Meeting w/Legislative Delegation for Session Review Wednesday January 9, 2019
Capital Improvements Committee Submits Proposed CIP Wednesday January 9, 2019
DH’s Submit all Budget & Warrant Materials to TA Wednesday January 2, 2019
TA Sends “Budget Guidance” Memo out to all Thursday November 29, 2018
BoS Adopts Revenue Estimates Wednesday November 28, 2018
Convention of the Committees Monday November 26, 2018(10)
Drop Dead for Monty Tech to apportion OPEX budget Friday November 16, 2018
BoS Finalizes Goals & Objectives Wednesday November 14, 2018
BoS Holds Goal Setting Retreat Done
TO: Board of Selectmen
FROM: Carter Terenzini, Town Administrator
RE: Administrator’s Weekly Report
DATE: November 8, 2018
CC: All Departments
Business Meeting or Workshop: This is to expand upon items where the attached memos may
need some expansion or where a full memo was not required.
5. b. This is required to determine if you will have a single or split tax rate. Once you make this decision, we can finalize our submission to DOR of the so-called recap sheet and set the tax rate.
5. f. This is from your workshop of 11/07 with a few minor changes as discussed. Please notify us of any further changes you might like by CoB 11/13 that we can have them prepared for your final action on 11/14. 5. h. We had six great submissions which I narrowed down to three for interviews by me, Adam L. and Bob S. After presentations and interviews we narrowed our interest to the firm of Milone and MacBroom at which time we opened the fee proposal. Thankfully, upon opening the fee proposal, we found that they were within budget (As we told you the fees ranged from $35k to $143k. I’m not sure why the others were so high - and we had no clue which fee was tied to which vendor as I had the AA open them, so we knew only the range – but I will tell you it was a concern for a bit. Fortunately, their fee proposal allows us some room for change orders to develop the information required by various grant agencies.
5. i. This is to rollover the current BANs on the School and PD together with an additional tranche of $9m for the school. At this time, it appears we will have our credit rating in time to take a portion of the BANs to permanent financing in February. The balance will go to Bond about12 to 18 months later. This will mean there will be a full payment on those Bonds in the FY 20 budget and we can phase the tax rate impact in over a couple of years.
5. j. This is for the Board to discuss what type of presentation it will be making and what it hopes to gain from the All Boards Meeting.
Weekly Report: We had a meeting/tel con with representatives of FEMA, MEMA and Rich Curtis our EMD concerning emergency funding we are eligible for relating to the March 13-15 storm. We have completed a draft damage inventory and have a 60-day window to finalize it. We can get 75% of cost items which are above $3k resulting in a potential reimbursement to us of $17.5k+/- at this time. We filmed another Talk of the Town, completed another evaluation and prepared adverts for the several open positions and contract opportunities as well as finalizing Draft contacts for Stone Bridge and hired equipment.
FROM: Carter Terenzini, Town Administrator
RE: Administrator’s Weekly Report
DATE: November 8, 2018
CC: All Departments
Important Notice to All Departments
Open Positions
On-Call Plow Operators - DPW
Driver/Operator/Laborer – DPW
Clerk – Treasurer/Collectors Office
Accepting Applications for Hired Equipment for Plow Operations
(Better tell dave smart Town is hiring big bad contractors)
5. b. This is required to determine if you will have a single or split tax rate. Once you make this decision, we can finalize our submission to DOR of the so-called recap sheet and set the tax rate.
5. f. This is from your workshop of 11/07 with a few minor changes as discussed. Please notify us of any further changes you might like by CoB 11/13 that we can have them prepared for your final action on 11/14. 5. h. We had six great submissions which I narrowed down to three for interviews by me, Adam L. and Bob S. After presentations and interviews we narrowed our interest to the firm of Milone and MacBroom at which time we opened the fee proposal. Thankfully, upon opening the fee proposal, we found that they were within budget (As we told you the fees ranged from $35k to $143k. I’m not sure why the others were so high - and we had no clue which fee was tied to which vendor as I had the AA open them, so we knew only the range – but I will tell you it was a concern for a bit. Fortunately, their fee proposal allows us some room for change orders to develop the information required by various grant agencies.
5. i. This is to rollover the current BANs on the School and PD together with an additional tranche of $9m for the school. At this time, it appears we will have our credit rating in time to take a portion of the BANs to permanent financing in February. The balance will go to Bond about12 to 18 months later. This will mean there will be a full payment on those Bonds in the FY 20 budget and we can phase the tax rate impact in over a couple of years.
5. j. This is for the Board to discuss what type of presentation it will be making and what it hopes to gain from the All Boards Meeting.
Weekly Report: We had a meeting/tel con with representatives of FEMA, MEMA and Rich Curtis our EMD concerning emergency funding we are eligible for relating to the March 13-15 storm. We have completed a draft damage inventory and have a 60-day window to finalize it. We can get 75% of cost items which are above $3k resulting in a potential reimbursement to us of $17.5k+/- at this time. We filmed another Talk of the Town, completed another evaluation and prepared adverts for the several open positions and contract opportunities as well as finalizing Draft contacts for Stone Bridge and hired equipment.
Interesting reading:
Today's Bible Lesson ...
In today ’s world with President Trump getting hit daily, I decided a little Bible Lesson might be appropriate.
Remember what Jesus said: 'Goats on the left, sheep on the right' (Matthew 25:33).
Jesus also told Peter that if he wanted to catch fish do it from the right side of the boat. He did and filled the boat with fish.
John 21:6 (NIV) ... He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish."
Origin of Left & Right… I have often wondered why it is that Conservatives are called the "right" and Liberals are called the "left".
By chance I stumbled upon this verse in the Bible: Ecclesiastes 10:2 (NIV) - "The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left. Thus, sayeth the Lord. Amen!
It surely can't get any simpler than that.
Spelling Lesson: The last four letters in American... I Can
The last four letters in Republican........ I Can
The last four letters in Democrats....... Rats
Monday, November 5, 2018
from the finance committee handbook - just so you know.
chapter 3, page 3.3
The format found in the law addresses itself to budgetary
basics. Almost all towns and cities in the Commonwealth go
well beyond this in their annual budget presentation package
(see Chapter 2). DOR has also ruled that only a town
meeting — not the finance committee or selectmen — may
determine the exact budget format to be used (see In Our
Opinion, 92-145). As a practical matter, town meeting
would have to vote to reject the present format and request a
new one for the following year.
following is a link so you can check for yourself.
chapter 3, page 3.3
The format found in the law addresses itself to budgetary
basics. Almost all towns and cities in the Commonwealth go
well beyond this in their annual budget presentation package
(see Chapter 2). DOR has also ruled that only a town
meeting — not the finance committee or selectmen — may
determine the exact budget format to be used (see In Our
Opinion, 92-145). As a practical matter, town meeting
would have to vote to reject the present format and request a
new one for the following year.
following is a link so you can check for yourself.
Sunday, November 4, 2018
On the Massachusetts division of local services, it shows Templeton receiving meals tax distribution of $4,384 in September, the next distribution at the end of the 2nd quarter in December. We better catch up quick!
from the voters guide for annual town meeting in May of 2018:
Summary:
The local option meals tax was created by the state in the fall of 2009. Since then a little over 60% of the state’s municipalities have adopted it. The local option tax adds 38 cents on a $50 meal. The DOR estimated Templeton would have receive almost $50,000 in revenues if it had adopted the local option meals tax for 2016. (We await the 2017 report). The state’s revenue estimates for this tax have proven to be very reliable over the years since they are based upon actual state receipts. The vendor pays the local sales tax imposed under this section to the Commissioner at the same time and in the same manner as the sales tax due to the Commonwealth. Shortly after the end of every quarter in the Fiscal Year, the state then sends Town its share of the collections. If adopted, the Board of Selectmen intend to use this as a funding source to meet the Town’s many needs with respect to replacing its rolling stock (i.e. cars, trucks, and the like).
ARTICLE 28 Authorize Lease of Capital Items – Police & DPW
Submitted by the Board of Selectmen
2/3 Vote Require
I move, contingent upon the adoption of the Local Option Meals Tax, so called, will vote to (a) raise and appropriate the sum of Forty Two Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($42,000.00) to pay for the first year of a three year lease for a fully equipped police cruiser and a one-ton pick-up with dump body, wing and plow with said lease not to exceed One Hundred and Twenty Six Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($126,000.00) in total, and have a so called escape clause for lack of appropriation in addition to provisions for an early pay-off, without penalty, and a One Dollar ($1.00) buy-out upon the conclusion of all regularly schedule lease payments and (b) appropriate the sum of Twelve Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($12,500.00) to write down the purchase price of said items such that they may be leased within the foregoing limits set in this article and to meet said appropriation by a transfer of said sum from certified free cash. Or take any other action related thereto.
Summary: This article seeks the necessary appropriations and authority to purchase a new police cruiser (replacing a 2011 which is expected to have 150,000 miles on it by the time of replacement and currently has numerous transmission, drive train, and electrical problems) and a fully outfitted one-ton pick-up for the DPW (replacing a 2001 vehicle we have had to recently take out of service due to the numerous repairs needed that would that far exceed its value). It solidifies the intent of the Selectmen to use the Local Option Meals Tax for exactly the purposes articulated above. If carried forward this will support one cruiser every three years. It will also support our intended complement of four one-ton pick-ups, each of which we hope to get twelve years of service from.
from the voters guide for annual town meeting in May of 2018:
Summary:
The local option meals tax was created by the state in the fall of 2009. Since then a little over 60% of the state’s municipalities have adopted it. The local option tax adds 38 cents on a $50 meal. The DOR estimated Templeton would have receive almost $50,000 in revenues if it had adopted the local option meals tax for 2016. (We await the 2017 report). The state’s revenue estimates for this tax have proven to be very reliable over the years since they are based upon actual state receipts. The vendor pays the local sales tax imposed under this section to the Commissioner at the same time and in the same manner as the sales tax due to the Commonwealth. Shortly after the end of every quarter in the Fiscal Year, the state then sends Town its share of the collections. If adopted, the Board of Selectmen intend to use this as a funding source to meet the Town’s many needs with respect to replacing its rolling stock (i.e. cars, trucks, and the like).
ARTICLE 28 Authorize Lease of Capital Items – Police & DPW
Submitted by the Board of Selectmen
2/3 Vote Require
I move, contingent upon the adoption of the Local Option Meals Tax, so called, will vote to (a) raise and appropriate the sum of Forty Two Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($42,000.00) to pay for the first year of a three year lease for a fully equipped police cruiser and a one-ton pick-up with dump body, wing and plow with said lease not to exceed One Hundred and Twenty Six Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($126,000.00) in total, and have a so called escape clause for lack of appropriation in addition to provisions for an early pay-off, without penalty, and a One Dollar ($1.00) buy-out upon the conclusion of all regularly schedule lease payments and (b) appropriate the sum of Twelve Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($12,500.00) to write down the purchase price of said items such that they may be leased within the foregoing limits set in this article and to meet said appropriation by a transfer of said sum from certified free cash. Or take any other action related thereto.
Summary: This article seeks the necessary appropriations and authority to purchase a new police cruiser (replacing a 2011 which is expected to have 150,000 miles on it by the time of replacement and currently has numerous transmission, drive train, and electrical problems) and a fully outfitted one-ton pick-up for the DPW (replacing a 2001 vehicle we have had to recently take out of service due to the numerous repairs needed that would that far exceed its value). It solidifies the intent of the Selectmen to use the Local Option Meals Tax for exactly the purposes articulated above. If carried forward this will support one cruiser every three years. It will also support our intended complement of four one-ton pick-ups, each of which we hope to get twelve years of service from.
Still think the selectmen are working for you:
Read the agenda for the next sewer commissioners meeting
Sewer Commissioners are elected by you to over see the operation including funding of the Templeton sewer department.
Operation expenses, including pay raises voted on by you, the voter/taxpayer and still it seems the selectmen are ignoring your vote! Time to let the selectmen know how you feel about this.
Read the agenda for the next sewer commissioners meeting
Sewer Commissioners are elected by you to over see the operation including funding of the Templeton sewer department.
Operation expenses, including pay raises voted on by you, the voter/taxpayer and still it seems the selectmen are ignoring your vote! Time to let the selectmen know how you feel about this.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING BOARD OF SEWER COMMISSIONERS 33 RESERVOIR STREET BALDWINVILLE, MA 01436 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2018 4:30 P.M. CALL TO ORDER PLEDGE REVIEW AND SIGN MEETING MINUTES REVIEW AND SIGN VENDOR WARRANTS NEW BUSINESS: 1. Board of Selectmen and Town Administrator withholding all Sewer Department Non-Union Employee raises. These raises were budgeted, approved by the Board of Sewer Commission and Voter approved at Annual Town Meeting. 2. Admin. Asst. Correct Pay Rate still being withheld by Town Administrator and Board of Selectmen. 3. Joe F./Town of Royalston Sludge 4. Capital Planning Update OLD BUSINESS: 1. Sundstrom Abatement SECRETARY REPORT: 1. Budget to Actuals 2. Marie M. Abatement SUPERINTENDENT REPORT: 1. Pleasant Street Update – USDA Closing 2. Flusher Truck repair bid solicitation advertised 3. Draft Sewer Lien list 4. Plant Road Roof 5. Engineer Contract Amendment SUBJECT TO CHANGE POSSIBLE EXECUTIVE SESSION |
Yesterday, while attending the meeting of association of town finance committees at Devens, I sat in on finance committees and social media.
Most of the subject was how one town uses electronic communication to get the word out, with regards to town business. Eventually, the subject of open meeting law and social media came up. I was listening intently; the subject I wanted came up, members of a committee posted and commented on something, eventually, a majority or quorum was involved in comment. Someone filed open meeting law complaint. The results were interesting, the Massachusetts office of open government found basis for the complaint, seems the post and following comment was not aimed at just members of the committee, rather it was out there for all to see, read and comment on. Pretty much for the whole connected world to see, read and comment on. In the case of Templeton Advisory Committee members, a Templeton selectmen commented on things, more than once. He even went so far as to file a complaint at a selectmen meeting. There were eventually multiple complaints filed, which were answered by the committee. In the end, other than negative newspaper coverage, nothing happened and nothing else resulted. The answer is, as in the example given at yesterday's workshop, was the post and following comments were out for everyone to see, read and comment on. If it had been a group face book post for instance, available to only committee members, it would have been a different story.
Again, past and present members of the Templeton Advisory Committee are vindicated, they did nothing wrong and DID NOT VIOLATE the Open Meeting Law!
As for the committee, five of the seven current members attended the conference, on a Saturday, which began at 8:15 in the morning and ended around 2:30 in the afternoon.
Most of the subject was how one town uses electronic communication to get the word out, with regards to town business. Eventually, the subject of open meeting law and social media came up. I was listening intently; the subject I wanted came up, members of a committee posted and commented on something, eventually, a majority or quorum was involved in comment. Someone filed open meeting law complaint. The results were interesting, the Massachusetts office of open government found basis for the complaint, seems the post and following comment was not aimed at just members of the committee, rather it was out there for all to see, read and comment on. Pretty much for the whole connected world to see, read and comment on. In the case of Templeton Advisory Committee members, a Templeton selectmen commented on things, more than once. He even went so far as to file a complaint at a selectmen meeting. There were eventually multiple complaints filed, which were answered by the committee. In the end, other than negative newspaper coverage, nothing happened and nothing else resulted. The answer is, as in the example given at yesterday's workshop, was the post and following comments were out for everyone to see, read and comment on. If it had been a group face book post for instance, available to only committee members, it would have been a different story.
Again, past and present members of the Templeton Advisory Committee are vindicated, they did nothing wrong and DID NOT VIOLATE the Open Meeting Law!
As for the committee, five of the seven current members attended the conference, on a Saturday, which began at 8:15 in the morning and ended around 2:30 in the afternoon.
Friday, November 2, 2018
TO: Board of Selectmen
FROM: Carter Terenzini, Town Administrator
RE: Administrator’s Weekly Report
DATE: November 1, 2018
CC: All Departments
Public Works
Highway Department: In regard to Red Lined vehicles, the following is the final assessment; H35 (2001 F350) is permanently out of service and will be replaced with the new F550 currently on order and due to be delivered in February/March time frame. M11 (1975 Catch basins cleaner) is permanently out of service, one option is to replace it with a used catch basin cleaner, replacing the catch basin cleaner would allow the DPW to clean the basins rather than spend thousands on an outside source. H10 (2003 Ford F150), was a surpluses vehicle that is rusted beyond repair, we will replace it when another vehicle is available from surplus. H3 (1997 Volvo L70C loader), will be permanently out of service, and has previously been replaced. The first 2 classes have been scheduled for the new director in Baystate roads Scholar program. Reviewing requirements for getting the new director certified as a “Playground Safety Inspector” as well. Since the introduction of the DPW “TO DO” log many issues have been recorded and addressed. There are some still pending that will be addressed as time and supplies allow. The Generator that provides power to the DPW in the case of an emergency was worked on and is ready for the winter storm season. The north east winds over the weekend caused many downed branches. Several locations were addressed, and dead trees and limbs cut and removed. The driveway permit is being rewritten to include more details on the apron and safety features. When the driveway permit is approved it will be put into immediate use. CD5 the buildings and grounds truck had a new emergency brake cable added. 237, one of the SUV police cruisers was looked at for a headlight issue as well as the heater not working when the car is idle. The ACO truck came in for an oil change and general inspection. The project on Hubbardston road has been completed, as well as Pail Factory road. A Swale was made near the driveway to the paper mill to reduce the amount of water flowing thru the parking lot during heaving storms. Potholes were filled on Old North Road, Barre Road and Highland Ave.
Let's think about this a while; roads are in bad shape and there have been several roads with washed out areas that needed repair. Considering all the talk about the old worn out equipment that the highway department has or had, would it make sense to go buy another used piece, or new, for that matter, to do a job that is being done by a contractor for about $13,000.00 per year. If the highway department does this job, the truck has to be maintained, use fuel and ties up a highway department employee, which means there is one less individual to work on road repair.
There probably should be a costing analysis of this and other situations to determine the best way to spend taxpayer dollars. For instance, take the mowing of all the grass on town owned land, what is the possible cost of contracting it out versus the cost of the town doing it: cost of trucks, maintaining trucks including fuel, cost of mowers and trailers along with fuel for mowers, cost of labor, both full time and part-time/temporary/seasonal (to include any effect on the town's unemployment rate costs, if any) I believe if you check, the additional costs beyond salary, for each benefited town employee, is around $20,000.00 per. Upfront costs may appear higher, but the long term picture must be looked at, such as the ever increasing retirement and health insurance costs, as in OPEB expenses. The more town employees you have, the higher those costs become, contractors on the other hand, have no such effect. Also consider, if a town employee has an accident, with any town equipment, the town is on the hook. With a contractor, they are on the hook. This is a business decision and approach.
Take ambulance service provided by the town, you, the taxpayer just had an increase in your taxes, by way of a tax override (permanent increase in your taxes) to pay for that, where as a private ambulance service would have paid a fee to the town for the privilege of providing that service for the town residents. That is the choice you made and unless the approach changes, expect taxes to go up and up. Can you say tax override for the school district next year? It is a real possibility that must be considered as we approach the next budget season. The cost to the taxpayer for the new school will come home to roost soon enough.
FROM: Carter Terenzini, Town Administrator
RE: Administrator’s Weekly Report
DATE: November 1, 2018
CC: All Departments
Public Works
Highway Department: In regard to Red Lined vehicles, the following is the final assessment; H35 (2001 F350) is permanently out of service and will be replaced with the new F550 currently on order and due to be delivered in February/March time frame. M11 (1975 Catch basins cleaner) is permanently out of service, one option is to replace it with a used catch basin cleaner, replacing the catch basin cleaner would allow the DPW to clean the basins rather than spend thousands on an outside source. H10 (2003 Ford F150), was a surpluses vehicle that is rusted beyond repair, we will replace it when another vehicle is available from surplus. H3 (1997 Volvo L70C loader), will be permanently out of service, and has previously been replaced. The first 2 classes have been scheduled for the new director in Baystate roads Scholar program. Reviewing requirements for getting the new director certified as a “Playground Safety Inspector” as well. Since the introduction of the DPW “TO DO” log many issues have been recorded and addressed. There are some still pending that will be addressed as time and supplies allow. The Generator that provides power to the DPW in the case of an emergency was worked on and is ready for the winter storm season. The north east winds over the weekend caused many downed branches. Several locations were addressed, and dead trees and limbs cut and removed. The driveway permit is being rewritten to include more details on the apron and safety features. When the driveway permit is approved it will be put into immediate use. CD5 the buildings and grounds truck had a new emergency brake cable added. 237, one of the SUV police cruisers was looked at for a headlight issue as well as the heater not working when the car is idle. The ACO truck came in for an oil change and general inspection. The project on Hubbardston road has been completed, as well as Pail Factory road. A Swale was made near the driveway to the paper mill to reduce the amount of water flowing thru the parking lot during heaving storms. Potholes were filled on Old North Road, Barre Road and Highland Ave.
Let's think about this a while; roads are in bad shape and there have been several roads with washed out areas that needed repair. Considering all the talk about the old worn out equipment that the highway department has or had, would it make sense to go buy another used piece, or new, for that matter, to do a job that is being done by a contractor for about $13,000.00 per year. If the highway department does this job, the truck has to be maintained, use fuel and ties up a highway department employee, which means there is one less individual to work on road repair.
There probably should be a costing analysis of this and other situations to determine the best way to spend taxpayer dollars. For instance, take the mowing of all the grass on town owned land, what is the possible cost of contracting it out versus the cost of the town doing it: cost of trucks, maintaining trucks including fuel, cost of mowers and trailers along with fuel for mowers, cost of labor, both full time and part-time/temporary/seasonal (to include any effect on the town's unemployment rate costs, if any) I believe if you check, the additional costs beyond salary, for each benefited town employee, is around $20,000.00 per. Upfront costs may appear higher, but the long term picture must be looked at, such as the ever increasing retirement and health insurance costs, as in OPEB expenses. The more town employees you have, the higher those costs become, contractors on the other hand, have no such effect. Also consider, if a town employee has an accident, with any town equipment, the town is on the hook. With a contractor, they are on the hook. This is a business decision and approach.
Take ambulance service provided by the town, you, the taxpayer just had an increase in your taxes, by way of a tax override (permanent increase in your taxes) to pay for that, where as a private ambulance service would have paid a fee to the town for the privilege of providing that service for the town residents. That is the choice you made and unless the approach changes, expect taxes to go up and up. Can you say tax override for the school district next year? It is a real possibility that must be considered as we approach the next budget season. The cost to the taxpayer for the new school will come home to roost soon enough.
6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
at Templeton Town Hall, 160 Patriots Road, E. Templeton MA 01438
The major items to be discussed are what type of zoning would best benefit the town with regard to areas located on Baldwinville and Patriots Road; the Commission will also hear any other proposed changes to zoning in Templeton.
If you are unable to attend but wish to submit comments or questions, please do so such that they are received by the close of business on the day of the meeting, to:
Laurie Wiita, Director, at P O Box 620, E Templeton MA 01438 or by email at health@templeton1.org.
Posted this 30th day of October, 2018 Laurie A. Wiita, Director Development Services
Posted: Gardner News 10/30/2018
Town Web
Town Bulletin Boards
at Templeton Town Hall, 160 Patriots Road, E. Templeton MA 01438
The major items to be discussed are what type of zoning would best benefit the town with regard to areas located on Baldwinville and Patriots Road; the Commission will also hear any other proposed changes to zoning in Templeton.
If you are unable to attend but wish to submit comments or questions, please do so such that they are received by the close of business on the day of the meeting, to:
Laurie Wiita, Director, at P O Box 620, E Templeton MA 01438 or by email at health@templeton1.org.
Posted this 30th day of October, 2018 Laurie A. Wiita, Director Development Services
Posted: Gardner News 10/30/2018
Town Web
Town Bulletin Boards
Town Meeting Times, which if one reads the Templeton Town By-Laws, is the guide or procedure book for Town Meetings. Page 54, the reading of the articles: this speaks to the point that some towns have adopted the practice of omitting the reading of articles, either with the consent of the meeting or by tradition. Town Meeting times states if the reading of the articles is to be omitted, the warrant should be printed and in the hands of or available to every voter. A voters guide is not the warrant. It is going to take the will of Town Meeting to get things back on track so everyone has enough information in hand so as to make an informed decision.
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