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.