Using some information from the MSBA website:

Templeton Elementary School

Total project budget . . . . . . . . . . . .$45,058,033.00

Reimbursement rate . . . . .63.11%

MSBA paid to date . . . . . . . . . . . . $17,368,720.00

MSBA estimated remaining
payment (s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $  5,392,059.00



$17,368,720.00 + $5,392,059.00 = $22,760,779.00

$45,058,033.00 / 2 = $22,529,016.50

50% of total project budget MSBA reimbursement (approximate)

So much for the advertised 63.11% - which can probably be attributed to 63.11% is only applicable to eligible costs rather than the total project cost. So, if MSBA wants to take money back, you have a dollar figure to use as a starting point. Keep in mind, 47 million was the figure town meeting authorized to borrow.

Just so it is clear: there are over 5,000 registered voters in Templeton, of those, records show 1160 voters took time to vote on override and of those, 320 voted for the override and 827 voters said no to the override. So about one fifth of voters thought it important enough to show up to vote. Translation - 1/5th told the other 4/5ths what to do and apparently that is okay. If you wish something to happen, show up and if you do not wish it to happen, show up!

Costs as shown in FY2020 Spending plan:

Page 58A increase in Town Accountant / personnel

After Hubbardston agreement -          $127,470.00
Before Hubbardston agreement -        $  90,000.00

On face value, it appears increase of   $ 37,470.00

Increase
Town Accountant salary -                     $  7,500.00

Increase
 switch from part time to full-time -      $49,780.00

Now benefits - approximately -             $25,000.00

Net Increase -                                         $61,934.00

part-time was $20,346.00 / no benefits

So, first year of accounting agreement with Hubbardston equates to a payment from Hubbardston to Templeton for $37,000.00 and Templeton taxpayers are on hook for additional $61,934.00 to cover this agreement. In the end, it seems this agreement benefits Hubbardston far more than Templeton, again!

Increase to Templeton . . . . . . . . . $61,934.00
Decrease to Templeton . . . . . . . .  $37,000.00
Net increase to Templeton . . . . . . $24,934.00

Looking at the straight math, how does this benefit Templeton now and in the long run?

Was this part of a five year plan that was done in three years? Perhaps should have taken more time looking at plan?

INTERMUNICIPAL AGREEMENT

FOR THE PROVISION OF

ACCOUNTING SERVICES

THIS AGREEMENT is entered into by the Town of Templeton, MA, a corporate body
politic, acting by and through its Board of Selectmen (the "Provider") and the Town of
Hubbardston, MA, a corporate body politic, acting by and through its Board of Selectmen (the
"End User"), which execute this agreement as follows:
WHEREAS, the End User is in need of professional, administrative, supervisory and
technical accounting services ensuring the proper recording and maintenance of financial records,
approving all financial payments, controlling expenditures of all town funds and auditing financial
records and transactions; and
WHEREAS, the Provider has the proven capability and experience to be able to provide
such services; and
WHEREAS, the Provider and the End User are authorized to undertake this Agreement
pursuant M.G.L. C. 40, §§4A and 4D.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Provider and End User, in consideration of the covenants and
mutual premises contained herein, hereby agree as follows:

1. TERM
This Agreement shall take effect on July 1, 2019 and continue in effect for a period of three years
unless extended or otherwise terminated as provided for herein.

2. SCOPE OF SERVICES
The Provider shall, on behalf of the End User, be present at the Hubbardston Town Offices an
average of ten (10) hours per week. The End User shall be otherwise available by email or
phone during all business hours to address problems or concerns of town staff. Normal and
ordinary inquires will be responded to within four business hours. More extensive research
will be completed within one week unless the requestor is advised that more time is needed. In
addition, the Provider shall attend the Annual and Special Town meetings as requested by the
Town Administrator. The Provider shall provide an onsite presence during the annual
municipal audit to accommodate the Town’s auditing firm.
Develops and oversees the implementation of the Town’s accounting system and procedures.

Examines, approves or disallows all town departments’ payroll and vendor payable
expenditures; oversees maintenance of all revolving funds and grants received, ensuring that
expenditures adhere to fund criteria.
Maintains a General Ledger and journal for the recording of all transactions; balances and
closes the Town’s books; maintains custody of all Town contracts; prepares and records
encumbrances into the next fiscal year; conducts internal audits of Treasurer’s cash and bank
accounts, and Collector’s detailed list of outstanding receivables.
Reconciles cash accounts with Treasurer; records monthly receivable commitments,
abatement's, and exemptions; maintains and reconciles receivables accounts with Treasurer,
Collector and Assessor.
Provides timely and accurate financial information and ensures the integrity of the financial
data by instituting proper internal controls; verifies that no claim or payable against the Town
is fraudulent, unlawful or excessive as prescribed by Massachusetts General Laws.
Prepares monthly reports to track all financial activity within the town’s funds. Oversees the
preparation of the monthly journal entries including receivable entries and reconciles these
receivables.
Processes warrants for payroll and accounts payable.
Develops and prepares year-end financial reports which include the balance sheet and revenue
and expense statements for the Department of Revenue for free cash certification. Also
prepares and submits annually the Schedule A report to the Department of Revenue detailing
all town financial activity for the fiscal year.
Assists the Town Administrator in the development of the budget by providing a working
template and providing limited proofreading for the accuracy of math and inclusion of major
cost items.
Oversees proper maintenance of inventory and fixed assets lists for compliance with GASB
regulations by amending a working list, from information supplied to them by others, to add
new capitalized items, delete capital items in surplus or otherwise disposed of and adjusting
the depreciation schedules thereof.
Works in conjunction with the Town contract Auditor, providing relevant documents and
information for the annual audit.
Creates and maintains new accounts and account lines for all Town departments for proper
financial reporting.
Performs similar or related work as required, directed or as situation dictates.

Attends an average of 85% or greater of staff meetings, to the extent they are held on days on
which the Provider is otherwise scheduled to be in the Community, and additional Board of
Selectmen meetings as reasonably required by the Town Administrator.

3. LIABILITY FOR COSTS
The Provider shall have complete and sole liability for the hiring, discipline, and management of
all personnel and supportive services, provided however that the point scoring used to consider
applications for employment shall have a bonus feature for community residents of any End User,
and the payment of all costs associated with the provision of services provided under this
agreement. Nothing contained herein shall create any employer-employee relationship between
the End User and the Provider. The End User shall have liability only for the timely payment of
all assessments rendered to it in accordance with this agreement.

4. RECORDS AND REPORTS
a. Ongoing Record Maintenance: The Provider shall ensure the creation and maintenance of
complete records as identified in the services rendered section of this agreement and in accordance
with all applicable local, state and federal laws.
b. Monthly Activity Reports: The Provider shall respond in a timely manner to the End User’s
reasonable request for a monthly summary of activities performed by the department.
c. Town Financial Reports: The Provider shall respond in a timely manner to the End User’s
reasonable request for monthly and quarterly financial reports as required by the End User’s Board
of Selectmen and Finance Committee.

5. APPORTIONMENT AND ASSESSMENT OF COSTS
The End User shall pay to the Provider per fiscal year as follows:

FY20 - $37,000

FY21 - $42,000

FY22 - $43,000

This is contingent on the End User’s receipt in FY20 of $30,000 in funds to offset the cost of
software conversions necessary to service both Town departments. It is further contingent upon
appropriation by Hubbardston and Templeton Town Meetings at their annual town meetings of
the necessary appropriations to fund the provision of and purchase of the services specified herein.

6. EXTENSION OR TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT
The Parties may terminate this Agreement at any time upon no less than six months of notice
preceding the commencement of a fiscal year (i.e., by December 30, 2020 to provide notice to
terminate the provision of services effective July 1, 2021) provided however that the End User
may request the Provider to provide services on an hourly per-diem basis for two additional months
to prepare year end closing reports and documentation for the annual audit.
Notwithstanding notice of termination, the parties shall remain bound to and liable for all
responsibilities set forth herein until the effective date of such termination (i.e., July 1st) provided,
however, that the Provider shall provide to the End User all reports as set forth above.

7. AMENDMENT OF AGREEMENT
This Agreement may be amended at any time by the parties, in writing, in the same manner as it
was entered into.

8. NOTICES
Any notice required to herein shall be given in hand or by first class mail:

Board of Selectmen
160 Patriots Road – Box 620
Templeton, MA 01438
OR
Board of Selectmen
7 Main Street
Hubbardston, MA 01452

Or at such other address to be established by the parties and to be considered delivered upon the
third day after mailing.

9. SEVERABILITY
If any term or condition of this Agreement or any application thereof shall to any extent be held
invalid, illegal or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the validity, legality, and
enforce-ability of the remaining terms and conditions of this Agreement shall not be deemed
affected thereby unless one or more parties would be substantially or materially prejudiced.

10. GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement shall be governed by, construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the parties hereto submit to the jurisdiction of any of its
appropriate courts for the adjudication of disputes arising out of this Agreement.

11. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This Agreement constitutes the entire integrated agreement between the parties with respect to the
matters described and supersedes all prior agreements, negotiations and representations, either
written or oral.

Town of Templeton
 Employment Opportunity
 Full & Part-Time Police Officers

Full-Time Police Officers: This is to establish a list of potential appointees for the remainder of calendar 2019. Successful candidates for this law enforcement position will be at least 21 years of age, a United States citizen, high school graduate or equivalent, and have a current driver’s license. Advanced education in criminal justice or a related field or law enforcement experience are desirable attributes. Those with a current MA Police certification, or are capable of obtaining the same under reciprocity consideration by Massachusetts of similar certifications from other states, will receive priority consideration.

Part-Time Police Officer: Successful candidates should hold, or be able to obtain, a certificate(s) in CPR/Basic First Aid, Firearms Class “A” License, Reserve Intermittent Police Officer certification, a valid Driver’s License, and a High school diploma or GED. Preference will be given to candidates with an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice or a related field and who currently hold required certifications. These positions will be filled as suitable applicants apply. 

Submit application letter, resume, and standard Town application form available at www.templeton1.org (click on Paid, Volunteer and Contract Opportunities) or Town Hall to Carter Terenzini, Town Administrator, 160 Patriots Rd, PO Box 620, East Templeton, MA 01438. The Town of Templeton is an EOE.

Posted: Town Bulletin Boards (7) Town Hall 2, Light & Water, Police, Fire, Library, Public Works, Council on Aging, Sewer

Mailed: Town Hall Mailing List
Advertised: The Gardner News 06/19/19
Web: Templeton1.org, JobQuest

from the newspaper:

PHILLIPSTON — The future of Phillipston Memorial Elementary School may be very different from the past, filled with the youngest students, including those bused from Templeton, while Phillipston elementary students are bused to Templeton.

And many people in Phillipston are concerned.

“Selectmen are trying to look at what their options are,” Phillipston Chief Administrative Officer Kevin Flynn said.

A planned consolidation of elementary schools in Phillipston and Templeton could impact children from pre-kindergarten to grade 5. Elementary students in grades 1 to 5 would attend a new Templeton school under construction while pre-k and kindergarten students from both communities would attend school in the Phillipston building.

The plan is being implemented by the School Committee after Phillipston passed a tax override to give additional funds to the schools but Templeton taxpayers failed to approve the increase in that town’s election.

Phillipston parents are planning to turn out to fill the meeting room Wednesday night when Phillipston selectmen meet at 7 pm in the public safety complex at 90 State Road. On the agenda is a budget update from Superintendent of Schools Chris Casavant.

Selectmen Chairman Kim Pratt asked the superintendent to come in to talk about the budget, Flynn said.

He said the town council has been asked what choices are available.

School committees have certain authority over schools under state law, limiting the ability of other committees to take action, especially under a regional school organization.

Complicating the discussion, some documents are missing.

“No one has a copy of the leases for the schools,” Flynn said. In 1974, a 20-year lease was supposed to be approved, which would then normally be renewed every couple decades. But the superintendent can’t find them, he said.

The townspeople’s opinions, however, can be easily found, in surveys and social media postings.

Flynn said a community survey was done through the community newsletter that goes to 675 households, with over 100 responding.

“There was quite a lot of concern about closing the school,” Flynn said of the results.

“There has been a public school in Phillipston since before there was a Phillipston, when it was a part of Templeton,” Flynn noted.

Among parents objecting to the move, Richard Degan has been vocal.

With Templeton building a new school, as well as a police station, taxes in that community may have driven voters to turn down the override, Degan said.

But Phillipston residents are not keen on the solution presented by the school administration: busing students between the two towns in order to reorganize the schools and cut staff.

He said plans would increase class size substantially and result in long bus rides for young children, both concerns driving parents to seek options.

“We have a real issue with that,” Degan said. “The school committee said the schools wouldn’t be closed,” adding that technically keeping the Phillipston school open for pre-K and kindergarten was not meeting that promise.

Degan said residents are exploring legal actions as well as pressuring community leaders to take action.

“The community is outraged,” Degan said of the drive that has parents especially energized to fight the decision.

Among ideas being floated is one to break up the region, with Phillipston pulling out, at least at the elementary school. It could form a separate school district for the elementary school while remaining in the regional high school, a model used by some other districts. Another option would be to join with another town in a regional school.

And residents are not happy with their school committee representatives, prompting discussion of a recall.

Degan said the preliminary 85 signature threshold has already been reached for a recall election. Next would be a second signature-gathering effort to meet a higher standard and bring it to an election vote.

He said there are people who are ready to step in and run for the seats to give a new voice for the town’s three votes on the board. Templeton controls the school committee with five seats on the eight-member board, but Degan said the vote to proceed with the consolidation was supported by the Phillipston members as well.

“We need to prevent this,” Degan said, even if it requires legal action such as an injunction. “Once it’s stopped, we can discuss how we’re going to proceed.”

What figures from DESE show:

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education show Narragansett Regional School District, as of June 2019 was at 108.6 % of Net School Spending for FY 2018.

According to DESE, that is the latest financial data they have.

What is Net School Spending?

I. Three Components A.
A foundation budget calculated for the district representing minimum spending needed. Adjusted annually to reflect changes in enrollment, demographics, inflation, and geographical wage differences.
B. A local contribution or local appropriations required to meet net school spending.
C. Chapter 70 Aid is the share of the foundation budget funded by the state.

II. The Foundation Formula
A. Required Net School Spending = Local Contribution + Chapter 70 Aid.
B. Required Net School Spending = Foundation Budget.

 III. The Concepts
A. Foundation Enrollment – the number of students a district is responsible for educating financially as of October 1 each year.
B. Foundation Budget – increases or decreases based upon the foundation enrollment and the inflation factor used by the state.
C. Local Contribution is calculated by increasing the previous year’s contribution by the Municipal Revenue Growth factor and adjusting this number based upon municipality's' ability to pay, the latter based on the state’s aggregate wealth model.
D. Municipal Revenue Growth Factor is Towns' percentage increase in local revenues from one year to the next as calculated by the Department of Revenue.
E. The Aggregate Wealth Model looks at both personal income wealth statistics and property wealth statistics in a Town.

from June 13, 2019:

A group of parents and education advocates filed a lawsuit in state court Thursday over what they're calling inadequate school funding. The plaintiffs argue the current school funding system, which is more than 25 years old, isn't keeping up with their students' needs and is creating a system of "separate but unequal schools."

The plaintiffs include students and parents from Chelsea, Chicopee, Fall River, Haverhill, Lowell, Orange and Springfield — all diverse municipalities with above-average proportions of low-income families — as well as the NAACP's New England Area Conference and the nonprofit Chelsea Collaborative.

from Board of Selectmen Meeting May 8, 2019

Inter-municipal agreement between Templeton and Hubbardston, MA
Accounting services - provider = Templeton & end user = Hubbardston.

APPORTIONMENT AND ASSESSMENT OF COSTS
The End User shall pay to the Provider per fiscal year as follows:

FY20 - $37,000
FY21 - $42,000
FY22 - $43,000

This is contingent on the End User’s receipt in FY20 of $30,000 in funds to offset the cost of
software conversions necessary to service both Town departments. It is further contingent upon
appropriation by Hubbardston and Templeton Town Meetings at their annual town meetings of
the necessary appropriations to fund the provision of and purchase of the services specified herein.

So, lets do a breakdown of this:

Beginning July 1, 2019, Hubbardston pays Templeton $37,000.00 for Templeton Town Accountant to work on Hubbardstons' books.

What this costs Templeton:

Templeton Town Accountant receives a $7,500.00 raise to do the extra work.

Part time person in accountant office goes full time at $49,780.00 + benefits.
(part time person was at $20,346.00 / $18,903 + floating pay at $1,443.00)
Benefits cost approximately an extra $25,000.00 (conservative)

$49,780.00 - $20,346.00 = $29,434.00.

So, 4th grade math equals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $  7,500.00   (accountant raise)
part time to full time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $29,434.00   (part time person raise)
now full time benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25,000.00

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$61,934.00
subtract Hubbardston payment . . . . . . . . . . . . $37,000.00

Templeton in the hole for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$24,934.00

Assuming the steady increase in health insurance benefit, yearly cost of living increases, merit raises and increases in retirement costs, it can be assumed Templeton will continue to come out on short end of this stick.

You may watch the selectmen meeting of May 8, 2019 to see this happen.

Massachusetts Municipal Auditors' & Accountants' Association Inc.

The Association offers a certification program of Certified Governmental Accountant

MMAAA

2019 Newly Certified Members - (as of June 3, 2019 - 1:32 P.M.)

Name                                          Title                                               Community
Chuckran, Heidi                         Town Accountant                          Mattapoisett
Curley, Stephen                          Deputy Comptroller                      Newton
Fernandes, Melissa                    District Accountant                       Groton-Dunstable Reg Sch Dist
Lin, Jie (Jenny)                           Town Accountant                          Princeton
Lindmark, Todd                           Finance Director                           Norfolk
Mainville, Andrea                        Town Accountant                          Manchester by the Sea
McCarthy, Christine                    Town Accountant                           Marshfield
Mullane, Jared Asst                    Town Accountant                            Andover
Nunley-Benjamin, Aleesha          Finance Director/Auditor               Medford
Osborn, Anna                              Town Accountant                           Williamstown
Piatt, Donald                                Finance Director/Town Acct          Cohassett
Potter, Deborah                           Town Accountant                           Oak Bluffs
Rogers, Ninotchka                      Town Accountant                            Bolton
Rose, Sally                                  Accounting Specialist                     Wellesley
Ruseva, Mariya                           Administrative Asst                        Yarmouth
Wood, Sarah                               Town Accountant/CFO                   Middleton

Residents want roads fixed but do not wish to pay for it?
Recent moves by Hubbardston Town voters seem to back that up.

HUBBARDSTON — Voters turned out but were not supportive of a plan to tackle road repairs through an override that required election approval.

A ballot question seeking a tax increase of up to $350,000 to fund the municipal road repair and maintenance fund, created at the June 3 Town Meeting, failed, with 190 voters in favor and 219 against.

The override article won approval by required two-thirds at Town Meeting, but it also required a majority votes in support of the tax measure at the election in order for the plan to move forward.

Templeton, MA:

People may feel that the gas and diesel tax paid at the pump is where the money comes from or should come from for road repair / rebuilding. While it is true some monies do come to towns from that program, it is not enough, for several reasons.

First and foremost, state legislature and governor do not put forward enough money in the chapter 90 program for it to really work. (200 million shared by all cities and towns in state) Secondly, and I am not sure if this has been tracked at any level, with the advent of electric cars, hybrids, better gas mileage, push for mass transit, what are the annual gas tax collection rates over the years? We, as residents, may be waiting a long time for that to happen. In the mean time, the way our roads will become passable and in decent shape, which affects many things, to include how much is spent on clearing roads in the winter, damage to personal vehicles, danger to kids riding bikes, walking on roads without sidewalks and even people moving to our town.

There is one option available; it involves creating a stabilization fund strictly for roads, requires two thirds vote of town meeting, then a funding mechanism, one being a tax override which only goes to provide money for that fund. If the fund is emptied or the roads are fixed, the override goes away. Something to be looked at and considered. All people are tired of crappy roads. Money could also come from left over tax money, ie: free cash. You, the tax payer control that; if you wish it to go to a certain thing, say so, and you can choose to vote no if free cash is presented to be spent on other things, that is your real power, power of the purse. Taxpayers have to decide what they want. In the near future, no one else is gonna make this happen except you

Residents want roads fixed but do not wish to pay for it?

HUBBARDSTON — Voters turned out but were not supportive of a plan to tackle road repairs through an override that required election approval.

A ballot question seeking a tax increase of up to $350,000 to fund the municipal road repair and maintenance fund, created at the June 3 Town Meeting, failed, with 190 voters in favor and 219 against.

The override article won approval by required two-thirds at Town Meeting, but it also required a majority votes in support of the tax measure at the election in order for the plan to move forward.

Voters also filled many town board seats, but several are still open after no one ran.

With 418 voters casting ballots during the June 11 election, the decisions were made by 12.6 percent of the 3,327 registered voters in town, according to Town Clerk Joyce Green.

Voters returned incumbent members to the Board of Selectmen, with Daniel Galante winning 278 votes and Kris Pareago tallying 259.

In a race for an open Planning Board seat for five years, Francois Steiger out-polled Thomas Robinson 242 to 151.

Incumbent Alice Livdahl won a one-year seat on the Planning Board with 327 votes.

Two positions were on the ballot for three-year terms on the Board of Health, with incumbent Catherine Hansgate winning one with 331 votes; the second seat remains unfilled.

A Board of Health seat for two years garnered four write-in votes, with a winner pending acceptance.

Quabbin School Committee incumbent Mark Wigler was returned to the committee with 329 votes.

John Prentiss was returned to the Board of Assessors, with 333 votes; Moderator Rene Lafayette won re-election with 342 votes.

Two three-year seats on the Finance Committee were filled by incumbents Joshua Lerner, 288, and Susan Rayne, 296.

A two-year seat on the Finance Committee was filled by incumbent David Conaghan, 315 votes, while a one-year term was won by incumbent Charles Reed with 312 votes.

Paul Sweeney garnered 329 votes in being returned to the Cemetery Commission.

Incumbents Johanna Henning and Morgan Brinker were re-elected as Trustees of the Public Library with votes of 299 and 270, respectively.

Incumbent Parks Commissioners Jason Guertin, 311 votes, and Brian Matheson, 291 votes, were re-elected.

Seats on the Housing Authority were hard to fill, with a write-in for a one-year term potentially filled, but no one elected to fill two-year, three-year and four-year terms.

Positions still open could be filled by the Board of Selectmen in joint meetings with the committee to which the appointment is to be made. The person elected would then have to run for election next year to retain the seat for the remainder of the full term.

More Taxes on the Way??

STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, JUNE 7, 2019.....Taxes and benefits are front of mind over the next week. Lawmakers on Wednesday plan to take a critical vote to advance a constitutional amendment designed to raise $2 billion in new taxes from the state's wealthiest residents. The expected vote during a Constitutional Convention coincides with an effort to delay for three months the state's new paid family and medical leave program, which entails about $1 billion in new taxes and benefits. Business and labor groups, in a rare alliance, urged Beacon Hill on May 20 to pass a delay bill, which they say will facilitate a smoother rollout. Their request has received serious consideration but Gov. Charlie Baker and Democratic legislative leaders have so far been unable to agree on what to do, although Baker hoped for a final decision this week due to the logistics involved with implementing a law that affects so many workers and employers.

Baker has gone along with the leave program's new payroll tax and also hopes his proposed taxes on vaping products and opioid manufacturers will be adopted by the conference committee that formally began work this week on a state budget that's due by July 1. But Baker remains the only one among those deciding the fate of the income surtax or millionaires tax who has not staked out a position on the important matter. Two days before the joint meeting of the House and Senate, Baker is scheduled to speak Monday at the annual meeting of the Massachusetts High Technology Council, which is leading the charge against the proposed tax and would surely like to see Baker join the many other elected Republicans in their corner. An amendment to the measure filed by Rep. Alice Peisch would permit the legislature to establish a progressive income tax structure under which tax rates would increase along with income.

While Baker has supported tax increases, he's also portrayed himself as someone who wants to hold the line against tax hikes and who believes the state should be able to get by on its existing revenues. That's a line of thinking that's holding up in fiscal 2019. May tax collections of about $2 billion kept the state on pace for a revenue surplus of about $950 million. With just one month left in the fiscal year, tax receipts are running 7.6 percent over the same 11-month period in fiscal 2018, far surpassing the growth rate that lawmakers and Baker used to build this year's state budget. That budget has needed padding throughout the year and a time-sensitive supplemental budget (H 3819) that was approved by the House on May 29 and remains pending before the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Baker this week signed a $1.9 billion transportation bond bill that included $200 million for local road repairs. Other loose ends on the hill include reaching agreement on a final bill limiting drivers to using only hands-free devices while behind the wheel and a Senate decision on how it plans to address Sen. Mike Brady's drunk driving case plea agreement.

Phillipston Elementary School Survey 

Since the override failed in Templeton, it seems very likely that the Narragansett Regional School District (NRSD) will empty the Phillipston Memorial Elementary School (PMES) and transfer the students to the new Templeton Center Elementary School this fall. At some point in the future the district might convert it to a pre-k / kindergarten school for district wide and school choice students.

The Phillipston Selectboard wants to learn your thoughts about the options available to Phillipston. Please complete the survey below and return it to the Selectboard Office by June 5, 2019. 

First, please answer these questions. 

1. Do you have children in the Narragansett Regional School District? Yes No a.
If yes, how many children and what grades? _________________________________

Now please read each scenario below and answer the question after each scenario. 

2. Since Phillipston voted to approve the override the town could take the position to have the NRSD school committee not open the new Templeton School this year for "lack of funds" and distribute Templeton's elementary school students between PMES and the High School/Middle School until such funds are available to open the new Templeton Center elementary school and not empty PMES.
  Choose the option that is closest to how you feel:

 Yes, I agree.
 No, I disagree

3. If the NRSD district moves the PMES children to Templeton Center, what should the Town of Phillipston do?
Choose the option that is closest to how you feel:

 Do nothing. Let NRSD empty the school or convert it to a district-wide pre-k /kindergarten school.
  The Town needs to take action to try to stop this change.

4. Some people feel if NRSD moves the children from PMES to Templeton Center, the Town should take steps to keep the children at PMES. Listed below are some potential options available to Phillipston.
Choose the option that is closest to how you feel: 

 Withdraw the PMES elementary school only from the NRSD district. Seek another town or district as a partner.
 Withdraw the PMES elementary school only from the NRSD district. Operate the PMES elementary school ourselves the way Petersham does. (Note: Petersham operates its own elementary school and is part of Mahar Regional School District for grades 7 - 12)
 Withdraw completely (K-12) from the NRSD district. Seek another district as partner.
 School choice Phillipston elementary students to another school district.
 Stay with Narragansett Regional School District. Let the NRSD district send PMES elementary school children to Templeton Center School.

5. If Phillipston’s elementary students go to Templeton Center, the NRSD District or Town of Templeton or the State may require that the Town of Phillipston contribute to the cost of the new Templeton Center School building. This could be $3 - 4 million, requiring Phillipston to undertake long- term borrowing and a property tax increase.

How do you feel about this?
Choose the option that is closest to how you feel:
 That’s okay with me.
 I’m against that.
 It might be okay if we got something back in return, like the NRSD district paying for upgrades to PMES.

6. For the last year, a Phillipston town committee has been evaluating the condition of the PMES school and what updates are needed. An architect identified several issues to address: a new roof, a sprinkler system and some ADA improvements to meet code, moving the kitchen out of the basement, etc. The estimated cost for these upgrades and improvements is $2.25 million dollars, some of which may be covered by grants.

The Town of Phillipston has a history of investing in the PMES elementary school, upgrading the heating system, adding a gymnasium and an elevator, etc., even when it requires borrowing money or raising taxes to pay for it.

Do you think the Town of Phillipston should make these improvements to PMES?
Choose the option that is closest to how you feel:
 Yes, because we need to upgrade the PMES school to keep it up to date.
 Not if the PMES students are sent to Templeton Center.
 Not if the school becomes a NRSD district-wide pre-k / kindergarten.
 Only if the NRSD district shares in the cost because they make it a district-wide pre-k / kindergarten school.
 No, not under any circumstances

7. If the PMES children are moved to Templeton Center and PMES is emptied then we should:
 Choose the option that is closest to how you feel: 
 Take the building back and turn it into a municipal use, such as town offices, senior housing, community center, etc.
 Upgrade it so it can be used by the NRSD district as a school.
 Upgrade it so the Town of Phillipston can use it as a school.
 Don’t spend any more money on it. Maybe we should sell it.

8. If PMES becomes a regional pre-k / kindergarten then who should pay for the required upgrades?
Choose the option that is closest to how you feel: 
 The NRSD district should pay the improvement costs, with Phillipston and Templeton sharing the costs.
 Pay for the upgrades ourselves.

9. We may need to renegotiate the regional agreement. Currently we have 3 seats out of 8 on the NRSD school committee. Templeton has suggested it should be changed to match our proportion of the student population (14% +/-). That would leave us with 1 seat out of 8.
Do you agree with this change? Choose the option that is closest to how you feel: 
 Yes
 No

10. Any other comments?

RETURN TO: Phillipston Selectboard, 50 the Common, Phillipston, MA 01331 by June 5, 2019

The below is shown as presented at Town Meeting. I do not feel it can be presented one way and then try to say, well, it includes this or we did not include debt when we stated 2.5%. It is all included in one article with one dollar amount, same as last year and it shows almost a one million dollar increase in costs.

ARTICLE 26 FY 2019 GENERAL FUND OPERATING (OPEX) BUDGET

Submitted by the Board of Selectmen Majority Vote Required

I move to appropriate the sum of Nine Million Six Hundred Ninety Thousand Two Hundred Seventy Four Dollars and no cents ($9,690,274.00) for the operations of General Government for Fiscal Year 2020, and to meet said appropriation with a transfer of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($250,000.00) from the Ambulance receipts reserved for appropriation, anticipated receipts, and the balance from taxation.

Dept                   Code Name                                             FY 20 Budget

120                     Selectmen (1)                                         $    358,250

130                     Advisory Committee (2)                          $      49,395

 135                    Town Accountant                                     $   193,470

141                     Assessor                                                 $      92,000

147                     Treasurer/Collector                                 $    133,750

155                     IT & Communications                             $    100,000

161                     Town Clerk                                              $    107,250

200                     Police & Dispatch                                   $ 1,340,500

220                     Fire & EMS                                             $    732,750

230                     Emergency Management                        $       1,750

250                     Development Services                            $   162,000

400                     Highway                                                  $    605,001

410                     Building & Grounds                                 $   305,000

420                     Snow & Ice (2)                                         $   147,500

500                     Veterans Service                                      $   104,122

 600                    Senior Services                                        $   152,999

610                     Library                                                      $     79,640

620                     Recreation & Culture                                $       9,750

700                     Debt Service                                             $ 2,590,147

 900                    Insurance & Benefits                                $ 2,425,000

$ 9,690,274

(1) Contains Reserve Transferable by Select Board for CBAs and Merit & Equity Raises

 for Non-Union Personnel

(2) Contains MGL Ch. 40 §6 Reserve Transferable by Advisory Committee for

 "…emergency or unforeseen expenditures..."

Templeton has more than 5,000 registered voters. Templeton needs more than 200 voters to show up for Town Meeting.
No matter what any selectmen stated at Town Meeting, there was more than a 2.5% increase in general government funding for fiscal year 2020.

Article 26 - Annual Town Meeting May 15, 16, 2019:
$9,690,274.00.

Article 21 - Annual Town Meeting May 19, 2018:
$8,220,298.00 + override article 24 of $470,246.00
= $8,690,544.00. If you do the math, it shows it in simple terms, what was stated by a Templeton selectmen at Town Meeting on May 16, 2019 was incorrect.

In closing, remember, you voted for this without many questions. Town government cost increased by nearly one million dollars and school followed; Town Meeting should use their power and vote no on such town increases, if you truly do not want them. Last year, people wanted an override, this year they did not, I only wish they would have said no at Town Meeting!

Just so you are aware;
Swim program for FY 2020:
What was presented in the budget for Recreation & Culture, page 209 - swim director at $1,400.00 per year and swimming assistant x2 at $1,000.00 ($500.00 each) so that is $2,400.00 plus an additional $100.00 under rec / culture supplies / swimming program.

Okay, Templeton Fish & Game club may allow use of it's beach area free for swim program, but there is a cost to the program. Question for all; do you wish to use tax dollars (your money) to teach kids to swim and be comfortable in the water or do you wish it to be fee based, where if you wish to enroll your child in swim program, you pay a fee. What happens to a kid who's family cannot afford the fee? At the end of the day, do you, as a resident / taxpayer, wish to spend some of your money to get kids into the water and know how to swim?

Agenda for next Templeton Selectmen Meeting: Workshop.

Discussion items -
2c. Recreation Fee Schedule.
from the Town Administrator weekly report 5/30/2019:
2.c. (page 32 of your budget document) Recreation & Culture: Other than continual improvement in the work flow of the office, there are no substantial changes proposed.
However, we do recommend that you support an initiative to study the possible conversion of the swimming program from a fully tax funded program to one that might require a partial fee from the participants.

Please let your selectmen know if you wish to have another fee to pay.

Selectmen email - mcurrie@templetonma.gov
                              dhaleybrooks@templetonma.gov
                              jrichards@templetonma.gov
                              tgriffis@templetonma.gov
                              jbennett@templetonma.gov