This year, Independence day (4th of July) falls on a Saturday, should town offices be open or closed on Monday, July 6, 2020?

from Secretary of Commonwealth:

(1) Liquor Stores must be closed for Thanksgiving and Christmas Days. (1A) Liquor stores may not open prior to 12:00 noon Memorial Day. (2) Many companies operate all day on these holidays, pending obtaining a local permit. (3) All holidays falling on Sunday must be observed on Monday, under state law. Saturday holidays are observed on Saturday.

For a PDF version: Massachusetts Legal Holidays (PDF)

Above is a list of all legal holidays observed in Massachusetts. State, county, and municipal offices are closed on the days listed above. Federal offices are only closed on holidays which the federal government recognizes (i.e. New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans’ Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas). The term “federal holiday” is not applicable to individual states and the private sector since each state has jurisdiction over its holidays.

In Massachusetts certain holidays are subject to laws which restrict the type of work that may be performed as well as the kind of business and commercial activities that may remain open. Only those holidays followed by asterisks (*) have certain restrictions. On holidays not followed by asterisks, business and commercial activities may operate as usual.

Something perhaps relevant to Board of Selectmen Meeting - Templeton
https://mass.gov/doc/abcc-advisory-regarding-lla-approval-of-outdoor-seating/download

By GREG VINE

For the Athol Daily News

Published: 6/23/2020 11:37:35 AM

Modified: 6/23/2020 11:37:34 AM

PHILLIPSTON — Local cannabis entrepreneur Damon Schmidt said he is abandoning plans for a combination cultivation and retail facility at the corner of Baldwin Hill Road and State Road/Route 2A. Instead, he plans on opening a retail establishment only.

Schmidt revealed the change in plans Thursday night during a sparsely attended community outreach meeting, held via video conference, which is required by state law.

Schmidt said a surveyor determined a retaining wall would need to be constructed to accommodate a greenhouse if the facility was to meet requirements set by the town’s zoning bylaws.

Regulations say the rear of any cannabis business can be no more than 400 feet from curbside. Schmidt had hope to obtain a special permit extending the distance to 800 feet.

“We really wanted to try to do it,” said Schmidt. “It would be perfect if we could go back 800 feet and be on top of the hill where no one could see it. Another way to do it would be to bring it down closer to the road, but to do that I’d probably need to build a 40- to 50-foot retaining wall. So, we kind of just threw up our hands. It’s just dead in the water now.”

Schmidt did say he has three other cultivation facilities in the works — one each in Royalston, Templeton and Hubbardston.

Schmidt went on to explain that the purpose of the community outreach meeting was to allow him to pass his application along to the state Cannabis Control Commission.

“Phillipston has already signed a host community agreement,” he said. “So, in order for us to turn our application in to the CCC for a retail store, we not only need a signed community host agreement, but we have to host an outreach meeting.” He said further that a proposed year-long moratorium on retail marijuana shops in Phillipston, if passed by voters at the upcoming annual town meeting, would have no impact on his plans.

“We held our first community outreach meeting (regarding a cultivation operation) in March of 2019,” said Schmidt. “Phillipston passed a recreational marijuana by law three to six months later.

“In September 2019, we wrote Phillipston a check for $900 and filled out their application for a retail marijuana store, a manufacturing facility, and a cultivation facility. A couple of weeks later, we gave them another $5,000, which they requested, to sign the HCA. So, we feel the moratorium has nothing to do with us. If the town does pass it, it has implications for other companies but not for us.”

Another issue addressed by Schmidt was that of traffic. His retail shop would be located near a busy exit to Route 2. He said he paid $20,000 for a study to see if his business would have a significant impact on traffic. The entrance to his business will be located on State Road.

During the peak traffic hour in the 4 to 5 p.m. timeframe, the study found 471 eastbound vehicles pass the site, while 269 are headed west. The volume increases slightly on weekends. It was estimated that between 44 and 60 cars per hour, during peak weekday traffic, would be entering and exiting the cannabis shop. On weekends, the figure jumps to around 70.

In addition, Schmidt outlined security measures that would be instituted to ensure no sales are made to anyone under 21 years of age, and to prevent thefts or break-ins. He also plans to distribute educational materials regarding the use and effects of marijuana.

Now that he will be able to submit his application to the CCC, Schmidt said he anticipates receiving his provisional license from the state by November or December of this year.

Oh, the memories of good ole yester-year:

By Jean-Paul Salamanca

Posted Nov 24, 2010 at 12:01 AM

TEMPLETON -- The Planning Board will explore whether changing the town’s administrative permit fees -- which developers say are high in comparison to other communities -- would be prudent as officials seek to bring a proposed shopping center to a site off Route 2A. According to James E. Rheault of Leominster-based engineering firm Whitman and Bingham and attorney Matthew J. Campobasso, representing Lowfield-Templeton LLC, their research found that the total administrative fees for building permits that would be incurred in constructing a 270,000-square-foot shopping mall at the intersection of routes 2, 2A and 202 in Templeton would total an estimated $247,000. In comparison to other neighboring communities, Templeton’s fees are higher, according to Mr. Campobasso. As a comparison, he listed similar commercial administrative permit fees for Athol at $58,000, Lunenburg at $70,000, Gardner at $500 and Orange at $75, among others. Templeton sets their permit fees for such projects based on the number of parking spaces. Previous estimates indicated the proposed shopping mall should have 912 parking spaces, if constructed. Although he declined to indicate if the price of the fees would be a “deal buster,” Mr. Campobasso asked if the planning board -- which set the fees in 2007 -- would be willing to negotiate in order for the project to get underway. Planning board Vice Chairman Robert Whalen, in the board’s defense, said that the permit fees were set during more prosperous economic times, although he stated he could be amenable to amending the fees to “level the field.” Board Chairman Gerry White said while the board would review the fees to determine if an adjustment could be made, he offered strong reservations about lowering the fees to levels as low as Orange. “The thing to keep in mind is that when you build these kinds of projects, there is a cost to the town for building them,” he said. “For example, Templeton hardly has any extra police detail for shoplifting calls. If this is built, it’s a guarantee that they will. That’s an extra cost for the town. We don’t want to be unfair or too large on those fees, of course. We’ll take a look at (the fees) but we don’t want to just give it away.” However, a public hearing needs to be held before the fees can be adjusted. While there is clear potential for economic benefits and increased commercial activity in town by lowering the fees, there is also the possibility of residents opposing lower permit fees for environmental or anti-development reasons. Acknowledging both possibilities, Mr. White said that residents would have an opportunity to air their concerns when the time comes. Selectman Robert Columbus urged the board to take revisal of the fees under consideration, noting that the town could use the potential tax revenue -- estimated to be between $165,000 to $180,000 annually -- for future “big ticket items.” “Templeton has never seen anything like this before, to my recollection,” he said. “I’d hate to see us left at the station by dragging our feet on it.” Developers are expected to turn in a letter with a project timeline sometime between next week and Dec. 14, when the board will discuss the matter further in the second of two meetings. The other meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at the town’s 690 Patriots Road offices. jpsalamanca@thegardnernews.com1

In case you have forgotten, your taxes have already been raised; they are just named fees.
By Christine Smith
Posted May 5, 2017 at 11:00 AM
The Gardner News.

TEMPLETON - Selectmen have approved a list of increases to the town’s building, wiring, plumbing and gas permit inspection fees, effective July 1.

Interim Town Administrator Carter Terenzini said this will provide homeowners and contractors the chance to submit applications now before the fees go up.
Selectmen Vice Chairwoman Diane Haley Brooks questioned whether the proposed fees were comparable to those charged by other towns.

“Is it going to stop anybody from doing stuff here?” she asked. “It needs to be done, but we want to encourage new growth.”

Haley Brooks noted, “I don’t want there to be any detriment to coming here, moving here,” but both she and Selectman Doug Morrison said that the increases were “not unreasonable.”

According to Terenzini, the data was taken from a selection of comparable towns that had been approved by the board, which included Ashburnham, Winchendon, Athol and Orange, as well as Ayer, Dudley and Townsend. He said the fee adjustments were recommendations of town Building Inspector Richard Hanks.

Among the comparisons that were made, these other communities averaged fees of about $194 for wiring inspection permits of new dwellings, and about $1,310 for building inspection permits on 2,000-square-foot dwellings. They also averaged about $221 for plumbing and gas inspection permits for new dwellings with 20 fixtures.

Under Templeton’s approved new structure, wiring inspection permits for new dwellings will increase from $180 to $225, minimum fees will go up from $40 to $60, and fees charged for checks of outbuildings and pools will rise from $75 to $100. Fees for inspections of solar structures will go up from $40 to $100 and alarm systems will increase from $40 to $75.

Building permit inspection fees for new 2,000-square-foot dwellings will go from $1,040 to $1,528, and minimum fees charged will increase from $40-$60. Inspections for demolitions will remain at $75, while checks of roofs will increase from $40 to $50.

Building permit inspection fees for in-ground pools will increase from $75 to $150, but stay at $75 for above-ground pools.

Plumbing and gas permit inspection fees for 20 fixtures in a new dwelling will go from $145 to $225, and the minimum fee would rise from $50 to $60. Re-inspections will also go from $50 to $60, and permits for inspections of remodels with five fixtures will increase from $70 to $115.

First Act, scene 1:

By Steph Solis | ssolis@masslive.com

Massachusetts still doesn’t know the full economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, but one thing is certain: the state will begin fiscal 2021 without a permanent budget as officials wait for more clarity on revenue losses and the possibility of federal relief.

The Baker administration filed a $5.25 billion joint interim budget Friday afternoon, less than two weeks before the start of fiscal 2021. The interim budget, commonly referred to as a one-twelfth, typically approves funding to cover expenses in July at the same funding level that was approved for fiscal 2020.

The interim budget sets aside the funds to maintain operations at statewide departments, boards, commissions and institutions. The funding also applies to dispersing federal grants and Intergovernmental Service Fund expenditures.

The interim budget calls for Treasurer Deborah Goldberg to make some advance payments, including reimbursements, for at least some local municipal, school and technical programs that may face spending gaps, provided that the state Department of Revenue commissioner and Secretary of Administration and Finance approve of the payments.

from The Gardner News.

Where is Templeton?????

WESTMINSTER — The Fire Department has purchased a new piece of equipment that will improve firefighter health and safety by preventing and reducing exposure to cancer-causing chemicals. Chief Kyle Butterfield and state Sen. Dean Tran, R-Fitchburg, worked closely together to secure $10,000 in state funds for the purchase of a Milnor Gear Guardian washer-extractor.

“It’s a specialized washing machine for our turnout gear,” said Butterfield. “It goes above and beyond laundering regular clothes, and will get the carcinogens, the toxins, soot and chemicals out of our turnout gear, which leads to safer gear the next time a firefighter puts it on.”

The new machine, which was purchased in February and has been up and running for the past few weeks, replaces the department’s old one, which Butterfield said was purchased in the 1980s. The old machine will be kept, however, to wash regular clothes and uniforms, he said.

By Jim Russell | Special to The Republican

BOSTON — The state is urging communities with a townmeeting form of government as their legislative body to convene those gatherings outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The state posted a notice online outlining best practices to curb the spread of the disease.

There are two forms of town meeting in the commonwealth of Massachsusetts.

Open town meeting, in which all registered voters can debate and vote on a municipality’s budget and bylaw changes that includes zoning amendments, by attending the meeting. Participation requires attendees – the town’s legislators – to sign in with the town clerk when it is verified an individual is a registered voter and thus eligible to vote during the meeting.

Representative town meeting operates with voters electing town meeting representatives, usually more than a hundred or two hundred, who are vested with all the authority that all registered voters possess in communities with the Open Town Meeting system. Unlike open town meeting guidance, the state’s town meeting guidance for representative town meetings allows option to convene the representative body remotely, should the representatives agree prior to conducting business.

The June 11 guidance that apply to both open and representative town meetings says that municipal “officials are encouraged, to the extent feasible, to hold meetings virtually or outdoors and to ensure that attendees are spaced at least 6 feet apart.”

It says that if “outdoor meetings are not feasible, towns are advised to abide” by social distancing, and use a facility with very good ventilation such as open windows allowing breezes to keep air refreshed inside.

“Promote ventilation for enclosed spaces where possible. For example, open windows and doors to allow airflow. Lines at microphones for questions or comments should be taped to keep people six feet apart. Microphones should be disinfected after each speaker,” the guidelines state.

from the Gardner News:

WINCHENDON — It has been a year unlike any other, but teachers and students muddled through, making the best of a crippling situation as the coronavirus pandemic disrupted their routines. But on Thursday, June 11, more than 60 school district employees were eliminated.

The Winchendon Teachers Association released a statement saying the school department made the decision to terminate the contracts of all 32 first- and second-year teachers, six specialist teachers, many of whom have been in the district for decades, and every para-educator in the district. Union President Christina Ricard stated that the decision was made in response to the dire projections of up to 20 percent reduction in Chapter 70 funds from the state, and the uncertain nature of what school is going to look like in the fall.

The staff members were not merely pink-slipped as in previous years when operating budgets were decided.

“We are already bare bones, a skeletal crew, but this is a decimation of our staffing,” said Heidi Bevacqua, a special needs teacher at Murdock High School. “We are to anticipate, worst-case scenario, 20 percent less than the previous year. That is a $3 million dollar cut to our school’s budget. As soon as the Chapter 70 amounts are released, we can begin bringing back positions,” she added. “Those people who were fired will have to reapply for their jobs, assuming they haven’t been hired elsewhere before we can begin to repair this damage.”

Ricard also spoke of the possibility of bringing employees back to the district.

“While they have stated their desire to bring everyone back, should the budget and circumstances allow, things look very uncertain, especially without special action being taken at the state and national levels to ensure that schools get the funding they need to provide a quality education to all students,” said union president Christina Ricard. “This idea is a pillar of our democracy, and our legislators, representatives and senators need to take action to make certain education receives the funding needed to achieve this.”

Bevacqua suggested that school funding can come from other sources such as the HEROES (Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions) Act. She encouraged people to call their elected officials and tell them how they feel about the Winchendon schools.

“They were elected to work for you. Tell them to support us because we are preparing their replacements. Be involved outside of Facebook and let those that represent you know how you feel about your school employees,” Bevacqua said.

Superintendent Joan Landers was unavailable for comment Friday afternoon, June 12.

This year’s district budget presented before the pandemic called for $17,225,945 in net school spending that included $11.5 million in Chapter 70 funds and $5.6 million in local contributions. Indirect costs to the town would have been $3.4 million. Other grants and revenues would bring the total bottom line back up to $15,997,400 in total estimated revenue. There was already a projected deficit of $646,827 before the pandemic hit.

Other districts are feeling the same pressures, and cuts are already in progress across the state, especially in districts that rely heavily on state and federal funding to meet mandates.

In 1775, Lexington helped set the stage for the fledgling American democracy. This month, the town broke new democratic ground by holding the state’s first virtual Town Meeting.

Using a combination of computer applications, the town began its four-night representative Town Meeting on June 1 for nearly 200 members. The town wanted to meet remotely to protect the health of its Town Meeting members, many of whom fall into higher-risk categories for COVID-19.

“Today Lexington is once again making history,” Town Moderator Deborah Brown said as she called the meeting to order. “I dare say this will be the Zoom webinar heard ’round the Commonwealth.”

Lexington’s virtual Town Meeting involved weeks of planning, accelerated technological development, nearly a dozen training sessions, and substantial staff engagement. While the event saw some high-tech hiccups, the process succeeded in its goal of seeming ordinary, said Select Board Member Joe Pato.

“I think it’s been going just like a normal town meeting, which is what we were aiming for,” Pato said.

"Plan" for Town Meeting


https://www.templetonma.gov/sites/templetonma/files/uploads/town_meeting_plan.pdf

The question:

Bennett, Jeff

Thu 6/4/2020 6:12 AM

To:

•  Adam D. Lamontagne;
•  Terenzini, Carter;
•  Hall, Derek

So, we have a plan for town meeting, what is it and where is it? 

We have a plan for town meeting, so what is it? Masks required, special seating for people without masks, indoors or out doors? greeters, seaters, lines going to be apart, separate entrances for non voters/town employees, seating for selectmen, microphone procedures, where is the plan?? Plan on how to deal with people without a mask (I will be one of those) voting rights, constitutional rights, civil rights (3 X penalty for civil rights violations) 2 weeks away and I see no plan laid out anywhere. In one location or several, plans for assistant moderator, walkie talkie for different rooms, zoom, closed circuit, which one? So far, I see no real plan, I see no real communication with the people on how this will go. Lexington, which has a representative town meeting had the most people show that they have had in years, 193 members out of 198 plus residents who can speak but not vote. Also, do we have ADA plans for outside event, rain date, bathroom procedures. We have only had 3 months to do this.

regards;

Bennett

The answer received:

Hall, Derek

Thu 6/4/2020 2:27 PM

To:

•  Terenzini, Carter;
•  Bennett, Jeff;
•  Adam D. Lamontagne

Cc:

•  Harris, Carol;
•  Wiita, Laurie

Jeff,

Thank you for your input and questions. All of these issues have been addressed when we got together and discussed the upcoming town meeting. As discussed in the past I am not getting into an e-mail war with you or anyone else about this. A plan in writing will not be presented to Laurie and she does not have to approve or review anything. The town did relay through a CODE RED message on 06/02/20 about wearing a face mask and social distancing. I may put something in writing about safety suggestions but basically, I am trying to keep the town meeting planned as usual keeping health and safety precautions in mind for all people attending.

Thank You,

Derek   

So Templeton, during our situation, declared a health emergency by state department of health and here in Templeton, the Town Meeting moderator does not intend to confer with the Town Health Agent in any planned gathering of Town residents to conduct Town business. Got that, a health situation and totally fli off the Town Health Agent. Awesome!

 Templeton By-law voted in place by the people: § 22-19
Town website.
[Added 5-12-2004]
The Board shall designate an official Town website, for the posting of Town business, and provide for its maintenance, security, and improvement through a specific budget line item in the fiscal year following passage of this article. There is a $2,500.00 figure in budget for the Town's web-page, why not use it, as the people voted for it.

Information so you can follow along for selectmen meeting on June 10, 2020.

https://www.mass.gov/doc/abcc-advisory-regarding-guidelines-for-patio-and-outdoor-areas/download

From: Bennett, Jeff
Sent: Thursday, June 4, 2020 6:12 AM
To: Adam D. Lamontagne <alamontagne@TempletonMA.gov>; Terenzini, Carter <cterenzini@TempletonMA.gov>; Hall, Derek <dhall@TempletonMA.gov>
Subject: town meeting

 

So, we have a plan for town meeting, what is it and where is it? 

We have a plan for town meeting, so what is it? Masks required, special seating for people without masks, indoors or out doors? greeters, seaters, lines going to be apart, separate entrances for non voters/town employees, seating for selectmen, microphone procedures, where is the plan?? Plan on how to deal with people without a mask (I will be one of those) voting rights, constitutional rights, civil rights (3 X penalty for civil rights violations) 2 weeks away and I see no plan laid out anywhere. In one location or several, plans for assistant moderator, walkie talkie for different rooms, zoom, closed circuit, which one? So far, I see no real plan, I see no real communication with the people on how this will go. Lexington, which has a representative town meeting had the most people show that they have had in years, 193 members out of 198 plus residents who can speak but not vote. Also, do we have ADA plans for outside event, rain date, bathroom procedures. We have only had 3 months to do this.

regards;

Bennett