Grange Hall - use public money for renovations, including a proposal for a handicap bathroom.

Consider this when you vote.

Handicap parking Location:

These spaces should be in a level location providing the shortest safe, accessible route of travel to an accessible entrance. With more than one accessible entrance, the spaces should be located near each accessible entrance. Sidewalks at such spaces should have curb cuts at each access aisle, so a person is not required to enter the stream of traffic to get to a sidewalk.

 From email on 3/16/2023:

Please see the email that I received from John Jeffress, Demolition Coordinator for 10 Pleasant Street.

Demo of 10 Pleasant Street - project status:

Electric, gas, cable, and phone services are disconnected and letters have been received from the providers.

Water and sewer lines will be exposed for town to cut & cap next week or the week after, weather depending. Dig Safe ticket is valid, Town Water and Town sewer will mark their services after snow melts.

Asbestos work was scheduled for this week, but has been put off until next week because of poor weather conditions. That work is estimated to take 2 full days and your hygienist is on board to come inspect when our crew is finishing up.

With the water and sanitary lines cut and capped to DPW’s satisfaction, the asbestos finished and inspected, and the rodent treatment report that the town will provide in hand, we’ll be ready to apply for a demo permit. As we are working for the town we expect a quick turnaround on the permit review. Once we get the permit in hand we will mobilize to town, and our estimation is 5-6 days of demo, load out, and backfill.

Best,

John Jeffress

Demolition Coordinator

Associated Building Wreckers, Inc.

 A reminder that sometimes, you have to keep your foot on the gas. The town has been receiving $200.00 per month from Ahisma by way of autopay from a banking institution. It is my understanding the autopay mechanism has been in play since sometime in 2016 or early 2017. Either way, town has been receiving the rent for the building unless they thought it was a donation of some sort. This item along with a few others show that someone is not doing their job very well when it comes to day-to-day operation of the town affairs. This is another reason to always look at agenda of select board. When there seems to be a question on how the town is conducting it's business, people must show up at select board meetings and ask why or what is going on. Strength in numbers!

Off Newsbreak.

TEMPLETON ― An expired lease and the DPW's need for office and locker space has created a hot button issue, as the facility that houses Ahimsa Haven Animal Rescue was on the Feb. 22 Select Board agenda as a possible use for the Department of Public Works.

Nicole Roberts, president of Ahimsa, said she was concerned because she had not been invited to participate in the preliminary discussions among town officials that had prompted the item to appear on the Select Board’s agenda.

“Nor were we invited to the meeting,” Roberts said, adding that the shelter has occupied the space since 2013.

But Ahimsa officials and town officials, including Town Administrator Adam Lamontagne and DPW Director Bob Szocik, did meet a few weeks later to discuss the issue, according to Lamontagne.

“We had a meeting that I thought went exceptionally well,” Lamontagne said. “I said that (Ahimsa) had an expired lease, and the DPW director just wanted to share his thoughts with the board – it was just a discussion item on the agenda, there was no action. There was no indication from any of the Select Board members that they would not want to continue (Ahimsa’s) lease.”

Town officials expect to renew shelter's expired lease

Lamontagne added that because the facility is town property, of which the Select Board is a custodian, any discussion about the facility must be held during a public hearing. He said the discussion at the Select Board meeting had primarily involved Szocik expressing his concerns about the need for more office and locker room space for the DPW.

“I don’t know how the impression got out there that the Select Board was looking to throw (Ahimsa) out,” Lamontagne said, adding that the shelter’s lease had been expired for several years. “At the very least, we need to update the lease.”

Following the meeting between Ahimsa and town officials, Ahimsa officials took to social media to post their concerns about the possibility of the facility’s lease not being renewed by the Select Board. They urged followers to attend the Select Board’s March 22 meeting and make their support for the shelter known to officials.

“Can you imagine letting an animal suffer or putting them to sleep because of budget restrictions and the inability to help financially?” a post on the shelter’s Facebook page read. “Ahimsa is a very important part of the community, helping cats and residents.”

Lamontagne said that he had been disappointed that Ahimsa officials had written the post after what he felt had been a very positive and productive meeting with all parties involved.

“We had a very nice discussion, and I was shocked to hear of the post when I heard about it from a Select Board member and another town employee – for that to be thrown out there, I think, is disingenuous,” he said, describing the post as an “overreaction.” “(The situation) just spiraled into this thing, and quite frankly, on social media some people don’t understand the full situation and they misinterpret it.”

Lamontagne added that he hoped Ahimsa officials would consider not posting further messages on social media while negotiations on renewing the facility’s lease are ongoing.

“I think it’s important we establish some ground rules before such negotiations occur between Ahimsa and the town,” he said.

Social media posts intended to raise awareness about Ahimsa's mission

But Roberts, who agreed that the meeting between Ahimsa and town officials had been a productive one, said the intention behind the post was to raise awareness about the crucial role the shelter plays throughout the region, and the importance of renewing its lease.

“It is a board decision, and you never know how a board is going to vote, so we reached out to seek community support and to let the community know what’s going on,” she explained. “I felt that the more support we have and the more people have a chance to get to know us and know what an asset we are to the community, the better.”

Roberts said she is optimistic that the town’s Select Board will decide to renew Ahimsa’s lease and ensure the shelter can continue its mission to help animals across the region.

“We want to continue to be in Templeton and do what we do, working with the town, leasing their building, and helping area communities as well as our own community,” she said.

 

from The Gardner News, June 22, 2005.

TEMPLETON — The town took a first step toward reconstructing its dog pound Tuesday morning. Building Commissioner Lawrence Brandt and others involved in the project toured the small building, which sits behind the Highway Department building on Baldwinville Road, to determine what it will take to make it fit for canine occupation. “It needs some work,” said Clem Young, who has agreed to supervise a team of volunteers in the rebuilding effort, “Tender loving care will take care of it, I believe.” Brandt said that all the wood portions of the small building must be demolished. The cement blocks that make up the stall area and other parts of the building would remain, and the same type of material would be used to reconstruct the remainder of the building. Brandt said he would like to see the electrical system rewired, the ceiling raised and light and ventilation improved. Officials also want to expand the building slightly to include an office for Dog Officer Carolyn McDonald and a bathroom. McDonald raised the possibility of using a trailer to provide those facilities instead, and Brandt agreed that it might be a possibility but noted that the town would have to add a ramp system to make the trailer handicapped-accessible. McDonald closed the pound down in 2002 after deciding that run-down conditions made it an inappropriate place for the animals.

Since then, she has been housing the dogs in her own home. However, she is now in the process of selling her house and moving, and she will not be able to take them with her. In addition, McDonald said, the new location will be safer. She said that she now runs the risk that people who are upset at having their animals taken away for mistreatment will come to her house trying to get them back. In addition, she said, with the dog pound revamped she could invite volunteers to work with the animals. “It will open up a lot of possibilities,” she said. At one point, McDonald said, the town offered a full adoption program. Because her hours are limited, however, she now only holds dogs for 10 days. She then brings them to an animal rescue league facility in Worcester that checks them for any problems and then attempts to have them adopted. “The less time any dog spends in a shelter or rescue situation, obviously, the better,” she said. The five existing stalls will be sufficient for the town’s needs, McDonald said. Selectman Robert Columbus said that the Select Board’s chairman, Gerald Skelton, will work with Brandt to draw up plans for rebuilding the pound. Brandt will make sure that they are compliant with building codes and handicapped accessibility requirements. Skelton, who did not take part in the Tuesday site visit because of another obligation, said Monday that local residents have already offered to work on the building’s heating system, brickwork and other parts of the project. The town plans to accomplish the rebuilding effort almost entirely with community donations.

“The response has been tremendous,” he said. He said that, although the Baldwinville Road location is probably the best place to have the pound, there are alternatives if, for some reason, the project cannot be completed there. He said it might be possible to reopen Gardner’s old animal shelter, which is actually located in Templeton or to join together with Athol and Orange and use part of their shelter.

lgershon@thegardnernews.com

 Templeton Ma has Otter River state forest and much other state land, we have the Fernald school or what ever title it now holds, we have the city of Garnder waste water treatment plant in Templeton as well as Gardner airport. Templeton should go after state and city money to help defer costs of fire and police protection service. Who after all is going to be responding to these places for fire or lawbreakers? These are all within the boundaries of Templeton. Since we have 3 federal postal facilities, perhaps we try for federal money, don't get if you do not ask.

 Community Preservation Act, Templeton town meeting accepted that back in 2007 and it is in town bylaws.

It amounts to a small tax on your property, a 3% surcharge on valuation with the first 100 thousand dollars exempt from the tax. If you look at real estate tax bill, you can find the amount, CPA and whatever dollar figure is. Money from CPA / CPC (community preservation committee) is not free and is not a grant, it is your tax dollars.

State matching funds is also not a grant or free money. One source of money from state is registry of deeds, and those fees were recently increased to provide more money for state match as more communities accept CPA. (more communities mean need more money) Another source for state matching funds is surplus state budget dollars, so where does the state get it's dollars to dole out, from us; state income tax, sales tax, fuel tax, license fees and on and on. So, one pays real estate taxes to town for funding the government, along with meals tax, dog license fees, building permits, motor vehicle excise taxes, etc. Unless microsoft, apple or bill gates is giving Templeton some money, CPA/CPC funding is your tax dollars at work.

Please do not try to bullshit me and tell me this project is to be paid for with grants and private donations, when the only thing being presented is using taxes and fees to pay for it. I also want to the plan, in writing.

 What I sent to school committee regarding their budget meeting, which I am told, was read into the record. Sent as a private resident: I would opine to the committee that it vote a budget that fully funds what is needed/wanted by the school committee, without using E&D funds. Templeton has a town financial policy that states one time money will not be used to support reoccurring expenses, also, town will not budget in one year at expense of future years. I would like to see a school budget that does not use E&D funds to balance it. Inmy opinion, doing so puts the following years in jeopardy as that money will have to be found the next budget cycle. Most know there are issues with state funding formula and cities/towns fund around 60% of education needs and that is an issue that needs correcting. That said, please put forward a budget that does not create larger issues down the road, as kicking it down the road does not help anyone, it just puts off inevitable and it gets harder as the number / dollar figure grows from one year to the next. I believe I follow the dollars as much as many and more than others, it is all there "on paper" for all to see, if one takes the time to look, which we should all do! Thank You.

regards,

Jeff Bennett

77 Partridgeville Road, Templeton, MA 01468

 Communication from town, all is well financially.

Facts on the ground:

Selectmen get paid, moderator will get paid, advisory wants to get paid and we need to take money out of the town general stabilization fund to cover costs of snow & ice? If I recall, at the end of November 2022 special town meeting, there was over 500 thousand dollars in so called free cash.

My opinion, no way should town meeting approve using general stabilization money to pay for a recurring expense. It requires a 2/3 vote to take money out of the stabilization fund.

 Before we go taking on animal shelter to convert to office space, how about we finish Stone Bridge, Main Street bridge (the one that was supposed to be 75% design complete back in 2020) Scout Hall (decide what we are going to use it for) the cupola on town hall (perhaps waiting for it to fall off roof) finish building at gilman waite. We also need to see what the result of one million dollars of tax dollars is, going into the rehab of the old Baldwinville school. I believe there is a proposal of another 80 thousand dollars of tax dollars going into Grange Hall for the upcoming annual town meeting. Yeah, CPA / CPC money comes from tax dollars, as in a 3% surcharge on your real estate, so that is tax dollars.

What is the need or want to put the building currently occupied by Ahisma over to DPW? Office space, space for employees? What is the plan, how much money? If say space for lunch with micro, fridge, table & chairs etc., perhaps a small office trailer or a converted 20 foot container would work and be less money and would allow Ahisma to stay. That building was constructed by volunteers with donated materials and expertise for a purpose and it was not office space for DPW.

 

from Templeton town website.

INTRODUCTION

In accordance with its role as the executive body, the Select Board (the “Board”) has the authority to adopt statements of policy to order its affairs and guide the administrative

functions of the corporate body politic of the Town of Templeton (the “Town”).

These polices are adopted to guide the Town in ensuring the growing and continued financial health of the Town, provide the public with confidence that Town officials seriously respect

their responsibility for fiscal stewardship, and to demonstrate to bond rating agencies that the Town has thoughtfully prepared for its future They are intended to be a living tool and

shall be reviewed by the Town Administrator and designated staff on an annual basis and updated as necessary. Suggested revisions shall be submitted to the Select Board for

consideration and adoption with the annual budget message submitted by the Town Administrator or as needed by changes in statute or regulation.

The Town will not use budgetary procedures that balance the budget at the expense of future years,

such as postponing or deferring payment of expenses already incurred, accruing future year

revenues, or rolling over short-term debt to avoid making principal payments.

The Town will not balance the budget by using one-time or other nonrecurring revenues to fund ongoing expenditures, except in the event of an emergency or extraordinary or unforeseen events.

If extraordinary or unforeseen events necessitate a budget in which current revenues are less than current expenditures, and which thus relies one-time revenues to balance, the Board and the Town

Administrator shall provide along with the budget a plan to return to a structurally balanced budget in no more than three years.

The Town budget shall also reasonably support a financially-sound operating position by maintaining reserves for emergencies and providing sufficient liquidity to pay bills on time and

avoid revenue anticipation borrowing. (See also C. Reserve Funds/Fund Balance Policies.)

While state law allows for incurring expense without enough appropriation in several instances, snow & ice being one of them, if you are going to put a policy in place, it should be followed. There is enough recent data, financially history to show 147 or even 150 thousand dollars is not enough to cover yearly costs of snow & ice for the town of Templeton. So, so far, no 3 year plan to get out of using free cash to cover expense of snow removal on town roads, town budget is being "balanced" at the expense of future years, using one time to cover recurring expense (so called free cash to cover snow & ice expense) 5 years of snow& ice deficit spending with no 3 year plan to stop it. Town meeting attendees need to be aware of this policy, the action on snow & ice and ask the questions of where is the 3 year plan and why do we keep underfunding snow & ice? If professional staff will not follow policies of the town, how can people be expected to follow town bylaws? Again, when you consistently have a million dollars left over from a previous year, please do not tell me you cannot properly fund snow & ice where it needs to be, at least 300 thousand dollars. My opinion based on financial records and town meeting articles.