Monday, August 28, 2023

 Templeton town administrator could not or would not answer my question of how a town meeting warrant is open all year long but only open for a short period for citizen petitions. That tells me alot.


From: jeff bennett <j_bennett506@hotmail.com>Sent: Monday, August 21, 2023 8:08 AMTo: Adam D. Lamontagne <alamontagne@TempletonMA.gov>Subject: records request

Good day, as the records access officer, I am requesting a copy of any opinion  or reference what law (s) state a town meeting warrant is open all year long. If a warrant is open all year long then stands to reason a citizens petition with appropriate signatures would have to be accepted all year long per MGL. I await response and any records or information used to back up that statement of warrant being open all year long.

 

regards,

Jeff Bennett


Please be advised that the Town’s duty to respond to records requests extends only to records that are in existence and in its custody, and the Town is under no obligation to create records in response to your request. This appears to be more of a question which we do not provide a service for questions.  Further, we do not have to do research in response to a public records request.  Please let me know which specific document that you are seeking.

You may appeal this response to the Supervisor of Public Records pursuant to 950 CMR 32.08(1)(d). By law, the Supervisor is required to respond within 10 business days of receipt of your appeal. You may also seek judicial review of an unfavorable response by commencing a civil action in the superior court, under G.L. c. 66, §10A(c).

Adam D. Lamontagne, MPA, MCPPO

Town Administrator

4 comments:

  1. So, Adam is basically saying that the town runs on a law that is not written down?

    Our Warrant is open all year but nothing in the law states it..................lol.

    How do you explain the purpose of our bylaws then? Why would you "open" and "Close" a Warrant that was Open all year?

    Adam seems to be misinformed as usual.

    § 22-4
    Notice of meetings.
    [Added 8-31-1978; amended 5-16-2013]
    Notice of every Town Meeting shall be given by posting attested copies of the warrant therefor in a public place in each precinct as directed by the Board not less than seven days before the day fixed for the Annual Town Meeting, and not less than 14 days before the day fixed for a Special Town Meeting, and notice of said Town Meeting shall be published in a local newspaper and on the Town website.
    § 22-5
    Warrants.
    [Added 5-12-2004]
    Warrants for Annual Town Meetings and Special Town Meetings shall be open for a minimum of 14 days before closing and posting the warrants.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous8:41 AM

    And we pay this guy for what ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:39 AM

      Roughly $100k per year

      Delete
    2. Anonymous9:13 AM

      That is sad !

      Delete