No matter how anyone tries to frame it, the Templeton advisory committee did not follow town bylaw, as in violated the bylaws of Templeton on September 20, 2023 during which the committee discussed and voted against a transfer from the town reserve fund.
Templeton town bylaws clearly state:
The Advisory Committee shall meet jointly with the Select Board whenever there is a request to consider adjusting spending limits on any revolving fund, any end of year financial transfer or any request of transfer from the Town reserve fund.
Failure to follow bylaws, policy, state law, etc., leads to a lack of trust in any entity. I hope this committee that is supposed to look at financial issues especially and at all articles for any town meeting, annual or special objectively and independently from the TA or selectmen, gets back on track and follows the bylaws of the town, which were voted on by the people of Templeton, which if one looks at history, finance committees were started and later mandated by state law, with the aim of helping people at town meeting have an understanding of what is being asked of them and what are the pro and cons of each article. Hard to trust any recommendations from an entity that fails to follow a simple bylaw.
