Thursday, September 12, 2024

 How does one try to do a job when financial reports are bad.

Templeton, MA May budget versus actual, under community preservation funding, from special town meeting November 2019, article 11 has 34 thousand dollars for scout hall. Fast forward to finance report for May 2024, shows $30,923.84 available and $29,920.04 spent. Looking at June 2024 and July 2024 finance reports, same line, same article, same account, they both show $34,000.00 available for spending. I cannot in good conscience vote in favor of any override or debt exclusion while I see this. While there are some good reasons for an override, as in a special override, I cannot go for that now, as a resident who tries to be informed and participate at town meeting, I cannot do it. It would be a fiduciary irresponsible thing to do at this time. Finance and administration are two of the most important things in a business/corporation.

 Town owned building, often referred to as scout hall, which was originally a schoolhouse, same as town hall. Funding for rehab of "scout hall" was by an article at town meeting from CPA funds, which carry with them, certain rules and regs, many involve commercial use, as in for profit or charging money for use. In all that time, 8 years, I never saw a man in a scout shirt go before selectmen and ask about how much room for us? TCTV moving into the building was always out there and no rules or policy on use was out there, as best as I can find so far (still looking) now, the building is complete and now we need a policy (not sure if it will be followed) and everything needs to be moved around and the town administrator needs to crack whip (my words) on tctv so scouts can go in there? There is an ADA ramp to enter building but there is an uneven parking area, no ada parking spot, no marked parking of any kind. Something smells on this project (my opinion)

 Templeton public services will take a look at Baldwinville Road and Sunrise concerning cross walk placement.