https://www.templetonma.gov/documentcenter/view/1268 

Time to do what town meeting was told would happen and what meals tax would be used for.

 By 

• Cliff Clark | The Westfield News | cclark@thereminder.com

SOUTHWICK — Recognizing that local media outlets don’t cover the town like years past, Select Board member Russ Anderson wants to overhaul how the town utilizes its public access channel. He proposed a three-phase plan that would explore a partnership with the school district and use equipment the town already owns to create town-focused content.

“What will we accomplish? We’ll rebuild a Southwick-first, programming model, create original community-focused content, increase transparency and message consistency, and use existing assets more effectively,” Anderson said during the board’s meeting Monday night during a PowerPoint presentation of his proposal.

Referring to the late, former executive director of Channel 15, Anderson added, “As Art Boissonnault said, ‘let the people know what’s going on in town.’ And that’s as simple as it is, and that should be our goal.”

https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/12/select-board-member-wants-to-rethink-towns-public-access-channel.html 

 

Ashburnham MA top earner Employee	Job Title	FY 2023 Earnings
Brian Doheny	Town Administrator	163,291.60
Brooke Czasnowski	Assistant General Manager AMLP	151,880.40
Christopher Conrad	Police Chief	145,089.76
Wade Wright	Sergeant	141,195.89
Jeffrey Schrecke	Working Foreman AMLP	138,773.50
Andrew Devoll	Fire/EMT	136,711.50
Gregory Gushlaw	Sergeant	133,569.11
Brian Rosengren	Sergeant	132,829.27
Jordan Gendron	Lineman 1st Class AMLP	125,463.87
Jeremy Holmes	Lead Lineman AMLP	125,032.77
Matthew Wilson	Lead Lineman AMLP	124,729.26
Kevin Sullivan	General Manager AMLP	123,554.24
John Boucher	Police Lieutenant	121,828.44
Jason Bourgeois	Patrol Officer	113,313.78
Quinn Smith	Patrol Officer	112,200.54
Les Holgerson	Patrol Officer	107,352.95
Robert Siano	Patrol Officer	106,179.99
Michael Wilson	Fire/EMT	105,843.07
Michael Amann	Patrol Officer	104,336.13
Jonathan Kinney	Fire/EMT	103,427.49

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3533/NRSD/6147408/MSBA_Narragansett_Roof_Replacement_SD_Estimate_09-29-2025.pdf

 

 

 NRSD Roof repair/replacement.

Why are we asking for roof repairs? Based on the Existing Roof Conditions & Schematic Design report, the overall conditions of the Narragansett Middle and High School facilities show extensive aging, deterioration, and moisture-related damage across multiple building systems. The roofs exhibit worn membranes, failing flashing, loose or corroded fasteners, compromised sealants, and ineffective drainage elements, all of which increase the likelihood of water infiltration. There are 35 separate leaks throughout the building. Exterior façades, including metal panels and trim, show corrosion, dents, sealant failure, and surface degradation, while interior spaces display staining, damaged finishes, and substrate deterioration consistent with ongoing leaks and prolonged exposure to moisture. Corresponding repairs identified in the report include replacing damaged or deteriorated roof flashings and accessories, addressing corrosion and fastener failures, and restoring or fully replacing roof membrane sections where performance is compromised. The exterior envelope requires re-sealing joints, replacing failed or rusting metal components, repairing damaged panels, and improving water-management details to prevent further infiltration. Interior areas affected by leaks will require removal and replacement of damaged finishes and substrates once the envelope issues are resolved. Together, these repairs are necessary to restore watertightness, stabilize the facilities, prevent structural and material degradation, and extend the useful life of the buildings. 

 Scope & Eligibility 

○ MSBA reimburses roofs more than 25 years old 

■ HS Built in 1997 

■ MS Built in 1958, Sections repaired in 1997 & 2011 

○ Construction to replace the High School roof & repair qualifying sections of the Middle School roof 

● Project Cost Overview ○ Total construction cost: $10,864,548 

● MSBA Reimbursement ○ Approved Oct 29, 2025, at a 59% reimbursement rate. 

○ Total Estimated Max Facilities Grant: $6,111,695 

● Local Funding Share - Remaining local cost: $4,752,853 

○ District to issue 20-year bond 

○ Estimated cost of Bond (Principal & Interest): $7,057,471 

■ Templeton(85%): $5,998,850 

■ Phillipston(15%): $1,058,621 

● Tax Rate Increase 

○ Phillipston: No impact due to funding through reserves 

○ Templeton: Approximate $95.19 annual increase to the average single-family home

 2025 Templeton special town meeting, article 2, asks town meeting to amend their vote of May 16, 2006 regarding open space committee. That vote created an open space committee of from 5 to 9 members with all votes shall be considered passed and valid provided at least 3 members of the committee are present and a simple majority is attained. How can 3 votes be a majority (quorum) if there are 7, 8 or 9 members? That does not work, even with Templeton math. Also, it is harder and harder to get members on these various committees, so town meeting will be asked to amend that vote to set the open space committee at 5 members and the committee members will be appointed in June and change Board of Selectmen to Select Board.

That is all that article is about. I believe there are 3 people waiting to serve on this committee.

2025 November 12, Templeton special town meeting, articles 3, 4, 5, and 6 ask town meeting to expend CPA money on 4 various projects.

Article 7 asks town meeting to approve a debt exclusion for the towns share of expense of roof work on NRSD high school, a building Templeton voted to expend money to build back in the 1990's

Article 8 asks town meeting to approve using money from TCTV retained earnings fund to their fiscal year 2026 budget. Retained earnings are an enterprise funds money equivalent to town free cash. This is another move to try and keep tctv afloat while the budget, funding and charge of this town entity results in a decision on it's true mission and as a service to town residents. To date, many proposals and plans have been presented to the select board and town, but none so far have brought about any real financial impact, as in bringing more funding to the town to keep this entity running. Just like a town, a dept. cannot keep spending onetime funds for reoccurring expenses.

 On Templeton Town website, annual town meeting May 2018, article 21 - fy2019 general fund operating budget $8,220,298.00 plus article 24 - supplementalfy2019 operating budget - $470,246.00, for a total fy19 general fund operating budget of $8,690,544.00

So as to be clear, this article 24, added money to the budgets of fire/EMS, police, insurance & benefits, highway, snow & ice, all of which are funded in general fund budget.

So May 2019, annual town meeting, article 26, general fund budget for fiscal year 20, $9,660,274.00;

A one-year increase in Templeton general fund budget of $999,730.00. Close enough to one million, what is $270.00 among friends?

 Over time, there have been some agreements signed that have been beneficial to other towns at the expense of Templeton residents. One of them signed on May 15, 2019 and is on town website was accounting agreement with Hubbardston, which had Templeton moving from a parttime assistant town accountant to fulltime and giving more money to fulltime town accountant, this resulted in lower accounting cost for Hubbardston and increased cost for Templeton. That agreement has ended but the cost increases from it are still with the town today. Perhaps not good idea to call out the current board when you signed off on that very bad agreement. You failed in financial fiduciary responsibility to Templeton. Especially after signing off on another agreement with a different town for dispatch service, agreeing to lower cost to one town while increasing costs to Templeton. This is easy to check, do not take my word, it is on your website. Can the town use more money to provide more things and/or better, yes, but it is very hard to ask for more with a history of making those bad deals for Templeton, which have placed a financial burden on residents that are still affecting things today. Again, failure in fiduciary responsibility to Templeton.

 It is a bad showing that all select board members vote to spend residents' money on something but then refuse to do their part. Pretty much shows a lack of concern for public money and their responsibility.

 There is no compelling reason for a town senior tax work off program should have to be done in steps, such as raising the amount that can be worked off from say $500.00 to $800.00, then $1000.00, and take 3 or 4 years to get to $1,500.00 per senior while being told if the limit is just increased from $500.00 to $1,500.00 per senior because it would not be sustainable. The funding for senior work off program comes from town's overlay fund, which is raised by the board of assessors by raising it on the tax recap sheet and when there is over $700,000.00 dollars already available. Senior tax work off program policy is set by selectmen rather than assessors, according to state law. Templeton seniors deserve the increase; the money is there and there is no reason Templeton should not have the amount set to $1,500.00 per senior. It will require a town meeting vote to undo something done many years ago and bring this item up to date. Everyone will be a senior one day!

 A while back, I donated a hard cover version of Town Meeting Times to the Templeton library, it is the lates copy of Town Meeting Times, which is the official guide book for Templeton Town Meetings. You can go there and check this out without having to to buy a copy. Moderators Association will not let the town post an electronic copy on Town website.

Page 217 - section 9.1 in Town Meeting Times, at bottom of page, an interesting paragraph of information.

Concerning the practice of anyone wishing to speak before the meeting, identify themselves, no matter how well they may be known in town. There is one sentence that is interesting: "Although this is accepted practice, there is no legal authority which expressly accords to the moderator the power to compel speakers to identify themselves if they do not wish to do so."

Town Meeting Times is a product of MA Moderators Association.

One member of the committee that produced this latest edition of the book, Templeton Town Counsel Tom Harrington.

 Join us to show your support of the Municipal Empowerment Act (MEA) next Tuesday October 28th!

 

Why the MEA is Important

 

The MEA is an important opportunity for the Commonwealth to further its support of all 351 cities and towns. This legislation promotes efficiencies in local government, reduces regulatory burdens, and provides tools for communities to solve age-old problems through additional revenue options and operational flexibilities.

 

The MEA:

• Reforms outdated procurement rules and thresholds including:
• Raising the 30B threshold for ALL municipal purchases to $100,000
• Exempting snow hauling from 30B requirements to match snow removal
• Eliminating the COMMBUYS publishing requirement
• Streamlining cooperative purchasing agreements for goods AND services
• Codifies existing COVID-era allowances for remote public meetings, currently set to expire on June 30, 2027
• Updates enforcement mechanisms and removal procedures for double poles
• Provides new or expanded local option revenues including:
• Option to increase the meals tax
• Option to increase the lodging tax
• Option to establish a new motor vehicle excise tax
• Improves efficiency of local operations through longer borrowing terms for school projects, tools for critical workforce shortages, and much more!

 Time has come for a review and update to Templeton Senior tax work off program. It is time for a presentation to Town Meeting and for Select Board to take the lead and increase to the maximum dollar amount allowed under state law to try and help seniors who can and are willing to do some things for the town in exchange for small abatement of property taxes. There is more than enough money in the fund that covers the cost of this program, it is called the Town Overlay fund and is controlled by Board of Assessors. Currently there is a very large amount of money in that fund, more than enough to handle the increase in senior work off.

Funding the Programs: Work-off program expenses must be budgeted in the allowance for abatements and exemptions, i.e. overlay account, rather than through departmental appropriations. The expenses can include the municipality’s share of federal Medicare taxes. Therefore, as part of the budget development process, the amounts needed to operate the programs should be considered. The assessors should factor these amounts into the amount of overlay being raised each year.

 https://go.boarddocs.com/ma/nrsd/Board.nsf/files/DLMN9X5EE6FA/$file/MSBA%20Narragansett%20MS%20Reginal%20HS%20Roof%20Replacement%20SD%20Estimate%2008-20-2025%20%20as%20issue%20(1).pdf

 Templeton town meeting votes a single dollar amount for each department, it is up to department heads to spend those dollars wisely. If town meeting wants more control, they would have to vote in a line item budget, which would require amending previous town meeting votes, changing a few policies and in the end, could cost money if there were an increase in special town meetings to transfer money around. Always the details that drive the train.

 Survey question; town bylaw / policy - no charge for public records. Yes or no?

Paper, ink, computers, printers, copiers, people producing or getting the information are already all paid for, no reason to pay twice.

What is the cost for copies of public records; what about electronic records?

Absent a specifically identified statute or regulation, an RAO may charge no more than $0.05 per page for single and double-sided black and white paper copies or computer printouts. There is no longer a separate charge for police or fire reports, or for computer printouts.

The Public Records Law and its Regulations apply to all Massachusetts government records, regardless of form, and regardless of the location of the

records.

Provision of public records in electronic form is preferred where available. An RAO is not permitted to assess a copying fee for electronic records. The $0.05 fee applies only to paper copies of records.

Public records that are of great interest to a large number of people must be readily available within the office of the RAO and should be provided at a minimum cost, if any. Examples include minutes of board meetings, town meeting documents, warrants, street lists and municipal financial documents.

Many of these records are required to be placed on the RAO’s website.

An RAO may charge and recover a fee for the time spent searching, redacting, photocopying and refiling a record.

Municipalities with a population of 20,000 and under are permitted to charge

for the first two hours of time spent searching for, compiling, segregating, redacting and reproducing a requested record.

The hourly rate may not be greater than the prorated hourly wage of the lowest paid employee who is capable of performing the task. Generally, an RAO is not permitted to charge an hourly rate in excess of $25.00 per hour to search for records. Municipal RAOs may petition the Supervisor for permission to charge a fee in excess of $25.00.

 The overlay is raised by the assessors in the annual tax levy as a reserve for abatements and exemptions.  MGL c. 59, secs. 23, 25 and  70A. Currently, there is a separate overlay reserve account for each fiscal year to cover property tax abatements and exemptions granted by the assessors or ordered by the Appellate Tax Board for just that fiscal year.

The Municipal Modernization Act creates a single overlay reserve to cover the costs of potential abatements or exemptions granted by the assessors or ordered by the Appellate Tax Board for any fiscal year. With a single overlay reserve, municipalities may now avoid deficits which formerly occurred when amounts abated or exempted exceeded the balance in the overlay account for that particular year. The single overlay takes effect on November 7, 2016. No local action is needed. As of that date, all balances in all overlay accounts will be merged into a single overlay account, the balance for which may be charged for abatements or exemptions granted for any fiscal year. Local assessors, however, will still need to review, as part of each year’s budget and tax rate process, whether an additional amount needs to be raised that year for addition to the single overlay account.

DOR Code	Municipality	Fiscal Year	Overlay Appropriation	Total Levy	Overlay as a % of Total Levy
294	Templeton	2021	313,292	12,276,184	2.55%
294	Templeton	2022	234,466	12,740,880	1.84%
294	Templeton	2023	225,774	12,935,986	1.75%
294	Templeton	2024	143,641	13,526,437	1.06%
294	Templeton	2025	140,749	14,086,053	1.00%