Templeton 3rd qtr. meals tax =

$17,630.00. Total so far = $63,686.00.

Looking back to fy2021, 3rd qtr (March) has always been lowest qtr., with June climbing back up, hope that trend continues for a fifth year.

 From The Gardner News - December 2024https://www.thegardnernews.com/story/news/education/2024/10/16/narragansett-regional-school-districts-top-earners-for-fiscal-2024-superintendent-principal-teacher/75622276007/

The top 20 highest-earning Templeton employees during fiscal 2024 all made six-figure salaries, many of whom were from the Police Department or Light Department.

The town spent $6,670,193 in FY24 on the payroll of 240 employees. In FY23, the town paid a total of $6,183,928 on the salaries of 215 employees, and only 13 employees earned a six-figure salary.

The highest earner is Police Sgt. Derek Hall, who earned a total of $170,339, which included $47,752 in overtime. After Hall is Detective Eric Smith, who earned a total of $154,557 with $35,251 in overtime. The third highest earner is Nicholas Malnati, a patrolman who earned a total of $150,354 with $46,203 in overtime in FY24.

The fourth highest earner is John Driscoll, the Municipal Light and Water Plant general manager, with a salary of $147,914. Following Driscoll is the department's Lead Lineman Nicholas Houston, who earned $11,997 in overtime and made a total income of $131,925. The sixth-highest earner is Joseph Parker, a lineman for the light department, who earned $11,971 in overtime and earned a total of $129,948.

Michael Bennett, the town's police chief, earned a salary of $128,251, which makes him the seventh-highest earner. Electric Superintendent Thomas Berry earned $125,386, making him the eighth-highest earner. The ninth-highest earner is Shane Egan, a lineman for the Light and Water Department with a salary of $125,386. Egan earned $8,563 in overtime this past fiscal year. Steven Flis, a police sergeant, earned $31,329 in overtime, giving him a total salary of $120,723 in FY24, making him the 10th highest earner.

Last Name	First Name	Employee Position	Total Earnings	Overtime/Other
Hall	Derek	Police Sergeant	$170,339.01	$47,752.76
Smith	Eric	Detective	$154,577.62	$35,251.77
Malnati	Nicholas	Patrolman	$150,354.78	$46,203.06
Driscoll	John	Municipal Light and Water Plant General Manager	$147,914.84	0.00
Houston	Nicholas	Lead Lineman	$131,925.83	$11,997.76
Parker	Joseph	Lineman	$129,948.49	$11,971.18
Bennett	Michael	Police Chief	$128,251.45	$0.00
Berry	Thomas	Electric Superintendent	$125,386.54	$0.00
Egan	Shane	Lineman	$123,830.49	$8,563.16
Flis	Steven	Police Sergeant	$120,723.83	$31,329.68
Welch	Noah	Police Officer	$114,777.97	$14,335.72
Daniels	Kyle	Firefighter/ Paramedic	$114,315.05	$44,439.05
White	John	Lead Lineman	$109,661.10	$391.50
Lamontagne	Adam	Town Administrator	$107,850.00	$0.00
Donahue	Daniel	Police Officer	$107,785.08	$14,158.04
Deschenes III	Robert	Police Officer	$106,519.65	$21,418.71
Schwinger	Scott	Water Superintendent	$105,649.47	$14,962.68
Gearin	Tyler	Groundsman	$104,614.06	$5,945.18
Matson	Caleb	Police Officer	$103,881.07	$19,969.05
Chapman	William	Police Officer	$103,122.03	$10,579.20

Templeton Town employees who had the top 20 highest earned salaries in FY24. Overtime/other earnings are included in the total earnings.

Use this link to check how much Templeton Assessors have put aside for overlay reserve.

https://dlsgateway.dor.state.ma.us/reports/rdPage.aspx?rdReport=Dashboard.Cat_1_Reports.OL1PerLevy351 

Town overlay fund

https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.mass.gov%2Finfo-details%2Fhighly-recommended-understanding-the-overlay-and-overlay-surplus%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01000195b58b0bd9-ec349c48-1f7a-42a9-aea6-ab1056119aa4-000000/umWznGcotERmjsRc-WqfyoSS5HzkloTfqWgFxQFIJmg=397 

https://dlsgateway.dor.state.ma.us/reports/rdPage.aspx?rdReport=Analysis.TaxImpactCalc

https://www.templetonma.gov/home/news/budget-book-for-fy26 

 A face book post by a Templeton resident, who may not be alone in their thoughts.

"Long meeting. So apparently the chair and the co-chair think they are the selectboard as a whole. It was the right thing for Currie to resign as chair. Now I think the co-chair should also resign. Since the two of them have been making decisions, seeking legal counsel prior to even telling the rest of the board. Currie refused to answer Jeffs questions about the complaint was it verbal, was it an email. What was the complaint. It was silence, I mean besides for saying he did feel like he did no wrong. Also listen to the taxpayers and stop just offering people promotions. We need a qualified with experience town administrator. This let's just keep promoting administrative assistant to new roles without putting out the job posting is the nepotism people are talking about. Also, no talk about how to deal with a regional school district with no legal regional agreement. This school system is too expensive on the taxpayers. 7 percent every year is not affordable. I've been saying that since 2018. We need an adhoc to look at cost comparison for the taxpayers, in regard to the school system. So, 2019 the selectmen ignored a vote and letter, from the then advisory board, stating we should have cost comparison that we can't afford these increases. We just lost a town administrator over the same issue. This is ridiculous. By the way selectmen you were elected to micromanage the taxpayer's money. You were not elected to go to bat for a regional school system which is a separate entity that simply currently educates the students with our tax money."

 No one had a problem back then, but was anyone going against a push for override?

October 18th 2019 

Sept. 19th, 2019, the advisory committee had a discussion, motion and a vote about the town having a need for an ad hoc committee in regard to the town's financial constraints within the current education yearly budgetary increases. When a town only has the ability to increase revenue based on a 2 ½ percent and consistently the school budget is being increased by 9 percent. In the past and present this has caused the town to make cuts in order to fund the total amount requested by the school, above the minimum contribution. In the long term for the town, we as the advisory committee feel that an ad hoc committee should be created to look at a comparison of municipal school finance versus continuing in the current regional school finance. Giving the town the ability to gather needed information to see what the best education solution would be to lesson these education budgetary increases. Regional School district investigation and comparison.

 As a committee look at the current Massachusetts laws to make sure the town is utilizing all its avenues in regard to the towns allowed roles within the process of being a district member. 

  Do a cost comparison of other regional districts similar in enrollment size. 

  Committee should take a look at the current regional district agreement, recommendations on any changes that could help curve the yearly school budgetary increases. 

  Projection of 5 and 10 years of growth and costs to the town if the current regional district is continued.  Research into what state laws could be changed to give the town a break on these increasing educational costs. Municipal school district Investigation and comparison. 

 Research if there is currently a way for the town to be able to sever its ties to the regional school district. Costs associated with changing the towns education from regional to municipal. 

  Do a cost comparison of local municipal school districts 

 Research costs of the town removing elementary school from the current school district.

 Westminster police dept. fiscal year 25 budget = $2,812,242.00

1 acting chief, 3 sgts., 1 detective (school resource officer CAPS), 10 FT officers (2 as school resource officers), 3 reserve officers, 3 secondary officers, 1 executive assistant, 4 ft dispatchers, 2 PT dispatchers, animal control is with city of gardner.

Ashburnham police FY25 budget = $1,935,534.00 - 1 police chief, 1 admin assistant, 1 LT, 2 sgts., 2 detectives, 8 FT officers, 3 TCO, 4 FT dispatchers.

Templeton police FY25 budget from annual town meeting = $1,708,000. Under town website = 1 chief, 2 sgts., 1 detective, 1 court officer, 1 clerical dispatcher, 5 patrolmen, no other accounting of dispatchers.

* One patrolman is shown as William Chapman, a William Chapman is also listed as Phillipston police chief, so perhaps town website of Templeton is once again not up to date.

A William Chapman is also listed as reserve officer in Westminster, perhaps another town website not updated. Can you say accountability to residents? 3 different William Chapmans in local area police depts?

So, by these numbers, an additional 200 thousand dollars could get Templeton a police LT, another detective, an admin assistant for police station.

All other towns on one community comparison spread sheet need to be looked at. All communities being compared need to be with towns in a regional school district, as those towns have less control over school budgeting costs.

 

Templeton town administrator resigns, citing hostile work environment: A 2-minute read

Sandy Meindersma

The Gardner News

• Templeton Town Administrator Adam Lamontagne submitted his resignation citing unfair treatment and privately incurred legal bills related to his employment.
• Lamontagne claims he is being unfairly targeted by the Select Board and is unable to perform his duties due to a pending hearing against him.
• Lamontagne maintains he acted in the best financial interests of the town and its taxpayers.

Citing privately incurred legal bills, an upcoming hearing about a complaint filed against him and several other complaints about his performance, Templeton Town Administrator Adam Lamontagne tendered his resignation.

In a letter dated March 4, 2025, Lamontagne stated he had incurred $2,616.20 in legal bills due to his employment and that he considers it "unfair" and "not right for any employer to do this to any of their employees." The letter continues that Lamontagne has always acted in good faith looking out for the taxpayers and residents of the town.

Lamontagne's last day in Templeton will be March 17, according to his letter. This represents two-weeks notice to the town of his departure.

The letter also states Lamontagne previously had to defend himself from an unfair evaluation during his previous review, and that a previous Select Board had sought but failed to hold a hearing against him. Lamontagne also states that the pending hearing is being used as a weapon against him by the board and that he is unable to perform his job duties.

According to MassLive, the complaint against him was filed by Narragansett Regional School District Superintendent Christopher Casavant.

Lamontagne is quoted by MassLive as saying "It was for the finances of the town. My job as chief financial officer is to make sure the budget is balanced and doing my fiduciary responsibility, I have due for the taxpayers of the town."

The hearing is scheduled for March 18, according to MassLive.

What is Adam Lamontagne's experience

Lamontagne was hired by the town in 2018 as a management fellow, later promoted to Assistant Town Administrator, and became Town Administrator in 2020. He is the town's first full-time town administrator.

Lamontagne previously served on the Chicopee School Committee and City Council, but left the council to become a police officer in the city, although he returned to public administration before joining the force.

What's next

The Select Board will consider its next steps at its Wednesday, March 12 meeting, according to the agenda. In addition to considering the town's next steps regarding a town administrator, the Board's agenda includes an open meeting complaint and a request from Clerk Jeffrey Bennett for Chairman Michael Currie to step down as Chair.

Currie was chair when Lamontagne was hired. He has also service on the Advisory Board and Veteran's Advisory and OVersight Board, according to his LinkedIn page.

 Templeton Select Board

Town Hall, 160 Patriots Road, East Templeton
Wednesday, March 12, 2025, 6:30 p.m.
Agenda
1. Call the Meeting to Order & Reading of Statutory Recording Notice

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Approval of Meeting Minutes
a) Approval of Minutes of Prior Meetings: 2.12.25, 2.26.25
b) Executive Session Minutes ~ None

4. Citizen Input

5. Administrator Comments

6. New Business:
a) Introductions of New Employees: Anne Brewer, Administrative Assisstant~Assessor’s Office
b) Appointments: Planning Board; Parks & Recreation Commission; Board of Registrars Re-appointment.
c) Presentation RE: FY24 Green Communities Annual Report (MRPC)
d) Action RE: Per Templeton Select Board Operating Procedures Policy, the removal of Mr. Currie as chair for cause. (J. Bennett)
e) Action RE: Open Meeting Law Complaint
f) Action RE: Consideration of Town Administrator Letter of Resignation
g) Action RE: Possible appointment of Interim TA
h) Action RE: Open Citizen of the Year nominations
i) Action RE: Designation of Special Town Employees (Advisory Committee)
j) Discussion RE: Release of FY26 Budget
k) Discussion RE: TCTV Sustainable Funding Proposal

7. Old Business:
a) Action RE: Request for state audit (T. Toth)
b) Discussion RE: Environmental Impact Statement, RE: Gardner Landfill (T. Griffis)
c) Update RE: ARPA obligations, contracts, and execution of funds (M. Rivard)

8. Board Member Comments


9. Adjournment

https://www.mma.org/resource/an-insiders-look-at-town-meeting/

 General Laws Chapter 55 governs the raising and spending of money for ballot questions as well as political candidates. The law also regulates the conduct of public officials and employees undertaking campaign finance activities. In general, the law regulates conduct not speech. Thus, while local officials can take a position on an override or exclusion question and speak in favor of or in opposition to it, they cannot spend public funds or use public resources, such as personnel, supplies and facilities, to promote or oppose the question

 Have questions about the school budget? This is your chance to have your voice heard and learn more about the budgeting needs of the district.

We look forward to seeing you.

Thursday, March 6 at 5:30 in the KIVA (NRHS)

This is the official preliminary budget hearing.

Thursday, March 20 at 5:30 in the KIVA (NRHS)

This is the official budget hearing, including vote by School Committee members.

All registered voters in Templeton and Phillipston get a vote in how town funds are spent and it’s important for your voices to be heard! Please join us!

 Very Public information, posted on Templeton town website under contracts:

https://www.templetonma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif3911/f/uploads/final_lamontagne_emp_agreement_fully_negotiated_30oct23_-_signed.pdf

Town Administrator: g.) Cause shall be defined as a material breach of the Agreement, indictment (in the course of official duties), or conviction for willful actionable criminal activity, excluding traffic violations, or misfeasance, nonfeasance, or malfeasance in office. Misfeasance or malfeasance for the purposes hereof shall not be deemed to exist if the issue at hand consists of matters involving the Administrator’s management style or errors in judgment or decisions made in good faith (excluding gross negligence), or refusal to implement Board directives which the Town Counsel shall have determined to be unlawful or beyond the scope of their authority.

 This week, Thursday Advisory Committee meeting agenda item:

6. New Business:

a) Discussion and possible recommendation regarding a possible prop 2.5 override for town and school budget for FY2026.

 Part one.

https://www.templetonma.gov/town-administrator/files/sewer-list-overdue

 A study group to look at regional school district agreement, including what are the steps and process of leaving the district is really no different that the stone bridge study group. It is simply looking at options and the process, whatever it might be, for a town to withdraw from a regional school district. It is not really anything to lose sleep over. Perhaps one thing that will be brought to light is the fact Phillipston selectmen have ignored the agreement completely.

Section VIII in both the 1977 and 2004 versions reads in part:

"Any such proposal for amendment shall be presented to the Secretary of the Regional District School Committee, who shall mail or deliver a notice in writing to the Board of Selectmen of

each of the member towns that a proposal to amend this agreement has been received and shall enclose a copy of such proposal. The Selectmen in each member town shall include in the warrant for the next Special Town Meeting called for the purpose, an article stating the proposal or substance thereof."

Phillipston refused to put it on the warrant for the 2023 Annual Town Meeting. Look at 2024 Annual Town meeting, it was not on the warrant to be considered. The Department of Education has advised that the last agreed upon Regional Agreement remains in place in situations such as these. The district has been in front of the Templeton capital planning committee for a couple things for TES. In short, the last agreed upon Regional Agreement (District, DESE, Templeton, Phillipston) uses the $5,000 threshold. The Draft Regional Agreement's has a threshold of $15,000 which needs Phillipston to put before its voters to either approve or vote down. If voted down, then a RACC needs to be reinstated to discuss the issues that Phillipston has with the draft.

As of right now, they are in violation of any of the Regional Agreements you pick (draft or prior).

Since Templeton is an 85% stake holder in district and the owner of the new elementary school, I believe it to be a good option to look at our options.

 

Town of Templeton, MA

April 15, 2014  · 

Holly Young

April 15, 2014  · 

Message from Town Administrator Bob Markel

The Department of Revenue has always discouraged the use of free cash to balance the budget. Bond rating agencies do the same, and the low bond rating for the Town reflects, in part, the lavish use of free cash to fund the operating budget. However, this is not illegal; it is simply unsound financial policy.

The amount of free cash available changes yearly, and it is not predictable. Free cash is considered one-time revenue, and the Department of Revenues recommends that it used to augment the Stabilization Fund (reserves) or for one-time purchases like capital items.

Audit firms do not do a thorough job of auditing the books (unfortunately). They come and test various areas of the town’s finances to see if there are problems, but some problems are not caught and can persist for years. They tell you up front that they cannot do a thorough audit for the relatively modest amount they charge. The DOR representative at today’s meeting called the standard municipal audit a “hit and run” audit. Still, some firms are more reputable and more competent than others. I cannot name names in this message, but there are several firms that I would never hire.

Recommendation: The Selectboard should create an Audit Committee of knowledgeable citizens who will have two responsibilities: 1) Bid the audit contract every three years, and hire an independent auditor; and 2) Receive the annual audit and do a public review of the findings and the management letter. Municipal auditors are typically hired by the Town Administrator, Town Accountant or Finance Director. This is an inherent conflict of interest since town officials who do the hiring are the ones whose work is being audited. Hiring and receiving the audit should be an arm’s length transaction from the Town’s financial team.

The Department of Revenue oversees 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth. They accept data provided by the Town Accountant, the Treasurer/Collector and the Assessors. They often question the data, but they are not always able to verify if data submitted on the Tax Recap or Schedule A are accurate. The DOR does not have access to the town’s accounting system. For example, the DOR was in Templeton today to question whether the Town has properly reported debt obligations on the DE-1 section of Schedule A. Some debt is paid from general revenue within the town budget and some debt is paid through debt exclusion. There is a correct way to report these two types of debt on Schedule A. The DOR representatives checked to see if the Town reported the data correctly, but they are limited in their ability to verify the accuracy of the data.

The long term solution to Templeton’s financial problems is to hire a professional Town Administrator who will put in place a competent financial management team – Accountant, Treasurer, Collector and Assessors. The Selectmen and Advisory Board have the responsibly to oversee the T.A. and the financial team on their management of the Town’s finances. To complement the BoS and Advisory Board, the Audit Committee should retain a reputable accounting firm to conduct an annual audit with the results made public.

Bob Markel

Interim Town Administrator