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!