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.
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.
Since "they" don't use it like they planned, we should abolish that tax.
ReplyDeletePeople from out of town eat in the restaurants in Templeton, so not all of that money comes out of our residents pockets. Meals tax has helped but it has to be used correctly. Selectmen can not be allowed to make up their own interpretations of what was passed. Elect people with credibility would be helpful or keep Bennett on the BOS forever !
ReplyDeleteThese local option taxes are all part of the Democrat's scheme. They want to spend billions on subsidized living for illegals. Import a new voter base and keep them dependent on government.
ReplyDeleteThe state collects billions more than needed but they want cities and towns to raise their own money.
At the time we did approved the Meals Tax I tried to get an account established so that money would be isolated from the General Fund. I was told it would happen, , 7+ years later and having now been Elected to the SelectBoard along with my 4 other Members we as a Board are bringing this issue forward.
ReplyDeleteIt's long overdue. Since the Meals tax has been approved the town has replaced a police on average 1 per year.
This years estimated cost of a police vehicle is roughly $80,000 ( believe its $72,000 vehicle and up to $8,000 for upfitting Police gear). If Memory serves me the collected Meals Tax for FY25 was roughly $83,000.
I know there has been some talk about how it is utilized and that needs to be resolved and spelled out to avoid this confusion later on.
I do agree that we as taxpayers need to be aware of how the government is coming after our tax dollars. As we all know it comes to us in many forms. If someone tells you no new taxes, well watch out for increasing fees. If someone tells you your taxes are going down, well prepare to be unemployed with lower property values.
Thats why I like this approach. Taking the specific tax (meals tax) and attaching it to specific needs. Then placing those funds in the "Special Stabilization account" which defines its use. These funds can only be approved for use at Town Meeting by those who show up!
The only required ticket to vote on this and other Articles is your residency.
We need to decide what services we want from government and what services are better or more efficiently contracted out to private enterprise. The more you want from your government the more you are asking to be taxed!
Robert May