tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13651026026336344672024-03-19T04:48:42.840-04:00Templeton WatchAll material on this blog is directed to members of the general public and is not intended to be read by my fellow Board members,
nor do I intend for any readers to convey such material directly
or indirectly to my fellow
Board members.Jeff Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00523423124485337508noreply@blogger.comBlogger1995125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365102602633634467.post-27627264213548309052024-03-09T10:13:00.003-05:002024-03-09T10:13:42.915-05:00<p><a href="https://www.templetonma.gov/home/news/nomination-papers-for-the-annual-town-election-are-now-available-thru-thursday-march-28th"> https://www.templetonma.gov/home/news/nomination-papers-for-the-annual-town-election-are-now-available-thru-thursday-march-28th</a></p>Jeff Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00523423124485337508noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365102602633634467.post-11078957270756010382024-03-09T07:28:00.001-05:002024-03-09T07:28:13.788-05:00<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So, here we go again, election time is coming and one can go to town hall to take out nomination papers. It was posted to the town website, and it was at the top of the list (as it should be in my opinion) but, the website just now shows The presidential primary will be held March 5, 2024, and I clicked link, and it shows as posted on February 7, 2024. The post on nomination papers is still posted, it is the 6th item shown on town website in center of page. </span></span></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Next, I looked at <span style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><a style="animation-name: none !important; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>agenda for next Templeton selectmen meeting, which is posted for Wednesday, March 5, 2024. What I do not find is electronic agenda items for draft town meeting warrant and budget, which as selectmen Toth commented at last selectmen meeting "all things for the meeting are supposed to be in packet, electronically before the meeting. Selectmen operating procedures states; 3.) Availability of Meeting Packet: The meeting packet, complete with all support materials available at the time, shall be transmitted to the Board members electronically no </span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-size: medium;">later than 5 p.m. on the Friday preceding the meeting. Thereafter, it shall be available to the general public in paper form in the Board’s offices and on the Town's web site.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: collapse;">Is the primary more important to local residents than nomination papers and annual local elections? Nomination paper info shows posted to town website on February 26, 2024. The presidential primary is done, the annual election is upcoming. Tax dollars </span><span style="animation-name: none !important;"><a style="animation-name: none !important; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: collapse;" tabindex="-1"></a></span><span style="white-space-collapse: collapse;">pay for this "service."</span></span></span></div></div>Jeff Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00523423124485337508noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365102602633634467.post-91026152126163270822024-03-01T09:00:00.003-05:002024-03-01T09:00:35.966-05:00<p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;"> <span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Anyone can do this, go online, type </span><span style="animation-name: none !important; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x1ejq31n xd10rxx x1sy0etr x17r0tee x972fbf xcfux6l x1qhh985 xm0m39n x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fmytowngovernment.org%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0U3quSRbchtpHU9zEdeinYuvZNUd0fMsg4gQEy95tFkvMbkN95t6WErbM&h=AT38hxVI4qL6XsVtGiIfFu9TS6LBc2xUlXokmU-oYSgZktH5jzBw-rex8KzAT6fhih5-bgFxQBX_V8N7UX5UtaxjiTYLvGg1VbmhKQFQBeSaeyWwe-mpRsFskF1xgyPlqECtcdN85LFT_QmoxzmW&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AT3soNWY35dFiy2mCdm69wBQhMvKin2D2rIsEAvLwbQFXCvPHqfb7jb9NqITSbv0yzgip2OubyXt_YRwh5c7QxJGNQZlISZpyh2kZa2VBDdpbrBxKyb99_z2XH92oQ" rel="nofollow" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; animation-name: none !important; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation; transition-property: none !important;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">mytowngovernment.org</a></span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and then click Templeton, then look for select board, click that and scroll down to old meetings, look for selectboard meeting of February 9, 2022, find agenda packet and click on it, when it opens scroll down to item 5d. This is 3 pages of description of spending some arpa funds. ARPA administration costs listed at $46,000.00</span></span></p><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">the form filled in by current town administration. Part of the form states "to provide funding <span style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><a style="animation-name: none !important; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>for administration of funds which would cover legal review of all before any monies are distributed."</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">Suddenly with financial auditors in the building we have a problem?? The town accountant states "I made a surprise visit to town hall" suddenly there is a problem with some arpa funding?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So, now it begins, did the accountant come to town to do some back peddling incase auditors find some bad shit, financially speaking? Did the auditors find the arpa issues? Was $46,000.00 budgeted for admin and it was wasted on bad legal advice or work. Might be time to clean house, town administrator, accountant and town lawyer, open door and kick em to street. A town hires "professional staff" supposedly to keep crap like this from happening. When you get bad advice and bad results, generally the thing to do is fire em and hire someone else. ARPA aside, we are talking a few hundred thousand dollars of your money on a town administrator, accountant and lawyer.</span></span></div></div>Jeff Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00523423124485337508noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365102602633634467.post-48420190585902773312024-02-25T06:16:00.005-05:002024-02-25T06:16:44.969-05:00<p> February 2023 report from State House News Service.</p><article class="article" data-rid="835768" data-rtype="story" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #343c40; font-family: Arnhem, serif; font-size: 18px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; position: relative;"><section class="article-section--content hang-punctuation article-section--first article-section--centered article-sections" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 760px; padding: 30px 30px 0px; position: relative; width: 760px;"><p class="" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 25px;">Emergency transportation in a publicly-owned ambulance in Massachusetts costs about twice the national average, according to an upcoming report from the state's Health Policy Commission.</p><p class="" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 25px;">The report, which has not been publicly released yet, shows disparities in how much insurance payers are charged for ambulance services in Massachusetts between publicly- and privately-owned ambulance companies, and between commercial insurers and public insurance such as MassHealth.</p><p class="" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 25px;">Nationwide, commercially insured patients pay an average $761 for an ambulance trip from a municipally owned emergency medical services company, compared to a $1,578 charge in Massachusetts, researcher Diana S. Váscones told the HPC's Market Oversight and Transparency Committee at a meeting on Wednesday.</p><p class="" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 25px;">Of the 1.5 million EMS patient transports in Massachusetts in 2019, commercial insurance payers paid municipal ambulance services roughly double what they paid private ambulances per transport. Most payments for middle-tier services were between $500 and $1,000 for private ambulances and between $750 and $2,500 for municipal transports.</p><p class="" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 25px;">Publicly owned ambulance services are commonly tied to fire departments, although there are some cities that have standalone EMS departments, such as Boston and Fall River. In 2019, there was about a one-to-one chance of being picked up by a private versus public ambulance.</p><p class="" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 25px;">Even as emergency trips have gotten more expensive for everyone over the last six years, payments over $2,000 for municipal ambulances have doubled from 17% in 2017 to 34% in 2020 for similar care.</p><p class="" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 25px;">When asked why emergency trips were so much more expensive in publicly owned vehicles, Váscones said "we don't have the clearest picture of that."</p><p class="indent-medium" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 25px; text-indent: -0.35em;">"We do think that it may be related to differences in payer contracting with private versus municipal services. It may be that payers are less likely to contract with municipal services," she said.</p><p class="" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;">She added it is something the commission plans to look into further.</p></section></article><section class="article-section--story-group article-section--centered" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #343c40; font-family: Arnhem, serif; font-size: 18px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; margin: 20px auto; max-width: 760px; padding: 0px 30px; position: relative; width: 760px;"></section><section class="section--bo section--bp" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #343c40; font-family: Arnhem, serif; font-size: 18px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; margin: 30px 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="uw bp--outer" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: grid; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 970px; padding: 20px 0px; place-items: center;"><div class="bp-inner" style="box-sizing: border-box; width: 970px;"><p class="bp-label" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #aab0b6; font-family: "Public Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0.01em; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 0px 4px; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase;">ADVERTISEMENT</p></div></div></section>Jeff Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00523423124485337508noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365102602633634467.post-41206624589895721322024-02-22T06:36:00.003-05:002024-02-22T06:36:36.181-05:00<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Templeton town bylaw, put forward to town meeting by select board, recommended by advisory committee and voted on by town meeting. Why not just follow the rule?</span></span></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-size: medium;">§ 9-6</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Meetings.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Advisory Committee shall meet jointly with the Select Board whenever there is a request to consider adjusting spending limits on any revolving fund, any end of year financial transfer or any request of transfer from the Town reserve fund.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><a style="animation-name: none !important; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>stated at a meeting of selectmen on June 28, 2023;"this is a waste of time" regarding the bylaw on joint meeting for reserve fund transfer. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If that is the thought, why recommend for the bylaw in the first place? Keep the bylaw, replace some people who violated the bylaw multiple times (documented by public records)</span></div></div>Jeff Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00523423124485337508noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365102602633634467.post-48636062547062866792024-02-15T08:46:00.000-05:002024-02-15T08:46:01.250-05:00<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">State Law: Section 2: Locating and marking of town boundary markers; recordation; copy of records to contiguous town</span></p><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Section 2. The boundary markers of every town shall be located, the marks thereon renewed, and the year located marked upon the face thereof which bears the letter of the town locating its boundary, once every five years, by at least two of the selectmen of the town or by two substitutes designated by them in writing. The marking shall be made with a paint or <span style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><a style="animation-name: none !important; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>other suitable marking material.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">The proceedings shall be recorded with the town clerk and the board of selectmen of the town in writing signed under penalty of perjury setting forth which boundary marks were located, and those which were not located. A copy of such records shall also be sent, by registered letter, to the town clerk and the board of selectmen of any contiguous town. (Massachusetts General Law chapter 42)</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs" style="animation-name: none !important; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white;">From: jeff bennett <j_bennett506@hotmail.com></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white;">Sent: Wednesday, February 7, 2024 7:51 AM</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white;">To: Adam D. Lamontagne <alamontagne@TempletonMA.gov></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white;">Subject: public record</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s" style="animation-name: none !important; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white;">Good day, I am sending this request for public information to the person listed as the Templeton records access officer per MA public records law. I am requesting a copy (electronically preferred) of the required information on file with town clerk, signed letter by involved parties, be it select board members or their substitutes, concerning the finding and marking of the Templeton, MA town boundary markers. To be clear, this is a request for a copy of boundary markers on file with town clerk, rather than the letter on file in the office of selectmen.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s" style="animation-name: none !important; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white;">Jeffrey Bennett</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs" style="animation-name: none !important; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white;">We have not yet located the documents you are requesting at this time. Should they turn up in the future, we will forward you a copy.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s" style="animation-name: none !important; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white;">Adam D. Lamontagne, MPA, MCPPO</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s" style="animation-name: none !important; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white;">Town Administrator</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white;">Templeton's house is still not in order. One person can read many things, look into many items, spend countless hours looking at town business/government and still not cover or see/find it all. Perhaps no further tv shows and take that time to review things and practices so we as a town become proactive rather than always reactive.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jeff Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00523423124485337508noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365102602633634467.post-36393431860096206262024-02-15T08:42:00.001-05:002024-02-15T08:42:05.556-05:00<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Oh look, a selectman complaining a business used their rights to file a egal appeal with a state agency (alcoholic beverage control commission) to move a one-day suspension penalty to a different day so a planned paid for already event could take place on said day. First, news flash for government (selectmen) people go into business to make money, not break even or to lose money (they leave that to government) so any day a business is forced to close and thus loses out on </span><span style="animation-name: none !important; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a style="animation-name: none !important; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;" tabindex="-1"></a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space-collapse: preserve;">taking in money, as in their livelihood is punished, is a penalty and they feel pain. Second, welcome to reality, state and town are not partners like the governor and state legislature likes to say, the state is the dictator and towns are their subjects, welcome to reality. </span></span></p><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If selectmen wish to suggest that local business do better so they are safer, etc., perhaps selectmen should take that advice and do better, become a better board and make Templeton a better town. Hey selectmen, start following state law and town bylaws and perhaps you will become a better board.</span></div>Jeff Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00523423124485337508noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365102602633634467.post-25023836868703699392024-02-15T08:13:00.005-05:002024-02-15T08:22:24.446-05:00<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Segoe UI Historic, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Main Street bridge is still open, the roadway is still in use, so why is a debt exclusion needed at this point in time. First, ARPA funds were going to pay for it, then the state was going to pay for it. Yes, it is a town bridge and yes it needs to be replaced, but since it is still in use, it could be placed on TIP list and in about 5-6 years, it would be replaced without a debt exclusion on the backs of town residents, I mean the people on Royalston Road have waited 10 plus years on TIP list. Templeton has 2 roadways that are closed, Stone Bridge and part of N. Main Street/Lord Road. Sometimes called gilligans island and since these roadways are closed and everyone uses the roads, from residents to police, fire, ambulance, school buses, it would seem to this resident that the more pressing items would be the roads that are closed rather than one that is still useable. Important to note, the called for debt exclusion question is a two-part affair. First there is a contingent town meeting question where town meeting is asked to approve borrowing of a certain amount of dollars (I would never vote to approve anything without a known/stated dollar figure and then the question has to go to the election ballot, and both have to pass for it to move forward. Right now, the town has too much debt and remember, the selectmen voted to put less money into town stabilization funds, which can affect the town bond rating which has effect on borrowing costs. Vote no on debt exclusion!</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Segoe UI Historic, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #050505;"><span style="font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Segoe UI Historic, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #050505;"><span style="font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> The deadline for obtaining voter approval of override or exclusion questions
for contingent appropriations made at an annual town meeting is September
15. More than one election may be held, but the contingent appropriation is
null and void if the related question is not approved by September 15.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Segoe UI Historic, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #050505;"><span style="font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: preserve;">
• The deadline for obtaining voter approval of override or exclusion questions
for contingent appropriations made at any other town meeting is 90 days after
the close of the town meeting at which the contingent appropriation vote was
taken. More than one election may be held, but the contingent appropriation is
null and void if the related question is not approved by the end of the 90 day
period.</span></span></span></p>Jeff Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00523423124485337508noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365102602633634467.post-84693093908524551052024-02-08T07:43:00.005-05:002024-02-08T07:43:55.709-05:00<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Sometimes "history" relates to current events. One current event, shows, in my opinion, that the current Templeton town administrator does not quite understand his role concerning policy, specifically select board policy. This history item, in my opinion, shows the lack of understanding local governance, particularly town bylaws, might not be limited to the TA.</span></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">following is from email sent to me. It is a bit telling on understanding governance in Templeton.</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Mr. May,</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">I am <span style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><a style="animation-name: none !important; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>responding to your request for action pursuant to our town bylaws Chapter 9 Section 6 and Chapter 1 Section 4 and 5. Below is my due diligence within 21 days of the observed and alleged notice of violation; I performed an informal inquiry with published information to determine if the allegations warranted action. I have made determinations and formed an appeal process below along with all of the law and references I have used:</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Mr. Robert May, a registered voter of the Town of Templeton, did observe a alleged violation of Templeton Bylaw Chapter 9 Section 6, by which the Advisory Committee (AC) as a whole held a reserve fund transfer action in their regular meeting on 20 September 2023 as "action item 'F'" that violated said bylaw by not holding a joint meeting with the Select Board (SB)as the bylaw calls for. Mr. May's complaint was received 31 October 2023 by the Town Administrator and forwarded for action to the Chair of the SB on 1 November 2023.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">AC Chair John Caplis had a chance encounter and conversation with Recreation Commission (RC) Chair Candace Graves at the Gilman Wait fields. The conversation was about a possible reserve request from the RC for the purposes of a sink installation. Caplis said he would add that subject into their next meeting and invited Graves to attend to discuss.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">AC Chair Caplis, thru the TA's office, posted a meeting on 28 August with the reserve request scheduled for action as item 'f.'. No reserve request was included in the meeting packet. Between this time and 12 September, Caplis performed the necessary research to determine the path forward for this verbal request.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">The SB Chair and AC Chair spoke via phone on the morning of 12 September about several items, one being Item F reserve request and that Caplis intended to still discuss the item, but it was not a reserve request as the Recreation Commission had sufficient funds for an internal transfer.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">The AC properly scheduled and held their meeting on September 20th at town hall. During the meeting, it was clear that the discussion was as the AC Chair indicated that the request itself was 'cancelled' by voting on the agenda action item as a unanimous 'no' vote.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">In my review of the facts, there was no intent of the AC to have a vote or action in violation of Templeton Bylaw Ch9Sec6. The AC continued the agenda item vote in order to deny the verbal request of the RC Chair and was understood by the rest of the AC (M. Euvrard @37:47). It was also clear to me that the AC Chair understood more than what the rest of the AC did and referenced 'an alternative plan' that would mitigate any necessity for a true reserve request. The meeting minutes did not accurately capture what the motion was, which was to deny the request, not the sink. The minutes should be amended to reflect that fact.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">If I believed that the AC was voting on disapproving an official request that procedure calls for a joint meeting, then Mr. May's assessment of a violation of Ch9Sec6 would trigger a general and/or noncriminal violation and pursuant penalty under Ch1Sec4 "General Penalty".</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">My duties as an 'enforcing person' as notified by a person of cognizance (a resident, B. May) would be to investigate the cognizance of the violation and then act to inform the SB that a violation had been filed and founded and what our duties would be with respect to our bylaw and MGL Ch40Sec21D. I have found no substantiating evidence to support a claim of violation of bylaw Ch9Sec6.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">If you disagree with my informal inquiry and findings, I would say that your appeal process for this decision would be for me to place this on a SB meeting agenda, by your request, to allow for discussion and possible action. You have somewhat confused the process by including many town and state-level entities in your correspondence with the TA on his assessments, so I am unsure if any other actions are happing simultaneously. Please consider your decision to appeal carefully or reach out to me for any further clarification.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Thank you,</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">-Mike Currie</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Chair, Select Board</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Town of Templeton</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Material used to investigate:</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none !important;">Templeton Advisory Committee Meeting of Sept. 20, 2023</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none !important;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none !important;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="background-color: white;">Fact: advisory committee agenda for September 20, 2023 shows an item reserved request - f. Action RE: Reserve Request Parks and Rec commission. Since this was listed as an action item I believe the average person would take that as a thing the committee would take up, discuss and vote on. The committee did vote on it, a unanimous no vote recorded in official minutes of the meeting.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="background-color: white;"> What does the town bylaw state (voted on and put in place by town meeting) </span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><b><span style="background-color: white;">§ 9-6 </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Meetings.</span></b></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="background-color: white;">The Advisory Committee shall meet jointly with the Select Board whenever there is a request to consider adjusting spending limits on any revolving fund, any end of year financial transfer or any request of transfer from the Town reserve fund. There you have it folks, bylaw simply states if there is a reserve fund transfer request, there shall be a joint meeting of advisory and select board to discuss the issue, no excuses from the chairman of the select board! Anyone can read the minutes of the 9/20/2023 advisory committee by going to <a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x1ejq31n xd10rxx x1sy0etr x17r0tee x972fbf xcfux6l x1qhh985 xm0m39n x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fmytowngovernment.org%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR13jPM_QZkh5z92gDf0oFFhykIxU8Whii7NS39jScYG5Z9_qlSe4X4o_Fo&h=AT1caO9OKDfivRL0ANdiOpGV95MV9JEONfIxt3jmOKCPKuXeYaR7DnAhD5GpP65cDHc2jZpOcJDWS0WUSbSADdD6wMtJ1gS7Mw4huvU8XKeBP__MhxOQBlDcNd15tvDLhCAsXMVEf547WypVXyVt&__tn__=R]-R&c[0]=AT2yIzvnpJ4uwr2hU1uqC_VA_JHVBvWGzMS-aCgA5nm_oCuloUYytsFVhnazUm7e7KHLFe7vJM3tqxTFzYaKvJrkM3CQJElcGc6p-165IqWMiN6KHK6KuyBITItoP3Awbn0nv5DwzXXKoKdLIGCczgTbKBFJ68XLrQ6K9GvzV9AHLA" rel="nofollow" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; animation-name: none !important; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation; transition-property: none !important;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">mytowngovernment.org</a>, click Templeton, then advisory then look for past meetings and find the minutes and agenda for said meeting. If the Tempeton TA does not like this and thinks I am posting information to divide the town, perhaps he should point out town bylaws to select board and try and unite them into following said town bylaws, put into place by town meeting, you know, the people ho vote on TA salary within the select board budget, among other things. If posting this type of information is not beneficial to town residents, then perhaps the TA can explain what would be beneficial to the town!</span></div></div></div>Jeff Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00523423124485337508noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365102602633634467.post-3176464782408426452024-02-07T13:10:00.002-05:002024-02-07T13:10:28.870-05:00<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Templeton town administrator might have a problem with being questioned on his actions. After pointing something out, I received this in email.</span></p><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Jeff,</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">It is in the Select Board read file. I have to say, I believe the Town of Templeton would be better served if you refrained from attempting to cause division and put all of that time into something productive and positive for the Town.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Adam D. Lamontagne, MPA, MCPPO</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Town Administrator</div></div>Jeff Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00523423124485337508noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365102602633634467.post-15056963902526398082024-02-04T10:01:00.000-05:002024-02-04T10:01:04.600-05:00<p>Below is link to agreement for Templeton Town Administrator.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.templetonma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif3911/f/uploads/final_lamontagne_emp_agreement_fully_negotiated_30oct23_-_signed.pdf">https://www.templetonma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif3911/f/uploads/final_lamontagne_emp_agreement_fully_negotiated_30oct23_-_signed.pdf</a> </p><p><br /></p>Jeff Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00523423124485337508noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365102602633634467.post-15794400375562318682024-02-02T11:39:00.004-05:002024-02-02T11:39:39.579-05:00<p> </p><p>from Templeton Town website - financial management policy.</p><p>Policy:
The Town shall have an independent outside audit performed by a certified audit firm each year.
The Town shall endeavor to have the audit completed prior to January 1 of each year. The Board
shall provide for such an audit by an accountant or a firm of accountants, who have no personal
interests, direct or indirect, in the fiscal affairs of the Town government or of any of its officers or
employees. The Board shall require a public presentation of the audit and management letter once
it is finalized.</p><p>It is February 2, 2024, where is the audit????</p><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Endeavor - try hard to do or achieve something, evidently, TA and selectmen do not try too hard.</span>Jeff Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00523423124485337508noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365102602633634467.post-83802563830205091852024-01-30T20:42:00.001-05:002024-01-30T20:42:17.153-05:00<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: adriane, serif; font-size: 18px;">PHILLIPSTON – The Selectboard voted Wednesday to approve a new intermunicipal public safety agreement with Templeton.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: adriane, serif; font-size: 18px !important; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">This three-year agreement entails Templeton providing police and fire dispatch services for both communities. Templeton’s five-member Selectboard also gave the agreement its unanimous backing Wednesday night.</p><div class="col-xs-12" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: adriane, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"></div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: adriane, serif; font-size: 18px !important; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The previous agreement called for Templeton to bill Phillipston annually based on the number of calls received from Phillipston. The most recent bill amounted to just over $77,000. Instead of being charged on a per-call basis, Phillipston will now pay $50,000 every fiscal year over the length of the agreement.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: adriane, serif; font-size: 18px !important; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The contract also includes a provision for Phillipston to “establish an equipment budget…in the amount of $5,000 annually for the purpose of purchasing communication-related equipment.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: adriane, serif; font-size: 18px !important; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: adriane, serif; font-size: 18px !important; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Once again, Templeton residents pay so another town can benefit. One town gets same service as Templeton for less than the cost of one employee.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: adriane, serif; font-size: 18px !important; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></p>Jeff Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00523423124485337508noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365102602633634467.post-22862987240895214332024-01-26T22:16:00.005-05:002024-01-26T22:16:54.535-05:00<p><a href="https://mass.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0e9e2209abd5f7062568d9a19&id=74e017324d&e=16dce7b05a"> </a>Municipal cherry sheet estimates:</p><p><a href="https://mass.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0e9e2209abd5f7062568d9a19&id=74e017324d&e=16dce7b05a">https://mass.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0e9e2209abd5f7062568d9a19&id=74e017324d&e=16dce7b05a</a></p><p><br /></p><p>Regional School district cherry sheet estimates:</p><p><a href="https://mass.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0e9e2209abd5f7062568d9a19&id=24cf616f21&e=16dce7b05a">https://mass.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0e9e2209abd5f7062568d9a19&id=24cf616f21&e=16dce7b05a</a></p>Jeff Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00523423124485337508noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365102602633634467.post-18158189207103595802024-01-26T22:12:00.005-05:002024-01-26T22:12:52.066-05:00<p> from the newest edition of Selectmen Handbook, easily found by anyone on Massachusetts Municipal Association website.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Prompt, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 30px 0px;">The long-held view that town managers have more authority than town administrators has no basis in state law. Some town manager positions have fairly modest authority, and some town administrators have significant authority.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Prompt, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 30px 0px;">The “strong town manager” reference is also a matter of perspective or individual town experience with the position. Some ways in which the position could be considered “strong” are the extent of appointment authority, authority for the direction of the budget and capital plan process, and assumption of certain duties previously assigned to the Select Board (e.g., approval of payments).</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Prompt, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 30px 0px;">Each community has approached this question differently, and the expectations for these positions by town leaders have evolved over time, so there are myriad job descriptions for such positions. Examples from which to draw ideas are readily available on town websites that include bylaws and charters.</p>Jeff Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00523423124485337508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365102602633634467.post-1755298756725254052024-01-11T09:28:00.001-05:002024-01-11T09:28:28.609-05:00<p> email:</p><div class="uSg02" style="border: 0px; color: #424242; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; min-height: 68px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="DgV2h allowTextSelection l8Tnu" style="-webkit-box-pack: justify; border: 0px; 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font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-all;"><span class="OZZZK" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; min-width: 20px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: top; width: 100%; word-break: break-word;">jeff bennett</span></div></span></span></div></div><div class="lT19A" style="-webkit-box-align: end; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-flex: 1; -webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-box-pack: end; align-items: flex-end; border: 0px; color: inherit; display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex: 1 1 auto; font: inherit; justify-content: flex-end; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: right; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="relTj" style="-webkit-box-ordinal-group: 2; border: 0px; color: inherit; 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-webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; -webkit-box-pack: justify; align-items: baseline; border: 0px; color: inherit; display: flex; flex-direction: row; font: inherit; justify-content: space-between; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="_Tm_J" style="-webkit-box-flex: 1; border: 0px; color: inherit; flex: 1 1 auto; font: inherit; margin: -5px 0px 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="kcAOr t9ThB" data-testid="RecipientWell" style="border: 0px; color: var(--neutralPrimary); font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; left: 4px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="eW8In" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; cursor: text; font: inherit; height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 851.109px;"><div aria-multiline="true" class="VVc2u xF985 AZdnD w_7Z_ EditorClass g7toD" role="textbox" style="border: 0px; caret-color: transparent; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 2px 0px 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; vertical-align: baseline; width: 851.109px;" tabindex="-1"><span class="_Entity _EType_LABEL_ENTITY _EReadonly_1 _GsgW xF985" contenteditable="false" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 2px 4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><label class="JRNiE WOwiK" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; height: 100%; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: none; vertical-align: baseline;">To:</label></span><span class="_Entity _EType_RECIPIENT_ENTITY _EReadonly_1 _GsgW cOnYN xF985" contenteditable="false" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; display: inline-block; font: inherit; margin: 2px 4px 0px 0px; max-width: calc(100% - 4px); padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span aria-haspopup="dialog" aria-label="Opens card for Adam D. Lamontagne <alamontagne@TempletonMA.gov>" class="lpcWrapper lpcCommonWeb-hoverTarget container-641" data-is-focusable="true" data-lpc-hover-target-id="lpc-react-target-68" role="button" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; cursor: pointer; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" tabindex="0"><span class="TeT3_ V3xkQ _X2oA" style="-webkit-box-align: center; align-items: center; border-radius: 4px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; display: inline-flex; font: inherit; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow: hidden; padding: 1px 3px 2px; position: relative; text-overflow: ellipsis; user-select: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="pU1YL CzRfc jhM_9" style="border: 0px; color: var(--neutralDark); font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">Adam D. Lamontagne;</span></span></span></span><span class="_Entity _EType_RECIPIENT_ENTITY _EReadonly_1 _GsgW cOnYN xF985" contenteditable="false" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; display: inline-block; font: inherit; margin: 2px 4px 0px 0px; max-width: calc(100% - 4px); padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span aria-haspopup="dialog" aria-label="Opens card for Currie, Michael <mcurrie@templetonma.gov>" class="lpcWrapper lpcCommonWeb-hoverTarget container-641" data-is-focusable="true" data-lpc-hover-target-id="lpc-react-target-69" role="button" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; cursor: pointer; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" tabindex="0"><span class="TeT3_ V3xkQ _X2oA" style="-webkit-box-align: center; align-items: center; border-radius: 4px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; display: inline-flex; font: inherit; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow: hidden; padding: 1px 3px 2px; position: relative; text-overflow: ellipsis; user-select: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="pU1YL CzRfc jhM_9" style="border: 0px; color: var(--neutralDark); font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">Currie, Michael;</span></span></span></span><span class="_Entity _EType_RECIPIENT_ENTITY _EReadonly_1 _GsgW cOnYN xF985" contenteditable="false" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; display: inline-block; font: inherit; margin: 2px 4px 0px 0px; max-width: calc(100% - 4px); padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span aria-haspopup="dialog" aria-label="Opens card for Toth, Timothy <ttoth@templetonma.gov>" class="lpcWrapper lpcCommonWeb-hoverTarget container-641" data-is-focusable="true" data-lpc-hover-target-id="lpc-react-target-70" role="button" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; cursor: pointer; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" tabindex="0"><span class="TeT3_ V3xkQ _X2oA" style="-webkit-box-align: center; align-items: center; border-radius: 4px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; display: inline-flex; font: inherit; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow: hidden; padding: 1px 3px 2px; position: relative; text-overflow: ellipsis; user-select: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="pU1YL CzRfc jhM_9" style="border: 0px; color: var(--neutralDark); font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">Toth, Timothy;</span></span></span></span><span class="_Entity _EType_RECIPIENT_ENTITY _EReadonly_1 _GsgW cOnYN xF985" contenteditable="false" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; display: inline-block; font: inherit; margin: 2px 4px 0px 0px; max-width: calc(100% - 4px); padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span aria-haspopup="dialog" aria-label="Opens card for Richard, Julie <jrichard@TempletonMA.gov>" class="lpcWrapper lpcCommonWeb-hoverTarget container-641" data-is-focusable="true" data-lpc-hover-target-id="lpc-react-target-71" role="button" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; cursor: pointer; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" tabindex="0"><span class="TeT3_ V3xkQ _X2oA" style="-webkit-box-align: center; align-items: center; border-radius: 4px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; display: inline-flex; font: inherit; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow: hidden; padding: 1px 3px 2px; position: relative; text-overflow: ellipsis; user-select: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="pU1YL CzRfc jhM_9" style="border: 0px; color: var(--neutralDark); font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">Richard, Julie;</span></span></span></span><span class="_Entity _EType_RECIPIENT_ENTITY _EReadonly_1 _GsgW cOnYN xF985" contenteditable="false" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; display: inline-block; font: inherit; margin: 2px 4px 0px 0px; max-width: calc(100% - 4px); padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span aria-haspopup="dialog" aria-label="Opens card for Griffis, Terry <tgriffis@TempletonMA.gov>" class="lpcWrapper lpcCommonWeb-hoverTarget container-641" data-is-focusable="true" data-lpc-hover-target-id="lpc-react-target-72" role="button" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; cursor: pointer; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" tabindex="0"><span class="TeT3_ V3xkQ _X2oA" style="-webkit-box-align: center; align-items: center; border-radius: 4px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; display: inline-flex; font: inherit; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow: hidden; padding: 1px 3px 2px; position: relative; text-overflow: ellipsis; user-select: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="pU1YL CzRfc jhM_9" style="border: 0px; color: var(--neutralDark); font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">Griffis, Terry;</span></span></span></span><span class="_Entity _EType_RECIPIENT_ENTITY _EReadonly_1 _GsgW cOnYN xF985" contenteditable="false" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; display: inline-block; font: inherit; margin: 2px 4px 0px 0px; max-width: calc(100% - 4px); padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span aria-haspopup="dialog" aria-label="Opens card for Rivard, Matthew <mrivard@templetonma.gov>" class="lpcWrapper lpcCommonWeb-hoverTarget container-641" data-is-focusable="true" data-lpc-hover-target-id="lpc-react-target-73" role="button" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; cursor: pointer; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" tabindex="0"><span class="TeT3_ V3xkQ _X2oA" style="-webkit-box-align: center; align-items: center; border-radius: 4px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; display: inline-flex; font: inherit; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow: hidden; padding: 1px 3px 2px; position: relative; text-overflow: ellipsis; user-select: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="pU1YL CzRfc jhM_9" style="border: 0px; color: var(--neutralDark); font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">Rivard, Matthew</span></span></span></span></div></div></div></div><div class="srQCs" style="-webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-flex: 0; -webkit-box-orient: vertical; border: 0px; color: inherit; flex-direction: column; flex: 0 0 auto; font: inherit; margin: 0px 10px 0px 18px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="AL_OM l8Tnu I1wdR" data-testid="SentReceivedSavedTime" style="border: 0px; color: var(--neutralPrimary); font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right; vertical-align: baseline;">Thu 1/11/2</div></div></div></div><div class="x_elementToProof" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Town meeting, May 12, 2021 - ARTICLE 14: COUNCIL ON AGING To see if the Town will vote to adopt the following bylaw, pursuant to G.L. c. 40, § 8B, relative to the Templeton Council on Aging established at the May 8, 1976 Annual Town Meeting, said bylaw to be inserted as Chapter 9, Article VI, and to read as follows:</span></div><div class="x_elementToProof" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></span></div><div class="x_elementToProof" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ARTICLE 14: COUNCIL ON AGING To see if the Town will vote to adopt the following bylaw, pursuant to G.L. c. 40, § 8B, relative to the Templeton Council on Aging established at the May 8, 1976 Annual Town Meeting, said bylaw to be inserted as Chapter 9, Article VI, and to read as follows:</span></div><div class="x_elementToProof" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></span></div><div class="x_elementToProof" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Templeton town website - council on aging, shows </span></div><table style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: 1; margin: 0.375rem 0px 0px; width: 524px;"><tbody><tr><td style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1; padding: 5px 10px; vertical-align: middle;"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Vacant</span></div></td><td style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1; padding: 5px 10px; vertical-align: middle;"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Chairperson</span></div></td></tr><tr style="background-color: #f4ecd7;"><td style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1; padding: 5px 10px; vertical-align: middle;"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mary Ehnstrom</span></div></td><td style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1; padding: 5px 10px; vertical-align: middle;"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Vice Chairperson</span></div></td></tr><tr><td style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1; padding: 5px 10px; vertical-align: middle;"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Irene Murray</span></div></td><td style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1; padding: 5px 10px; vertical-align: middle;"><p style="line-height: 1; margin: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Member</span></p></td></tr><tr style="background-color: #f4ecd7;"><td style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1; padding: 5px 10px; vertical-align: middle;"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">James Doody</span></div></td><td style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1; padding: 5px 10px; vertical-align: middle;"><p style="line-height: 1; margin: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Member</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1; padding: 5px 10px; vertical-align: middle;"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Thomas Ehnstrom</span></div></td><td style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1; padding: 5px 10px; vertical-align: middle;"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Member</span></div></td></tr><tr style="background-color: #f4ecd7;"><td style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1; padding: 5px 10px; vertical-align: middle;"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Victor Toscano</span></div></td><td style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1; padding: 5px 10px; vertical-align: middle;"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Member</span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="x_elementToProof" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">So, how do we have a bylaw that states there are to be 5 members but website shows 6 positions? Templeton has a town website voted for by town meeting to post town information and town business on it, we also have a budget item for tax dollars to maintain it and update it as well as in past employee raises based on responsibility for the town website. Since the board of selectmen are responsible for budget, policy andoverall management of town affairs and town administrator is responsible for day to day operations, why after the 2021 town meeting vote has the town website not been updated? Less patting on the back and less cheerleading and more getting the job done. Fix the damn website and this is not the only incorrect item on said website. This pattern of not following town bylaws and not following policy and not keeping the website upto date is completely unacceptable. Do the job (s) you are paid to do!</span></div><div class="x_elementToProof" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br aria-hidden="true" /></span></div><div class="x_elementToProof" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">regards,</span></div><div class="x_elementToProof" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Jeffrey P. Bennett</span></div><p><br /></p>Jeff Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00523423124485337508noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365102602633634467.post-27303430420478242612024-01-10T05:52:00.004-05:002024-01-10T05:52:51.656-05:00<p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;"> <span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">We have selectmen and an emergency management dept. Come up with a plan or hire someone to write one. Note; Beavers are not bothersome nor cause of emergency, they are natures engineer of waterways and wetlands, they are very good for the environment. </span><a style="animation-name: none !important; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; transition-property: none !important;" tabindex="-1"></a><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Perhaps have town tree warden inventory town trees and come up with plan to take down trees that are not healthy and are a danger to people, it is why town has a tree warden!</span></span></p>Jeff Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00523423124485337508noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365102602633634467.post-31573421657246638892024-01-10T05:47:00.003-05:002024-01-10T05:47:24.127-05:00<p> <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Anyone else wonder if it is a conflict of interest for the chairman of the board of selectmen to serve on edic, which if edic filed all the required paperwork, it is a separate corporation that can do business with the town? Why the town should follow </span><a style="animation-name: none !important; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; transition-property: none !important;" tabindex="-1"></a><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">advice from department of revenue and bar members of board of selectmen from serving on any other town board, committee or commission. Templeton already has a bylaw that keeps selectmen from running for any other elected office while a current member of board of selectmen.</span></span></span></p>Jeff Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00523423124485337508noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365102602633634467.post-27290354042111073082024-01-10T05:37:00.002-05:002024-01-10T05:37:37.194-05:00<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Segoe UI Historic, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">It would really be nice if the Templeton board of selectmen and advisory committee would just follow a town bylaw that was discussed and voted in place by town meeting. See section 9-6 of town bylaws on advisory committee: whenever there are end of year financial transfers, midyear spending adjustments for revolving funds or a request from a town dept. to use reserve fund money, there is a joint meeting of selectmen and advisory committee. Just follow the bylaw rather than </span></span></span><span style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a style="animation-name: none !important; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;" tabindex="-1"></a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space-collapse: preserve;">trying to figure ways to not follow it. Having all parties involved in the budget process in the same room at the same time while there are proposed changes to said budget cannot be and is not wasting anyone's time.</span></span></p>Jeff Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00523423124485337508noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365102602633634467.post-34372984768695307012023-12-30T09:42:00.000-05:002023-12-30T09:42:13.700-05:00<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">MA Division local Service reports fiscal year 24 meals tax paid to town of Templeton.</span></p><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">first quarter - $23,990.00</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">second quarter - $23,189.00</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">records show fiscal 23 payments to town from meals tax:</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">1st qtr - $19,909.00</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">2nd qtr - $20,687.00</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">3rd qtr - $17,384.00</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">4th qtr - $19,366.00</div></div>Jeff Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00523423124485337508noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365102602633634467.post-80803386828570784482023-12-29T14:43:00.002-05:002023-12-29T14:43:25.492-05:00<p> <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Segoe UI Historic, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Perhaps as a service to residents, town hall should be open with extended hours during the last week of the calendar year, rather than only 2 days. Extended hours so residents/taxpayers have maximum opportunity to pay taxes before end of year. Also, would allow anyone with any type of license that requires up to date tax payments prior to issue or re-new. Stuff sometimes happens and residents should have maximum time to address any issues or things that might come up end of year. This would be a very good service from government, who after all is supposed to work for the people.</span></span></span></span></p>Jeff Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00523423124485337508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365102602633634467.post-17916117935379516782023-12-28T14:14:00.002-05:002023-12-28T14:14:23.496-05:00<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Determination is in: MA attorney general's office of open government finds Templeton board of selectmen violated Open Meeting Law.</span></span></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For the reasons stated above, we find that the Board violated the Open Meeting Law as alleged. We order the Board’s immediate and future compliance with the Open Meeting Law and </span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-size: medium;">caution that future similar violations may be considered evidence of an intent to violate the law. </span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Because the Board has already amended the meeting minutes at issue, we do <span style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><a style="animation-name: none !important; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>not order additional remedial action.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="background-color: white;">Open Meeting Law determinations may be found at the Attorney General’s website,</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg" href="http://www.mass.gov/ago/openmeeting?fbclid=IwAR24Za7B8gdXlk7uziAFgwa3-ha6SqcyIiqAGlHppTWulfBB1QaK0NVEIuo" rel="nofollow" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; animation-name: none !important; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation; transition-property: none !important;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">www.mass.gov/ago/openmeeting</a>.</span></div></div></div>Jeff Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00523423124485337508noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365102602633634467.post-10670006558538282812023-12-27T17:16:00.003-05:002023-12-27T17:16:33.629-05:00<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Templeton received less chapter 90 funding in FY2023 than in 2008.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Bad idea to use chapter 90 funds to buy equipment!</span></span></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2008 Templeton chapter 90 $ = $396,906.07</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2021 Templeton chapter 90 $ = $334,835.00</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2022 Templeton chapter 90 $ = $362,341.00</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2023 <span style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><a style="animation-name: none !important; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>Templeton chapter 90 $ = $358,804.00</span></div></div>Jeff Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00523423124485337508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365102602633634467.post-57624892998484488702023-12-20T22:26:00.000-05:002023-12-20T22:26:06.825-05:00<p> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Today I received a copy of the November monthly finance report from accountant via a records request to the town records access officer.</span></span></p><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Looking at page 7 of report, balance of infrastructure stabilization fund shows $158,908.47. Comparing this balance to October monthly finance report, on page 7, shown as $113,908.47.</span></span></p></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Next, looked over report of November special town meeting; article 13 "On a motion duly made and seconded the Town voted to transfer the sum of Sixty Five Thousand Dollars ($65,000) from the Infrastructure Stabilization Fund, " then looking at article 20 of same special town meeting, n a motion duly made and seconded the Town voted to appropriate the sum of One Hundred Forty Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars and No Cents ($147,500.00) to make deposits into its Operations (OPEX), Capital (CAPEX) and Infrastructure stabilization accounts and the OPEB reserve account as follows: OPEX $35,000 CAPEX $45,000 Infrastructure $45,000 OPEB $22,500. </span></span></p></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p aria-hidden="true" class="x_MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">recap: infrastructure stabilization fund balance as of October 31, 2023 - $113,908.47 - $65,000.00 (article 13 STM) =$48,908.47 + $45,000.00 (article 20 STM) = $93,908.47. November monthly expenditure report a special article for Royalston road title work at $65,000.00. My question is why does the infrastructure balance show $158,908.47 if the $65,000.00 has been set aside, as in transferred to a separate account?</span></span></p></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p aria-hidden="true" class="x_MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So, is my calculator broke? Is this Templeton math? Is this a new way to report town finance? A keying error? </span></span></p></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p aria-hidden="true" class="x_MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"> </p></div>Jeff Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00523423124485337508noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365102602633634467.post-63427836421764765502023-12-18T04:58:00.003-05:002023-12-18T04:58:21.138-05:00<a href="https://www.mass.gov/doc/fy2024-parcel-and-address-update-status/download">https://www.mass.gov/doc/fy2024-parcel-and-address-update-status/download</a><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white;">from <a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fmytowngovernment.org%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR1dc-WyDPUh7lECqIk4AvrDXouI1JzaKIB1JbDbGv3kGSw8w4Dpjwhy84Q&h=AT3OeCejovO1gHdxwt9QEQOsjMK0icvqBMHo7Wr_CBZVi571hxCNq0F_QaC5yzTz3gi7ztfZ20u3KkF1TKG2_vHUZsf7OMX5sxXnvr6NLFeotQl4j_EBxbIAIrBxkbffKdyWHyW8FcX3bZPYByo-&__tn__=R]-R&c[0]=AT1ap9wEKOx97749QQDBbfcgdD6ioReDY1JBKmAU8A4p3HjIYucoHgGPa6_5f9eFxxYCLovMQ-5ggxtBAGU_5n_dQjRK4HAmZ0mHMJjLGZm12w0Wgkc5mOYjGY3LvwjyUFuG1BFF0d1grmDBwOP0VeZ4Z19w3j5P4L2Hl3engOy6RqKAvmkO" rel="nofollow" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; animation-name: none !important; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation; transition-property: none !important;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">mytowngovernment.org:</a> Board of Selectmen Meeting Agenda</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white;">Executive Session</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white;">Monday, December 18, 2023 1:00PM</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a style="animation-name: none !important; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;" tabindex="-1"></a>Phillipston Memorial Building</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white;">Meeting Room</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white;">20 The Common</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white;">Phillipston, MA 01331</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white;">This agenda lists all matters anticipated for discussion; some items may be passed over, and other items not listed may be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law. Any member of the public planning to record the meeting must first notify the Chair.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white;">1:00 Call to Order</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white;">1.Vote to participate in mediation between the Massachusetts State 911 Department and the Town of Templeton regarding dispatch services. Shows meeting cancelled.</span></div></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white;">from Templeton TA weekly report: 12/14/2023 Meeting has been set to attend next week in Phillipston with state 911 department.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white;">from 12/17/2023 Athol Daily News: </span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; transition-property: none !important;"><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">from Athol Daily News: (12/17/2023)</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">PHILLIPSTON — Officials from Phillipston and Templeton are planning to meet with representatives of the State 911 Department to see if an accord can be reached to renew the Regional Emergency Communications Center (RECC) agreement between the two towns.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Phillipston’s Selectboard has weighed terminating the agreement with Templeton and had been in talks with Athol regarding the possibility of setting up a regional dispatch service with that <span style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><a style="animation-name: none !important; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>town’s police department. </div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">In an exchange of emails with the Athol Daily News, Melanie Jackson, the board’s administrative assistant, said, “Templeton has always provided excellent dispatch service over the years, and we are grateful to them for that. The main issues at hand are financial transparency and collaboration.”</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">At last Wednesday’s Phillipston Selectboard meeting, members reviewed a letter from Joseph Crean, director of special projects for the State 911 Department, stating it was his agency’s belief that “it is in Phillipston’s best interest to remain in the Templeton RECC.”</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">In his letter, Crean noted “projects involving Athol will not be considered by this department at this time. It is critical to understand that the department will not support or consider any regional 911 project involving Athol due to their ineligibility to receive any department grant funding until fiscal year 2028.”</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">The letter did not provide the details behind Athol’s ineligibility for State 911 grants.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Town Manager Shaun Suhoski said that Athol’s funding through the State 911 Department was suspended for a period of 10 years after Athol withdrew from a regionalization effort with Gardner. Suhoski explained that this was done at the urging of residents.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">“The Special Town Meeting that night was well-attended, and folks were riled up and they voted to show their displeasure with the (agreement),” he said. “The Selectboard then withdrew from the regionalization effort with Gardner. So, we put that in the rear-view mirror and focused on centralizing police and fire dispatch at our dispatch center in Athol. So, anyway, as a result of that we were kind of placed on the ‘naughty list’ for 10 years.”</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none !important; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">Suhoski added that he was a “bit irritated” with the tone of Crean’s letter. Had Athol and Phillipston reached agreement on a new RECC, Suhoski said, “Were not expecting that 911 would be funding us immediately. We felt there would be a sufficient budget from our own resources – economies of scale – and whatever Phillipston pays to Templeton anyway.”</div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">from The Recorder 2017: </div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs" style="animation-name: none !important; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white;"> ATHOL — After the town voted in February to withdraw from an 2-year-old intermunicipal agreement to regionalize the town’s dispatch services, the state is presenting a new option.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s" style="animation-name: none !important; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white;">Frank Pozniak, executive director of the state 911 Department, tasked with coordinating and implementing enhanced 911 service in Massachusetts, sent Athol Town Manager Shaun A. Suhoski a letter detailing new option, one where Gardner and Athol could execute a new agreement — one different from the selectmen reversing their February vote or canning the agreement and forcing the department to repay $739,564.54 in state money for the project. Athol officials continue to have misgiving about the state’s response.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s" style="animation-name: none !important; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white;">Selectboard Chairman Lee Chauvette said Thursday that all board members feel it is unacceptable for the department to transfer Athol’s 911 calls simply because Athol opted out of the intermunicipal agreement, which he said did not contain any language regarding when an opt-out could occur.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s" style="animation-name: none !important; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white;">Chavuette said Selectmen Steve Raymond and Holly Young will work with Suhoski, Fire Chief John Duguay and Police Chief Russell Kleber to draft a response and offer additional information “as to what the town is doing to combine its police and fire dispatching within the community under one dispatch center at the Athol Police station.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s" style="animation-name: none !important; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white;">The Selectboard voted to withdraw from the agreement following a nonbinding special town meeting vote following a petition drive started by Young, who at the time was not on the board.</span></div></div></div></div></div>Jeff Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00523423124485337508noreply@blogger.com1