Watching the audit report on the tv again, I noticed the audit presenter Tony Roselli stating that the General laws of MA allows up to $10,000.00 for personal property tax exemptions. During the presentation, Mr. Roselli commented on this law and that the Templeton Board of Assessors have looked at it and are on board and the Board of Assessors have recommended the $5,000.00 amount and that he, Mr. Roselli thinks that is a good plan. So, perhaps it was selective hearing or hearing what you wanted to hear, but it seems pretty clear, if you watch and listen to the audit presentation more than once, that the Town, through its elected Board of Assessors, came up with the dollar figure and the auditors feel it is a good idea and plan. seems like this is not a case of getting advice, paying for said advice and then not following it. It is in fact, the opposite, a suggestion was given and it was followed and it may in the long run, be financially beneficial to Templeton.
On the borrowing of the five million dollars, again, the audit presenter, Mr. Roselli stated that with regards to the five million, use a portion to pay the 1.4 million dollar deficit with regards to the school project and then the state, not the audit firm, the state, said do not go spend it. Seems the video shows Mr. Roselli was the messenger with regards to a few things so it is not actually a case of paying for advice then not following it. I will be watching the audit report again and again.
With regards to the treasurer / collector, I was told that the Town has a treasurer/collector in the form of Carol Lee Eaton, who has been certified for both positions previously and is now in charge while a new Town Treasurer/collector is looked for. That is probably a question for the selectmen at one of its meetings open to the public. The selectmen are scheduled to go over the audit management letter this coming Monday, May 15, 2017.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Sunday, May 14, 2017
Friday, May 12, 2017
What counts and what does not?
To Bob M - I would suggest to find out what has to be recorded with regards to a town meeting vote, I believe Town meeting records show up in two places, the Annual Town report and on town web site under "town Meeting" You can also go to the Town Clerk's office and request a copy. That would anser the question of whether the summaries need to be recorded along with the warrant article (the warning) and the motion made, amended and the motion actually voted on. I believe that would answer the question as to why summaries are included in any record or report. I looked in the annual town report of 2000, 1999, 2005 and found no summaries included.
Secondly, I would suggest that the question of what is binding at town meeting, the summary, the warrant article, the motion (amended or other wise) or the motion actually voted on. May wish to check on wording requirements of debt exclusion, overrides or other borrowing articles and see if the requirements were met on November 9, 2015. If it is the motion voted on, at town meeting, then the summaries mean squat and I would think that would go to any information put on a table by anyone.
If the information says two years but the motion does not say that, stand up and get clarification and if not satisfied, vote no.
As to why a problem with the budget and the fire department, as I stated, town's people said they wanted ambulance service, then they said they want ALS and now because of that, the town will need full time people to cover things required to have that license, as I understand it. Mr. Hamel told me when he was acting chief that the service would be okay and would be covered by volunteers, on call per diem people. Guess things changed, either way, people said they want ambulance service and dispatch service run by the town and I am saying, now you have to pay for it.
So, perhaps, this Saturday when the town operating budget comes up, maybe the question should be asked what is up with ambulance receipts being used to fund general fund budget? Why is there a 100K deficit built in that has to be fixed at some point in some way. Why is there fulltime positions for the fire department because I thought we had an on call volunteer department.
While thinking about the fiscal year 2018, think about this: Highway labor contract, July 1, 2017 - laborer/operator/truck driver (LOT) step 1 = $14.37 per hour. July 1, 2018 (fiscal year 2019) LOT step 1 = $16.39 per hour That is a two dollar per hour pay raise, I think it is time to make changes to how health insurance is paid for which has a substantial impact on town expenses. Unless of course if the taxpayers want to leave it as it is, then all they have to do is PAY FOR IT. You cannot eat your cake and have it too.
posted by Jeff Bennett
To Bob M - I would suggest to find out what has to be recorded with regards to a town meeting vote, I believe Town meeting records show up in two places, the Annual Town report and on town web site under "town Meeting" You can also go to the Town Clerk's office and request a copy. That would anser the question of whether the summaries need to be recorded along with the warrant article (the warning) and the motion made, amended and the motion actually voted on. I believe that would answer the question as to why summaries are included in any record or report. I looked in the annual town report of 2000, 1999, 2005 and found no summaries included.
Secondly, I would suggest that the question of what is binding at town meeting, the summary, the warrant article, the motion (amended or other wise) or the motion actually voted on. May wish to check on wording requirements of debt exclusion, overrides or other borrowing articles and see if the requirements were met on November 9, 2015. If it is the motion voted on, at town meeting, then the summaries mean squat and I would think that would go to any information put on a table by anyone.
If the information says two years but the motion does not say that, stand up and get clarification and if not satisfied, vote no.
As to why a problem with the budget and the fire department, as I stated, town's people said they wanted ambulance service, then they said they want ALS and now because of that, the town will need full time people to cover things required to have that license, as I understand it. Mr. Hamel told me when he was acting chief that the service would be okay and would be covered by volunteers, on call per diem people. Guess things changed, either way, people said they want ambulance service and dispatch service run by the town and I am saying, now you have to pay for it.
So, perhaps, this Saturday when the town operating budget comes up, maybe the question should be asked what is up with ambulance receipts being used to fund general fund budget? Why is there a 100K deficit built in that has to be fixed at some point in some way. Why is there fulltime positions for the fire department because I thought we had an on call volunteer department.
While thinking about the fiscal year 2018, think about this: Highway labor contract, July 1, 2017 - laborer/operator/truck driver (LOT) step 1 = $14.37 per hour. July 1, 2018 (fiscal year 2019) LOT step 1 = $16.39 per hour That is a two dollar per hour pay raise, I think it is time to make changes to how health insurance is paid for which has a substantial impact on town expenses. Unless of course if the taxpayers want to leave it as it is, then all they have to do is PAY FOR IT. You cannot eat your cake and have it too.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Thursday, May 11, 2017
Special town meeting of November 9, 2015
Can anyone point out anywhere on either of these documents where it limits the borrowing to only two years? This is why there needs to be questions and answers at town meeting, but people need to show up know and understand what is being asked and ask for explanation. This is why there needs to be more than two residents showing up for a pre town meeting.
Below are the facts and they will be used to justify whatever action is taken, you voted for them, you now deal with them.
What you voted for that is on the record or "on paper"
ARTICLE 2 DEBT AUTHORIZATION: POLICE STATION UPGRADE To see if the Town of Templeton will vote to appropriate, borrow or transfer from available funds, a sum of money to be expended under direction of the Selectmen to pay costs of designing, constructing and equipping a 4,000 square foot addition to and remodeling of the Templeton Police Station, located at 33 South Road, and for the payment of all other costs incidental and related thereto; or take any other action relative thereto.
Submitted by the Board of Selectmen
On a motion duly made and seconded the Town voted to appropriate the sum of Nine Hundred Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($975,000) to pay costs of designing, constructing and equipping a 4,000 square foot addition to and remodeling of the Templeton Police Station, located at 33 South Road, and for the payment of all other costs incidental and related thereto; said sum to be expended under the direction of the Selectmen; and to meet this appropriation the Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, is authorized to borrow said sum under M.G.L. 44, Section 7, or pursuant to any other enabling authority; provided, however, that no sum shall be borrowed or expended hereunder unless the Town shall have voted to exempt the amounts required for the payment of interest and principal on said borrowing from the limitations on taxes by M.G.L. 59, Section 21C (also known as Proposition 2 ½).
Passed Unanimously/November 9th @ 8:33
I see no mention of any time limit here, I see no mention of two years! You actually have to read and understand what you are voting on, it does not matter what you heard or what was said by whom, it is what is on paper, on the record that counts. That is what will be seen by bond counsel.
from special town election December 2015:
posted by Jeff Bennett
Can anyone point out anywhere on either of these documents where it limits the borrowing to only two years? This is why there needs to be questions and answers at town meeting, but people need to show up know and understand what is being asked and ask for explanation. This is why there needs to be more than two residents showing up for a pre town meeting.
Below are the facts and they will be used to justify whatever action is taken, you voted for them, you now deal with them.
What you voted for that is on the record or "on paper"
ARTICLE 2 DEBT AUTHORIZATION: POLICE STATION UPGRADE To see if the Town of Templeton will vote to appropriate, borrow or transfer from available funds, a sum of money to be expended under direction of the Selectmen to pay costs of designing, constructing and equipping a 4,000 square foot addition to and remodeling of the Templeton Police Station, located at 33 South Road, and for the payment of all other costs incidental and related thereto; or take any other action relative thereto.
Submitted by the Board of Selectmen
On a motion duly made and seconded the Town voted to appropriate the sum of Nine Hundred Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($975,000) to pay costs of designing, constructing and equipping a 4,000 square foot addition to and remodeling of the Templeton Police Station, located at 33 South Road, and for the payment of all other costs incidental and related thereto; said sum to be expended under the direction of the Selectmen; and to meet this appropriation the Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, is authorized to borrow said sum under M.G.L. 44, Section 7, or pursuant to any other enabling authority; provided, however, that no sum shall be borrowed or expended hereunder unless the Town shall have voted to exempt the amounts required for the payment of interest and principal on said borrowing from the limitations on taxes by M.G.L. 59, Section 21C (also known as Proposition 2 ½).
Passed Unanimously/November 9th @ 8:33
I see no mention of any time limit here, I see no mention of two years! You actually have to read and understand what you are voting on, it does not matter what you heard or what was said by whom, it is what is on paper, on the record that counts. That is what will be seen by bond counsel.
from special town election December 2015:
Question 2. Shall the Town of Templeton be allowed to
exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one-half, so-called, the
amounts required to pay for the bonds issued in order to pay costs of
designing, constructing, and equipping a 4,000 square foot addition to and
remodeling of the Templeton Police Station, located at 33 South Road,
Templeton, Massachusetts, including the payment of all costs incidental or
related thereto?
YES___________ NO____________
|
TOWN OF TEMPLETON
|
||||
|
SPECIAL TOWN
ELECTION
|
||||
|
December 8, 2015
|
#
Eligible Voters
|
4,796
|
||
|
Total
Votes Cast
|
1,405
|
|||
|
Percent
|
29.3%
|
|||
|
QUES.
1 - New Elementary School
|
A
|
B
|
C
|
TOTAL
|
|
Yes
|
314
|
290
|
202
|
806
|
|
No
|
270
|
164
|
163
|
597
|
|
Blanks
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
|
TOTAL
|
585
|
454
|
366
|
1,405
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
QUES.
2 - Addition to Police Station
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yes
|
396
|
313
|
249
|
958
|
|
No
|
187
|
139
|
116
|
442
|
|
Blanks
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
5
|
|
TOTAL
|
585
|
454
|
366
|
1,405
|
Sunday, May 7, 2017
The MSBA Helps Break Ground for the New Briggs Elementary School
April 27, 2012
Jack McCarthy, Executive Director of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), joined state and local officials at a groundbreaking ceremony for the new John R. Briggs Elementary School in the Ashburnham-Westminster Regional School District.
“As a result of the successful collaboration between the MSBA and the District, students at Briggs Elementary will get a completely up-to-date learning environment,” said Executive Director McCarthy. “This is a down payment on the academic excellence of the students at Briggs.”
State Senator Stephen Brewer cited the groundbreaking as proof of the District’s commitment to the Briggs project. Senator Brewer said, “When we cut that ribbon, the teachers will be reinvigorated. The students will be reinvigorated. Everyone will be a believer.”
School Committee Chairman David Christianson described the new school as “the right building at the right price, [one] that we think will serve the town for 50, 60, 80 or 100 years to come.”
The $30 million project will replace the existing Briggs Elementary School with a new facility built on the same site. More than $15 million of the total project budget is eligible to be reimbursed by the MSBA. The new school is expected to open in September 2013.
The MSBA partners with Massachusetts communities to support the design and construction of educationally-appropriate, flexible, sustainable, and cost-effective public school facilities. Since its inception, the Authority has made $8.6 billion in reimbursements for school construction projects. These timely payments have saved municipalities over $2.9 billion in avoided local interest costs and have provided much needed cash flow to communities.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Saturday, May 6, 2017
Subject of pre town meeting, what if the town got “banged”
with 4% interest rather than 3.5%. The newest member of the board of selectmen
stated going from 3.5 to 4% would not being “getting banged”, so the below
table shows the various costs from 3.5% to 5%. Clearly, the costs increase with
a change in interest rates, but do you consider it “getting banged” for an
increase of $82,000.00 (approximate) when going from 3.5% to 4% interest rate? The below numbers are the result of going to the division of local services web page and using the debt calculator. The dollar figure is based off what was presented to a special Town meeting in 2015 with a total voted borrowing of $47 million dollars. Would construction costs go up or down in 3 to 5 years? will borrowing costs go up or down in 3 to 5 years? What is the cost of doing nothing? What is the costs of changing direction, such as a new location?
posted by Jeff Bennett
posted by Jeff Bennett
Amount
Borrowed
|
Years
|
Interest
Rate
|
Principal
& Interest - Yearly payment
|
Interest
only
|
$24,000,000.00
|
28
|
3.5
|
$38,036463.00 $1,358,463.00
|
$14,036,978.00
|
$24,000,000.00
|
28
|
4
|
$40,328,719.00 $1,440,311.00
|
$16,328,719.00
|
$24,000,000.00
|
28
|
4.5
|
$42,685,981.00 $1,524,499.00
|
$18,685,981.00
|
$24,000,000.00
|
28
|
5
|
$45,106,340.00 $1,610,941.00
|
$21,106,340.00
|
Now I am Anonymous and Do is Stupid, according to little davey. The man is truly delusional, in my opinion. All things posted here have my name attached to them (except the comments) but that cannot be said for dave smart's blog, published under the name of a dead man which delusional smart continues to hide behind, his dead uncle. Pitiful! At least state who posts the subject or articles on your blog davey, because it ain't Paul Cosentino, again, pitiful and delusional. (in my opinion)
Does or did the Advisory Committee have a difference of opinion concerning which revenue number (s) to use/ Yes, but is that a reason to not recommend the town operating budget/spending plan in its entirety? My opinion is no, so I voted to recommend and explain to town meeting, if they wish an explanation. Last Town Meeting, the people did not wish to go line item by line item, they voted to follow the selectmen's budget/spending plan and in the past, the Town indicated they wanted a town run ambulance service and that is the reason for the 100 thousand dollar shortfall built into this budget/spending plan, so again, I voted to recommend for as this is what the people want/wanted, so I think they should get what they want and pay for it. If Town Meeting wishes to do anything with this spending plan, they can make a substitute motion and maybe little davey will do that. Where were all the complainers at the pre-town Meeting?
Just as important is the Town Administrator report of May 4, 2017,
In it, the T/A serves notice to the selectmen that the NRSD (school district) has the intent to issue debt in the amount of $490,000.00. What this will be used for is either not known or not stated at this time. Also stated is it seems this new debt will not be a capital or debt exclusion item.
The dollar figure that was used in the "warning" or Town Meeting warrant is not a correct total and that was going to go to Town Counsel to see if the warrant had to be re-posted or not. Again, the dollar amount can be adjusted on Town Meeting floor or Town Meeting can again reject the article in its entirety and go through what the Town did in 2013, their choice.
Again, the general state aid number is not set in stone and can in theory be changed before the state budget is approved by the state legislature, yet the Templeton spending plan is based on that number, which is why most towns have a Town Meeting (special) in the fall to adjust before the tax recap is submitted. The budget process was better this year than the past few years but it still needs change and improvement and that can happen. So, at Town Meeting,, the people (legislative body) can either vote to accept what is presented or they can vote to change it, it is up to them.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Does or did the Advisory Committee have a difference of opinion concerning which revenue number (s) to use/ Yes, but is that a reason to not recommend the town operating budget/spending plan in its entirety? My opinion is no, so I voted to recommend and explain to town meeting, if they wish an explanation. Last Town Meeting, the people did not wish to go line item by line item, they voted to follow the selectmen's budget/spending plan and in the past, the Town indicated they wanted a town run ambulance service and that is the reason for the 100 thousand dollar shortfall built into this budget/spending plan, so again, I voted to recommend for as this is what the people want/wanted, so I think they should get what they want and pay for it. If Town Meeting wishes to do anything with this spending plan, they can make a substitute motion and maybe little davey will do that. Where were all the complainers at the pre-town Meeting?
Just as important is the Town Administrator report of May 4, 2017,
In it, the T/A serves notice to the selectmen that the NRSD (school district) has the intent to issue debt in the amount of $490,000.00. What this will be used for is either not known or not stated at this time. Also stated is it seems this new debt will not be a capital or debt exclusion item.
The dollar figure that was used in the "warning" or Town Meeting warrant is not a correct total and that was going to go to Town Counsel to see if the warrant had to be re-posted or not. Again, the dollar amount can be adjusted on Town Meeting floor or Town Meeting can again reject the article in its entirety and go through what the Town did in 2013, their choice.
Again, the general state aid number is not set in stone and can in theory be changed before the state budget is approved by the state legislature, yet the Templeton spending plan is based on that number, which is why most towns have a Town Meeting (special) in the fall to adjust before the tax recap is submitted. The budget process was better this year than the past few years but it still needs change and improvement and that can happen. So, at Town Meeting,, the people (legislative body) can either vote to accept what is presented or they can vote to change it, it is up to them.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Thursday, May 4, 2017
Last night, at the Pre Town meeting, the Town Administrator made the point I have been making for a long time, Ambulance service is going to cost the Town (taxpayers) more and more. The point was made by stating that full time people ( fire fighter/EMS-paramedics are needed this year and next and the next until Templeton can cover ALS ambulance service 24/7 and this has/is not going to work with on call people and the T/A further stated he would let the fire chief speak on this at Town Meeting. So, seems I was correct on saying over the years that the Ambulance service was going to cost more and more. Also stated at the meeting was that there are projections that ambulance billing receipts will eventually (in 3 years or more) begin to accumulate in sufficient numbers to cover the costs or most of it. One point was made that medicare/medicaid and insurance companies can have an effect on this if they begin to limit how much of those ambulance fees they will cover. Meaning that whom ever uses an ambulance will be responsible for the not covered costs and if they cannot pay, those dollars will most likely be written off as uncontrollable and those dollars lost, unless some sort of collection process is followed with associated costs.
what this means is you either vote for government growth or you probably lose town ambulance service completely. The kicker is, there is still a 100 thousand dollar deficit built into the spending plan you will be asked to support. Advisory Committee voted to recommend for with an explanation to Town Meeting and allow voters to decide.
posted by Jeff Bennett
what this means is you either vote for government growth or you probably lose town ambulance service completely. The kicker is, there is still a 100 thousand dollar deficit built into the spending plan you will be asked to support. Advisory Committee voted to recommend for with an explanation to Town Meeting and allow voters to decide.
posted by Jeff Bennett
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