With regards to the licensing issues, if any, with the former MBW site, as well as the proposed or current goings on there; it may appear to be illegal at first glance, as has been the case before in Templeton, but they usually turn out to be shady, grey, right on the line but not technically illegal.
The one thing that may make people pay, if there are some questionable items, is the conflict of interest, which as I recall, cost one former Templeton selectmen a $1,000.00 on my complaint. So, if you feel strongly that there may be an issue, take the steps and file a conflict of interest complaint, it may work or it may not.
The only way to change this is to vote out of office the involved parties, so that is on the people of the Town. That may mean that you have to step up and run and become involved.
This particular item could make for an interesting public comment at a selectmen meeting, so perhaps Bob Adams will show and make that comment. Personally, I am sitting back watching the people who voted for the planning board members, voted for the police station upgrade, the people who say they want business in Town, the people who allowed chapter 90 money to be used for equipment rather than actual road repair and on and on, and now those same people want to question the process, the people involved and the taxes they pay. Well, once upon a time, the Town had a chance to make a few changes that could have have helped Templeton's financial direction but they chose the status quo; which is fine and was their choice, so now, deal with it as you got what you wanted. Remember, you voted for it!
Monday, January 29, 2018
Sunday, January 28, 2018
Class 11 - used car dealers license and Class 111 - motor vehicle junk license granted to
Franklin Park Enterprises, LLC at 411 Baldwinville Road,
both licenses scheduled to expire December 31, 2017. Nice to see our board of selectmen on the ball and ensuring there are no funny things involved. I wonder if Master Fortes asked about citizenship papers being in order? Seems like Templeton board of selectmen bordering on corruption within Town government. (in my opinion anyways) There seems to be a pattern of planning board and selectmen in collusion on where tax dollars go. (that is my opinion) Too bad there is no independent selectmen on the board, as in no go along to get along.
Franklin Park Enterprises, LLC at 411 Baldwinville Road,
both licenses scheduled to expire December 31, 2017. Nice to see our board of selectmen on the ball and ensuring there are no funny things involved. I wonder if Master Fortes asked about citizenship papers being in order? Seems like Templeton board of selectmen bordering on corruption within Town government. (in my opinion anyways) There seems to be a pattern of planning board and selectmen in collusion on where tax dollars go. (that is my opinion) Too bad there is no independent selectmen on the board, as in no go along to get along.
from the general Town by-laws - page 20 on Town web site.
Article XXX – Class III Licenses
The Selectmen are hereby authorized to limit the number of Class III Licenses in effect in the Town at any one time; said number not to exceed 4.
Passed 5-11-85
The one transfer request I recall went before the board of selectmen, it was Paul Cosentino senior putting it in his son's name. That was a few years ago.
GASB 43 and 45 require government employers
to recognize benefits during an employee’s
period of employment. The difference between
the accrual cost of the retiree benefits within the
given year and amount paid out during the year
(in the form of benefit payments, insurance
premiums, or payments to a trust) is known as
the net OPEB obligation, or balance sheet
liability.
• Reaction of credit-rating agencies
• Credit-rating agencies are most concerned with an employer’s ability to manage OPEB costs and liabilities. On the one hand, the creation of an OPEB trust could be a positive sign to the rating agencies that you are actively seeking ways to manage costs associated with your OPEB obligation. On the other hand, an unfunded trust might signal to the rating agency an inability to follow through on funding and do little to demonstrate effective cost-management of retiree benefits.
• Reaction of credit-rating agencies
• Credit-rating agencies are most concerned with an employer’s ability to manage OPEB costs and liabilities. On the one hand, the creation of an OPEB trust could be a positive sign to the rating agencies that you are actively seeking ways to manage costs associated with your OPEB obligation. On the other hand, an unfunded trust might signal to the rating agency an inability to follow through on funding and do little to demonstrate effective cost-management of retiree benefits.
TO: Board of Selectmen
FROM: Carter Terenzini, Town Administrator
RE: Administrator’s Weekly Report
DATE: January 25, 2018
CC: All Departments
Public Works Highway Department:
The director attended the Templeton Center Elementary school meeting on Tuesday Evening and the Scout Hall meeting on Thursday. A crew was dispatched to Cottage Lane to fill a location where a resident had cut into the road. Flowing water was undermining the road surface there. The trackless snowplow was out clearing sidewalks after the last snow storm. Cold patching of potholes was done on Barre Rd. Henshaw and Stonebridge, as well as Central and Bridge Streets. Two stop signs were replaced. Due to the pounding rain and freezing temperatures sand and salting was a constant battle to keep the roads safe. A process change was made to the way that Barre and Dudley Roads are sanded. We now are sanding the lanes, not in the center of the road as was done in the past. Repairs to sanders and plows were maintained and cleaned.
Perhaps all roads should be sanded in lanes rather than down the middle?
On the addendum to this report:
MMMA association meeting: Item of note is challenge of board of selectmen doing evaluations now that it has been determined the individual input sheets - if used at a public meeting - are a public record and not part of a personnel file.
from the current Massachusetts Open Meeting Law:
The ten purposes for which a public body may vote to hold an executive session are:
1. To discuss the reputation, character, physical condition or mental health, rather than professional competence, of an individual, or to discuss the discipline or dismissal of, or complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual. The individual to be discussed in such executive session shall be notified in writing by the public body at least 48 hours prior to the proposed executive session; provided, however, that notification may be waived upon written agreement of the parties.
another item from the addendum report;
Taming the OPEB (other post employment benefits) beast:
Prime point was to establish a funding approach, no matter how small and to stick to it annually, looking for long term solutions to this long term problem. In conversation afterward, presenter thought our approach of a modest free cash contribution annually and pushing enterprise funds to get fully funded at a faster pace was reasonable for now.
My problem with this approach is the same for the stabilization funds, without a budget line item, there is no consistency with the amount, it is only a percentage of any free cash. Why not budget a dollar figure each year as a part of operating costs to put money aside for these items?
Of course, putting down a hard dollar figure item with in a budget is problematic with prop 2 1/2 limitations and the ever expanding government approach, as in the now started full time fire department, which adds more costs to OPEB. Perhaps it is time to outsource things that can be done in that way and cut the number of town employees, as it is not the taxpayers responsibility to provide jobs for people just so they can have one. These are serious problems and require hard decisions. My opinion is that anyone who is running for elective office and posts a sign saying "save dispatch" is just looking for votes and not really thinking of the bigger picture nor the stability of the Town.
Remember that last year, there were education costs of
Narragansett Regional school district of $6,006,424.00
Monty Tech - $ 638,131.00
Debt for High school $ 436,384.00
Total Town budget presented to Town Meeting by the selectmen was approximately 15.5 million dollars.
Templeton Town financial policy voted on by the selectmen states one time funds will not be used to fund the operating budget, but here we have a statement by the Town Administrator on how free cash or one time funds will be used to cover yearly costs to fund OPEB. Either we have a policy with no real plan or we do not collect enough in taxes to cover all of the planned expenses. With the push for new taxes - meals tax, me thinks it is the latter. I also do not think this problem is going to be solved or dealt with by way of an absent board of selectmen. Show or go!
FROM: Carter Terenzini, Town Administrator
RE: Administrator’s Weekly Report
DATE: January 25, 2018
CC: All Departments
Public Works Highway Department:
The director attended the Templeton Center Elementary school meeting on Tuesday Evening and the Scout Hall meeting on Thursday. A crew was dispatched to Cottage Lane to fill a location where a resident had cut into the road. Flowing water was undermining the road surface there. The trackless snowplow was out clearing sidewalks after the last snow storm. Cold patching of potholes was done on Barre Rd. Henshaw and Stonebridge, as well as Central and Bridge Streets. Two stop signs were replaced. Due to the pounding rain and freezing temperatures sand and salting was a constant battle to keep the roads safe. A process change was made to the way that Barre and Dudley Roads are sanded. We now are sanding the lanes, not in the center of the road as was done in the past. Repairs to sanders and plows were maintained and cleaned.
Perhaps all roads should be sanded in lanes rather than down the middle?
On the addendum to this report:
MMMA association meeting: Item of note is challenge of board of selectmen doing evaluations now that it has been determined the individual input sheets - if used at a public meeting - are a public record and not part of a personnel file.
from the current Massachusetts Open Meeting Law:
The ten purposes for which a public body may vote to hold an executive session are:
1. To discuss the reputation, character, physical condition or mental health, rather than professional competence, of an individual, or to discuss the discipline or dismissal of, or complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual. The individual to be discussed in such executive session shall be notified in writing by the public body at least 48 hours prior to the proposed executive session; provided, however, that notification may be waived upon written agreement of the parties.
another item from the addendum report;
Taming the OPEB (other post employment benefits) beast:
Prime point was to establish a funding approach, no matter how small and to stick to it annually, looking for long term solutions to this long term problem. In conversation afterward, presenter thought our approach of a modest free cash contribution annually and pushing enterprise funds to get fully funded at a faster pace was reasonable for now.
My problem with this approach is the same for the stabilization funds, without a budget line item, there is no consistency with the amount, it is only a percentage of any free cash. Why not budget a dollar figure each year as a part of operating costs to put money aside for these items?
Of course, putting down a hard dollar figure item with in a budget is problematic with prop 2 1/2 limitations and the ever expanding government approach, as in the now started full time fire department, which adds more costs to OPEB. Perhaps it is time to outsource things that can be done in that way and cut the number of town employees, as it is not the taxpayers responsibility to provide jobs for people just so they can have one. These are serious problems and require hard decisions. My opinion is that anyone who is running for elective office and posts a sign saying "save dispatch" is just looking for votes and not really thinking of the bigger picture nor the stability of the Town.
Remember that last year, there were education costs of
Narragansett Regional school district of $6,006,424.00
Monty Tech - $ 638,131.00
Debt for High school $ 436,384.00
Total Town budget presented to Town Meeting by the selectmen was approximately 15.5 million dollars.
Templeton Town financial policy voted on by the selectmen states one time funds will not be used to fund the operating budget, but here we have a statement by the Town Administrator on how free cash or one time funds will be used to cover yearly costs to fund OPEB. Either we have a policy with no real plan or we do not collect enough in taxes to cover all of the planned expenses. With the push for new taxes - meals tax, me thinks it is the latter. I also do not think this problem is going to be solved or dealt with by way of an absent board of selectmen. Show or go!
from the May 13, 2008 annual Town Meeting:
Article 36. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire by purchase the Templewood Golf Course, together with all buildings, fixtures and other improvements appurtenant thereto, which is comprised of five (5) parcels of land that are located on Brooks Road, Templeton, shown on Assessors’ Map 5-08 as Parcel 11, on Map 5-08 as Parcel 6, on Map 5-06 as Parcel 74, on Map 5-06 as parcel 74.3, and on Map 5-06 as Parcel 74.6, and contain a total of 128.16 acres, more or less, for recreational purposes, said land to be conveyed to the Town pursuant to G.L. c. 40, § 14, as the same may hereafter be amended, to be managed and controlled by a committee formed in accordance with G.L. c. 40, § 14; and as funding therefor to borrow a sum of money for such purposes ; to meet this appropriation, the Treasurer with the approval of the Board of Selectmen is authorized to borrow said amount pursuant to Chapter 44, Section 7(3) of the General Laws, or any other enabling authority and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefore; further to authorize the Board of Selectmen to apply for any loans or grants, including an Urban Self Help Grant, as the Board deems appropriate to assist in said purchase; provided, however, that no funds shall be borrowed or expended hereunder unless and until the Town shall have voted to exclude the amounts required to repay any borrowing pursuant to this vote from the limitations of Chapter 59, Section 21C of the General Laws (Proposition 2 ½), or to take any other action relative thereto.
Submitted by the Board of Selectmen
No Motion was made
Article 37. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds, or otherwise provide a sum of money for the purpose of obtaining for two (2) full appraisals of the Templewood Golf Course property located on Brooks Road, Templeton, as shown on Assessors’ Map 5-08 as Parcel 11, on Map 5-08 as Parcel 6, on Map 5-06 as Parcel 74, on Map 5-06 as parcel 74.3, and on Map 5-06 as Parcel 74.6 containing a total of 128.16 acres, more or less, to meet the requirements of Urban Self Help Grant funding, or to take any other action relative thereto. Submitted by the Board of Selectmen
No Motion was made.
Article 36. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire by purchase the Templewood Golf Course, together with all buildings, fixtures and other improvements appurtenant thereto, which is comprised of five (5) parcels of land that are located on Brooks Road, Templeton, shown on Assessors’ Map 5-08 as Parcel 11, on Map 5-08 as Parcel 6, on Map 5-06 as Parcel 74, on Map 5-06 as parcel 74.3, and on Map 5-06 as Parcel 74.6, and contain a total of 128.16 acres, more or less, for recreational purposes, said land to be conveyed to the Town pursuant to G.L. c. 40, § 14, as the same may hereafter be amended, to be managed and controlled by a committee formed in accordance with G.L. c. 40, § 14; and as funding therefor to borrow a sum of money for such purposes ; to meet this appropriation, the Treasurer with the approval of the Board of Selectmen is authorized to borrow said amount pursuant to Chapter 44, Section 7(3) of the General Laws, or any other enabling authority and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefore; further to authorize the Board of Selectmen to apply for any loans or grants, including an Urban Self Help Grant, as the Board deems appropriate to assist in said purchase; provided, however, that no funds shall be borrowed or expended hereunder unless and until the Town shall have voted to exclude the amounts required to repay any borrowing pursuant to this vote from the limitations of Chapter 59, Section 21C of the General Laws (Proposition 2 ½), or to take any other action relative thereto.
Submitted by the Board of Selectmen
No Motion was made
Article 37. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds, or otherwise provide a sum of money for the purpose of obtaining for two (2) full appraisals of the Templewood Golf Course property located on Brooks Road, Templeton, as shown on Assessors’ Map 5-08 as Parcel 11, on Map 5-08 as Parcel 6, on Map 5-06 as Parcel 74, on Map 5-06 as parcel 74.3, and on Map 5-06 as Parcel 74.6 containing a total of 128.16 acres, more or less, to meet the requirements of Urban Self Help Grant funding, or to take any other action relative thereto. Submitted by the Board of Selectmen
No Motion was made.
Saturday, January 27, 2018
Templeton Police station project on hold:
Apparently it was under estimated; reminds me of the light department building and 252 Baldwinville road proposals. New light department building went to Town Meeting for 1.5 million dollars for a new 12,000 square foot building. Lowest bid received was 1.9 million, as Town Meeting approved only 1.5 million, light department made up the difference from one of their MMWEC revenue accounts. The came 252 Baldwinville Road - Town Hall proposal - a 12,000 sq. ft. building and the amount asked of Town Meeting - 1.9 million dollars with the final bid (s) coming in the 3.5 to 4 million dollar range ( plus/minus). Fast forward to the police station and the asking amount (rounded) of just under 1 million dollar debt exclusion, so residents agreed to pay extra in taxes to pay for this. Now, there is more money needed as the bids came in higher than planned or guesstimated. My opinion is this was another under sold project - ask low and get it passed and now, well, we have started or we have this much into it so we cannot stop now.
This is another example of a cash flow/management problem in Templeton. A business model that does not work. Templeton is not broke nor do I believe the Town has ever been really broke. I believe Templeton suffers from a cash flow problem - spend every thing, save little or nothing and when you do save, try to spend it. Look at the fiscal 2018 budget or spending plan brought forward by the selectmen, it was 100 thousand (at least) short from the start. Now there will be an issue (nothing new) with ambulance receipts actually funding the Town ambulance. Again, estimated money coming in was sold on the high side while actual money coming in is on the low side. I can not wait to see the end results for the new school.
I believe Templeton has a spending plan that will be un-sustainable with the available funds coming in. Again, Templeton is not broke, just a cash flow problem - the money is spent faster than it comes in. More Town employees/assistants, more expense for health insurance, retirement, education and on and on. Time for Phillipston to pay half the actual operating costs of dispatch, as they receive the exact same service as Templeton residents, but now only pay a fraction of the actual costs. Benefits them while penalizing Templeton taxpayers. Clearly a different approach is needed in Templeton finance
Apparently it was under estimated; reminds me of the light department building and 252 Baldwinville road proposals. New light department building went to Town Meeting for 1.5 million dollars for a new 12,000 square foot building. Lowest bid received was 1.9 million, as Town Meeting approved only 1.5 million, light department made up the difference from one of their MMWEC revenue accounts. The came 252 Baldwinville Road - Town Hall proposal - a 12,000 sq. ft. building and the amount asked of Town Meeting - 1.9 million dollars with the final bid (s) coming in the 3.5 to 4 million dollar range ( plus/minus). Fast forward to the police station and the asking amount (rounded) of just under 1 million dollar debt exclusion, so residents agreed to pay extra in taxes to pay for this. Now, there is more money needed as the bids came in higher than planned or guesstimated. My opinion is this was another under sold project - ask low and get it passed and now, well, we have started or we have this much into it so we cannot stop now.
This is another example of a cash flow/management problem in Templeton. A business model that does not work. Templeton is not broke nor do I believe the Town has ever been really broke. I believe Templeton suffers from a cash flow problem - spend every thing, save little or nothing and when you do save, try to spend it. Look at the fiscal 2018 budget or spending plan brought forward by the selectmen, it was 100 thousand (at least) short from the start. Now there will be an issue (nothing new) with ambulance receipts actually funding the Town ambulance. Again, estimated money coming in was sold on the high side while actual money coming in is on the low side. I can not wait to see the end results for the new school.
I believe Templeton has a spending plan that will be un-sustainable with the available funds coming in. Again, Templeton is not broke, just a cash flow problem - the money is spent faster than it comes in. More Town employees/assistants, more expense for health insurance, retirement, education and on and on. Time for Phillipston to pay half the actual operating costs of dispatch, as they receive the exact same service as Templeton residents, but now only pay a fraction of the actual costs. Benefits them while penalizing Templeton taxpayers. Clearly a different approach is needed in Templeton finance
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