Campaign Activities

General Laws Chapter 55 governs the raising and spending of money for ballot questions as well as political candidates.  The law also regulates the conduct of public officials and employees undertaking campaign finance activities.

In general, the law regulates conduct not speech.  Thus, while local officials can take a position on an override or exclusion question and speak in favor of or in opposition to it, they cannot spend public funds or use public resources, such as personnel, supplies and facilities, to promote or oppose the question.  Public employees may work on an override or exclusion campaign on a volunteer basis, on their own time, in any capacity other than fundraising.  They may also make personal contributions to political committees established for the purpose of promoting or opposing the ballot question.

3.  Underrides

A levy limit underride decreases the amount of property tax revenue a community may raise in the year specified in the underride questions and in future years.  It decreases the community's levy limit and becomes part of the base for calculating future years' levy limits.  The result is a permanent decrease in taxing authority. 

Election Procedure

Proposition 2 1/2 questions are placed on an election ballot by vote of the Board of Selectmen, not Town Meeting. This is the only way an override or exclusion questions may be placed on the ballot.  They may not be placed on the ballot by a town meeting vote or any local initiative procedure authorized by law.  A local initiative procedure , however, may be used as an alternative method of placing an underride question on the ballot.

 Fiscal Year 2024 shows smallest amount of funds deposited into Templeton capital stabilization fund in 5 years - $45,000.00, with $13,916.00 dollars recently voted out of the fund.

 from the study that was not available at town meeting.

Project Phase Cost Estimate

Phase 1 – Spring 2024 – Eave Up $ 502,011

Escalation – 6.00% $ 30,121

Phase 1 Subtotal $ 532,132

Phase 2 – Spring 2025 – Elm Street Façade $ 430,716

Escalation – 14.00% $ 60,300

Phase 2 Subtotal $ 491,016

Phase 3 – Spring 2026 – Interiors/Systems $ 349,032

Escalation – 22.00% $ 76,787

Phase 3 Subtotal $ 425,819

Phase 4 – Spring 2027 – MAAB/ADA – Elevator $ 1,109,866

Escalation – 30.00% $ 332,960

Phase 4 – Elevator Subtotal $ 1,442,826

Phase 4 – Spring 2027 – MAAB/ADA – Conference $ 533,740

Escalation – 30.00% $ 160,122

Phase 4 – Conference Subtotal $ 693,862

Total – Phases 1 through 3 $ 1,448,967

Total – Phases 1 through 3 plus Elevator $ 2,891,793

Total – Phases 1 through 3 plus Conference $ 2,142,829.

 

Town:	Shirley, MA Athol, MA Royalston, MA Templeton, MA Phillipston, MA Lunenburg, MA
Board:	MRPC (Montachusett Regional Planning Commission)
Time:	Thursday May 30, 2024 6:30 PM EDT
Location:	Fitchburg State University Ellis White Lecture Room, Hammond Hall, 160 Pearl Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420
Agenda:	The Montachusett Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) in collaboration with the Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART) and the agencies’ consultant WSP are partnering with the region’s communities to undertake a safety action plan to improve roadway safety outcomes in North-Central Massachusetts. To help the community become fully acquainted with the safety action plan the agencies will host a live, hybrid public information meeting. All are invited to attend in person or by web. Questions and comments are welcomed. When: Thursday, May 30th; 6:30pm Where: Fitchburg State University Ellis White Lecture Room, Hammond Hall 160 Pearl Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420 zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1I7BjGiTR6WfL2ggsiuyHg MRPC does not discriminate. For more information please see: mrpc.org/home/pages/title-vi-policy-and-procedures

 Just an FYI, I understand recount papers have been pulled for the May 20, 2024 selectman election. It is not over yet.

 As an FYI, regarding the old Temple Stuart property / MacVallee, the town has a bylaw, based on a state law on licenses, permits, etc., and those can be denied if back taxes are owed. Perhaps that is the reason no permits have been pulled to date. They might also sue the town if they wish. More than likely, the truth shall surface sooner rather than later.

Recently, I did what any one can do, I emailed on of the towns records access officers, I emailed town administrator requesting a copy of the April 2024 monthly expenditure report from town accountant. Under the ARPA segment of report, it shows $4,760.00 allocated for road drainage and paving. it then shows $6,308.99 spent, that is shown to be 132.52% variance (allocated versus spent)

Real math 1+1 =2 / Templeton math 1+1 = whatever it needs to be.