State of Templeton spending:

This is not a case for or against anything, it is just the facts.

So far, the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year which begins July 1, 2016 (FY 17), the largest expense item is for education/schools at $6,236,480.00 for both Monty Tech and NRHS. That is followed by a combined insurance, retirement and town buildings followed by public safety, DEBT and highway.

With the total cost estimate to operate the entire Town at $7,459,822.00, you can see the already large chunk of money Templeton contributes to schools "for the kids." What will the additional debt contribution be for the new school is anyone's guess, as has been reported, the most MSBA will contribute is "up to 22.9 million dollars. That is not guaranteed money because it is only a maximum dollar figure, it could be less as that is always an ongoing evaluation as to what dollar amount will be covered or not by MSBA. That is why the Town, as in you, have to borrow the entire cost estimate of the project. When the bills come due and if you did not take time to vote at the ballot or Town meeting, that would be the time to look in the mirror and ask yourself why the hell I did not take time to attend and vote. The bill still has to be paid but perhaps it will be a wake up call to take the time and participate.

Jeff Bennett