How it was done in the past, and why the change? Why now? Is it selectmen being lazy? Is it politics by Town Administrator? Politics of Light & Water commissioners?  Who knows and for the issue at hand, it does not really matter, in my opinion.

Now I do not wish to confuse anyone with the facts but. . . ,

It is a good decision, business wise to replace a tank that will cost $500 thousand to paint and have to do it again in fifteen years (if that is all true) with one that will last at least 50 years with a cost of 1 million, 250 thousand dollars. This same idea or case is made all the time; as in Templeton highway, we spend so much on maintenance costs on old trucks that it would be cheaper to buy new truck. That same case was made at a public meeting by the Town Administrator, although it was discovered to be a bit convoluted because the dollar figure given for maintenance costs was not just spent on highway equipment but for all Town vehicles with exception of fire trucks.

I believe the problem lies in the wording of the article (same as the school article that has to be re-voted because of wording issues) with regards to who is responsible for signing, who does the borrowing and all the details with regards to funds, borrowed and grants. So, I look to history for guidance:

Templeton annual Town report of 2003, pages 138-139, article 24;

"On a motion duly made and seconded, the Town voted to appropriate the sum of One million, eight hundred thousand dollars ($1,800,000.00) for the purpose of financing the design and construction of a 0.5 million gallons per day green sand pressure filtration plant at the Sawyer Street well site, including, without limitation, all costs thereof as defined in section 1 of chapter 29C of the general laws, as most recently amended by St. 1998, c78; that to meet this appropriation, the Treasurer, with approval of the board of selectmen, is authorized to borrow one million eight hundred thousand dollars ($1,800,000.00) and issue bonds or notes thereof under chapter 44 or chapter 29 of the general laws as most recently amended; that such bonds or notes are expected to be paid from the Water enterprise fund revenues, but nevertheless shall be general obligations of the Town and that any federal or state grants awarded prior to issuance of bonds will be used to reduce the amount by the Town.

2/3 vote passed May 13, 2003, annual Town meeting.

What has changed to suddenly give authority to borrow on behalf of Town to Water commissions and to give signing authority to General Manager of Templeton Light & Water.

My personal opinion is this is another case of this board of selectmen can not or will not be bothered by this matter, but it is time to check the facts.

posted by Jeff Bennett