Attached is the document I have prepared for the Joint Meeting tomorrow night. This will give you a chance to review and come with any questions to bring to the meeting. Here is a list of some of the issues that have been changed to bring to your attention:
Revenue: 1. New Growth had been reduced by $15,000
2. Excise Tax has been reduced by $40,000
This is based on the actual numbers from the Assessors Office.
Expenses: 1. All of the raises have been given out and I removed the Salary and Wage Adjustment and moved to the
correct departments and updated the hourly rates for the ones that are applicable. Also every employee
per department has been recalculated to make sure the full 52.2 is included to avoid any salary transfers in
FY 2017.
2. Reduced the Advisory Committee’s Expenses to $200 and the reserve to $30,000
3. Removed the $3000 for Accountant Certification and put $400 into the Accountant Expense for possibly
one of the classes. Will hold off one year for certification…will be easier once the audits are completed in
FY 17.
4. Increased the VADAR software support $1318 for the increase in fee.
5. Reduced Harpers Payroll $2000 as we have taken money each year from the account. Reduced Tax Taking
and Tax Lien $1000 as the huge land court issue with American Tissue was taken care of in FY 16
6. Reduced Town Fuel by $5000 as it looks like gas prices are remaining low at least for the time being
7. Increased Unemployment $20,000 to a more realistic amount
8. Increased the Fire Chief salary $10,000 to reflect the correct amount
9. As an accurate budget was not received from the fire department increased the Deputy Fire Chief Salary to
estimated correct amount including OT $4083….same with the administrative assistant increase $4836.
10. Increased the Fire Department Expense $5000 to help with the purchase of additional canisters
11. Increased the Inspection Service Salaries $1250 for a more realistic amount
12. Removed the $5000 Contingency from the Highway Department that was a place holder in case the
revolving fund was not approved.
13. Corrected the Library Wages and Expense to the correct line item
14. Split the Debt payments to show interest and principal
I believe this is all the changes. All of this is subject to change and not set in stone. Will discuss all the issues at tomorrow night’s joint meeting. Please do your best to attend this meeting if possible at the School in the Kiva at 6:30.
Thanks…enjoy this glorious day!!!!
Kelli Pontbriand
Accountant
Town of Templeton
978-894-2765
posted by Jeff Bennett
It is too bad that these changes were not figured into the budget before the Town Meeting approved it. One questions everyone should ask themselves is how do you give out raises when you do not know what the Town will have for money especially after the eye popping deficits In the 13 audit ? This is the same pattern the Town has been following since 2002, and that has kept us in a deep hole.
ReplyDeleteThis will be a very interesting meeting tonight.
ReplyDelete