Trends in Templeton, MA;
From 2000 until 2014, population grew from 6,799 to about 8,134.
State aid in 2000 was $1,318,085.00 and in 2014 was $1,456,947.00
New growth has gone from$156,443.00 in 2003 to $94,321.00 in 2016.
General stabilization fund has gone from $36,292.00 in 2003 to $674,538.00 in 2009, to now at $142,326.99.
Town debt in 2008 was $1,446,973.00 and in 2014 was $1,629,859.00.
General unallocated fund, commonly known as free cash was $582,421.00 in 2005 and in 2014 was a negative (deficit) of -$26,899.00.
Since 2005, over 4 million dollars in unspent Templeton money and only $142,000.00 in savings and no real capital fund savings. In fact, major infrastructure investments were not even covered by capital planning committee. These are things the selectmen should be talking about but seem to be ignoring.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Saturday, November 5, 2016
What your selectmen are up to:
To repair a pump on a fire truck, which has a repair price quote of $23,077.29, funds (money) will be taken from the Town's vehicle/machinery maintenance fund ($20,000.00) and $3,500.00 from fire department equipment maintenance fund.
From Town meeting appropriations at annual town meeting on May 14, 2016, town vehicle/machinery fund was $136,040.00 and fire equipment maintenance fund was $6,000.00.
According to the year end budget versus actual information provided by the town accountant on October 3, 2016 was Town vehicle /machinery appropriation was $90,000.00 with $89,997.07 being spent for the year. Fire equipment maintenance was $6,000.00 appropriated with $6,000.00 spent.
To use money from other funds while $50,000.00 sits in the town's reserve fund and for which purpose of replacing/repairing a pump on a fire truck from the reserve fund would be most appropriate and negate the need for future transfers or shortages in the fire department equipment maintenance fund before the end of the year. That would be the logical thing to do, but since the selectmen are unable or unwilling to follow Massachusetts General Law, we should not expect logic from them.
Another event defies logic as well; the roof at the fire station in the northern part of Templeton, referred to as baldwinville, is only being partially repaired, rather than replace the entire roof, which would be an investment in town infrastructure. The fire station roof in Templeton center is NOT being repaired/replaced at all at this time. Mean while, another fire truck is being repaired by volunteer work from Paige welding and by work from some members of the department with parts being paid for out of the fire department budget, (fire equipment maintenance fund?) in the estimated amount of $400.00 - $500.00.
The roof repairs for fire station being paid from fire department budget and town maintenace funds with no dollar breakdown stated by the town administrator. Most of this information is from the town administrator report on the town website.
posted by Jeff Bennett
To repair a pump on a fire truck, which has a repair price quote of $23,077.29, funds (money) will be taken from the Town's vehicle/machinery maintenance fund ($20,000.00) and $3,500.00 from fire department equipment maintenance fund.
From Town meeting appropriations at annual town meeting on May 14, 2016, town vehicle/machinery fund was $136,040.00 and fire equipment maintenance fund was $6,000.00.
According to the year end budget versus actual information provided by the town accountant on October 3, 2016 was Town vehicle /machinery appropriation was $90,000.00 with $89,997.07 being spent for the year. Fire equipment maintenance was $6,000.00 appropriated with $6,000.00 spent.
To use money from other funds while $50,000.00 sits in the town's reserve fund and for which purpose of replacing/repairing a pump on a fire truck from the reserve fund would be most appropriate and negate the need for future transfers or shortages in the fire department equipment maintenance fund before the end of the year. That would be the logical thing to do, but since the selectmen are unable or unwilling to follow Massachusetts General Law, we should not expect logic from them.
Another event defies logic as well; the roof at the fire station in the northern part of Templeton, referred to as baldwinville, is only being partially repaired, rather than replace the entire roof, which would be an investment in town infrastructure. The fire station roof in Templeton center is NOT being repaired/replaced at all at this time. Mean while, another fire truck is being repaired by volunteer work from Paige welding and by work from some members of the department with parts being paid for out of the fire department budget, (fire equipment maintenance fund?) in the estimated amount of $400.00 - $500.00.
The roof repairs for fire station being paid from fire department budget and town maintenace funds with no dollar breakdown stated by the town administrator. Most of this information is from the town administrator report on the town website.
posted by Jeff Bennett
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