What happened in 2010?

Watching a recording of a selectmen's meeting, chairman Caplis stated "Town government has not been proper since 2010." So I thought what happened in 2010? What has John Caplis seen from 2010 to convince him of that statement. I know there a long time member of the board of selectmen who was not reelected in 2010 but that is about all I can think of or find.

As for contract issues, someone should go back and look at the contracts involved in the new elementary school. You will find the first one signed by the Town of Templeton, a second one by the Town of Templeton and Narragansett regional school district. John Columbus should know this as he was a member of the school committee then. There was also a file cabinet in the selectmen's office with copies of all contracts involving the town. What happened after the move of the selectmen's office, I do not know, but the files with the contracts and grants were there.

So much for the transparency and honesty with open government talked about last spring. Actions now in progress remind me of a time prior to 2010 when too many decisions were made in a corner office by a couple of people. Reminds me of the time when, as chairman of the board of selectmen, while attending a meeting of the elementary school building committee, there was a document needing to be signed by either the chief executive officer of the town (chairman of the board of selectmen) or the entire select board. I was asked to sign it at that meeting, at which time I refused, stating that it was a decision for the entire board of selectmen. I was also asked by a town coordinator to sign for a loan from the USDA for 252 Baldwinville road building on a Friday morning. I refused to sign without a meeting of the select board. I think there was a time when alot of town business was done in such a manner. I had hoped things would have changed but it appears things are regressing backwards in time rather than changing for the better. More sunshine is needed in Templeton.


posted by Jeff Bennett