The take away from the meeting last night with members of BOA/DLS is there is no need for Templeton to be spending 10 thousand dollars (or any amount) on the Collins institute or other entity because the Division of Local services already offers services for free. They are paid for already through state taxes. So if Templeton wishes to save some money, use the state agencies, who stated they are willing, able and available to selectmen (and others) to provide help, assistance and training.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Even though I was hopped up on cough meds, and antihistamines mostly trying not to cough I was impressed with the information regarding services offered by the DLS.
ReplyDeleteI feel this should be known by all committees. We have to find a better way to pass along information between Committees and Boards and Commissions. I'm not sure the "monitoring" method has or will work.
It seems to me that even now, one of the fall back positions, when information sharing is a problem, seems to be going back to the old game of passing a message. I see it as Templeton is a mess of islands, all spinning to get stuff done, but none interacting with the others. This is exacerbated when meeting minutes are missing, delayed or just unavailable.
I feel it is vital that meeting information be detailed enough to understand, but condensed enough to be functional across all groups. I doubt it many of our Boards, Committees and Commissions even know what others are working on, what they might both be working on as I just dont see the communication happening.
Maybe being relatively new to this environment I'm just not privy to the details and I hope that is the case, but it just doesn't feel or look like it is.
Last night was troubling in one aspect also. Mary Jane was speaking, I believe, about offering services to Templeton and having Bob Markel basically refuse them. This should not be an option. How would this type of assistance offer not be the Boards wheelhouse?
One part time managers apparent unwillingness to accept assistance played large into Templeton financial problems or so it seems.
Another item that I feel needs to be addressed.
ReplyDeleteWhat format would our Board of Selectman, Town Administrator like citizens to use when and if they notice by-laws, rules and regulations being avoided or by-passed. I mention this because I always hear complaints about the Blog, but never a solution other than to stop pointing things out. Thats not acceptable.
People expect the town government to either follow or change regulations, Policies/Procedures. We have had a history of doing neither. How do these folks suggest it is going to happen/change unless it is pointed out?
Maybe we need a major "bitch session" a lock um in the room until some resolution is agreed on how and what needs to happen. Also, I'd ad that just maybe, if information was received in a more accepting manner rather than a defensive manner things would change somewhat.
See, I've written directly to two members of the Select Board on issues relating to appointments, processes, based on my concern we were not in compliance. Have I received a response.......NO. Do I still believe we are not in compliance, well, yes. Did my Selectman follow through with the appropriate party to determine if there was an issue? I have no clue. Is this frustrating considering the reports I've read/heard from Audits, DOR/DLS you're damn right it is. It's really easy to say everything is improving when your not looking, but take a look, see what you see and make up your mind.
I truly would love a functioning, efficient government. I think a few good steps are being made. I also think we need to be very vigilant in following (or changing) Policies, By-laws, Regulations or we can find ourselves deep in a hole really quick.
My 25 cents worth, inflation you know
If you run for a position in town government, one would hope you would have some knowledge about how things are run. Why would you try to invent the wheel when there are already plenty of wheels in stock. All you would have to do is ask someone that has experience in the job, where the wheels are kept ? We do not have the money to waste on projects that have been done and done again. Same results, same information, just ask. Our Advisory Committee chairman has offered on more than one occasion to pass along information that new selectmen could use. How many times were phone calls ignored or not returned by these people ? Lets just say enough ! You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink. Still my opinion, Bev.
DeleteWell, that was a disgusting display of the LIARS Club with an extra pathetic appearance by Carter Terenzini insulting Wilfred Spring for asking for information. What will our Liar Club do about an Employee insulting a citizen at an Open Meeting, probably write up Will for upsetting Carter.
ReplyDeleteHell, they let Selectman make up a story as he goes, why not everyone. Line up the statements by all involved, who tells different versions? notice anything, ahhhhh, things change each time its told.
I won't abide by one damn thing this group of misfit toys says regarding these "violations" but I will abide by the AG, so will they!
The Division of Local Services, the Bureau of Accounts and DLS/Law are all good resourced. Give the a call an they are very helpful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info Sue. I had them on radar but am still unsure of the scope of assistance available. Something needs to be worked out or we'll just keep spinning.
ReplyDeleteCarter finds reason to support BOS. Chairman Caplis reads definition of Deliberation missing Juurisdictions meaning as control over which is specifically detailed in , oh ya, BOS Procedures for setting up Policies and Procedures.
ReplyDeletePROCEDURE FOR ESTABLISHING POLICIES and PROCEDURES: Draft policies and procedures shall be placed on the agenda for any regularly scheduled meeting of the Board. Drafts shall be in writing, and may be introduced only by a member of the Board or the Town Administrator. Upon receipt of a draft, the Board may choose to discuss the policy immediately or schedule the discussion for a future meeting. The Board may schedule any hearings or meetings it deems necessary for discussion. The Board may distribute a draft for comment to appropriate officials as it deems necessary. The Board shall not vote on a policy at the same meeting that it is first introduced. This rule may be waived if the Board unanimously votes that prompt action is necessary. The Town Administrator shall be responsible for the maintenance of all policies and procedures, which shall be kept in a notebook available to the Board members and the public at the office of the Board of Selectmen.
I dont see "Advisory Board" do you. Yup, the advisory Board has the same jurisdiction over Policy and procedure as any other citizen. If asked or allowed we can give our opinion to the BOS who in return will ignore it.
Then I looked on the Town By-laws and guess what? Under Advisory Board I couldn't find anything saying we had Jurisdiction over any Policies and Procedures. Now are their papers floating around town that say Advisory Board Policies, sure, but unless the BOS approves them they are just more useless policies not followed by the Liars Club.
Bob you really should try to control your emotions at taped meetings. The AG may review the recordings when they look over the OML violations against you.
ReplyDeleteThere is a better way to get the results you and your committee wanted.
Attitude is everything and yours should change,i think you know that.
Dave, the AG can look. I'm passionate about things I get involved in. If I didn't give a damn I would just sit. My time matters to me. I volunteered, but not to deal with misdirection, misinformation all while justifying a "fly by the seat of your pants" mentality.
DeleteJust a quick follow up. I'd tell the AG how I felt. Why I left. Nothing I said would have been nicer from that point on. It's obvious you have no idea how offended I was by Selectman Fortes comments to Bev. especially given that nothing he said was truthful. He quoted a irrelevant regulation (nothing to do with OML) He stated he "submitted the screenshot to the AG" implying he filed a claim,which he contradicts on June 19th.Then got sarcastic with " PS Isn't it ironic", while filing the screen with Irony (misinformation, bad info). Of coarse all he was trying to do was warn us, protect us, then why all the BS? Did the Facts show a angry guy showing just how "clever" he was...........No issue until Julie and I filed real complaints, then we schedule discussions, why, not because they are required...........you judge why.
DeleteShut the blog down Dave! You've turned into a dictator. Especially to those who have a different view. You like to name call on this blog but "confirmed" posters can't use the same behavior you exhibit on your blog. It's best for Templeton. It's actually pretty sad David.
ReplyDeleteDavid, why do you think I left. I have a real hard time not calling bullshit, without calling bullshit, so I walked. I've listened to the edited version of facts spun through multiple meetings.
ReplyDeleteThen I hear the Chairman say "no requirement to be certified before you vote so blah, blah......
Chapter 30a section 20 (h) in part reads : Town Clerk.... shall obtain certification from each person upon entering service and shall retain it subject to the applicable records retention schedule where the body maintains its official records.
Thats "Upon entering service" which according to some means before you VOTE as a Selectman.
Then Carter, who I just dont trust or respect chimes in. Nothing worth sitting there for was going to happen.
The entire way there, even while I was sitting there I was debating whether or not to pull my complaints, even though I find the June 19 th behavior disgraceful ( should they have gone to exec session to discuss Harrassment, threatening, resignations?? Mr. Steward), but the attitude on display changed my mind. I feel this crew now is useless until we get a strong non butt kissing, back tracking, talentless TA they will all cover the incompetence displayed by each other.
I have a serious problem with incompetence, even when it's me demonstrating it, but I will 9 out of ten call myself on it.
I got one for you Dave. 2 people from the BOS are commenting on Paulys page about templeton business, say Cam and Diane for example. If Julie reads it have they violated the law?
If you post a story and I comment, did I communicate with you if you didn't read it? In that case you communicated with me, but anything else is speculation.
Dave, I got a really good one for you. Ready for this mind bender. What happens to the Open meeting law violation regarding quorum if we remove Julie Farrell?