To:  Wilfred Spring, Chairman  
        Advisory Committee, Town of Templeton, Massachusetts

Subject: TRANSMITTAL OF LETTER DATED OCTOBER 30, 2016
“Request to Return to the Appropriate Town of Templeton Annual Report  Format”   
 From: Bernard J. Heaney, citizen of Town of Templeton                      
To: John Caplis, Chairman, Board of Selectmen

During your Sept 6th AB meeting the board voted to present the latest budget report to the Massachusetts DOR as an example of how poorly the town’s financial group & BOS are communicating with Templeton’s Advisory Board.  This document was the FY18 Expenditure Ledger History Report for July 1 through August 31, 2017.  In brief, it was the Budget vs. Actual (Allocated vs. Ending) Report.

You will remember that during discussion on this motion I suggested that a letter I wrote last October should be added to this example with the DOR.  My letter asked that the town’s Annual Report (AR) should include an Accountant’s Report, as required by law and as required by the town’s By Laws.   The motion was amended to include this letter.   See my attached copy of this letter.

For my 45 years living here I have been satisfied with most ARs in the past; however, for the past five (5) years we have not had an accountant’s report.   I have listened for six (6) years to various townspeople, accountants, treasurers, selectmen, and temporary town administrators say we have to be patient, wait for the latest reports, let new employees get a “handle” on our finances.  They all say it’s time to stop the negativity, finger pointing, and complaining.  They tell us that they are going to become more transparent and that all “the numbers” are under control now. 
 
BUT FOR 5 YEARS NOTHING CHANGES.  VIOLATIONS OF BY LAWS CONTINUE, DISCREPANCIES CONTINUE, and we are now facing a sixth year with no accountant’s report and no promised late accountant’s report, in the form of an addendum to the AR; promised by July 1 st .

There comes a time when there can be no more excuses or hardline demands to be patient.  That time is NOW.    There can be no reason why a report of known income and expenses should not be reported at the end of any fiscal year.  The citizens of Templeton should be allowed to see where and how their money is being spent.




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Letter Transmittal  (continued)  
                                                                 Page 2 of 2 9-7-17
Sincerely,
Bernard Heaney


Attachments:    Copy of 10-30-16 letter to Chairman, BOS; with attachments

Distribution List:  
Wilfred Spring Chairman   
Jeff Bennett Vice Chairman   
Paul Grubb Scribe   
Robert May Member  
 Julie Farrell Member   
Beverly Bartholomeo Member   
Darlene Buelow Member