Something to perhaps think about;
A supposed real estate agent runs for elective office, then uses that position to lobby for a new school while also talking about property values increasing in town. More people will want to move to Templeton. Does that real estate person benefit financially from the increase in property values and increase in home sales? Is that a violation of the conflict of interest law?
If you do not want your salary known and or your benefits, do not work for a municipality. The many questions about numbers (dollar figures) showing negative (over spent) balances are part of the lack of detail in those reports. It is also a result of a lack of true open, transparent communication on the part of the selectmen and the town administrator. That is my view and opinion.
If Shari or anyone else feels a selectmen is being spoken about badly here or on any other platform, I suggest you go to selectmen meeting and ask the individual point blank; do you get paid from the town? Can you benefit financially from increased home sales in Tempeton/ Do you favor keeping the salaries and benefits of Templeton Town employees from the general public in Templeton?
See if you get any answers. Perhaps bring a map and have a geography lesson at the same time.
Jeff- Shari or any other of DHB peeps will not go to any meeting or watch any meeting to see what is really happening. DHB will not cut and paste anything from this blog that she thinks will be checked on by them
ReplyDeleteThis is part of the problem with Templeton. The vitriol is for one selectmen in particular. The comments have devolved from what a board and an AC are doing or not doing to an ad hominem attack. Public officials either elected or volunteer should model behavior they want to see in their community, that is something I'm sure we can agree on.
ReplyDeleteTo often commentators (both known and unknown ) are filling an information void. This town has an obligation to get out accurate timely and mandatory information which up to this point has been a complete failure.
I think the few people over the years that were trying to offer some constructive and intelligent commentary have given up and don't attend or even view the meetings ( witness comments above ). So all you are getting is a small group of disaffected colleagues.
If you're thinking about running for public office have at minimum these personal attributes : 1. thick skin 2. open mind 3. steady hand. Citizens have a right to say what they will. It's the duty as noted above of the public officials to model behavior and put out information that is factual, timely and mandatory as to fill voids or the voids will be filled by citizens who may or may not have the best interest of the town.
Below is a link
http://www.mass.gov/ethics/education-and-training-resources/educational-materials/explanations-of-the-conflict-of-interest-law/selectmen-summary.html
Side note - whomever is "writing" the other "blog" ( beacon of free form bulls*.t ) please remove yourself from my beloved internet. The least of the problems in this town are from floride. Perhaps a reflection of why the IQ's are so low are because of the lack of education and reading conspiracy pages.
ReplyDeleteI had conversations about this school item with Diane back in the fall of last year I believe. She told me that people will move into the town based on the school. That its her most asked/highest concern question when showing houses.
ReplyDeleteI referenced the Master Plan paid for by Templeton Taxpayers which shows most people moving to this town are 54+, not exactly Elementary school parents..........but I was told I was wrong.
I to have a rather large issue with us overspending accounts. How can we have $9,000 in an account and spend $13,000 from it? How does this payment get approved, processed. Who writes the check and do they know the balance? This is not a one time issue.
How does Chapter 90 money get allocated at -$12,000 or so?????
I think people should attend and watch the meetings. In my opinion loopholes are being built int o many items so accountability is deferred..........
What good are policies and procedures if they all have escape clauses? They are reduced to suggestions with no teeth. Weak management style lacking conviction or confidence.
@Bob M I don't think you need to be the worlds best realtor to assume a high quality school structure would attract younger people with children. I would assume as a layman that a community would not be attracted to a town with schools that look like they are out of the last 1/2 of the 20th century ( because they are ).
DeleteAs far of the demographics of the town that goes to the comment above.
This town has almost zero cultural aspects to it. The main areas look like Flint Michigan. So, you have The Mac & Cheese Festival and a few other events per year to draw attention to this town. I would suggest that any good that may be gleaned from events such as those are completely wiped out over and over again by the lack of credulity and professionalism that is required in order to attract the kind of economic and cultural growth this town so desperately has been in need of, since I would argue the last 1/2 of the 20th century.
@OrdinaryJoe Sure it might attract younger people with Children, but the facts are that most who have moved here are 54+ and low taxes was the driver.
DeleteI'm really tired of that school argument. Cushing Academy is older than any school in Templeton yet it draws people, why? Because it was maintained, updated, cared for. Templeton like most towns maintains public facilities poorly. It's harder to get money to maintain then to replace. Why are we building an Elementary School for a 50 yr life?
I believe most of this is due to our system. Look at our new 93,000 sq ft Elementary School. $50 million dollars. $1.4 Million per year. $2.50 per $1000 in property valuation. Did anyone ask how much its going to cost to maintain that building per year over the first 28 years of the loan? I haven't seen that number anywhere in the discussion. I personally cannot see it being much under an additional $1.00 per $1000.
Additionally I think a discussion on a Town level needs to be made. Whether we want to remain a "bedroom community" or do we want economic growth, cultural growth.
@BOb M " Sure it might attract younger people with Children, but the facts are that most who have moved here are 54+ and low taxes was the driver." Yes, exactly this town has done practically nothing ( ie in the way of schools either maintain or build ) to attract. So by keeping our property tax artificially low and not having the elected and volunteers stewarding the funds, and filling the void of knowledge you get exactly that > 54 community.
ReplyDeleteCushing Academy : Cushing Academy, in Ashburnham, Massachusetts, United States, is a private, coeducational college-preparatory school for boarding and day students. It was founded in 1865 by Thomas Parkman Cushing, who was a successful Boston merchant. Wikipedia. * Tuition: $59,750 (boarding); $41,300 (day)* No offense Bob M but Narragansett Regional HS is not, well what exactly are you thinking here bringing that institution into the conversation as a comparison.
" Why are we building an Elementary School for a 50 yr life? " what are you talking about here, again I'm at a loss. If I'm not mistaken BoB M the elementary schools in question are well over 50 years old. As far as new construction I'm confident that materials are for 50 years, as far as maintenance Bob M well again that's a matter for the BOS, AC and finance departments to budget accordingly.
" Additionally I think a discussion on a Town level needs to be made. Whether we want to remain a "bedroom community" or do we want economic growth, cultural growth. " The two are not mutually exclusive. Templeton should be both to achieve and maintain a healthy vibrant town for all who reside present, past and future.
@OJ............ I'm talking about buildings because that is what Templeton is paying $50 million to build. Your talking about Educational costs. Yes, Cushing is in a different league than Narragansett but they maintain that even with OLD buildings.
DeleteOur new $50 million dollar school is designed to have a 50 yr lifespan. WHY only 50 yrs?
Take a look at the bylaws. The TA and BOS control the budget. The AC only recommends an up or down vote to the town.
As far as you last comment, well, I don't know if you can have a vibrant Economic development, cultural growth and remain a rural bedroom community. Can you point to a community as an example?
The ones who complain the most about their tax bills are the ones with school age children not the 55+. DHB does receive money when she works at the polls. Is it a ethics violation for her to work the polls when she is on the selectboard?
ReplyDeleteThis town lost two big businesses in the early 2000 and nothing has come back to replace them. The problem we have had, for the past 25 years, is we cannot maintain what we have now, with the revenue we take in on a yearly basis. Our financial juggling has created constant financial instability, that will not stop until we either decide to find a way to increase our revenue, or downsize our government. The subject of what number to use for expected revenue came up during the budget planning for the past fiscal year. The TA decided it was wise to use a number larger than the AC planned to use. He called it a philosophical difference ! In my eyes, using a number that was knowingly, unobtainable, could be called fraudulent. Basing a budget on money the town will not collect leads to the never ending game of moving money from one account to another, or running accounts into the red. This behavior will not stop until the taxpayer understands the problem and demands accountability. A credit card mentality does not work in town government. It did not work last year, it will not work today and it will not work tomorrow. My opinion, Bev.
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