Templeton residents, by way of Town Meeting, approved money for a certified treasurer/collector, a full time Town administrator and a full time Town accountant. Templeton residents have gotten one out of the three, up until now. It may be for only a short time, but an employee using vacation time so as to work else where because of training being provided by the residents/taxpayers of Templeton raises a question; are Templeton residents/taxpayers getting what they asked for and are paying for?

Remember, Wednesday is the day that the bills of the Town and payroll of the Town are normally processed, looked over and signed by the selectmen. With the Town accountant away on "vacation", while actually working in another Town, who is there to answer any questions that may come up concerning those two important items? The assistant Town accountant? Do selectmen bother a full time Town employee who is on vacation for any questions? Did the selectmen hire an assistant Town accountant to allow the full time Town accountant to moon light at another Town?

More importantly, why are Tempeton taxpayers always aiding in the running of the Town of Phlliipston? Is that why Phillipston always seems to have a good financial picture while Templeton, well, not so much?  Phillipston pays little for dispatch (provided by Templeton taxpayers) while Templeton pays 300 thousand plus for dispatch (the same service) Templeton taxpayers pay for a senior center/food pantry and now Phillipston uses that facility and they pay what??  Now, Phillipston gets an accountant, training paid for by Templeton taxpayers, while Templeton pays for both a full time accountant and an assistant accountant. Templeton pays for vacation while Phillipston pays only for service. (is that double dipping by a Town employee?)

Seems like a pretty picture is being painted by the selectmen and the painting continues to be photo shopped so as to continue looking pretty, all the while, the frame is being eaten by termites.

Might be time for residents to take control and only put aside enough money for a part time Town administrator and put the rest in savings as it makes no sense to put aside $110,000.00 for a part time employees while the selectmen use the rest of those funds as a slush fund.