Time for a change . . . . and a real step forward for Templeton.
I think if there is one thing to wish for in the coming new year, it is a change, more people at Town Meeting and more than a simple yes or no recommendation from the finance (Advisory) committee. Perhaps this is the year where that committee can/will really "bring it".
Bring things like a real report with real explanations for it's recommendations.
Explanations from the "minority report" as to why any members who vote or recommend against an article. Time to perhaps change it up and for some of this to happen, the moderator is going to have to allow these explanations to happen . . . the residents/voters/taxpayers deserve it. When the Advisory Committee states it wants or needs to explain a recommendation, the moderator needs to let this happen. What would be a reason to deprive the people at Town Meeting of this information or explanation? It should not be politics nor jockeying from say the selectmen or Town Administrator.
I hope the New Year brings a well attended and informed Town Meeting with real explanations with regards to any recommendations for / against/ or no action. My hope for the New Year is there will be no more selectmen (individually or collectively) attempts to stifle discussion on any article presented to Templeton's Town Meeting. Let discussion happen and let true democracy take place.
This might be a pretty large wish for the New Year but you either "go big or stay home." As the British SAS say, "who dares wins."
Happy New Year to all.
The very idea that the taxpayers/voters of this town voted not to have a line item budget at the Annual Town Meeting every year because it happened once is a joke. The joke is on the very people who pay the bills. The bills that are going to become harder and harder to pay as time goes on. The sad part is that with all of the money we have spent in the last five or six years, we have little or nothing to show for it. Big money paid for people to straighten out our books. Books that we invested in and had paid good money to have done in the first place. So what is wrong with this picture ? Gee, maybe it is leadership, or more like, it the lack there of ! It is a matter of time until our leaders get hit with the results of their work. After all, "what you do comes back to you", and with a little bit of luck the history of this Town will show these people for what and who they are. My opinion as a homeowner and tax payer in this Town of Templeton.
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