Speaking of that "monster" new school, did that project go before Templeton capital planning committee for review? If it did not, does that mean it violated Templeton Town by-laws? If it did not, does that mean in needs to be re-voted at Town Meeting?
As far as maintenance, I believe one must look at the regional school district agreement, that like the one involving Monty Tech, has not been looked at or revised in quite a while. I do recall there is an item in that agreement that the district is responsible for the maintenance and care of the facility, as long as the repair is $5,000.00 or less. If it is more than $5,000.00, the expense falls on Templeton taxpayers. Again, perhaps begin planning for those costs now, perhaps with the creation of another stabilization fund, that is provided money by way of a stand alone warrant article. Questions of this type should probably be directed towards the selectmen who are on said committee, oh wait, selectmen Haley Brooks has been conspicuously absent not only from selectmen meetings but school building committee meetings as well. Can you say recall of a selectmen for failing to do your duty and show up for meetings? One selectmen was let off the hook for disappearing, I do not believe we should allow any other selectmen that luxury. Show up and serve as elected, or if there are circumstances of hardship, illness, etc., resign so Templeton taxpayers may have proper representation. It takes hours, time and commitment to serve as a selectmen. If it becomes a problem for any reason to show up and serve, resign. Yes there will be talk and criticism, but it passes and it works out for all, especially the Town.
(That is a lesson learned from personal experience and you can come back and serve the Town if one wishes. Again, not easy, and accompanied by talk and criticism, but it can be done, and it is better the second time around.)
Maybe someone here nows the answer, but I assume since the Elementary School is a town project we the Town, not the regional district might be responsible for ALL maintenance.
ReplyDeleteJust off the cuff, it might be good to have a separate "fund" for the school repairs that we start funding now...........
As far as our elected officials I think we need to make all committee and board members accountable. Positions on key committee and boards should not be filled by no show candidates.
On average I see 7 members of the 16 member TESBC missing every meeting. WHY are they on the committee?
Diane Haley Brooks hasn't been to a single meeting since prior to the Fall Town Meeting as far as I can tell. Julie Richards attends about 50% of the BOS meetings.
Most of the TESBC meetings have either 0 or 1 of the 4 BOS/TA members showing up.
Maybe the reason we cannot get people to fill vacant positions is they are just following the lead set by their elected officials................
It is really hard to get someone to fill a seat on the Advisory Committee if they are open to receive bullying like I feel Mr. Spring and I have been. Criticize all you want, but taking away information so the job can be done correctly, does more than hurt it'd members, it hurts the town. How can a Chairman run a committee without a quorum, for more than a year without going to the members that do not attend and ask if they are going to take part in the board or not ? If not, ask the community to see if someone will step up. The fact that this community tried to do four big projects all at one time, especially with the financial conditions that this town is in, shows a lack of planning by the administration over more than this year alone. The lack of a financial plan will hurt this community until the people who pay the bills demand better from their elected officials. Anytime now will do. My opinion as a homeowner, voter and yes, a taxpayer. Bev.
DeleteCan you imagine this ? After all of this time the big day came. Trees were marked off to be cut to begin clearing the lot for the new school construction. How could it be that someone did not bother to survey the area? It seems the woman who lives across from George Barnes had to stop the people cutting from taking her trees ! Thank goodness she was home. Some organization we have here !
DeleteRefer to Committee : Every board position should have a unique volunteer job descrption and every Board Member should have a required orientation. If you do those two things perhaps one will solve most of your deadwood problems before they ever begin. When offers to join our board are made; they are contingent on attending an orientation. Those who can't attend are met with the comment - "Perhaps next year you will be available", and then we move on to someone else.
ReplyDeleteAnother advantage of having unique volunteer job descriptions is it forces you to recruit for specific talents and backgrounds and it keeps you from adding the friends of Board members. - just because .