It was put out at Monday's selectmen meeting that the proposed meals tax dollar number is an estimate from the Department of Revenue (state DOR) A tid bit of info on the state level, MA DOT is not currently paying it's snow & ice contractors because of budget problems. Back to Templeton, the $42,000.00 estimate that has not even been approved yet, is the basis for a spending plan to pay for a $42,225.00 3 year lease on a new police cruiser and a $85,000.00 3 year lease on a new 1 ton dump truck with a plow and wing. What happens if the meals tax does not pass? Is there a plan B for these items above? According to the spending plan book, there is $199,000.00 of left over taxpayer money that will be allowed to roll over into end of the fiscal year so called "free cash" - which is not really free as it all originates out of your pocket books. On top of that, this spending pan is built around asking you taxpayers for a tax override, which is a permanent increase in your taxes, whatever the amount, it is there forever, unless you all put forth and pass an underride. If an override passes, it must go to pay for a specific item for the first year, after that, it is just absorbed into the tax collections and can be used for anything. That is why selectmen meetings should be packed on days when this spending plan will be discussed.
Budget/spending plan discussion dates as of now are:
Monday, March 5, 2018 at Town Hall. Proposed is an override for a full time fire/EMS department - (ALS service that was over sold to you)
Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at Town Hall
Monday, March 19, 2018 at Town HAll
Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at Town Hall
Monday, March 26, 2018 at Town HAll
It is your money - pack the house and let them know you care and are watching.
Hello, It seems that some who partake of this craptastic blaag ( “ where if you want the truth “ ) think that seniors in the neighboring village are “Phreeloading” off our town. I’m not sure how many or if ..any...out of towners go to this grand senior center located behind a remediated superfund site but surely it must be a lot right ?
ReplyDeleteSo, since my town has money woes, perhaps the good folk on the Advisory Board can discuss how much money you can get from people from the other town over the age of 50 that our town invited to use this senior center. It must be 10’s of dollars. Just think of the revenue.
Perhaps, you all can use it in bargaining for dispatch ? Blessings
From everything I can find regarding the Senior Center Templeton taxpayers spend more per user of the Senior Center than these people would receive from Social Security.........
ReplyDeleteIf you take the total served population of the Senior center it appears about 20 people on average use the center regularly. It costs the Templeton taxpayer how much to maintain the senior center......200, 300, 400 thousand dollars per year.
Anon 8:49--- If its such an insignificant amount then Phillipston shouldn't mind paying, right?
Why not use Athols since you say they welcome you.........
Well, I’m not a Phillipston resident. But since 20 people on avg use this grand structure how many do you think are “Phreelaoding” 1 , 19 ? All 20?? I mean this could be a revenue stream right ? Thanks
ReplyDeleteAnon 9:45
ReplyDeleteI dont believe anyone is saying its a revenue stream. I'm not anyway. I'm just saying that personally I'm not a fan of the entire process, but the people voted it in. I'm not sure its a wise use of town funds. All taxpayers are paying for the Senior center used by 20 people on average, really? I think of it as we are taxing 2000 elderly people so 20 can use services.
OK, so 20 people use the Senior Center regularly. Would you say its chump change if it costs $50 a day per person. Would paying $250 per week for out of town residents be a good use of Templeton taxpayers money. Shouldn't the taxpayer at least know how much it does cost per user?
Carter quoted 17 use Meals on Wheels.How much is that worth to the taxpayer?
It does seem Phillipston is getting a good deal all around. I am a senior, my taxes are getting harder and harder to pay. If Phillipston is getting a service, why not pay their fair share ? They get to have their cake and eat it too.
DeleteGlad I booked marked this blog. What is the price one puts on the elderly ? I mean are they really of any import to your town Bob ?
ReplyDeleteLike i said I am elderly! I pay my way ! What makes it different for anyone else ?
DeleteBob is right. Share and share alike. This is not Phillipston's fault. Templeton officials should not have invited anyone to come without them paying their fair share. That is my opinion.
DeleteGadfly,
DeleteThe proper use of taxpayer money is not an indication of my concern for anything other than taxpayer dollars. Your comments are purely political in nature. Politics is not my concern.
Reality is we have X dollars and everyone wants some. Best Use has to be discussed.
Gadfly, answer me this. Is it worth taxpayers paying $50.00 per user per day. How much is good for you?
If you had a choice between ALS service and the Senior Center which would you choose?
I think the subject of this blog was meals tax estimate that Templeton is willing to base it's budget on. Our TA has done this before. You can't count your chickens before they hatch. Their has to be a plan B. I do not see how we will generate enough money a penny at a time. Country Mischief is closing their business. They sold a number of meals that will not contribute to our tax base . My opinion.
DeleteHey Bev.
DeleteThe meals tax is based off the numbers from the DOR. Dunkins must be a big part of it. I personally like the meals tax and the marijuana tax. My simple reasoning is they grab out of town dollars. The taxpayers need to be involved enough to keep the added funds directed to beneficial items, i.e. capital items.
If I had to choose between ALS and senior center, I would choose to put ambulance service out to bid and see if there was a positive cash flow available into Templeton for that service and keep the senior center, which is an under used Town asset. I think that might be a wise use of taxpayer dollars
ReplyDeleteHow does that manage Fire coverage?
DeleteWell that does it ! stop meals on wheels ! Let me get that #going and make it known .
ReplyDeleteWill you allow ALS Bob to go pick up a senior who has fallen because of say lack of care / food or is that an extra charge ?
Gadfly, its proposed to be cut in half right now. 17 people use it regularly. The driver costs $12,000 I think. I believe vehicle fuel and repair would be on top of that along with management/scheduling time. It's being cut to $6,000.
DeleteBy all means, if you think that is important show up at the meetings Jeff posted. Let the Administration know.
You want Templeton Seniors to pay taxes to assist Phillipston Seniors.........makes sense.
Bev - what do you want them the Phreeloaders to pay ? Your ideas ?
ReplyDeleteWhy give them an abatement ? All kinds of things to cut .
ReplyDeleteCut nothing, just tax them out right Gadfly?
DeleteThe source for valid statistics re the Senior Center would be the Director of the Senior Center, not "anonymous." She will be discussing our budget requests (including statistics) on Wednesday, 3/7/18. I can assure you that more than 20 people use the Senior Center "regularly." Consider this - people participate in cribbage, pitch, bingo, pool, book club, Crafter's Corner, Creative Stitchers, jewelry making, stained glass, line dancing, yoga, pot lucks, Nails/reflexology, card bingo, and take books and puzzles from our library. The senior center is the only social service agency in town. We have a SHINE counselor one day a week to help with health insurance options. Senior transportation is dispatched through the Senior Center. TWENTY regular users is totally wrong. Kathleen King, Chairperson, COA Board of Directors - MY OPINION.
ReplyDeleteKathleen,
DeleteI used 20 because the last report I read from the Senior Center said something like 397 users this month.
The month holds 20 paid days or so............ which averages out to 20 users a day.I'm not saying the same 20 people.
Even the entire 397 would amount to less than 10% of Town voters or so.
I do think all those things are good for the senior community. Many things need to be improved, but making them government entities and using tax dollars is usually not efficient.
Some of those activities that I listed require participants to pay a FEE to attend. K.King
DeleteMs.King - since you have direct knowledge, can you tell us what the deal is with Phillipston residents? The reason I ask, your newsletter said serving Templeton and Phillipston residents. I don't remember that ever being voted on, as in Templeton taxpayers agreeing to foot the bill for a Senior Center for Phillipston residents. While Phillipston contributes zilch.
ReplyDeleteI'm a senior citizen, I don't ever use this place and I never will. So naturally, I'm offended if my tax money is used so that Phillipston can bump up the usage numbers. To me, us old people don't need a government sponsored club. Especially one that costs us taxpayers so much money!
Anon 3:56
DeleteThats exactly the message I get from my 90 yr old dad.
I have lived in town for 46 years and never called for police, fire or EMS. Our daughter graduated in 1991. Does that mean I shouldn't pay taxes for police, fire, EMS or the schools. Of course not!!!!! I am happy to pay my fair share for community services. And those who have income limits and qualify can apply for abatements. We are all in this together. K. King
DeleteK. King ~ using logic again . Logic doesn’t work on this here blog. However, good news is that Dementia is now taken seriously and there is help and a lot of it is thru MCOA. I do believe that some people in Templeton could get a lot from learning about dementia. I thankyou as well for the yomans work done by the you and the people who help those who served bravely in our wars, built the towns we now live in and most importantly loved us and hoped nothing but to see us happy and healthy.
DeleteBaby Boomer and Pollyanna here. We will not be shut-up nor discouraged, lol. KK
DeleteI don't have any specific #'s for Phillipston, but it is very, very small. I, personally only know of 1 P. resident. Keep in mind, most senior centers allow other towns' residents to attend functions. Some Templeton residents go to activities and use services in Athol, Gardner, Hubbardston, Westminster and other towns. Senior Centers in Massachusetts are NOT clubs; they are social service agencies. We are all "guided" by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs and the Massachusetts Councils on Ageing. Councils on Ageing also work with fire, police and all first responders to identify senior abuse and other seniors in need. I do not have direct knowledge on the Phillipston/Templeton connection, BUT someone in town government must know the answer. Many of these issues will be discussed in the budget presentations in March. They will be available to watch on cable TV and youtube, after the event My comments here are my personal opinion only. K. King
ReplyDeleteThankyou so very much K.King for that explanation. I thankyou for doing what you and others like you there at the Senior Center. It is a critical function especially during this time in our government when Federal funds for meals and assistance to the poor, elderly and effecting mostly women are being slashed to give tax breaks to corporations.
ReplyDeleteMahatma Ghandi ~ “A nation’s greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members.”
"Village," Thank you for your kind words......many do not see that these activities are not just for "fun." for seniors. They get us out of the house, they challenge our brains, keep us physically active, prevent depression, keep us in the view of others who can see health and mental issues that family may not notice, provide socialization vital to healthy ageing, and educate us (via guest speakers) about issues that can save our lives (i.e. fire, electrical, prescription/OTC meds, and nutrition, to name a few.) I KNOW that Templeton has budget issues and that ALL departments will need to maintain tight restrictions. I have no problem with that, but we don't need to think in "all or nothing" terms. We can all work this out TOGETHER and all survive in some form, albeit not PERFECT form. I only can speak for myself and not the COA or our BOD. K.King
DeleteFor me this has struck a personal chord. The callous comments I read especially in regards to “meals on wheels” is deeply disturbing considering the person making them is on a municipal board representing my town.
DeleteFor me Meals on Wheels meant that there was someone knocking on my grandmother’s door every day at the same time, checking on her to make sure she was safe. They had mothers contact information if for any reason Gram failed to answer. Every day, my mom and I had reassurance that someone was looking out for her mother, helping her keep this balancing act together. Her mother was safe, fed, and cared for, while still being able to live at home.
That meant my mom could go to work. Without that program, the whole system would have fallen apart, causing my mother to either quit her full-time job to care for Gram, or to send her to a facility prematurely, denying her these last few months on her own.
So, I will be watching and listening to ALL meetings from now on I assure you.
Ms King I thankyou AGAIN
So glad Meals on Wheels was able to ease your burden. We are all in this journey TOGETHER. KK
DeletePandora’s Box has been opened . God Speed Templeton
ReplyDeleteTo all who are concerned. What do you suggest is done if the Taxpayers vote NO to the override?
ReplyDeleteHow about if the voters don't approve the meals tax? If neither of those pass we are talking $375K plus $42K or $416K
If that should happen, I would hope that the BOS, TA and AC would WORK TOGETHER to come up with Plan B that is fair to ALL residents. Understandably, that would include many cuts in services. No group of residents should have to make all the of sacrifices, and no group should be exempt (unless public safety is involved). I would think that employees and benefits (except those under contract, of course) would share the burden. Personally, I am willing to pay more taxes, but some do no wish to or cannot. Compromise...........I know......... K.King
DeleteI suggest that 1 Phillipston resident at the senior center pay. I mean it’s only fair right ?
ReplyDeleteThe overwhelming majority, myself included, of Templeton seniors, do NOT use the senior center and are not interested in it. So maybe Templeton should pay exactly what Phillipston pays - zero.
ReplyDeleteHey, you check your water I think it’s got a lot of LEAD in it.
ReplyDeleteTo Bob M - to answer your question, I suggest everyone go out for a celebratory drink, toke, or whatever.
ReplyDeleteI understand.........I'm concerned.
DeleteWhat about all the Templeton residents that use Gardner's Senior center? Get over it people we have bigger problems in this town!
ReplyDeleteAGREE!!!!! K. King
DeleteWashington's farewell address, he insisted that there was no greater threat to democracy than the partisan demagogue who "agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another." God Speed Templeton
ReplyDelete