In a message dated 10/26/2015 9:57:39 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, townadministrator@templeton1.org writes:

Paul -

The Advisory Committee is questioning the authority of the Selectmen to present the annual operating budget to the town meeting. They feel that the Selectmen's budget should be given to them and that they should present a budget to the town meeting.

Last year, I read the new by-law as establishing an "executive budget" similar to the budget process in federal, state and city governments. The executive budget is initially developed by the T.A. and then reviewed, modified and adopted by the Board of Selectmen. The Selectmen's budget is then given to the Advisory Board for review, comment, and recommendations at town meeting, but it is the Selectmen's budget which is presented at town meeting.

The Advisory Board is a committee of the Town Meeting and part of the legislative branch of town government. Their job is to review the Selectmen's budget and make recommendations to the town meeting but not to develop a separate budget for town meeting.

The Advisory Board would like to have an opinion from Town Counsel on this procedure.

Bob


Robert T. Markel
Interim Town Administrator
Town of Templeton
160 Patriots Road
East Templeton, MA 01438
(978)894-2753

Proposed by-law change seems to back up what has been stated:
Selectmen are aloof and not engaged in what is going on in Town Hall


existing Templeton General Town by-law:

Article II Town Meetings:

Section 6. All articles in any warrant for a town meeting shall be referred to the Advisory Committee for its consideration. The Selectmen after drawing any such warrant shall transmit immediately a copy thereof to the chairman of said committee. A public hearing shall be held, upon all such articles, unless a public hearing by some other tribunal is required by law, and a notice of such hearing shall be given by inserting in the local newspaper. Said committee shall, after due consideration of the subject matter of such articles, report thereon to the town meeting, in writing, such recommendations as it deems best for the interests of the town and its citizens. Copies of the report of the Advisory Committee shall be made available to the voters at least two days before town meetings and at all town meetings.

from the Warrant for the 2018 Templeton Annual Town Meeting:

ARTICLE 4
Amend By-Laws Re: Advisory Committee
Submitted by the Board of Selectmen      
Majority Vote Required


Section 5.It shall be the duty of the Advisory Committee annually to consider the expenditures in previous years and the estimated requirements various warrant articles, for the ensuing year of the several boards, officers and committees of the town including
any citizen petitions thereon. as prepared by them in such form and detail as may be prescribed by said committee. The said Advisory Committee shall add to such statement of expenditures and estimates another column, giving the amounts which in its opinion should be appropriated for the ensuing year, and shall further add thereto such explanations and suggestions relating to the proposed appropriations as it may deem expedient, and report thereon to the community at least seven days before the date set for the Annual Town Meeting and at least four days before the date set
for a Special Town Meeting with such explanations and suggestions as it may
deem most useful to the community. as provided in section five of Article II

Proposed changes / additions are in bold type.
NOTE: Selectmen did not confer with Advisory Committee on these proposed changes.
Also;
section five of Article II appears to be irrelevant, and section 6 of Article II appears to be intended

Since the general by-laws of the Town already state all warrant articles for Town Meeting will be considered by Advisory Committee, I have to wonder if the selectmen actually read and understand what they vote on and sign?

Assistant Treasurer/Collector: Part-Time flexible schedule position (19+/- hrs/wk over four days) responsible for processing real-estate and excise taxes as well as other receivables, and performing all general duties within the office and acting as the Treasurer/Collector in the absence of the same. Requires an Associate’s degree in Accounting or Business and three years of administrative support and bookkeeping experience or an equivalent of education and experience. Preference is given to those with experience in a front-line customer service. Submit application letter, resume, and standard Town application form available at
www.templeton1.org (click on Paid, Volunteer and Contract Opportunities) or Town Hall to Carter Terenzini, Interim Town Administrator, 160 Patriots Rd, PO Box 620, East Templeton, MA 01438. The position will be open until filled, with first reviews beginning August 2, 2018. The Town of Templeton is an EOE.

FireFighter/EMT-P: Forty Eight hour regularly scheduled week responsible in municipal Fire/EMS Department of Career/Call personnel. Responsible for response to all calls, maintenance of inventory and equipment, and general related duties. Requires a High School or GED diploma, EMT-P certification w/two years of E-911 response experience (w/ACLS & PHILS), FireFighter I/II Pro-Board certification (or the ability to earn the same w/in 12 months) and ICS 100/200/700/800 certification(s) (or the ability to earn the same in three months) and valid driver’s license.

Submit application letter, resume, copies of certifications, and standard Town application form available at www.templeton1.org (click on Paid, Volunteer and Contract Opportunities) or Town Hall to Carter Terenzini, Town Administrator, 160 Patriots Rd, PO Box 620, East Templeton, MA 01438. The position will be open until filled, with first reviews beginning June 21, 2018. The Town of Templeton is an EOE

Which do we have, interim, full time or part time?

Proof read anyone? Consistency anyone?