Rant for the day - so far.

Templeton Town by-law state information for the required annual town report is to be submitted to the selectmen office by January 31 - not February 17. Since this report is mandated by town by-law and state law, any report of a town board, committee, commission or department should be published as submitted, no shortening or editing, other than grammar, date corrections. For instance, if a committee uses the format of a previous FY and forgets to change the FY number, fix that, but if it is 10 pages, well, the whole 10 pages gets printed and the town pays for it, per MGL. But Jeff, not enough money budgeted to pay for that large of a report; well, take what is needed from so called free cash or ask advisory for a transfer from town reserve fund. It is fucking simple people, town hall, you got that?

 Friends of Templeton Veterans Inc. - get yourself a certificate from the govna.

Company Number

001442426

Incorporation Date

12 June 2020 (6 months ago)

Company Type

Nonprofit Corporation

Jurisdiction

Massachusetts (US)

Registered Address

• 491 HUBBARDSTON RD
• TEMPLETON,
• 01468
• MA
• USA

Agent Name

UNITED STATES CORPORATION AGENTS, INC

Agent Address

101 BILLERICA AVE., BLDG. 5 SUITE 204, NORTH BILLERICA, MA, 01862, USA

Directors / Officers

• JOHN C CAPLIS, president
• MICHAEL J CURRIE, treasurer
• MICHAEL J CURRIE, director
• STACEY CURRIE, clerk
• UNITED STATES CORPORATION AGENTS, INC, agent

 Templeton FY2021 tax rate set - $16.11, below link should allow you to view tax recap sheets showing tax rate, tax levy, etc. This does not automatically mean your tax bill will go down.

https://dlsgateway.dor.state.ma.us/gateway/DLSPublic/TaxRateRecapPublicReport/TaxRateRecapPublic?jurCode=294&fiscalYear=2021https://dlsgateway.dor.state.ma.us/gateway/DLSPublic/TaxRateRecapPublicReport/TaxRateRecapPublic?jurCode=294&fiscalYear=2021

 The 173 cities and towns that have adopted the Community Preservation Act can expect a first-round state match in November of 11.57 percent of their local surcharge revenue, the Department of Revenue has announced.

The fiscal 2020 match rate from the Community Preservation Trust Fund would be the lowest in the program’s history.

CPA communities that collect less than the 3 percent maximum allowable surcharge from property owners will be eligible only for the 11.57 percent match, according to the DOR. Communities that collect the 3 percent surcharge will be eligible for additional funding in rounds two and three of the trust fund distribution, called the equity and surplus rounds.

In a memo to municipalities in early March, the DOR said its estimates “are subject to change depending on Registry of Deeds collections between now and October.”

According to the Community Preservation Coalition, the CPA Trust Fund distribution (state match) has declined every year since 2013, when the state match rate was 50 percent. Last year, the DOR distributed a 19 percent match, from a combination of fees derived from the state’s Registry of Deeds and state budget surplus funds.

State legislators concerned about the decline in state contributions to the CPA program have filed bills that would adjust the fee structure at the Registry of Deeds to provide a CPA match of more than 40 percent in fiscal 2021. Bills filed by Sen. Cynthia Creem (S. 1618) and Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante (H.2463) have been assigned to the Joint Committee on Revenue and are awaiting a hearing date.

The Community Preservation Act, passed in 2000, allows municipalities that adopt it to place a surcharge of up to 3 percent on real property in order to create a local dedicated fund for the four allowable CPA purposes: open space preservation, historic preservation, outdoor recreation and affordable housing. Communities that have adopted the CPA receive annual distributions from the state trust fund to supplement local revenue collections.

From 2002 to 2007, the state matched 100 percent of the local revenue raised through CPA surcharges, but the match has dropped steadily since. A state law change in 2012 added additional revenue to the trust fund, raising the match to 52.2 percent, but the growing popularity of the program has meant that the CPA fund is divided among more communities, resulting in a lower match percentage.

 MA, Quinn Bill - was passed by the state Legislature in 1970. It requires participating municipalities to provide 10 to 25 percent salary increases to police officers who obtain advanced degrees in criminal justice. Traditionally, the state and the municipality split the cost of the salary increase.

But in 2009 and 2010, the state drastically cut, then eliminated its portion of the funding.

Since then, the 254 municipalities which adopted the Quinn Bill, have had myriad approaches. Some negotiated clauses into collective bargaining agreements requiring the municipality to pay the state’s share. Others paid only the 50 percent municipal portion, leading to a drop in police salaries. Some created new education incentive programs.

The carrot was Any city or town which accepts the provisions of this section and provides career incentive salary increases for police officers shall be reimbursed by the commonwealth for one half the costs of such payments upon certification by the board of higher education. The board of higher education shall certify the amount of such reimbursement to be paid to such city or town from information filed on or before September first of each year with said board, on a form furnished by it, the chief of police, or one of similar rank, of the city or town police department. So just like regional school transportation which the state promised to pay, they again screwed us. Time might be here to start looking at things the town voted in when the "carrots" were in place, but have since disappeared; perhaps they now need to disappear from our budget / tax on our residents?

 Annual Town Meeting, 2005:

On a motion duly made and seconded the Town voted to authorize Revolving Funds for certain Town departments in accordance with the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 44, Section 53E1/2, for fiscal year 2006 as follows:

one of the revolving funds - Revolving Fund for the Emergency Medical Service: to deposit receipts collected from operation of the ambulance service and to authorize the Fire Department to expend such receipts for the purpose of maintaining the ambulance service, provided that the amount to be expended in fiscal year 2006 shall not exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($49,000.00).

Passed Unanimously/May 11th @ 8:32.

That revolving fund went away in 2006; I have been told by some that after selectmen saw how much cash was brought in, they decided to slide it into the general fund and it stayed that way until 2011, when ambulance receipts reserved for appropriation was created.

Article 7 of 2015 annual town meeting:

To see if the Town will vote to transfer a sum of money from the Fire Department/Ambulance -- Receipts Reserved for Appropriation Account (22-300-3560- 3283) to fund the second year of a lease/purchase agreement for an ambulance for the Fire/Ambulance Department; or take any other action relative thereto. Submitted by the Board of Selectmen On a motion duly made and seconded the Town voted that Fifty Seven Thousand Dollars ($57,000) be hereby appropriated for the Town Administrator to expend to pay for the second year of the ambulance lease/purchase agreement, and to meet this appropriation $57,000 be hereby transferred from the Fire/Ambulance Department - Receipts Reserved for Appropriation Account, (22-300-3560-3283)

Passed Unanimously/May 16th @ 10:41am

In 2017,money began to be siphoned off of that account to help cover costs of the general fund; you are charged to use Templeton ambulance but the money goes to pay town administrator or to pay off debt. There is no way to track where those funds go after they are transferred to general fund. It is time to go back to a revolving fund, follow intent of town meeting and have a fully funded ambulance service paid for by the charges to use that service. Note - if you pay wages out of a revolving fund, you must also pay benefits out of it. The town will have to wean itself off the 270 thousand it has become dependent on since 2017; that is when the town administrator told selectmen they had to start drinking from that bottle, ambulance receipts and it is time to get off it and stop the financial disallows on ambulance service. You voted for it, you should get your original intent.

 Current affairs is for menus, censored is for selected information; here is my selection for today:

Mr. Bennett has inquired as to the expenditure of monies originally salted for a dump body for a 1984 Mack were expended as a part of the purchase of a new 6 wheel dump truck.

The $160k six wheel dump truck was purchased with monies appropriated under Article 7 of the Fall Town Meeting of November 14, 2017. The attendees at that meeting were all provided with a Voter Information Guide which provided supplemental information as to the reasons for a proposed article together with information deemed to be of import to the voter. That published summary stated, in part, that a “… dump truck has deteriorated to the point it is feared it may not make it through the winter season.” and that “The $160,000 will be supplemented with the monies we originally planned to use to buy a new dump body… .”

In hindsight, had an issue been raised at either level or by any person, it might have been cleaner to appropriate the full $177.5k in one article and fund it with the new cash of $160k and a transfer of the original $17.5k appropriated for a dump body of any aging truck. However, we did not do so. That said, we believe the planned expenditures were well made public, well vetted, and legal we shall take the “cleaner” approach in the future.

On a motion duly made and seconded, the town voted to appropriate the sum of One Hundred Sixty Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars and No Cents ($167,500.00) for a program of capital expenditures as generally identified below:

Dept. Item Amount DPW – B&G Boiler Replacement $7,500

DPW- Highway 6 Wheel Dump Truck $160,000

And to meet said appropriation by a transfer of said sum from free cash in the treasury of the town.

Passed Unanimously/November 14th @ 8:13 pm

Notice that within the motion voted, there is no mention of $17,500.00, so how did selectmen approve a transfer of an appropriation of town meeting without a town meeting vote. Also, done outside of May 1-July 15, where transfer may happen with concurrence of Advisory Committee. You want people to come back to town meeting; obey there vote and do not fuck with it on the sly or other fashion unless you ask them and they give you permission! That is what is broke, failure to follow policy, law and town meeting vote. Oh yeah, read the damn articles and motions, it ain't that hard. Town Meeting, stand up for yourselves, tell the moderator what you want- you are the legislative body of the town! If you want the email, drop me a request at Jbennett@templetonma.gov

Templeton Special Town Meeting (fall town meeting) November 14, 2017)

 

House to Debate a $46 Billion Fiscal 2021 General Appropriations Bill

 

On Nov. 5, the House Ways & Means Committee released a $46 billion budget bill for fiscal 2021 (H. 5150). The proposal closely tracks the Governor’s revised spending plan filed on October 15 (H. 2, as revised), with a bottom line that is approximately $200 million higher, funded primarily through a higher draw from the state’s reserves. House leadership has announced plans for the full House to take up the budget bill next Tuesday, November 10.

 

In the House plan, Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA) would be level funded at $1.13 billion, and Chapter 70 school aid would be funded at $5.3 billion, an increase of $107 million over the fiscal 2020 amount, consistent with the commitment that state leaders announced in the summer. All cities, towns and school districts would receive at least the same amount of Chapter 70 aid allocated last year, with some slated to receive additional school aid due to normal updates to the foundation formula factors.

 

The Division of Local Services (DLS) has said that updated preliminary Cheery Sheet amounts will be posted on the DLS website sometime today (Friday, Nov. 6). Municipal Cherry Sheet information will be available at this link and regional school Cherry Sheet information will be available at this link.

 Parking; first question comes to my mind: is Boyton Street/road a public way? Has there been any previous parking restrictions on Boyton Road, street, way? If there are no restrictions, then it seems it is first come, first serve parking. Apartment dwellings or homes should have off street parking, for one reason, when it comes to winter time, on street parking is sometimes restricted.

I suppose it could be possible to arrange valet parking at other sites, if the owners of KRO's could get approval of the private land owners first.

I also believe it is possible for the business to create more parking on their land, although it would be expensive as it would probably involve going through MA DOT for drive way access off route 2A as well as excavation on their land, it is a possibility.

 Looking back at Templeton annual town meeting attendance:

STM of February 19, 2004 - 880 voters.

ATM May 10, 11, 17, 2005 - 211, 145, 208 voters.

ATM May 9, 10, 16, 2006 - 176, 151, 99 voters.

ATM May 15, 16, 2007 - 141, 120 voters.

ATM May 13, 14, 2008 - 141, 120 voters.

ATM May 11, 12, 17, 2010 - 158, 155, 118 voters.

ATM May 10, 11, 2011 - 313, 235 voters.

ATM May 15, 16, 21, 23, 2012 - 291, 238, 228, 159.

ATM May 16, 2015 - 117 voters.

ATM May 14, 2016 - 65 voters.

ATM May 13, 2017 - 216 voters.

ATM May 19, 2018 - 146 voters.

ATM May 15, 16, 2019 - 199, 83 voters.

ATM June 17, 2020 - 61 voters.

Do we need a quorum?? Would it work? What is the cost of holding a meeting and if a quorum is required but is not met? A second meeting is called, money spent and still a quorum is not met, how many times is the meeting to be called to try and meet a quorum? Perhaps the answer to getting people to town meeting is to go backwards a bit; ensure the annual town report is distributed/ available to people weeks before town meeting, ensure the Warrant is available to the people weeks before town meeting and the warrant is available at town meeting. Ensure that the warrant articles and motions are read and that is where town meeting comes in, people need to speak upon that issue and others. Templeton by-laws state town meeting times is our guide for town meeting and in it's pages, it states if the articles are not read in their entirety, the warrant should be printed and in the hands of or available to, every voter. Notice it does not state voters guide.

 For information only and it is early so check the math.

division of local services records show Templeton free cash as:

July 1, 2017 - $1,042,588.00

July 1, 2018 - $1,572,732.00

July 1, 2019 - $1,455,158.00

July 1, 2020 - $1,327,538.00

My addition shows total of $5,398,016.00

records from accountant show roughly one million saved (general stabilization, capital stabilization, OPEB)

Selectmen have spent 4/5's of free cash, I am still working on how we have changed from getting some money and spending it all, versus being fiscally responsible. 

The addition could take a while if you utilize common core math.

 

link should open and show latest MA governor budget submission for school funding - chapter 70

http://mma.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT04MTI2OTkyJnA9MSZ1PTkxMTkxMzM4NiZsaT02ODA1NTQ5MA/index.htmlhttp://mma.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT04MTI2OTkyJnA9MSZ1PTkxMTkxMzM4NiZsaT02ODA1NTQ5MA/index.html

 A Virtual Design Public Hearing will be published on the MassDOT website below to present the design for the proposed Roundabout Construction at Intersection of Patriot Road, South/North Main Street & Gardner Road project in Templeton, MA. WHEN: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 PURPOSE: The purpose of this hearing is to provide the public with the opportunity to become fully acquainted with the proposed Roundabout Construction at Intersection of Patriot Road, South/North Main Street & Gardner Road project. All views and comments submitted in response to the hearing will be reviewed and considered to the maximum extent possible. PROPOSAL: The proposed project consists of the conversion of an existing intersection of Patriot Road (Route 2A), Gardner Road (Route 101), North and South Main Street into a roundabout and accompanying infrastructure improvements including curb modifications, ADA compliant wheelchair ramps and sidewalks, modifications to drainage, signage and pavement markings. The roundabout will include accommodations for bicycles using a combination or exclusive bike lanes and shared lanes on the roadway approaches and a shared use sidewalk around the roundabout. A secure right-of-way is necessary for this project. Acquisitions in fee and permanent or temporary easements may be required. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is responsible for acquiring all needed rights in private or public lands. MassDOT’s policy concerning land acquisitions will be presented in the hearing. Written statements and other exhibits regarding the proposed undertaking are to be submitted to Patricia A. Leavenworth, P.E., Chief Engineer, MassDOT, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116, Attention: Project Management, Project File No. 608784. Mailed statements and exhibits intended for inclusion in the public hearing transcript must be postmarked no later than ten (10) business days after the hearing is posted to the MassDOT website listed below. Project inquiries may be emailed to dot.feedback.highway@state.ma.us.

 The Baker-Polito Administration announced a comprehensive set of resources, known as the Eviction Diversion Initiative, to support tenants and landlords during the financial challenges caused by the pandemic. The goal of this initiative is to keep tenants safely in their homes and to support the ongoing expenses of landlords once the Commonwealth’s pause of evictions and foreclosures expires on Saturday, October 17th.

The Administration is making a $171 million total commitment this fiscal year, with $112 million of new funding to support new and expanded housing stability programs during the remainder of the fiscal year.

 Looking for two Templeton residents to be at large members of school regional agreement committee. If you want to have impact and a say in regional school agreement, call Templeton selectmen office and get involved. It is fun time people!

 from Athol Daily News:

GREENFIELD — State legislators representing cities and towns along the Route 2 rail corridor recently sent a letter to state Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack urging pro-active measures regarding the potential sale of Pan Am Railways.

The legislators cited a Massachusetts law that provides the state with a right of first refusal for the sale of any railroad right of way or related facilities within the state. They also urged the state Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to “indicate strong interest in securing passenger rights between North Adams and Fitchburg” as well as “consider purchasing all or part of the rail corridor, at minimum, from Fitchburg to Greenfield.”

Pan Am Railways, the dominant freight carrier in northern New England with 1,700 miles of track, announced it was for sale in July.

This letter comes as legislators join with the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) to plan for the onset of a study determining the feasibility of re-starting passenger rail along the Route 2 corridor. State Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, filed legislation requiring MassDOT to conduct this study and it was passed as part of the fiscal year 2020 budget.

The bipartisan letter was signed by Sens. Comerford, Anne Gobi, Adam Hinds, Jamie Eldridge, and Dean Tran, and Reps. Susannah Whipps, Natalie Blais, John Barrett, Stephan Hay and Natalie Higgins. The letter was also sent to Gov. Charlie Baker, members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation and the chairs of the Joint Committee on Transportation.

“The potential sale of Pan Am’s assets and freight rights, in particular along the Route 2 rail corridor,” the letter states, “presents a significant opportunity for the commonwealth to make a critical investment in our transportation infrastructure by retaining the use of an important rail corridor and securing Massachusetts’ northern tier rail for future passenger service.”

According to Jared Freeman, Comerford’s chief of staff, one potential source of money for a purchase is an $18 billion transportation bond bill being negotiated by a conference committee. It includes an authorization for $175 million “for transportation planning, design, permitting and engineering, acquisition of interests in land, vehicle procurement, construction, construction of stations and right-of-way acquisition for rail projects,” as well as converting the Valley Flyer Pilot Service to a permanent commuter rail service connecting Greenfield, Northampton, Holyoke and Springfield.

TransitMatters, a nonprofit that advocates for improved transit in and around Boston, last month published that “Pan Am and its corporate predecessor Guilford are notorious for paring service and infrastructure investment to an absolute minimum while offloading as many costs as possible onto the public sector.”

“To revitalize rail service for both passenger and freight throughout New England,” TransitMatters’ article continues, “the public sector must take a strong role in determining the ultimate fate of the Pan Am system.”

Freeman said Comerford wants the rail infrastructure to be operated and maintained in the public’s interest.

“A new owner who maintains the infrastructure in the same fashion will not help the region achieve the goal of regional rail, which is what Sen. Comerford is pushing for,” Freeman said in an email.

Pan Am Railways Executive Vice President Cynthia Scarano said she disagrees with TransitMatters’ comments, saying the company’s customers are thrilled with the service.

“We’ve made a lot of investments in our infrastructure over the last five years,” she said.

Scarano said Pan Am Railways employs about 750 people throughout New England.

Comerford told the Greenfield Recorder the western portion of the state is underserved by public transportation, and a purchase of Pan Am Railways could help alleviate the problem.

“We need a comprehensive and deep investment in public rail,” she said, adding that it could be “a huge win for our regional economy.”

Blais, a Sunderland Democrat, said state legislators for the area signed the letter to help ensure the interests of Western Massachusetts are heard in Boston.

“We recognize that the Route 2 rail corridor is important to the future of rail along the northern tier,” she said. “We have the potential to really look at a regional, Western Mass. rail network. It could really change the way transportation systems operate.”

Whipps, who represents Athol as the only independent legislator in the State House, told a story of her maternal grandfather, Howard Cooke, who worked as an engineer for Stone & Webster in Boston. Whipps explained Cooke’s wife would drop him off at the train station every Sunday night, so he could ride into the city, and pick him up every Friday night from the 1920s to the 1950s.

“How amazing is it that a century ago we had better access to Boston than we do now?” Whipps said this week. “That’s just crazy.”

Whipps echoed the sentiment of her constituents, and said the needs and concerns of the North Quabbin region and Western Massachusetts often fall on deaf ears in the state capital. The irony, she mentioned, comes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. To ward off the novel coronavirus, public health experts recommend social distancing and frequent hand-washing — with Whipps noting the water that comes out of Boston faucets starts in the Quabbin Reservoir.

The legislators’ letter also mentions that U.S. News & World Report ranks Massachusetts 40th in the country for transportation infrastructure quality.

“Even the highest ranked states in the nation do not come close to the transportation quality ratings for our European and Asian counterparts,” the letter adds. “We firmly believe the commonwealth should act now to help close this considerable gap by seizing the unique opportunity embodied in the Pan Am sale and investing in existing infrastructure.”

The letter, the text of which can be viewed at bit.ly/36evGM3, states public transportation is key to improving the quality of life for the middle and working classes.

 By GREG VINE

For The Athol Daily News

Published: 9/22/2020 5:54:25 PM

Modified: 9/22/2020 5:54:22 PM

ATHOL — The Baker-Polito administration announced recently that 103 communities would be splitting $13 million in Green Communities grants with Athol will be receiving more than $22,000 for several energy-saving initiatives.

“The Green Communities program continues to make significant progress in helping municipalities reduce their carbon footprint and save on energy costs,” Gov. Charlie Baker said in a release announcing the distribution of funds.

“As we work to meet our net zero by 2050 emissions goals,” added Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, “the Green Communities program gives our dedicated municipal partners the resources they need to continue making progress in increasing energy efficiency and lowering energy costs.”

Under the Green Communities Act, cities and towns are required to meet five criteria to join the program and receive funding. Thus far, 271 cities and town have been designated Green Communities, accounting for 84 percent of the state’s population.

Athol’s Director of Planning and Community Development Eric Smith said the town received funding for three projects.

“We got money for an LED lighting improvement project at the Millers River Environmental Center,” he said. “The Center is town-owned and leased to the Bird and Nature Club and other folks that use it for environmental purposes. We’re also going to be putting in two EV charger station units in the municipal parking lot, which seems like a good place for them. And the last one is a small LED lighting improvement project for the animal control facility.”

Of the $22,036 Athol will receive, $15,000 will be invested in the EV (electric vehicle) charging stations, just over $4,800 will go the environmental center lighting projects, and just under $2,200 will cover the cost of improved lighting at the animal control facility.

Currently, the town has two EV charging stations in the parking lot behind Town Hall.

When asked about the need for the charging stations, Smith said, “There’s no great demand for them; it’s sort of chicken-and-egg situation. They’re starting to put more electrical vehicles on the road — or hybrids, and things like that — so there is a need to put more of a network of those here.

Smith said this year marked the first time he has seen EV units being eligible for funding.

“Usually, the funding goes to LED lighting, weatherization, that sort of thing, heating efficiency improvement, windows,” he said. “This is a new category and we sort of realized it at the last minute, and luckily we were able to put this project together.”

Grant awards under the Green Communities program are capped at $200,000 per municipality. Funding is made available from the proceeds of carbon allowance auctions under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

“The Green Communities program helps cities and towns make important investments at the local level to combat climate change by reducing emissions,” state Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Kathleen Theoharides said in a prepared statement. “Air-source heat pumps, ventilation system upgrades, and electric vehicle charging stations are just some of the exciting new projects that these grants will fund in order to increase energy efficiency and clean energy innovation in municipalities across the state.”

GARDNER — The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has asked local officials for more information about their school reopening plans.

Public schools in the city opened under a fully remote learning model this month in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

In a letter to Mayor Michael Nicholson, DESE Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley said that based on the current COVID-19 public health data Massachusetts is one of the states with sufficiently low test positivity rates to meet World Health Organization standards for reopening schools to full in-person learning. Additionally, Riley wrote that state public health officials reported a very low COVID-19 transmission rate in the district.

“As of September 16, the two-week positivity rate (in the state) is at 0.9 percent, well below the threshold of five percent established by WHO,” according to the letter.

Riley wrote that he was concerned that the Gardner School Committee had voted to keep most students learning remotely for the start of the 2020-2021 school year.

“We have recommended remote learning only for those municipalities receiving a ‘red’ designation three weeks in a row on the color-coded metric unless the district identifies other extenuating circumstances that prevent in-person instruction,” Riley wrote, referring to the Department of Public Health’s reports based on the average daily cases per 100,000 residents in the community. “Since the inception of the weekly DPH color-coded reports, your community has consistently received a designation of green or gray, which indicates very low COVID-19 transmission in your municipality.”

The district is one of 16 communities deemed to be low-risk enough to allow students back into the classroom, and school officials have until Monday, Sept. 28, to respond to the Riley letter. The district could be audited by the state to assess its overall efforts to provide in-person instruction and to ensure its remote learning program complies with state regulations.

“In light of the stark discrepancy between local public health data and your reopening plan, I am requesting a timeline by which you anticipate in-person instruction for the majority of your students including in-person instruction for vulnerable populations, such as students with disabilities, if these students have not already returned to in-person school,” Riley wrote.

Superintendent Dr. Mark Pellegrino said the School Committee is committed to moving the district to a hybrid educational model, and that he is sure members will be able to respond to Riley’s letter and address his concerns.

“The School Committee and I have been focused on moving our instructional model from remote to hybrid since we started planning in early June,” Pellegrino said. “We felt it was important to begin (remotely) to allow the district time to ensure every classroom HVAC system is fully operational, that our schools are adequately staffed, and teachers have had the support, training and time to focus on the necessary skills to deliver an exemplary remote learning program.”

Getting remote learning right is crucial because more than three-fifths of the hybrid model actually involve learning via remote technology, he said.

“I have been thrilled with the improvements the district has made, including securing enough devices so the entire district now has one-to-one Chromebooks,” Pellegrino said. “Additionally, the top-of-the-line Chromebooks we purchased for our teachers, along with the communications and curriculum software, has aided their efforts. Ultimately, the instruction from our teachers has been excellent. In a very short time, they have become proficient with an entirely new way to deliver their instruction.”

 HOLYOKE — Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker’s administration wrongfully fired the head of a home for aging veterans where nearly 80 people sickened with the coronavirus have died, a judge has ruled.

The Hampden Superior Court judge’s ruling on Monday invalidates the firing of former Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Superintendent Bennett Walsh, MassLive.com reported.

Walsh was fired in June after investigators released a report pointing to “utterly baffling” decisions made by the superintendent and his leadership team that helped the disease run rampant at the home. The independent investigators said that Walsh was not qualified to run a long-term care facility.

Walsh’s lawyer argued that only the home’s board of trustees can hire and fire the superintendent. Walsh has defended his actions and accused the Baker administration of denying the home emergency aid as staff worked to protect the residents from the virus.

A spokesperson for the Executive Office of Health and Human Services said the administration is reviewing the court’s decision.

 Town(s): Templeton, MA;

Board: Templeton Elementary School Building Committee

Time: Thursday September 24, 2020 4 PM EDT

Location:  Via ZOOM

Agenda:

1. Approve invoices for payment

2. Review of status of previously

   approved additional work:

      Caulking of Curbing

      Yard drain grates

      Balancing HVAC system

      State Fire Marshall Violations

 

3. Review of Punchlist items:

      Cafeteria Door Hold-Open

      Commissioning

      Delaminating wood panels at main

      stair and Media Center

5. Review of Miscellaneous items:

      Filters

      Future BMS training

      Hot Water Heater inspection

 BOSTON — In a press release Thursday, the state Ethics Commission’s Enforcement Division announced that Templeton Planning Board members Kirk Moschetti, Frank Moschetti and John Buckley have admitted to violating the conflict of interest law by participating in Planning Board decisions related to proposals to re-zone areas where they and their families owned property.

Planning Board Chair Kirk Moschetti has paid a $5,000 civil penalty, and Frank Moschetti and Buckley have each paid a $2,000 civil penalty.

In addition, the Ethics Commission’s Enforcement Division has issued an order to show cause alleging Templeton Planning Board member Charles Carroll violated the conflict of interest law in connection with the same set of facts.

After the commission found reasonable cause to believe the four Planning Board members violated the conflict-of-interest law, Kirk Moschetti, Frank Moschetti and Buckley agreed to resolve the matter by signing disposition agreements, in which they admitted to the violations, agreed to pay the civil penalties, and waived their right to contest the commission’s findings.

Carroll did not sign a disposition agreement. The commission will schedule a public hearing on the allegations against Carroll within 90 days.

At a July 2017 meeting, the Planning Board discussed proposing two warrant articles to Town Meeting to re-zone certain areas of the town to increase Templeton’s commercial property tax base. At the time, Planning Board members or their families owned property that would be affected by the zoning proposals.

According to the commission, Planning Board Chair Kirk Moschetti owned residential property in the area and was interested in purchasing an automobile storage business with a pre-existing nonconforming commercial-use status in a residential zone. His father, Frank Moschetti, owned residential property and a septic business with a pre-existing nonconforming commercial-use status in a residential zone. Buckley and his wife each owned residential property and jointly owned a campground with a pre-existing nonconforming commercial-use status in a residential zone.

In the order to show cause, the commission’s Enforcement Division alleges that Carroll’s father owned and rented out a residential property in one of the areas to be rezoned under the proposals.

The Planning Board held a public hearing on the zoning proposals, which were then added to the agenda for the November 2017 Town Meeting, where they did not pass.

In November 2018, the Planning Board met to discuss submitting the unsuccessful zoning proposals to the spring 2019 Town Meeting. During the meeting, Kirk Moschetti stated in response to questions from members of the public that, “Ethics was not up for discussion.” After many Templeton residents expressed opposition, the Planning Board decided to recommend only one of the two zoning proposals to Town Meeting.

In December 2018, the Planning Board held a public hearing on the rezoning proposal including Kirk Moschetti’s business property. Moschetti participated in discussions and a vote related to proposing a zoning change of parcels including his own.

The zoning proposal was placed on the agenda for the Spring 2019 Town Meeting, where Moschetti answered residents’ questions about the proposal. The rezoning article passed.

The conflict of interest law prohibits municipal employees from officially participating in matters in which they or their immediate family have a financial interest. The commission stated that Kirk Moschetti, Frank Moschetti and Buckley violated this legal prohibition by acting as members of the Planning Board they discussed and voted on proposals to re-zone areas of the town that included property they owned. The proposed zoning changes would allow greater opportunities to develop the property with fewer restrictions, increasing its value. Their financial interests in the proposed zoning changes were not shared by a substantial segment of Templeton’s population.

In the order to show cause, the commission’s Enforcement Division alleges that Carroll also violated this legal prohibition by participating as a Planning Board member in discussions and votes regarding the proposed zoning change that would have affected his father’s property.

The commission encourages public employees to contact the commission’s Legal Division at 617-371-9500 for free advice if they have any questions regarding how the conflict of interest law may apply to them.

Massachusetts Department of Revenue Division of Local Services
Geoffrey E. Snyder, Commissioner
Sean R. Cronin, Senior Deputy Commissioner of Local Services

9/9/2020

NOTIFICATION OF FREE CASH APPROVAL - Town of Templeton

Based upon the un-audited balance sheet submitted, I hereby certify that the amount of available funds or "free cash" as of July 1, 2020 for the Town of Templeton is:

General Fund			$1,327,538.00
Enterprise Fund	Sewer		$408,790.00
Enterprise Fund	Cable TV		$172,779.00

This certification is in accordance with the provisions of G. L. Chapter 59, §23, as amended.

Certification letters will be emailed to the mayor/manager, board of selectmen, prudential committee, finance director and treasurer immediately upon approval, provided an email address is reported in DLS' Local Officials Directory. Please forward to other officials as you deem appropriate.

Sincerely,

Mary Jane Handy
Director of Accounts
Massachusetts Department of Revenue

Why a public hearing for engine brake use?

Because you (town meeting) passed this:

On a motion duly made and seconded the town voted to amend the General By-laws by inserting a new Article LVIII, Engine Braking, as follows: No operator of a diesel truck shall use engine braking (also known as exhaust braking or Jake braking) while operating a vehicle on a public way, where such use is prohibited by the issuance of a Traffic Order by the Board of Selectmen after the holding of a noticed public hearing, in the Town of Templeton except in an emergency. Whoever violates this bylaw shall be punished by a fine of One Hundred Dollars ($100) for the first offense and Three Hundred Dollars ($300) for the second and subsequent offenses. The owner of the vehicle may be cited in lieu of the operator.

Passed by hand count of 50 yes and 47 no on May 15, 2019.

 Town governance; there is a thing called the weekly warrant and it involves invoices, bills, etc., that need to be signed off on by selectmen before they can be passed on to the town treasurer so they can be paid, with taxpayer money. This week, there is one such item, in a stand alone warrant; it states school district and it is for an item of the new elementary school, specifically the repair of the caulking on the sidewalk between concrete and granite curb. It is a little more than $25,000.00 and it is to redo work previously done. So, was the previous work done correctly? Is it a water / drainage issue (poor design), is the issue improper preparation, lack of inspection and oversight? The question remains, should you have to pay for the work twice? You paid tens of thousands of dollars for an Owners Project Manager (required for public projects one million dollars or more) with a clerk of the works, that is suppose to look out for you and your property (the school building project). Some thing was not done right and someone was apparently not watching, so, as a selectmen, responsible for signing those weekly warrants, I have no intention of signing off on this item. Yes, three other selectmen can sign it and it will move on down the line and be paid. I just think it should not be paid by you, it should be the responsibility of the OPM and the company that originally did the work. As a point of interest, both parties are now working on a new project; they are both on the same job site. The construction cost total for the new school is a bit over 32 million dollars with a little over 800 thousand dollars in change orders.

Note: The total warrant item for new school is $25,730.00, my bad, old man moment, but still BS, warrant reads - ATC reprogramming at $5,980.00 and cut out and recaulk sidewalk to curb at $19,750.00, and I still refuse to sign off on this; you should not have to pay twice for bad work.

Community Preservation Trust:

The Department of Revenue is now projecting a 17.7% first round trust fund distribution in November of 2020.

It is important to note, however, that the agency's projection is based solely on revenue that was collected in the CPA Trust Fund as of July 31st, 2020 - it does not take into consideration the additional revenue that will come in between August and November of this year. This effectively means that if the state match distribution occurred today, all communities would receive a base match of 17.7%.

What Could the Final November 15th Match Look Like?

Available reports show that monthly CPA collections from the state's Registries of Deeds have not been significantly impacted by the pandemic. Because of the new CPA revenue legislation that went into effect in January, collections each month have averaged out to be approximately 2.5x higher compared to last year. Assuming the collections hold strong for the rest of the year, the Coalition feels it is likely that the base match for November could fall into the range of 25-30% of what communities raise at the local level.

That being said, CPA communities are advised to use DOR's official projection before making any updates to their FY21 budgets.

FY2021 Community Preservation State Match - Update on State Match

As of July 31, 2020 collections from the Registry of Deeds indicates that the Community Preservation State Trust Fund balance would allow for a 17.7% base state match for FY2021. Now that communities are beginning to submit local surcharge reports (CP-1 form) we will update the state match estimate in September based on those reports and state collections as of the end of August.

We will provide updated guidance on the state match percentage as additional data becomes available.

What is CPA? The Community Preservation Act (CPA) is a smart growth tool that helps communities preserve open space and historic sites, create affordable housing, and develop outdoor recreational facilities. CPA also helps strengthen the state and local economies by expanding housing opportunities and construction jobs for the Commonwealth's workforce, and by supporting the tourism industry through preservation of the Commonwealth’s historic and natural resources.