from the annual town report of Phillipston, including information on their FY25 budget:

Public Safety

Public Safety continues to make up a large portion of the Town’s expenditures. FY2024 brought a change

to our Police Department as the position of Detective Sergeant became fiscally realized. The Department now has a full-time Chief, two full-time officers, one permanent part-time officer, and per diem officers.

The Board of Selectmen voted to end our long-term regional dispatch relationship with the Town of Templeton and seek services with another provider. That decision proved to create a new intermunicipal agreement for dispatch services with Templeton, saving Phillipston considerable funds each year as under

the new agreement a flat rate of $50,000 per year will be charged through FY2026. We look forward to our continued regional partnership with Templeton and thank them for their service to our Town.

Previous agreement was for 70 thousand dollars per year. Glad to see Templeton selectmen worked to save Phillipston residents money, nice job on part of Phillipston selectmen to get that done for their residents.

Also in that new agreement, Templeton sends at least 5 thousand dollars from the e911 grant to Phillipston. Templeton has less grant funds to help maintain dispatch center. That was a great deal, but not for Templeton residents.

 Question of the day: which is the official town website, TempletonMA.gov or mytowngovernment.org?

 from the Templeton collector of taxes:

first quarter, July 1 thru September 30.

real estate taxes - $3,439,945.00

CPA taxes 69,765.00

Personal property 53,207.00

excise tax 106,632.00

tax title 36,000.00

meals tax 23,670.00

note: CPA = community preservation funds.

https://dlsgateway.dor.state.ma.us/gateway/DLSPublic/TaxRateRecapPublicReport/TaxRateRecapPublic?jurCode=294&fiscalYear=2025 

Templeton tax rate set and approved by DOR: $12.12 per thousand

The below link will allow anyone to look at Templeton MA local receipts records, such as estimates used in budget to actual dollars collected.

https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.mass.gov%2Finfo-details%2Ftrends-in-local-receipts%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019308a548d0-06d02708-e2dd-46d3-aa9d-321e6a1d7d2e-000000/9IZEwcnaVeHkNMc0m9h4Vlc6UHp2HkHODTIeVhgjf9I=378

 In an Oct. 18 letter to stakeholders, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection announced changes to emissions regulations affecting medium- and heavy-duty trucks — the Heavy-duty Omnibus and Advanced Clean Truck rules.

MassDEP said it plans to file emergency regulations to delay the start of the Heavy-duty Omnibus rule until model year 2026, effective upon filing.

The department also indicated that it will exercise enforcement discretion under the Advanced Clean Truck regulation exempting state and local government vehicles used for snow plowing and removal and street sweepers for model years 2025 and 2026.

 A GUIDE TO COSTING MUNICIPAL SERVICES 

What is the full cost of collecting and disposing of trash in your community? 

How much does it cost to provide fire protection? 

 What would it cost to increase service levels? 

How much could be saved by reducing services? 

 If you charge fees for municipal services, what percentage of the cost of service do they cover? 

Under what circumstances should fees be increased? 

 Could some municipal services be provided more efficiently by private firms? 

 As a local official – whether you are a mayor or selectman, manager or executive secretary, auditor or accountant, department head, member of the finance committee or any other member of municipal government – you may have asked these or other questions related to the cost of municipal services. Costing is a management and policymaking tool that helps to answer these questions.

 It differs from traditional municipal budgeting and accounting in three ways: 

 1. Costing looks at the cost of all resources used to provide services rather than expenditures made to operate municipal departments; 

 2. Costing includes all costs of providing a service, not just those found in the budget or financial reports of the department responsible for the service; 

 3. Costing focuses on the cost of the resources used to provide a service during a given period of time, regardless of when cash disbursements are made to purchase these resources. The purpose of costing is not simply to collect cost data, but to provide municipal managers and officials with information they can use to make better management decisions in several areas:

 The debt exclusion question that just passed at town meeting is for 4 million dollars and it is on the ballot for state election. there was no 1.2 - 2-million-dollar debt exclusion question. I would suggest calling the assessor's office of Templeton at 978-894-2760 and ask what $1.00 on the tax rate raises and then ask how 4 million would increase current tax rate. Keep in mind there still needs to be a tax classification hearing in front of the select board and the tax recap sheet still needs to be approved by state DOR. Remember, the tax rate can go down while your tax bill can still go up, due in large part to the revaluation process and the greatest increase in valuations in Templeton have been residential real estate, mostly because that is where the most sales have been happening. Financial history shows over the past 10 years to date, the greatest increase in taxes has been residential, no matter what the percentage increase may have been in this revaluation year, which happens every 5 years now. Again, simply call the assessors before you are told the sky is falling and an override is coming with it

 https://www.mma.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/MMA-webinar-FirstAmendmentAudit-10.22.24.pdf

 Thank You to Templeton resident Robert May, he came to town meeting informed and prepared. That is how the legislative body needs to be when assembling for town meeting.

Thank You to those who attended.

A written report from advisory committee explaining each article with the pros and cons of each article would be helpful. Advisory budget has $760.00 in it for office supplies. A report does not have to be fancy and can be had for less than 100 bucks.

 https://www.atholdailynews.com/Board-votes-to-enact-sign-ban-on-town-property-57510063

 Good afternoon,

 

I hope everyone is doing well. I am pleased to be reaching out with the news that Templeton has been awarded in the FY25 round of the Community One Stop for Growth Grant Program. For context, this past June I submitted an application specifically to the Rural Development Fund for all costs associated with the design and engineering of the rehabilitation of all 3.9 miles of Barre Road. As shown in the attached award letter, we were lucky enough to be awarded $290,000 through the program, which will cover approximately 96% of Tighe & Bond’s proposed costs.

 

Currently, I am working with the Town Administrator as well as the Office of Rural Affair to iron out any and all project specifics prior to executing the grant contract. By the time my next quarterly report comes around, which I believe will be on the 11/6/24 Select Board Meeting, I should have a more substantial update on the project’s status and hopefully even more good new to share.

 

Thank you all for your support, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or comments.

 

Thank you,

 

Gracelyn P. Currie

Gracelyn P. Currie

Grant Writer Administrator

 Northern Tier Rail Line:

Good morning Jeff, 

I hope all is well with you! Thank you very much for the update and for your help with this, I really do appreciate it! I'll be sure to let the group know that Templeton is very interested in this project and would like to be considered for a stop as well. I appreciate all of the information you sent over and will be sure it gets where it needs to go. Should there be anything else needed for any reason, I'll be in touch and we can go from there.

Thanks again and I hope you have a great weekend!

Best,

-Nolan

Nolan King

Legislative Aide

State Representative Jonathan Zlotnik

2nd Worcester District

Ashburnham, Gardner, Templeton, Winchendon (Precincts 2 & 3)

 https://www.templetonma.gov/town-administrator/files/fall-town-meeting-warrant-2024.

 I am going to try and find some stuff from days gone by that should clarify. why I feel the way I do about lawyers and responses to residents.

 

Many years ago, I asked Templeton BOS for resume of conservation commission agent, I got a 2-page letter from town lawyer telling me how I could not have it even as secretary of state told me it was public record. I replied to letter and got a second one from lawyer.

I did some looking and found the same employee was employed in same position in another town, Winchendon, as a part time con com agent with same town lawyer, I asked them for resume and got it in 2 minutes. I went to Templeton bos meeting and asked why I could get the resume from one town but not Templeton? I got a line of bs, in my opinion and I have never forgotten that. That my is why I have the attitude I have concerning board responding to residents by way of lawyers. They deserve answers and help, not legal opinions. Most, if not all of their questions are easy and simple to answer and the only reason, they turn into long going issues and complaints, is because, in my opinion, they do not feel the people they elect for them are looking out for them. If a resident is wrong, I will tell them so, when they are seeking help, I will try to help them, ask the people on Laurel View Road or the people on Stephen's Way. end of story.

 What the lawyer said:

Regarding (1), Section 71-3 requires that the Annual Report be “made available to the residents . . . for distribution . . . at Town Hall in the Board’s office.” If Ms. Toth’s allegation that there were no copies of the Annual Report for distribution at Town Hall by the last Tuesday of April is true, then this requirement was likely violated. Going forward, the Board should ensure that copies are available for distribution at Town Hall as required by the Bylaw.

 Rotary in east Templeton.

from MADOT, due to addition of Templeton water main work at the beginning of the project, a time extension was given, July 5, 2025. All curb installation is expected to be complete prior to winter. Final paving, lighting and some sidewalk work expected to fall into the spring.

 What happened with the infield groomer town meeting approved?

Select Board meeting of July 25, 2018.

John Caplis chairman.

g. Action RE: Lawn Tractor, Infield Groomer & Associated Retrofits~

 Fortes requested this item be taken first as Mr. May had a comment on it. This item was taken before item A. Morrison asked when and how the item came to be changed. Carter explained that the company had no recollection of giving the original quote as it had been so long, and they had him come out to give a new quote. Rick Moulton from NRSD was in attendance and gave his professional opinion on the machine quoted. Carter said he believes this is the same machine that NRSD uses on their fields. Haley Brooks asked Scott Dill of the Rec Committee to come forward and explain what was discussed. Scott explained that this equipment will work well for the purpose it is needed for and right now they do not have equipment to use for grooming the fields. Mr. May made a comment and cursed then Caplis interrupted him and stated that he heard him loud and clear and understood what his point was. Much discussion regarding whether the Capital Planning Committee should review this. Haley Brooks moved to approve the purchase of a John Deere tractor with attachments as proposed with the extended warranty at the cost of approximately $16,500.00; as seconded by Morrison. Fortes abstained. Motion carries 3-0.

One example of selectmen overriding town meeting vote.

 Zoning is the way a community regulates the use of land. Zoning regulations allow a community to control where different uses occur and under what circumstances. Zoning groups land uses according to their compatibility and separates them to protect the health, safety and general well being of the community. Police Power of zoning allows government, in protecting the public interest, to apply certain limitations to the use and development of private land without the need to compensate for the owner’s loss due to the limitations. However, if the limitations are so restrictive that the land loses its development possibility then the government must pay reasonable compensation.

 Project to install walkway into Baptist Common cemetery looks well on it's way. Not sure if it is complete, but will stop tomorrow to look, Will be a nice addition that cemetery.

 Looking to close the books on fiscal 2024, Gov. Maura Healey filed a $714 million supplemental budget bill on Sept. 11 that includes several provisions of note to municipalities.

The bill’s spending would cover deficiencies in the fiscal 2024 state budget law, with a net cost to the state of $149 million, according to the administration. The majority of the spending, $565 million, would be for MassHealth, which is a “net-zero” cost due to federal reimbursements. Most of the remaining $149 million would address fiscal 2024 account deficiencies, with $33.9 million in new spending.

The governor’s bill includes $11 million to seed a Disaster Relief and Resiliency Fund, which was created in the fiscal 2025 state budget. The fund would allow for a rapid state response to extreme weather events in municipalities, and is set to be funded at the end of fiscal 2025, should there be a consolidated net surplus of $14 million. According to the governor’s filing letter, this proposal would allow the funds to be available immediately, with the intention of still using the fiscal 2025 surplus to add to the fund.

To address municipal tax abatement reimbursements for veterans, widows, blind persons and the elderly, the bill includes $11.1 million to fully fund fiscal 2025 payments to municipalities. If the funding is approved, the Division of Local Services would issue accounting guidance.

The governor’s bill includes several outside sections to address policy changes and/or technical fixes.

The bill proposes a new effective date for changes to the tax title foreclosure process that were included in the fiscal 2025 state budget law. The effective date would be pushed from Nov. 1 of this year to July 1, 2025, to coincide with the beginning of the next fiscal year.

 WORCESTER, Mass. — In a letter to Gov. Maura Healey and the secretary of Executive office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, state legislators are calling for a two-year delay in implementing the Advanced Clean Truck and Heavy Duty Omnibus rules, which will essentially phase out diesel-fuel trucks in the state. 

Massachusetts is set to implement the rules Jan. 1.

The state has said they're expected to produce health, environmental and economic benefits.

Rep. John Marsi is among the legislators who signed the letter.

He said while a two-year delay will not alleviate all issues with this policy, it will at least allow a more in-depth review and provide increased flexibility to the trucking community.

“There are lot of companies that actually buy trucks or use trucks within the state, you know, rely on this. And so, this will be a trickle-down effect for their revenue as well," he said. "We ask the governor and the secretary to consider pushing out this deadline at least two years. So, you can get the right people under the table to talk about how, you know, this actually affects our businesses which reduced tax revenue. And honestly, people will keep their older trucks longer and that will actually defeat the purpose of what they're trying to do."

Marsi said the rule would not apply to emergency vehicles, like fire trucks. 

A spokesperson from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection said drivers would still be able to register a diesel truck in Massachusetts if they buy out of state.

 Apparently, someone over on the shiny penny facebook group Jailbirds did not like a posting concerning Templeton capital planning committee. Perhaps they ran out of polish. I laughed so hard when the little thing popped up, almost spit out my coffee, now that would have been bad.

Some posters over there complaining about inventory or lack of so I posted town bylaw on capital improvement committee, shows there is a need for one more at large member.

§ 9-7Establishment; officers; appointment and term; vacancies.

A. 

There is hereby authorized a Capital Improvements Committee, to be composed of five members, as follows:

(1) 

One from the Select Board;

[Amended 6-17-2020 ATM by Art. 9; 5-11-2022 ATM by Art. 5]

(2) 

One from the Advisory Committee;

(3) 

Two from the community at large to be appointed by the Select Board; and

[Amended 5-15-2024 ATM by Art. 10]

(4) 

The Town Treasurer/Collector or designee.

[Amended 5-15-2024 ATM by Art. 10]

 Templeton Senior Center kitchen finally out to bid, now we wait.

Town:	Templeton, MA
Board:	Cemetery Commission
Time:	Friday September 27, 2024 3:30 PM EDT
Location:	DPW 381 Baldwinville Road
Agenda:	1.Call Meeting to order 2.Pledge of Allegiance. 3.Special Meeting 4.Old Business: •Vote on Storage Shed Purchase to Secure Best Pricing 6.Adjournment: The listing of Agenda items is those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent it is permitted by law.

 Houghton Park parking area paved, looks nice and is a good start to making that park a nice asset to the area. I think you can call that a service to residents.

Thank You Parks/Rec commission.

 https://www.telegram.com/story/news/courts/2024/09/23/pfas-contamination-westminster-lawsuit-could-be-first-of-kind-in-us/75257489007/

 Templeton town owned cemeteries regulations plainly state "Maintenance of monument/stone is responsibility of lot owner." So, if lot owner puts something on top of the monument/stone, it should not be touched by any other persons, maintenance, landscaping, etc., personnel. Apparently, that is not the case in Templeton. Another bylaw, regulation not followed in Templeton by town employees! Oh, town government wants increase in taxes (override) for more employees, under the guise of service? First, get house in order. Try to find all the other fees (taxes) for different things on town website, you think they are all listed in one convenient place? You would be off just a bit.

 TOWN OF TEMPLETON

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE TO TAXPAYERS: PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF TAX VALUATIONS

In accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 40, Section 56, the Board of Assessors has completed a comprehensive reassessment for all classes of real property and personal property for the town of Templeton for Fiscal Year 2025 in compliance with the recertification. Templeton has received preliminary certification on the values from the Department of Revenue. The Public Disclosure period will be available to the public from Tuesday, 09/24/2024, to Tuesday, 10/01/2024.

Real estate sales in the town of Templeton from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2023, were used for the analysis. Assessments are at full and fair cash value in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 59, Section 38. On average, single-family homes, class 101, increased in value by 6.2%, condominiums, class 10, increased by approximately 14%, apartments, classes 111-125, increased by 31% on average. The commercial class increased by approximately 9.6% and the industrial class by 11.3%. Individual parcel valuations may vary from the average class increase due to typical differences, data updates and corrections, new construction, and the effect of market trends for specific characteristics. Questions may be addressed to Justice Graves, Deputy Assessor at 978-894-2760.

The proposed Fiscal Year 2025 valuations will be available for taxpayers’ review on the homepage of the town website at Templetonma.gov and in the Assessor’s Office, 160 Patriots Road, East Templeton during the following days and times:

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, September 24-26, 2024                 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Monday, September 30, 2024                                                           7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, October 1, 2024                                                               7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

 Montachusett Regional Transit Authority or MART. You know what MART does?

Council-On-Aging (COA) Transportation ‘MART’ provides Council-On-Aging transportation services throughout our ‘MART’ member communities for elderly. That is correct, in Templeton, MART provides reimbursement to the town for MART van drivers, dispatch etc. MART does not pay the salary of a Senior Service Director.

You know what old wiring at Library has to do with highway dept. getting additional trucks/ Absolutely nothing, in fact, there are ARPA funds for 2 highway trucks at $194,000.00 each. Library wiring and highway trucks in same sentence, not hardly. In fact, if anyone talking about those subjects took the time to look, July 2024 finance report shows there is Library gift expense of $260,000.00 sitting there. Any "guard rails" on gift would need to be checked, but, that is potential money for library improvements. Two different funding sources so why would anyone try to mix the two. That would indicate they have no clue on what they might be talking about.

Templeton Senior Center is not underutilized, it is underfunded!

 As a selectman in Templeton, one can get paid $3,750.00 per year, attend a couple of regularly scheduled meetings, have at least three people to prepare stuff for meetings. Parks & Rec commissioners have to do it all and get paid zero and not even a real budget, yet according to law, Park commission has same authority (power) as alderman, selectmen, tree warden on areas where they have control/oversight. Something needs to give on this.

 To make your day; you pay taxes, and yes, that money from community preservation act, overseen by community preservation committee (CPC) are tax dollars. So you pay taxes to build playing fields/parks and you pay taxes to maintain them and you pay taxes to repair them. You should not have to pay to use them. Another thing, you pay taxes for a fire dept. and there is a fire dept. union contract, as in full time employees, they are paid to do a job and part of that job is to inspect certain things, again, residents should not be paying twice for same service, the fire dept. does not send you a bill for responding to a fire at your home/business, so why send you a bill or charge you for their inspection, that would be called service to residents. You do not get a bill from police if you call them. Residents need and deserve answers BEFORE any override is talked about or asked for. If any nonprofit or so-called charity or private group wishes to use town fields/parks, they pay, if anyone wants to set up on town property to sell anything, they pay, does not matter what or who. Remember, the nonprofit friends of Templeton Elders, collecting money to help pay for senior center kitchen, well I donated 3500 dollars to friends of elders, and I have yet to see that money handed over for the kitchen, so I say, any private entity that wants to use town property, you pay a fee, no exceptions. Kids do not pay to use the fields; parents pay taxes for that!

There is a thing called a budget, a dept. comes up with an estimate of what funds they might need to do certain things, put it in dollars and cents and submit it and you work off of that. It is not that hard, but it is work and effort.

MGL chapter 45, Section 5: Powers and duties of boards of park commissioners

Section 5. Such boards may lay out and improve public parks, make rules for their use and government, appoint all necessary engineers, surveyors, clerks and other officers, including a police force to act in such parks, define their powers and duties and fix their compensation and do all acts needful for the proper execution of their powers and duties. They shall have the authority given to the mayor, aldermen, selectmen, road commissioners and tree warden respectively by section seven of chapter eighty-four and by chapter eighty-seven, in places under their jurisdiction. Subject to appropriation, such boards shall also have the power to conduct park programs and recreation activities at places other than such public parks. There has to be a budget item for this entity to function properly.

 Templeton capital planning committee report/recommendation to selectmen for fiscal year 2020.

scout hall equipment and furnishings from cable fund @ $10,000.00. That was a recommendation forwarded to selectmen per the bylaw according to the report on town website.

Mike Currie is listed as vice chair of the capital improvement committee. Fiscal year 2020 is from July 1 2019 until June 30, 2020.

Records show members of the board of selectmen for that period:

Michael Currie, Jeffrey Bennett, Julie Richard, Theresa Griffis 2022 Diane Haley Brooks.

If one looks at meeting minutes of the Templeton community preservation committee, many meeting agendas had scout hall and tctv was in the mix. If the building was intended for scouts, why was that not in the original town meeting article back in 2016? Original vote took place May 2016, which is fiscal year 2016 and annual town report shows selectmen at that time - Kenneth Robinson

John Columbus

Julie Richard

Doug Morrison

Diane Haley Brooks.

Seems to be a planning issue, as in lack of one from beginning, no end game, no plain statement the building will be used for this: This morning at 7:30 A.M., there are two signs about scouts planted in grass at so called scout hall, I do not know who planted them there, but, I hope they are in line with town sign bylaw.

Templeton capital planning committee report of fiscal year 2021, shows in part $20,000.00 from cable fund for scout hall furnishings. Report states all tax and non tax impacting requests are recommended to selectmen. Members listed in report: Julie Richard - chairman, Bob May vice chair, Cheryl Richardson/ town treasurer collector, Amanda Murray / member at large and Adam Lamontagne, assistant town administrator ex-officio member.

So with all money coming from tctv/cable fund, what exactly was the thought of selectmen and capital and anyone else/ Did anyone think tctv was not going into the building? All this information is on town website so you can check it out. Any donations from cub master, former selectmen John Capis, owner of caplis medical consulting service? My personal opinion was use tctv to get building funded as tctv has alot of support and keeps community informed by way of recorded meetings, etc. and once the building was finished, toss tctv back into the closet and scouts in and that is that. Again, that is my personal opinion, based in part of my time watching town politics.

 How does one try to do a job when financial reports are bad.

Templeton, MA May budget versus actual, under community preservation funding, from special town meeting November 2019, article 11 has 34 thousand dollars for scout hall. Fast forward to finance report for May 2024, shows $30,923.84 available and $29,920.04 spent. Looking at June 2024 and July 2024 finance reports, same line, same article, same account, they both show $34,000.00 available for spending. I cannot in good conscience vote in favor of any override or debt exclusion while I see this. While there are some good reasons for an override, as in a special override, I cannot go for that now, as a resident who tries to be informed and participate at town meeting, I cannot do it. It would be a fiduciary irresponsible thing to do at this time. Finance and administration are two of the most important things in a business/corporation.

 Town owned building, often referred to as scout hall, which was originally a schoolhouse, same as town hall. Funding for rehab of "scout hall" was by an article at town meeting from CPA funds, which carry with them, certain rules and regs, many involve commercial use, as in for profit or charging money for use. In all that time, 8 years, I never saw a man in a scout shirt go before selectmen and ask about how much room for us? TCTV moving into the building was always out there and no rules or policy on use was out there, as best as I can find so far (still looking) now, the building is complete and now we need a policy (not sure if it will be followed) and everything needs to be moved around and the town administrator needs to crack whip (my words) on tctv so scouts can go in there? There is an ADA ramp to enter building but there is an uneven parking area, no ada parking spot, no marked parking of any kind. Something smells on this project (my opinion)

 Templeton public services will take a look at Baldwinville Road and Sunrise concerning cross walk placement.

 So, the message will be "Templeton needs an override" Need more money, well, if that is the case, why do dispatch service for another town for less money this fiscal year than last fiscal year? Providing the same service to another town and reducing the cost to them, while Templeton residents have to pay more. Hey, have the costs for dispatch gone down in the last year? The last three years? Remember, at pre town meeting, it was pointed out that dispatch cost for Phillipston was shown as 70 thousand dollars while the agreement selectmen signed back in January 2024 was for 50 thousand dollars per year.

This reminds me of that accounting "deal" with Hubbardston, go from a part time assistant accountant to full time, give accountant raise (because of the extra work for another town) all so Hubbardston residents could have lower accounting costs while Templeton residents cost for accounting went up net around 28 thousand dollars. Pure genius.

 Good morning.

 

Thank you for contacting the Division of Open Government.  Through this helpline we can provide general guidance regarding the Open Meeting Law.  We cannot provide an advisory opinion or legal advice.

 

The Open Meeting Law does not prohibit the creation of meeting transcripts.  However, a transcript may not substitute for minutes.  See OML 2024-133.  Open Meeting Law determinations may be found at https://massago.hylandcloud.com/203NGPublicAccess2/OML.html.  The Open Meeting Law requires that public bodies create minutes “setting forth the date, time and place, the members present or absent, a summary of the discussions on each subject, a list of documents and other exhibits used at the meeting, the decisions made and the actions taken at each meeting, including the record of all votes.”  G.L. c. 30A, § 22(a).  Minutes that are simply a transcript of the meeting do not comply with the law's requirement that minutes contain a summary of discussions.  See OML 2016-123. 

 

If you believe that a public body has violated the Open Meeting Law, you may file a complaint.  The complaint form and instructions are accessible at the following link: https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2019/07/15/OML%20Complaint%20Form%202019.pdf.

 

Please feel free to contact our office with any further questions.

 

Sincerely,

 

Matthew Lindberg (he/him/his)

Assistant Attorney General

Division of Open Government

Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General

(617) 963-2540

SUMMARY: These guidelines explain a recent amendment made by an outside section of the Fiscal Year 2018 State Budget that allows the overlay account to be charged for interest due and payable on abatement refunds. St. 2017, c. 47, § 31. They also generally explain the statutory standard for maintaining an adequate overlay and the actions the Commissioner of Revenue (Commissioner) may take when approving a tax rate or determining available funds (free cash) to ensure compliance with that standard. Overlay is a single account to fund abatements and exemptions of committed real and personal property taxes for any fiscal year. The overlay amount is determined by the board of assessors (assessors) and may be raised in the tax rate without appropriation. Excess overlay is determined, certified and transferred by vote of the assessors to a Fund Balance Reserved for Overlay Released by the Assessors for Expenditures (overlay surplus). Overlay surplus may then be appropriated by the legislative body for any lawful purpose until the end of the fiscal year, i.e., June 30. Overlay surplus not appropriated by year-end is closed to the general fund undesignated fund balance. G.L. c. 59, §§ 23 and 25. Under the amendment, the overlay may now be charged for interest due taxpayers when abatements of paid taxes result in refunds. Previously, the interest was charged to an appropriation for that purpose, such as a short-term interest or treasurer’s general expense appropriation. No municipal action is necessary to implement this change. It is effective for any abatement granted on or after July 1, 2017 that generates an overpayment refund and interest obligation. These guidelines are in effect and supersede Informational Guideline Release (IGR) No. 16-104, Overlay and Overlay Surplus, and any inconsistent prior written statements or documents.

 MMA webinar to review essentials of capital planning

A free MMA webinar on Sept. 24 will highlight best practices for maintaining and building a community’s capital assets. ..

 Town finance 101.

MA state law allows town to budget for/with 100% of real estate taxes.

In a perfect world, you collect 100% of taxes, Iam still looking for the perfect world.

End of year financial report shows Templeton collected 98% of property taxes. Report shows DOR approved budget of $13,526,437.00 and town collected $13,225,600.68.

Report also shows the town budgeted local receipts at $1,966,744.01 while it collected $2,599,046.96.

Of those 2.5 million dollars was motor vehicle excise tax @$1,356,007.49, the rest came from other taxes, I mean fees.

Dog licenses came in at $29,699.00.Clearly there are alot of dogs in town or dog owners are getting fleeced at 20 bucks per license 15 bucks if fixed.

Perhaps town should be looking at costing out spending of town (your money) do better at revenue estimates using financial history. Advisory committee spend less time trying to reinvent wheel on meeting minutes and look out for residents thru finance reform in Templeton. As one resident at recent retreat stated, rather than looking at how to spend money, look at how to save money, which in reality means if youcan save some over there, you free it up to use over there. The first and most important part is how spending those dollars benefits residents! More equipment or sidewalks? I am still waiting on that "emergency" culvert work on Whitney Street to happen. I no longer wish to hear lack of staff. If you cannot do it, hire it out to benefit residents! Show me results before override!