Fiscal Year 2024 shows smallest amount of funds deposited into Templeton capital stabilization fund in 5 years - $45,000.00, with $13,916.00 dollars recently voted out of the fund.

 from the study that was not available at town meeting.

Project Phase Cost Estimate

Phase 1 – Spring 2024 – Eave Up $ 502,011

Escalation – 6.00% $ 30,121

Phase 1 Subtotal $ 532,132

Phase 2 – Spring 2025 – Elm Street Façade $ 430,716

Escalation – 14.00% $ 60,300

Phase 2 Subtotal $ 491,016

Phase 3 – Spring 2026 – Interiors/Systems $ 349,032

Escalation – 22.00% $ 76,787

Phase 3 Subtotal $ 425,819

Phase 4 – Spring 2027 – MAAB/ADA – Elevator $ 1,109,866

Escalation – 30.00% $ 332,960

Phase 4 – Elevator Subtotal $ 1,442,826

Phase 4 – Spring 2027 – MAAB/ADA – Conference $ 533,740

Escalation – 30.00% $ 160,122

Phase 4 – Conference Subtotal $ 693,862

Total – Phases 1 through 3 $ 1,448,967

Total – Phases 1 through 3 plus Elevator $ 2,891,793

Total – Phases 1 through 3 plus Conference $ 2,142,829.

 

Town:	Shirley, MA Athol, MA Royalston, MA Templeton, MA Phillipston, MA Lunenburg, MA
Board:	MRPC (Montachusett Regional Planning Commission)
Time:	Thursday May 30, 2024 6:30 PM EDT
Location:	Fitchburg State University Ellis White Lecture Room, Hammond Hall, 160 Pearl Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420
Agenda:	The Montachusett Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) in collaboration with the Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART) and the agencies’ consultant WSP are partnering with the region’s communities to undertake a safety action plan to improve roadway safety outcomes in North-Central Massachusetts. To help the community become fully acquainted with the safety action plan the agencies will host a live, hybrid public information meeting. All are invited to attend in person or by web. Questions and comments are welcomed. When: Thursday, May 30th; 6:30pm Where: Fitchburg State University Ellis White Lecture Room, Hammond Hall 160 Pearl Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420 zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1I7BjGiTR6WfL2ggsiuyHg MRPC does not discriminate. For more information please see: mrpc.org/home/pages/title-vi-policy-and-procedures

 Just an FYI, I understand recount papers have been pulled for the May 20, 2024 selectman election. It is not over yet.

 As an FYI, regarding the old Temple Stuart property / MacVallee, the town has a bylaw, based on a state law on licenses, permits, etc., and those can be denied if back taxes are owed. Perhaps that is the reason no permits have been pulled to date. They might also sue the town if they wish. More than likely, the truth shall surface sooner rather than later.

Recently, I did what any one can do, I emailed on of the towns records access officers, I emailed town administrator requesting a copy of the April 2024 monthly expenditure report from town accountant. Under the ARPA segment of report, it shows $4,760.00 allocated for road drainage and paving. it then shows $6,308.99 spent, that is shown to be 132.52% variance (allocated versus spent)

Real math 1+1 =2 / Templeton math 1+1 = whatever it needs to be.

 Did town meeting receive more bad information from town accountant regarding meals tax?

Be it Ordered by the City Council of the City of Amesbury assembled, and by the

authority of the same as follows:

1. That the Amesbury City Council votes to accept the provisions of the last paragraph of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40, section 58, and further to

dedicate without further appropriation, 100% of the Local Option Meals Tax receipts received by the City to the Special Purpose Stabilization Fund for Sidewalk and Road Repairs created by Bill No. 2013 -025.

2. The dedication of monies into this special stabilization fund will commence on July 1 ,2024.

3. Funds will be appropriated annually, beginning in FY26.

4. Sidewalk and Road Repair projects will be prioritized and selected by the City of Amesbury Public Works Director.

If you are interested in the old school house, often referred to as scout hall, this is a good read.

https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=https%3A//www.mytowngovernment.org/download%3Fdocument%3DahNzfnRvd25nb3Zlcm5tZW50LWhychoLEg1Eb2N1bWVudE1vZGVsGICAwJbWwoEJDA%26view%3DTrue%26.docx

 Just because I think it is important for town residents to know.

In Massachusetts, we are lucky to have state laws that govern and protect our public roadside trees. The best way to learn about these laws is to read them in full. You can do this by visiting your local library or the Massachusetts Legislature website at www.malegislature.gov/Laws/ GeneralLaws/. This fact sheet attempts to summarize these laws. 

Which Laws Govern Public Trees in Massachusetts? 

• Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 87 is the most important law governing public shade trees. It outlines the powers of the tree warden, procedures for removing shade trees, procedures for planting public trees, and penalties for violating provisions of the law. 

• Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 40, Section 15C augments Chapter 87 with additional requirements concerning the removal of trees on designated scenic roads. 

• Some communities also have local bylaws or ordinances governing the protection of both public and private community trees. For example, some communities might pass a bylaw to protect trees during construction or to protect trees over a certain diameter. 

What are the Key Elements of Chapter 87? 

• All trees within the public way or on the boundary thereof are defined as public shade trees. 

• The tree warden is responsible for the care, control, protection, and maintenance of all public shade trees, except those within a state highway, and shall enforce all the provisions of law for the preservation of such trees. 

 • No other person may plant, trim, cut, or remove a public shade tree without permission of the tree warden. 

• No person, including the tree warden, may cut, trim, or remove any tree, greater than one and one-half inches in diameter, without a public hearing. 

• Public notice of a hearing must be posted, at least seven days prior to the hearing, on the trees in question, in two or more public places in town, and in a newspaper of general circulation for the town in each of two successive weeks. 

• The tree warden shall not cut or remove a public shade tree if, at or before the public hearing, objection is made in writing by one or more persons, unless such cutting or removal is approved by the select board or by the mayor.

 If administration cannot produce and honest and true funded budget, residents should be aware of what is called an underride.

What is an Underride?

Proposition 21 ⁄2 allows a community to reduce its levy limit by passing an underride. When an underride is passed, the levy limit for the year is calculated by subtracting the amount of the underride. The underride results in a permanent decrease in the levy limit of a community because it reduces the base upon which levy limits are calculated for future years. A majority vote of a community’s selectmen, or town or city council (with the mayor’s approval if required by law) allows an underride question to be placed on the ballot. An underride question may also be placed on the ballot by the people using a local initiative procedure, if one is provided by law. Underride questions must state a dollar amount and require a majority vote of approval by the electorate.

An example of how it works:

UXBRIDGE - Selectman Michael R. Potaski says the seeds of rebellion against taxes are beginning to sprout in town.

Despite Uxbridge's $1.2 million structural deficit for fiscal 2009, a group of citizens in town wants to send a message to town and school officials.

"Uxbridge voters are loudly proclaiming their displeasure with the direction of the Town's finances and are taking matters into their own hands," Mr. Potaski said in a news release. "A citizens' initiative petition has placed an article on the warrant of the May 13th town meeting calling for a $1.2 million reduction in real estate and personal property taxes."

The town's general fund decline, dependence on free cash, and slower projected revenue growth this fiscal year and in the next fiscal year recently caused Moody's Investors Service to assign a negative outlook to Uxbridge's current rating and bond sale.

Mr. Potaski, who is also the president of the Uxbridge Taxpayers Association, said a growing number of people in town want to lower the tax rate and curtail spending, especially spending the town's reserves. Their citizens' petition asks voters to consider a $1.2 million underride at the upcoming town meeting.

"We're fed up with taxes," Mr. Potaski said. "And we're taking the initiative to push back."

Proposition 2-1/2 allows a community to reduce its levy limit by passing an underride, according to the state Department of Revenue. The annual town meeting is May 13, and the $1.2 million article would require a simple majority to pass. From there, it would need to be acted on in an election.

 There is a shed at Templeton highway barn on Baldwinville Road. It is used to put sand/salt in for residents to use at their home. Residents pay for the sand/salt and did pay to build the shed. Before the shed was built, town employees would just mix sand/salt for wintertime use by residents and put it in a pile. When residents would go to get some of that, often they would have to dig thru snow and would encounter wet, frozen material. Jeff Bennett thought there was a better way and to help residents, Jeff Bennett pushed to get that shed built so residents would no longer have to dig thru snow to get something to help them around their home in the winter months. I consider that effort a real public service.

Jeff Bennett worked for the residents then, he will work for you again if elected.

Please vote Jeff Bennett for selectman

Monday, May 20, 2024, between 11:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M. at NRSD.