posted by Jeff Bennett
Year End Transfers FY 2016
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
from the MMA website:
We are reviewing all of the amendments that have been filed, and in the meantime would like to highlight the MMA’s position on a number of the amendments that you will be debating this afternoon, and offer a summary below.
Please SUPPORT the following amendments:
Amendment #4 – This amendment filed by Rep. Jones would eliminate requirements that state agencies limit certain grants to cities and towns that are pursuing regionalization projects.
Amendment #15 – This amendment filed by Rep. Jones would close two significant loopholes in the municipal unemployment system, addressing the situation that allows school employees funded in the municipal budget to collect unemployment during summer vacations and holiday breaks, and closing the loophole that allows retirees on a public pension to also collect unemployment benefits once they reach the 960-hour cap on post-retirement work. This is not a new issue – the House has already voted to support these reform provisions in previous legislation.
Amendment #19 – This amendment filed by Rep. Peisch would add a municipal representative on the State Retiree Benefits Trust Fund Board of Directors, a needed step, as an increasing number of cities and towns are investing their OPEB with that agency.
Amendment #28 – This amendment filed by Rep. Dykema would clarify that cities and towns can establish water and sewer banks to help finance needed improvements to critical environmental infrastructure systems.
***Amendment #29 – This amendment filed by Rep. Dykema would establish a commission to study the issue of veterans’ preference within the civil service system.
Number 29 is another attempt to take away another promise made to veterans, please call your state representation and ask to oppose this amendment.
posted by Jeff Bennett
We are reviewing all of the amendments that have been filed, and in the meantime would like to highlight the MMA’s position on a number of the amendments that you will be debating this afternoon, and offer a summary below.
Please SUPPORT the following amendments:
Amendment #4 – This amendment filed by Rep. Jones would eliminate requirements that state agencies limit certain grants to cities and towns that are pursuing regionalization projects.
Amendment #15 – This amendment filed by Rep. Jones would close two significant loopholes in the municipal unemployment system, addressing the situation that allows school employees funded in the municipal budget to collect unemployment during summer vacations and holiday breaks, and closing the loophole that allows retirees on a public pension to also collect unemployment benefits once they reach the 960-hour cap on post-retirement work. This is not a new issue – the House has already voted to support these reform provisions in previous legislation.
Amendment #19 – This amendment filed by Rep. Peisch would add a municipal representative on the State Retiree Benefits Trust Fund Board of Directors, a needed step, as an increasing number of cities and towns are investing their OPEB with that agency.
Amendment #28 – This amendment filed by Rep. Dykema would clarify that cities and towns can establish water and sewer banks to help finance needed improvements to critical environmental infrastructure systems.
***Amendment #29 – This amendment filed by Rep. Dykema would establish a commission to study the issue of veterans’ preference within the civil service system.
Number 29 is another attempt to take away another promise made to veterans, please call your state representation and ask to oppose this amendment.
posted by Jeff Bennett
- June 28, 2016
Gov. Charlie Baker announced yesterday that fiscal 2017 tax revenues are now projected to be $650 million to $950 million lower than the consensus projection that the administration and the House and Senate used when building their budget plans.
The revision is largely due to widespread financial volatility stemming from the Brexit vote, combined with lower-than-expected tax collections as the state closes fiscal 2016. Capital gains taxes are particularly sluggish and vulnerable to economic instability.
A revenue loss of this magnitude will force deep cuts across all areas of the state budget for fiscal 2017. The budgets set by the governor, House and Senate were all based on the original, higher revenue growth projection of $1.1 billion, which means that all of the plans are out of balance.
The governor yesterday signed a one-month, temporary budget to cover state obligations through the end of July and provide some breathing room for legislators while they dramatically scale back their budget bills for fiscal 2017, which begins on July 1.
The grim news comes at a time when cities and towns have already set their budgets based on estimates of local aid and education funding that were contained in the three budget bills. Any cuts to municipal or school accounts would trigger major budget problems in all 351 cities and towns.
“Any local aid reductions at this point would be incredibly disruptive, and would force communities to reopen their already-passed budgets and impose mid-year cuts,” said MMA Executive Director Geoff Beckwith. “Reliance on the property tax to fund municipal and school services is at a 30-year high, and it is too late to pursue tax overrides to replace lost local aid. Any local aid reduction would translate into cuts in essential services and programs that are necessary for our economic growth and stability.”
A gap approaching $1 billion is relatively small portion of a nearly $39.5 billion state budget. But roughly two-thirds of state spending is locked in, for items such as health care, debt service and pensions, leaving little room to maneuver in order to bridge the gap.
State law requires the budget to be balanced, and doing so is the biggest challenge facing the Legislature before the formal session is scheduled to close on July 31.
from the MMA website
posted by Jeff Bennett
from last nights selectmen meeting:
John Caplis submits resignation letter as Templeton Veteran service Officer.
Town Administrator has submitted his resignation effective July 11, 2016.
Fiscal Year 2013 financials are complete and the Town is awaiting the auditors to come to Templeton to begin their work. Maybe this will be the time this actually happens, as this has been put out numerous times by the administrator. The Abrahams group has completed their work and fiscal 2014 work will be completed by the Town Accountant sometime in August.
John Caplis submits resignation letter as Templeton Veteran service Officer.
Town Administrator has submitted his resignation effective July 11, 2016.
Fiscal Year 2013 financials are complete and the Town is awaiting the auditors to come to Templeton to begin their work. Maybe this will be the time this actually happens, as this has been put out numerous times by the administrator. The Abrahams group has completed their work and fiscal 2014 work will be completed by the Town Accountant sometime in August.
There may be more end of year financial transfers by July 15, 2016 to balance out the FY16 budget.
It was stated that 21 applications for fire chief in Templeton have been received at Templeton Town Hall.
Selectmen voted to not release the written legal opinion concerning the election issue with regards to a candidate for the light & water commission.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Friday, June 24, 2016
Templeton Board of Selectmen
Town Hall, 160 Patriots Road, East Templeton
Monday, June 27, 2016, 6:30 p.m.
Agenda
6:30 P.M. Call to Order
Pledge
Town Administrator Report
Minutes~ 6.6.16, and 6.13.16
Appointments
One-Way Street Presentation~Police Chief, Mike Bennett & Peter Glick of Symmes Maini
& McKee Associates
Templeton Elementary School Building Committee Update
Action on TCTV/NRSD Agreement~Steve Castle
Vote & Sign FY17 Building & Liability Insurance Renewals
Discuss dates to meet with Alan Mayo at Pine Grove Cemetery
Action on Disclosures of Appearance of Conflict of Interest
Action on Fire Department Air Packs
Action on Personnel Policy
Friends of COA Vehicle Donation
Board of Selectmen Policy & Procedures
Discuss Response to Dave Smart requesting release of legal opinion
Old Business/Updates
New Business
Selectmen’s Comments
Vote to go into executive session & state whether the Board will reconvene in open session after the executive session has adjourned~ Per M.G.L. c. 30A, Sec. 21.3, to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares.
Adjourn
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.
THIS AGENDA IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
from the Massachusetts Municipal Association web site:
Please OPPOSE the following amendments:
Amendment #21 – Current law requires cities and towns to purchase very expensive advertisements in newspapers, a mandate that costs local taxpayers millions of dollars every year. Unfortunately, Amendment #21 would impose an even greater burden on cities and towns by requiring communities to use their public websites to publish direct links to the websites owned by private newspapers. In effect, the amendment would mandate that public employees and taxpayer funds be used to increase circulation and internet traffic on profit-making websites owned and operated by the newspaper publishing industry.
Amendment #31 – This amendment would further restrict the ability of cities and towns to use joint powers authority to improve and enhance the quality of local services to veterans.
Amendment #39 – This amendment would require cities and towns to pay for a portion of the health insurance costs of retired regional school district employees. Amendment #39 would partially restore a system that is being repealed in H. 4397 because it has proven to be unworkable and conflict-laden.
Amendment #40 – This amendment would increase the cost of constructing and renovating public buildings.
Municipalities across the Commonwealth eagerly look forward to using the provisions in H. 4397 to update and enhance municipal practices, and we thank you very much for your support and consideration of this key legislation.
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Geoffrey C. Beckwith
MMA Executive Director & CEO
posted by Jeff Bennett
Please OPPOSE the following amendments:
Amendment #21 – Current law requires cities and towns to purchase very expensive advertisements in newspapers, a mandate that costs local taxpayers millions of dollars every year. Unfortunately, Amendment #21 would impose an even greater burden on cities and towns by requiring communities to use their public websites to publish direct links to the websites owned by private newspapers. In effect, the amendment would mandate that public employees and taxpayer funds be used to increase circulation and internet traffic on profit-making websites owned and operated by the newspaper publishing industry.
Amendment #31 – This amendment would further restrict the ability of cities and towns to use joint powers authority to improve and enhance the quality of local services to veterans.
Amendment #39 – This amendment would require cities and towns to pay for a portion of the health insurance costs of retired regional school district employees. Amendment #39 would partially restore a system that is being repealed in H. 4397 because it has proven to be unworkable and conflict-laden.
Amendment #40 – This amendment would increase the cost of constructing and renovating public buildings.
Municipalities across the Commonwealth eagerly look forward to using the provisions in H. 4397 to update and enhance municipal practices, and we thank you very much for your support and consideration of this key legislation.
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Geoffrey C. Beckwith
MMA Executive Director & CEO
posted by Jeff Bennett
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