email from a member of the Advisory Committee:
_After speaking with the Narragansett Regional School District treasurer, Anne Marie Geyster,
this morning, my comments from last evening have been confirmed.
1. The note for the high school and the new roof for the middle school have been rolled into one note.
2. the final paymant will be due in FY'19 that will clear the way so that the town may assume the debt
for the new elementary school.
Kate_
posted by Jeff Bennett
Saturday, September 10, 2016
Friday, September 9, 2016
Where can the selectmen get the funds needed to cover the shortages in the FY 2017 budget?
Well, according to a Templeton police chief, it only costs Templeton taxpayers less than forty thousand dollars ($40,000.00) per year to operate Templeton dispatch service. That is what a former Templeton police chief told selectmen and the Town back in 2014. You can ask then and current members of the select board, Brooks and Morrison, about that. There is paper work and since it was recorded, there should be a video of this. That being the case, there is/was $299,590.00 appropriated for dispatch service in Templeton at the 2016 annual town meeting. That would mean there is about 250 thousand dollars sitting in a fund that is not required to be used for anything so some transfers would seem to be available for and to "fix" the problems.
Of course, if this is not the case, if it indeed costs about 300 thousand dollars to operate Templeton dispatch, that money would not be available for transfer and it would mean Templeton selectmen and the Town was lied to by a police chief. That is troubling enough, but there is another issue blooming in Templeton and that is with the building of a jail in Templeton. There was a proposal a few years back, when Gardner was building a new police station, there was a study and a report completed and within that report was a discussion of a regional lockup facility. There was a meeting where it was reported that on weekends, the regional lockup facility could be covered by people from the sheriffs office, as this would keep small towns from bringing more people to an already crowded facility for lockup until Monday for court. That means rather than small towns building their own jails, there could be one to maintain and for a fee per year which is cheaper than having additional personnel on the books, as in health insurance and retirement along with salary, uniforms and all the rest.
Then there is the responsibility of the people locked up for say, over the weekend, you have to feed them and if needed, you have to transport to hospital/emergency room for any medical issues. Since Templeton already voted for the building of lockup, those are the things you will be dealing with in the future and you will now have to pay for them with more tax dollars. With the fiasco that is the Templeton so called 2017 budget that has to be fixed along with that looming 47 million dollar debt for a new school. Speaking of debt, the Advisory Committee had requested a report of the number of debt exclusions on the books as of now, along with how much for each, when will they come off the books and the rest of the details. This information was requested from the Town Treasurer and while some information was received, debt exclusion information was not among it. In my opinion, this indicates that the information is not known, the information is being withheld or the individual does not know what it is or how to find it.
With so many questions still around concerning Templeton debt, it just may be time to ask Town meeting if they feel the vote from November 9, 2015 should be rescinded. That most likely will have to come in the form of a citizens petition, as I believe the selectmen will not voluntarily put an article on the warrant for the upcoming special town meeting.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Well, according to a Templeton police chief, it only costs Templeton taxpayers less than forty thousand dollars ($40,000.00) per year to operate Templeton dispatch service. That is what a former Templeton police chief told selectmen and the Town back in 2014. You can ask then and current members of the select board, Brooks and Morrison, about that. There is paper work and since it was recorded, there should be a video of this. That being the case, there is/was $299,590.00 appropriated for dispatch service in Templeton at the 2016 annual town meeting. That would mean there is about 250 thousand dollars sitting in a fund that is not required to be used for anything so some transfers would seem to be available for and to "fix" the problems.
Of course, if this is not the case, if it indeed costs about 300 thousand dollars to operate Templeton dispatch, that money would not be available for transfer and it would mean Templeton selectmen and the Town was lied to by a police chief. That is troubling enough, but there is another issue blooming in Templeton and that is with the building of a jail in Templeton. There was a proposal a few years back, when Gardner was building a new police station, there was a study and a report completed and within that report was a discussion of a regional lockup facility. There was a meeting where it was reported that on weekends, the regional lockup facility could be covered by people from the sheriffs office, as this would keep small towns from bringing more people to an already crowded facility for lockup until Monday for court. That means rather than small towns building their own jails, there could be one to maintain and for a fee per year which is cheaper than having additional personnel on the books, as in health insurance and retirement along with salary, uniforms and all the rest.
Then there is the responsibility of the people locked up for say, over the weekend, you have to feed them and if needed, you have to transport to hospital/emergency room for any medical issues. Since Templeton already voted for the building of lockup, those are the things you will be dealing with in the future and you will now have to pay for them with more tax dollars. With the fiasco that is the Templeton so called 2017 budget that has to be fixed along with that looming 47 million dollar debt for a new school. Speaking of debt, the Advisory Committee had requested a report of the number of debt exclusions on the books as of now, along with how much for each, when will they come off the books and the rest of the details. This information was requested from the Town Treasurer and while some information was received, debt exclusion information was not among it. In my opinion, this indicates that the information is not known, the information is being withheld or the individual does not know what it is or how to find it.
With so many questions still around concerning Templeton debt, it just may be time to ask Town meeting if they feel the vote from November 9, 2015 should be rescinded. That most likely will have to come in the form of a citizens petition, as I believe the selectmen will not voluntarily put an article on the warrant for the upcoming special town meeting.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Saturday, September 3, 2016
link to Templeton social media policy (draft)
DRAFT Social Media Policy
from that policy:
Social Media means the various forms of information-sharing technology to create web content and dialogue around a specific issue or area of interest. Examples of social media applications include but are not limited to Facebook, MySpace, Google and Yahoo Groups, Wikipedia, YouTube, Flickr, Twitter, LinkedIn, and news media comment-sharing/blogging.
Town Official means employees of the town, public officers (whether elected or appointed) and town volunteers.
Town officials are discouraged from using personal accounts to comment on or post information to town social media sites, and/or posting information regarding official town business on other social
media sites. All social media site comments and posts by town officials are subject to the Public Records Law, Open Meeting Law, and all other applicable laws, rules, policies, charter provisions and regulations. Town Officials including employees, volunteers, and elected officials posts to social media from personal social media accounts will be considered public records if the post discusses aspects of town government.
Town officials should have no expectation of privacy regarding anything created, sent or received on the town’s electronic equipment. The town may monitor any and all transactions, communications and transmissions to ensure compliance with this policy and to evaluate the use of its equipment.
See, I take some of this policy as an attempt to stop some from blogging or commenting in any way on the internet, especially if you are critical of the government or individuals in employ of said government. I believe this policy could be used, with regards to blogging, as retaliation or an attempt there of to try to silence those who would speak out on issues an individual feels public exposure is required there of. Posting of and disseminating said information, I believe, could be categorized as whistle blowing, which if you were present and paying attention to the recent MCAD "training", you would realize that is "protected" behavior. Hence my interest in those items.
posted by Jeff Bennett
DRAFT Social Media Policy
from that policy:
Social Media means the various forms of information-sharing technology to create web content and dialogue around a specific issue or area of interest. Examples of social media applications include but are not limited to Facebook, MySpace, Google and Yahoo Groups, Wikipedia, YouTube, Flickr, Twitter, LinkedIn, and news media comment-sharing/blogging.
Town Official means employees of the town, public officers (whether elected or appointed) and town volunteers.
Town officials are discouraged from using personal accounts to comment on or post information to town social media sites, and/or posting information regarding official town business on other social
media sites. All social media site comments and posts by town officials are subject to the Public Records Law, Open Meeting Law, and all other applicable laws, rules, policies, charter provisions and regulations. Town Officials including employees, volunteers, and elected officials posts to social media from personal social media accounts will be considered public records if the post discusses aspects of town government.
Town officials should have no expectation of privacy regarding anything created, sent or received on the town’s electronic equipment. The town may monitor any and all transactions, communications and transmissions to ensure compliance with this policy and to evaluate the use of its equipment.
See, I take some of this policy as an attempt to stop some from blogging or commenting in any way on the internet, especially if you are critical of the government or individuals in employ of said government. I believe this policy could be used, with regards to blogging, as retaliation or an attempt there of to try to silence those who would speak out on issues an individual feels public exposure is required there of. Posting of and disseminating said information, I believe, could be categorized as whistle blowing, which if you were present and paying attention to the recent MCAD "training", you would realize that is "protected" behavior. Hence my interest in those items.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Friday, September 2, 2016
Town Administrator's Weekly Report 9.1.16
enjoy this reading, kind of interesting.
posted by Jeff Bennett
enjoy this reading, kind of interesting.
posted by Jeff Bennett
I believe the next Templeton fire chief will come from Ashburnham.
One of the first items he may have to deal with is:
Templeton fire/ems: Department of O.E.M.S will be in Templeton on 9/6/16, Tuesday to inspect the ambulances and record keeping for our license to operate the medical services. we hired one more per-diem medic, this brings us to a total of 8. We lost one due to an O.E.M.S. violation issue. This still leaves holes in our coverage and we need to put one full-time medic and one full-time basic. we have received one written warning back in July and with this up coming inspection, we may receive another one for these deficiencies.
I believe this has been made clear many times in the past, if Templeton wants to be in the ambulance business, you have to be ready with the cash to pay for it. The ambulance receipts account will not cover the costs of employees such as salary, and benefits such as health insurance and retirement.
posted by Jeff Bennett
One of the first items he may have to deal with is:
Templeton fire/ems: Department of O.E.M.S will be in Templeton on 9/6/16, Tuesday to inspect the ambulances and record keeping for our license to operate the medical services. we hired one more per-diem medic, this brings us to a total of 8. We lost one due to an O.E.M.S. violation issue. This still leaves holes in our coverage and we need to put one full-time medic and one full-time basic. we have received one written warning back in July and with this up coming inspection, we may receive another one for these deficiencies.
I believe this has been made clear many times in the past, if Templeton wants to be in the ambulance business, you have to be ready with the cash to pay for it. The ambulance receipts account will not cover the costs of employees such as salary, and benefits such as health insurance and retirement.
posted by Jeff Bennett
MCAD training - Massachusetts commission against discrimination
What was covered; workplace discrimination protected categories;
Age - 40 and over, under 40, sorry you are out of luck in that category.
Criminal records, inquiry only, you cannot ask about that in an application. You can be asked about that further on, which seems to go against common sense; you can apply without having to explain any criminal record but in the one on one, you can be asked and denied the job because of a criminal record, why waste time and resources? The explanation was that everyone has the right to apply.
disability, actual or perceived.
gender
gender identity, as in you have a stick but wish to live as if you don't, so now you have to deal with all kinds of stuff rather than if you have a stick, you pee there, if you don't, you pee there. Now if you are not allowed to pee where you wish, you can go to mcad and scream discrimination. We have gone far!
genetics, which seems to be new.
military personnel
national origin or ancestry
race or color
religion
retaliation
sexual orientation
The material was not that complicated nor over-whelming.
Do not hurt anyone's feelings, do not have standards, do not state that employees are at will employees and can be dismissed at any time because that might not be true. In fact, the employer might be held to pay emotional distress damages.
One would think that after taking about two years to come up with a personnel policy, there would be no real need for more formal training as all of these scenarios would be covered in said policy. Personally, I have experienced all of this same "training" in the military and it did not have much effect, if any. It mostly ended up taking up valuable time that could have been utilized for more important and worthwhile things. Unfortunately in today's litigious society, this is what is has come to. So, on Tuesday of this week, your employees and elected folks were in Town hall, most being paid and having lunch on you, to learn how to be sensitive. Some may still be trying to digest this and figure it all out.
from the Templeton, draft, social media policy:
Town officials are discouraged from using personal accounts to comment on or post information to town social media sites, and/or posting information regarding official town business on other social
media sites. All social media site comments and posts by town officials are subject to the Public Records Law, Open Meeting Law, and all other applicable laws, rules, policies, charter provisions and regulations. Town Officials including employees, volunteers, and elected officials posts to social media from personal social media accounts will be considered public records if the post discusses aspects of town government.
posted by Jeff Bennett
.
What was covered; workplace discrimination protected categories;
Age - 40 and over, under 40, sorry you are out of luck in that category.
Criminal records, inquiry only, you cannot ask about that in an application. You can be asked about that further on, which seems to go against common sense; you can apply without having to explain any criminal record but in the one on one, you can be asked and denied the job because of a criminal record, why waste time and resources? The explanation was that everyone has the right to apply.
disability, actual or perceived.
gender
gender identity, as in you have a stick but wish to live as if you don't, so now you have to deal with all kinds of stuff rather than if you have a stick, you pee there, if you don't, you pee there. Now if you are not allowed to pee where you wish, you can go to mcad and scream discrimination. We have gone far!
genetics, which seems to be new.
military personnel
national origin or ancestry
race or color
religion
retaliation
sexual orientation
The material was not that complicated nor over-whelming.
Do not hurt anyone's feelings, do not have standards, do not state that employees are at will employees and can be dismissed at any time because that might not be true. In fact, the employer might be held to pay emotional distress damages.
One would think that after taking about two years to come up with a personnel policy, there would be no real need for more formal training as all of these scenarios would be covered in said policy. Personally, I have experienced all of this same "training" in the military and it did not have much effect, if any. It mostly ended up taking up valuable time that could have been utilized for more important and worthwhile things. Unfortunately in today's litigious society, this is what is has come to. So, on Tuesday of this week, your employees and elected folks were in Town hall, most being paid and having lunch on you, to learn how to be sensitive. Some may still be trying to digest this and figure it all out.
from the Templeton, draft, social media policy:
Town officials are discouraged from using personal accounts to comment on or post information to town social media sites, and/or posting information regarding official town business on other social
media sites. All social media site comments and posts by town officials are subject to the Public Records Law, Open Meeting Law, and all other applicable laws, rules, policies, charter provisions and regulations. Town Officials including employees, volunteers, and elected officials posts to social media from personal social media accounts will be considered public records if the post discusses aspects of town government.
posted by Jeff Bennett
.
Thursday, September 1, 2016
You can now go to the Templeton Town website and click selectmen, then look for town policies and you will find:
selectmen policies and procedures
personnel policy
draft social media policy
draft public records policy which still shows incorrect fees for most records.
Social media policy is interesting.
There was just some training on MCAD issues, Massachusetts commission against discrimination.
There is some protection or rule against retaliation and whistle blower. I hope the selectmen had their ears turned on and they were paying attention.
posted by Jeff Bennett
selectmen policies and procedures
personnel policy
draft social media policy
draft public records policy which still shows incorrect fees for most records.
Social media policy is interesting.
There was just some training on MCAD issues, Massachusetts commission against discrimination.
There is some protection or rule against retaliation and whistle blower. I hope the selectmen had their ears turned on and they were paying attention.
posted by Jeff Bennett
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