Trends in Templeton, MA;
From 2000 until 2014, population grew from 6,799 to about 8,134.
State aid in 2000 was $1,318,085.00 and in 2014 was $1,456,947.00
New growth has gone from$156,443.00 in 2003 to $94,321.00 in 2016.
General stabilization fund has gone from $36,292.00 in 2003 to $674,538.00 in 2009, to now at $142,326.99.
Town debt in 2008 was $1,446,973.00 and in 2014 was $1,629,859.00.
General unallocated fund, commonly known as free cash was $582,421.00 in 2005 and in 2014 was a negative (deficit) of -$26,899.00.
Since 2005, over 4 million dollars in unspent Templeton money and only $142,000.00 in savings and no real capital fund savings. In fact, major infrastructure investments were not even covered by capital planning committee. These are things the selectmen should be talking about but seem to be ignoring.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Saturday, November 5, 2016
What your selectmen are up to:
To repair a pump on a fire truck, which has a repair price quote of $23,077.29, funds (money) will be taken from the Town's vehicle/machinery maintenance fund ($20,000.00) and $3,500.00 from fire department equipment maintenance fund.
From Town meeting appropriations at annual town meeting on May 14, 2016, town vehicle/machinery fund was $136,040.00 and fire equipment maintenance fund was $6,000.00.
According to the year end budget versus actual information provided by the town accountant on October 3, 2016 was Town vehicle /machinery appropriation was $90,000.00 with $89,997.07 being spent for the year. Fire equipment maintenance was $6,000.00 appropriated with $6,000.00 spent.
To use money from other funds while $50,000.00 sits in the town's reserve fund and for which purpose of replacing/repairing a pump on a fire truck from the reserve fund would be most appropriate and negate the need for future transfers or shortages in the fire department equipment maintenance fund before the end of the year. That would be the logical thing to do, but since the selectmen are unable or unwilling to follow Massachusetts General Law, we should not expect logic from them.
Another event defies logic as well; the roof at the fire station in the northern part of Templeton, referred to as baldwinville, is only being partially repaired, rather than replace the entire roof, which would be an investment in town infrastructure. The fire station roof in Templeton center is NOT being repaired/replaced at all at this time. Mean while, another fire truck is being repaired by volunteer work from Paige welding and by work from some members of the department with parts being paid for out of the fire department budget, (fire equipment maintenance fund?) in the estimated amount of $400.00 - $500.00.
The roof repairs for fire station being paid from fire department budget and town maintenace funds with no dollar breakdown stated by the town administrator. Most of this information is from the town administrator report on the town website.
posted by Jeff Bennett
To repair a pump on a fire truck, which has a repair price quote of $23,077.29, funds (money) will be taken from the Town's vehicle/machinery maintenance fund ($20,000.00) and $3,500.00 from fire department equipment maintenance fund.
From Town meeting appropriations at annual town meeting on May 14, 2016, town vehicle/machinery fund was $136,040.00 and fire equipment maintenance fund was $6,000.00.
According to the year end budget versus actual information provided by the town accountant on October 3, 2016 was Town vehicle /machinery appropriation was $90,000.00 with $89,997.07 being spent for the year. Fire equipment maintenance was $6,000.00 appropriated with $6,000.00 spent.
To use money from other funds while $50,000.00 sits in the town's reserve fund and for which purpose of replacing/repairing a pump on a fire truck from the reserve fund would be most appropriate and negate the need for future transfers or shortages in the fire department equipment maintenance fund before the end of the year. That would be the logical thing to do, but since the selectmen are unable or unwilling to follow Massachusetts General Law, we should not expect logic from them.
Another event defies logic as well; the roof at the fire station in the northern part of Templeton, referred to as baldwinville, is only being partially repaired, rather than replace the entire roof, which would be an investment in town infrastructure. The fire station roof in Templeton center is NOT being repaired/replaced at all at this time. Mean while, another fire truck is being repaired by volunteer work from Paige welding and by work from some members of the department with parts being paid for out of the fire department budget, (fire equipment maintenance fund?) in the estimated amount of $400.00 - $500.00.
The roof repairs for fire station being paid from fire department budget and town maintenace funds with no dollar breakdown stated by the town administrator. Most of this information is from the town administrator report on the town website.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Friday, November 4, 2016
Templeton selectmen, light general manager and accountant fail to follow the law; could this be one of the reasons Templeton finance in such a mess?
Holly;
This is a request under the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M. G. L. Chapter 66, Section 10). I am requesting that I be provided a copy of the following records:
I am requesting a copy of the contract between the Town of Templeton (through it's light department) and the Narragansett Regional School District.
I recognize that you may charge reasonable costs for copies, as well as for personnel time needed to comply with this request. If you expect costs to exceed $10.00, please provide a detailed fee estimate.
The Public Records Law requires you to provide me with a written response within 10 calendar days. If you cannot comply with my request, you are statutorily required to provide an explanation in writing.
Sincerely,
Sincerely,
Jeff Bennett
77 Partridgeville Road
Templeton, MA 01468
978-360-4634
MGL chapter 164
Section 56C. Every municipal light commission or manager thereof, who makes or executes a contract on behalf of a municipal lighting plant, where the amount involved is five thousand dollars or more, shall furnish said contract or a copy thereof to the city or town auditor within one week after its execution. Said city or town auditor shall keep such contract or copy on file, open to public inspection during business hours. Such contracts or copies shall be kept in a separate book, arranged according to the subject of the contract, or in other convenient form. An index of the subject matter of the contracts and to the names of the contractors shall be made semi-annually, and shall also be open to public inspection in some convenient form. All allowances under and additions to such contracts, or copies thereof, shall be filed with the city or town auditor, together with a sworn statement of the officer making such allowances or additions that the same are correct and in accordance with the contract. A city or town auditor, municipal light commissioner or manager wilfully failing to comply with this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than ten nor more than one hundred dollars.
Selectmen response:Mr. Bennett:
Regardless of the provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 64, §56C, those records are not provided to and are not in the possession of this office. You will need to make your request directly to Templeton Light & Water.
Holly A. Young
Holly A. Young,
Assistant to the Town Administrator
The law is clear and no one in the town management echelon seems to care. Wonder why your town's finances are a disaster? Wonder why you are not read the articles at Town meeting? How about we skip all the latest policy details and spending of scarce public funds on studies and just do something simple; like follow the law! But as some selectmen like to say, we are upward and onward and we are solving issues.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Templeton meeting their obligations??
Having just read the article in the Gardner News concerning Templeton and Phillipston regionalization of fire chief / fire services and ambulance. Phillipston selectmen Terry Dymbek was quoted as stating one of Phillipston's first concern woulld be whether Templeton woulld meet its obligations should the two reach an agreement. Really Mr. Dymbek? How about Phillipston start paying for use of Templeton senior center services and how about Phillipston begin paying their fair share for dispatch services. Since it costs Templeton taxpayers about 300 thousand dollars in just salaries for dispatch, how about Phillipston begin paying 150 thousand dollars for dispatch services. Better yet, pay half the total cost for the service which includes health insurance and retirement. I have to ask what is the benefit to Templeton with regionalization of a fire chief? It will benefit Phillipston but how will it benefit Templeton? That is a question for selectmen to answer publicly.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Having just read the article in the Gardner News concerning Templeton and Phillipston regionalization of fire chief / fire services and ambulance. Phillipston selectmen Terry Dymbek was quoted as stating one of Phillipston's first concern woulld be whether Templeton woulld meet its obligations should the two reach an agreement. Really Mr. Dymbek? How about Phillipston start paying for use of Templeton senior center services and how about Phillipston begin paying their fair share for dispatch services. Since it costs Templeton taxpayers about 300 thousand dollars in just salaries for dispatch, how about Phillipston begin paying 150 thousand dollars for dispatch services. Better yet, pay half the total cost for the service which includes health insurance and retirement. I have to ask what is the benefit to Templeton with regionalization of a fire chief? It will benefit Phillipston but how will it benefit Templeton? That is a question for selectmen to answer publicly.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Saturday, October 29, 2016
Templeton has an open form of Town meeting, meaning that any registered voter may attend and vote and speak on issues. Templeton uses Town Meeting Times as it's parliamentary procedure guide and it is available from the MA moderators association for $25.00 a copy. Soon there will be items from the most recent copy available here for people to read.
MA Moderators Association
c/o Harry A. Pape
70 Merriam Road
Princeton, Ma 01541
You may find a copy at a local library such as the Gardner public library.
posted by Jeff Bennett
MA Moderators Association
c/o Harry A. Pape
70 Merriam Road
Princeton, Ma 01541
You may find a copy at a local library such as the Gardner public library.
posted by Jeff Bennett
from the pages of "A guide to financial management for town officials" published by the MA division of local services.
11.3 W H AT CAN BE DONE T O MAKE TOWN MEETING AS EFFECTIVE AS POSSIBLE ? Because town meetings convene infrequently and generally have a great deal of business and information to deliberate upon, it is important that issues be identified , data and information assembled , and analysis completed by municipal officers , committees and interested persons in advance of the meeting . Committee meetings , public hearings , cable television programs and news paper articles offer convenient forums for the dissemination of important information on municipal matters . Computer technologies may also help to develop informational reports to assist town meeting . In any event, advance preparation of relevant information and it's presentation to town meeting in a concise and meaningful manner will result in a more effective meeting.
11.4 CAN TOWN MEETING APPROPRIATE MONEY IN A SPECIAL PURPOSE ARTICLE IN EXCESS OF THE AMOUNT STATED IN THE ARTICLE ?
Special purpose articles often state a specific amount of money for a particular capital or non - recurring purpose (e.g. , police ca r — $20,000) . Sometimes , town meeting wishes to appropriate more money than was identified in the article (often based upon additional information available by the date of town meeting). The answer to the question depends on local practice and the wording of the article . In the case of appropriation articles , town meeting is usually afforded a broad scope of action . The purpose of a warrant article is to just give notice of the subject matter to be acted on at the meeting . Generally, if the subject involve s a matte r that requires an expenditure , the meeting may decide the amount to spend , the financing source and other details . The practice in some communities , however, is that a specific amount stated in a special purpose appropriation article cannot be exceeded unless the article also contains qualifying language such as “other sum ” o r “other amount” . Town officials should consult the moderator and town counsel about the by -laws , procedural rules or practices that apply in their particular town.
I believe at our next town meeting, it should be requested by Town meeting that all articles that require more than a simple majority be determined by a hand count.
posted by Jeff Bennett
11.3 W H AT CAN BE DONE T O MAKE TOWN MEETING AS EFFECTIVE AS POSSIBLE ? Because town meetings convene infrequently and generally have a great deal of business and information to deliberate upon, it is important that issues be identified , data and information assembled , and analysis completed by municipal officers , committees and interested persons in advance of the meeting . Committee meetings , public hearings , cable television programs and news paper articles offer convenient forums for the dissemination of important information on municipal matters . Computer technologies may also help to develop informational reports to assist town meeting . In any event, advance preparation of relevant information and it's presentation to town meeting in a concise and meaningful manner will result in a more effective meeting.
11.4 CAN TOWN MEETING APPROPRIATE MONEY IN A SPECIAL PURPOSE ARTICLE IN EXCESS OF THE AMOUNT STATED IN THE ARTICLE ?
Special purpose articles often state a specific amount of money for a particular capital or non - recurring purpose (e.g. , police ca r — $20,000) . Sometimes , town meeting wishes to appropriate more money than was identified in the article (often based upon additional information available by the date of town meeting). The answer to the question depends on local practice and the wording of the article . In the case of appropriation articles , town meeting is usually afforded a broad scope of action . The purpose of a warrant article is to just give notice of the subject matter to be acted on at the meeting . Generally, if the subject involve s a matte r that requires an expenditure , the meeting may decide the amount to spend , the financing source and other details . The practice in some communities , however, is that a specific amount stated in a special purpose appropriation article cannot be exceeded unless the article also contains qualifying language such as “other sum ” o r “other amount” . Town officials should consult the moderator and town counsel about the by -laws , procedural rules or practices that apply in their particular town.
I believe at our next town meeting, it should be requested by Town meeting that all articles that require more than a simple majority be determined by a hand count.
posted by Jeff Bennett
from "A guide to financial management for town officials" published by the MA division of local services.
The town accountant should also prepare interim financial reports during the fiscal year. Interim financial reports allow local officials to compare their actual financial status to their projected financial situation (budget vs. actual, year-to-date revenues and expenditures). Interim financial reports are the principal means by which local officials can monitor an annual budget during the fiscal year. They provide information necessary to alert management to potential fiscal problems.
Department heads usually prepare their own budgets. Each departmental budget is created within the framework and guidelines set by the finance committee, selectmen, manager or some combination of the three, and finally by the town meeting. Department heads are usually very active in the budget review process, attempting to persuade those reviewing the budget of the value of their department’s services and the reasonableness of their budget requests. Once the budget is approved, department heads have direct responsibility for ensuring that they spend within the allocated amount
Finally, it is important to provide timely interim financial reports to the other financial officer s i n town . These report s facilitate communication among the various fiscal officer s an d provide a common basis for making policy decisions . A t a minimum, monthly report s that compare revenues receive d an d expenditures mad e against the budge t a r e critical planning an d control tool s for the boa r d o f selectmen, finance committee and department heads . Narrative explanation s accompanying the numbers in a report ca n dramatically increase the report’ s value . To complement the written reports , an accountant might consider making oral presentations several time s a year to the selectmen an d finance committee on the town’ s financial condition.
posted by Jeff Bennett
The town accountant should also prepare interim financial reports during the fiscal year. Interim financial reports allow local officials to compare their actual financial status to their projected financial situation (budget vs. actual, year-to-date revenues and expenditures). Interim financial reports are the principal means by which local officials can monitor an annual budget during the fiscal year. They provide information necessary to alert management to potential fiscal problems.
Department heads usually prepare their own budgets. Each departmental budget is created within the framework and guidelines set by the finance committee, selectmen, manager or some combination of the three, and finally by the town meeting. Department heads are usually very active in the budget review process, attempting to persuade those reviewing the budget of the value of their department’s services and the reasonableness of their budget requests. Once the budget is approved, department heads have direct responsibility for ensuring that they spend within the allocated amount
Finally, it is important to provide timely interim financial reports to the other financial officer s i n town . These report s facilitate communication among the various fiscal officer s an d provide a common basis for making policy decisions . A t a minimum, monthly report s that compare revenues receive d an d expenditures mad e against the budge t a r e critical planning an d control tool s for the boa r d o f selectmen, finance committee and department heads . Narrative explanation s accompanying the numbers in a report ca n dramatically increase the report’ s value . To complement the written reports , an accountant might consider making oral presentations several time s a year to the selectmen an d finance committee on the town’ s financial condition.
posted by Jeff Bennett
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