The cost of a Templeton chief of police as of August 21, 2016.
According to the contract posted on the Templeton town website, the police chief is entitled to professional liability insurance at the expense of the taxpayers. The chief is also entitled to health and life insurance benefits which other non-bargaining general governmental employees are entitled to.
The taxpayers are also responsible for all professional dues and subscriptions of the chief of police, to include all national, regional, state and local associations and organizations to include professional growth and advancement.
Taxpayers are also on the hook for a police vehicle for the chief to include all operating and maintenance expense and insurance. The chief may use the vehicle for personal reasons because he is on call 24/7. The chief will be responsible for any retirement contributions resulting from the availability of this vehicle.
Taxpayers are also responsible for paying travel and subsistence (meals, etc.) expenses for short courses, institutes and seminars that the chief feels are necessary for his professional development. In the event of death, taxpayers will pay for any unused sick and vacation days and other compensation due. The chief will be eligible for a base salary of $84,835.44, 12 paid sick days per fiscal year, 12 paid holidays, 4 days of paid emergency leave, 6 paid personal days of leave.
Membership in the Worcester County retirement system, a $20,000.00 accidental life insurance policy paid for by taxpayers. Taxpayers will also be responsible for a maximum $800.00 per fiscal year for a physical fitness incentive program. The chief will be paid by the taxpayer $400.00 each time the chief satisfactorily completes a fitness test. This is a voluntary program and the chief must complete the fitness test to receive this money.
Taxpayers will pay up to $1250.00 for a clothing allowance to purchase uniforms. Also, taxpayers agree to pay an additional $125.00 for maintenance of uniforms. After 20 years of service, the chief will be eligible for 6 weeks vacation time. The chief is also eligible to receive a 10% increase in base pay for a bachelor's degree and a 12.5% increase in base pay for a master's degree.
As you can see, there is more to the cost of a police chief than just his salary listed on the document presented at town meeting, sometimes referred to as a budget. You can read this document for yourself at the Templeton town website under the board of selectmen, town contracts and agreements; chief of police.
posted by Jeff bennett
Sunday, November 6, 2016
Choosing an outside auditing firm; where does a conflict of interest lie?
Sitting at a Templeton meeting of selectmen, I watched the Templeton town accountant speak up on behalf of a particular auditing firm and that should concern town residents. That firm will be checking the accountant's work. The selectmen, town administrator, accountant and treasurer/collector should have no say and should not even be in the room when it comes to choosing an audit firm because of that conflict of interest.
from the Massachusetts Technical Assistance Bureau (TAB)
Often the most important steps a municipality can take occur long before the audit is conducted. An audit’s quality is directly related to the auditor’s knowledge, experience, and professionalism. Therefore, when selecting an outside auditor or audit firm, TAB recommends the appointing authority be independent of those who will be the subjects of the audit. Many municipalities create audit committees to fulfill this and other functions.
In general, members of the financial offices and a manager/administrator should be excluded from the audit committee and the auditor hiring process to avoid the potential for, or appearance of, conflict, since reviews effectively report on their performance. On the other hand, members of the town finance committee or city council are potential candidates. Residents with appropriate work experience or professional backgrounds can also make valuable contributions to an audit committee.
It happens that municipalities will rely on one auditor or audit firm for multiple years. In fact, the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) recommends that communities engage the same auditor by entering into multiyear agreements, or a series of one-year contracts, for a term of at least five years. A multiyear agreement allows for greater continuity and enables a new auditor to spread initial start-up costs over multiple years, potentially reducing costs in the initial years. However, after this term, the GFOA recommends a full, competitive selection process and a rotation of auditors after each multiyear agreement, provided there is adequate competition among qualified auditors. Contracting with a new audit firm not only brings a fresh perspective, but it also reflects good practice. In general, communities are encouraged to re-advertise for auditing services every five to eight years. The GFOA acknowledges that there may be circumstances or locations where there is a lack of competition among fully qualified auditors. In such cases, participation of the current auditors is acceptable, assuming their past performance has been satisfactory and conformed to industry standards.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Sitting at a Templeton meeting of selectmen, I watched the Templeton town accountant speak up on behalf of a particular auditing firm and that should concern town residents. That firm will be checking the accountant's work. The selectmen, town administrator, accountant and treasurer/collector should have no say and should not even be in the room when it comes to choosing an audit firm because of that conflict of interest.
from the Massachusetts Technical Assistance Bureau (TAB)
Often the most important steps a municipality can take occur long before the audit is conducted. An audit’s quality is directly related to the auditor’s knowledge, experience, and professionalism. Therefore, when selecting an outside auditor or audit firm, TAB recommends the appointing authority be independent of those who will be the subjects of the audit. Many municipalities create audit committees to fulfill this and other functions.
In general, members of the financial offices and a manager/administrator should be excluded from the audit committee and the auditor hiring process to avoid the potential for, or appearance of, conflict, since reviews effectively report on their performance. On the other hand, members of the town finance committee or city council are potential candidates. Residents with appropriate work experience or professional backgrounds can also make valuable contributions to an audit committee.
It happens that municipalities will rely on one auditor or audit firm for multiple years. In fact, the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) recommends that communities engage the same auditor by entering into multiyear agreements, or a series of one-year contracts, for a term of at least five years. A multiyear agreement allows for greater continuity and enables a new auditor to spread initial start-up costs over multiple years, potentially reducing costs in the initial years. However, after this term, the GFOA recommends a full, competitive selection process and a rotation of auditors after each multiyear agreement, provided there is adequate competition among qualified auditors. Contracting with a new audit firm not only brings a fresh perspective, but it also reflects good practice. In general, communities are encouraged to re-advertise for auditing services every five to eight years. The GFOA acknowledges that there may be circumstances or locations where there is a lack of competition among fully qualified auditors. In such cases, participation of the current auditors is acceptable, assuming their past performance has been satisfactory and conformed to industry standards.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Saturday, November 5, 2016
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
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
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
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