https://1drv.ms/b/s!Ag8wbGi1Ag0zgXZJRnYZyYBoPcp2
the above link should take you to the 2nd quarter financial report that will show all of the numbers.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Not sure where everyone went to school but I learned to read and write at the Templeton Center school.
According to the Webster's unabridged dictionary of the English Language,
on page 1872,
Stipend: 1. periodic payment - 2. fixed or regular pay; salary
the same dictionary on page 1693;
Salary: a fixed compensation periodically paid to a person for regular work or services.
So, if anyone with any indication of education wishes to make a silly argument about words that seems to have the same meaning, by all means, go for it. Payment is payment and the spending of taxpayer dollars is the spending of taxpayer dollars, be it by way of the word stipend, salary of free boots, which are not really free, they come from someone's money/pocket, as in the taxpayer, so again, play the word games while the Advisory Committee tries to get a clear open transparent accounting of the taxpayers monies while others try to see how much they can take.
posted by Jeff Bennett
According to the Webster's unabridged dictionary of the English Language,
on page 1872,
Stipend: 1. periodic payment - 2. fixed or regular pay; salary
the same dictionary on page 1693;
Salary: a fixed compensation periodically paid to a person for regular work or services.
So, if anyone with any indication of education wishes to make a silly argument about words that seems to have the same meaning, by all means, go for it. Payment is payment and the spending of taxpayer dollars is the spending of taxpayer dollars, be it by way of the word stipend, salary of free boots, which are not really free, they come from someone's money/pocket, as in the taxpayer, so again, play the word games while the Advisory Committee tries to get a clear open transparent accounting of the taxpayers monies while others try to see how much they can take.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Looking for information and answers, I contacted "someone from Templeton Town hall and this is what I got for answers!
Holly,
I am wondering if you have the latest project budget versus actual document for the elementary school? If is available electronically, that would be cool.
Regards,
Jeff Bennett
answer received;
Jeff:
I don’t have a specific project budget versus actual document, but I do have a rough copy spreadsheet with the amounts spent and reimbursements to the Town that was given to me when I started processing the reimbursements. I have not had the extra time to update it and enter all of the hard copies of payments and reimbursements that I have processed. I’m hoping to have some time to do that soon, but it may be a while-most likely after we get a Town Administrator and new assistant in place.
Holly A. Young
Holly A. Young,
Assistant to the Town Administrator
Good Day,
Kate,
I am wondering do you have the latest project budget versus actual for the Templeton new elementary school? If you do and it is available electronically, could you send that to me? If it is not, please advise me when i could pick up a paper copy.
respectfully;
Jeff Bennett
Hi Jeff,
I don’t not have any paperwork on the new school. Maybe the selectmen’s office or the school. If you are looking for general ledger information that would be Kelli.
Kate Myers
Town of Templeton
Treasurer/Collector
PH 978.894.2764
FAX 978.894.2790
posted by Jeff Bennett
Monday, February 20, 2017
Debt of the Town of Templeton.
Town debt for Templeton covers many things, school, water tank, sewer pump station, water mains and contracts. Labor contracts for a year or more equates to debt, or money owed or will be owed by the Town of Templeton. So when some complain or point out debt on some things, they should be reminded that they pushed for and represented those who wanted this and that and received it by way of a labor contract. Things such as free work boots, shirts, coats and eye glasses are all things promised in a contract that can be for three years. Templeton now has a promissory note that will be due each year for the length of the contract. Future revenue, no matter how big or small now has to be set aside to meet those promises and is not available for other things.
One example of debt by a contract is the agreement between the Town of Templeton and the Templeton highway & Sewer departments, on behalf of public employees local union 39.
The agreement is to run between July 1, 2016 thru June 30, 2019.
One of the items in the contract is a uniform & boot allowance;
Templeton taxpayers will provide each highway department employee 11 cotton uniforms. Templeton taxpayers will provide coats and uniforms at 100% of the costs to include cleaning and mending. Templeton taxpayers will purchase for each employee five (5) tee shirts to be worn in July & August; and to purchase the employee's choice of one insulated winter jacket per year or one pair of insulated coveralls per year for each employee. Templeton taxpayers will make available water-proof boots, gloves, rain gear and safety equipment. Each employee bears personal responsibility for said items, unless those items are torn or damaged in the line of duty, as in at work, the taxpayers shall replace them.
Boot allowance: the town (taxpayers) will reimburse each full time union employee an amount up to $250.00 per year for work boots. Effective July 1, 2018, the boot allowance will go up to $300.00 per year.
Templeton taxpayers will reimburse each full time union employee up to $165.00 for approved prescription safety eye glasses.
The above is just one example of a contract that puts taxpayers on the hook for money, money that has to be put aside so the Town can pay for those items. This agreement has the Town making promises and now must have the money set aside to pay the promissory note, it is now legally owed.
Other contracts contributing to debt of Templeton;
Audit contracts fiscal year 2013 thru fiscal year 2017 / Roselli & associates
UMass. - Collins institute contract for town administrator
Dispatch union contract July 1, 2015 thru June 30, 2018
Police union contract July 1, 2015 thru June 30, 2018
Police chief contract July 1, 2016 thru June 30, 2021
posted by Jeff Bennett
Town debt for Templeton covers many things, school, water tank, sewer pump station, water mains and contracts. Labor contracts for a year or more equates to debt, or money owed or will be owed by the Town of Templeton. So when some complain or point out debt on some things, they should be reminded that they pushed for and represented those who wanted this and that and received it by way of a labor contract. Things such as free work boots, shirts, coats and eye glasses are all things promised in a contract that can be for three years. Templeton now has a promissory note that will be due each year for the length of the contract. Future revenue, no matter how big or small now has to be set aside to meet those promises and is not available for other things.
One example of debt by a contract is the agreement between the Town of Templeton and the Templeton highway & Sewer departments, on behalf of public employees local union 39.
The agreement is to run between July 1, 2016 thru June 30, 2019.
One of the items in the contract is a uniform & boot allowance;
Templeton taxpayers will provide each highway department employee 11 cotton uniforms. Templeton taxpayers will provide coats and uniforms at 100% of the costs to include cleaning and mending. Templeton taxpayers will purchase for each employee five (5) tee shirts to be worn in July & August; and to purchase the employee's choice of one insulated winter jacket per year or one pair of insulated coveralls per year for each employee. Templeton taxpayers will make available water-proof boots, gloves, rain gear and safety equipment. Each employee bears personal responsibility for said items, unless those items are torn or damaged in the line of duty, as in at work, the taxpayers shall replace them.
Boot allowance: the town (taxpayers) will reimburse each full time union employee an amount up to $250.00 per year for work boots. Effective July 1, 2018, the boot allowance will go up to $300.00 per year.
Templeton taxpayers will reimburse each full time union employee up to $165.00 for approved prescription safety eye glasses.
The above is just one example of a contract that puts taxpayers on the hook for money, money that has to be put aside so the Town can pay for those items. This agreement has the Town making promises and now must have the money set aside to pay the promissory note, it is now legally owed.
Other contracts contributing to debt of Templeton;
Audit contracts fiscal year 2013 thru fiscal year 2017 / Roselli & associates
UMass. - Collins institute contract for town administrator
Dispatch union contract July 1, 2015 thru June 30, 2018
Police union contract July 1, 2015 thru June 30, 2018
Police chief contract July 1, 2016 thru June 30, 2021
posted by Jeff Bennett
Sunday, February 19, 2017
This needs to stay in the conversation as we get into the so called budget season and approach town meeting.
This email shows that the financial kick the can down the road and or take from this to pay for that is alive and well in Templeton. An unforeseen event, such as a pump failing, could be a reason for the fire department to go before the Advisory Committee and request a transfer from the reserve fund to cover the pump replacement/repair and thereby not messing up another department's budget.
This action was done by the same people who "are in the know" according to one town employee.
These are the same people who let employees dictate Town policy.
The same people who used funds from the fire/EMS salary account (not the ambulance receipts fund) to cover a prior years snow & ice deficit amount. Now this year, these same people in the know, have allowed a truck to be bought on credit, as in adding to the snow & ice deficit, as well as allow the repair of a screening plant to be repaired by way of credit, as in adding to the snow & ice deficit. The final amount, what ever it is, will have to be paid. From where is the question? Either from available funds or from general aid which will be deducted off of the "cherry sheet" which contains an amount of money called unrestricted general government aid. That money is always used to cover Town charges (spending) for the upcoming year. That is also the figure or item that these same people in the know are trying to use as collateral to secure a loan from through the state for a new school.
These same people in the know, as they are referred to by at least one town employee have not really done much to reduce town costs for health insurance, as they continue to let employees dictate policy.
These people are the selectmen!
With word coming from the selectmen's office that group insurance, as in health insurance, looking to increase by 12% or more, I believe something needs to change and now. Back in 2012, group insurance or health insurance only went up 2.09%. The prior years increase was 10.2%. (from the 2012 annual Town report) One of the reasons for that small increase could be that it was made known to MIIA that the town was shopping for health insurance.
One thing that appears to be happening in Templeton, Town costs are going up and revenue is not keeping up, so things have to change. Whether it is the source of health insurance coverage, the Town employee split, retirees coverage, town hall hours, guidance from management, or a combination of all. Things have to change and rather than spending scarce funds on outside agencies, perhaps the town should use things already paid for, such as the division of local services for help.
posted by Jeff Bennett
This email shows that the financial kick the can down the road and or take from this to pay for that is alive and well in Templeton. An unforeseen event, such as a pump failing, could be a reason for the fire department to go before the Advisory Committee and request a transfer from the reserve fund to cover the pump replacement/repair and thereby not messing up another department's budget.
Kelli,
I have strong concerns that the vehicle expense account will not have enough funds in the account to repair and service the town fleet until June 30th. As you may recall $20,000 was taken from this account to repair a water pump on the Towns ladder truck. Without a transfer back to this account, vehicles will have to be parked until July 1st. If this happens the Town has only one mechanic, it will take time to restore service to the vehicles that need repairs.
Bud
This action was done by the same people who "are in the know" according to one town employee.
These are the same people who let employees dictate Town policy.
The same people who used funds from the fire/EMS salary account (not the ambulance receipts fund) to cover a prior years snow & ice deficit amount. Now this year, these same people in the know, have allowed a truck to be bought on credit, as in adding to the snow & ice deficit, as well as allow the repair of a screening plant to be repaired by way of credit, as in adding to the snow & ice deficit. The final amount, what ever it is, will have to be paid. From where is the question? Either from available funds or from general aid which will be deducted off of the "cherry sheet" which contains an amount of money called unrestricted general government aid. That money is always used to cover Town charges (spending) for the upcoming year. That is also the figure or item that these same people in the know are trying to use as collateral to secure a loan from through the state for a new school.
These same people in the know, as they are referred to by at least one town employee have not really done much to reduce town costs for health insurance, as they continue to let employees dictate policy.
These people are the selectmen!
With word coming from the selectmen's office that group insurance, as in health insurance, looking to increase by 12% or more, I believe something needs to change and now. Back in 2012, group insurance or health insurance only went up 2.09%. The prior years increase was 10.2%. (from the 2012 annual Town report) One of the reasons for that small increase could be that it was made known to MIIA that the town was shopping for health insurance.
One thing that appears to be happening in Templeton, Town costs are going up and revenue is not keeping up, so things have to change. Whether it is the source of health insurance coverage, the Town employee split, retirees coverage, town hall hours, guidance from management, or a combination of all. Things have to change and rather than spending scarce funds on outside agencies, perhaps the town should use things already paid for, such as the division of local services for help.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Saturday, February 18, 2017
Fire Department Salaries:
from spread sheet presented at Town meeting in May of 2016 for fiscal year 2017.
Under fire department - deputy fire chief's salaries is an amount of $65,000.00.
Also under fire department, there is deputy fire chief stipend of $2,020.00.
(2 deputy fire chiefs)
That information is on page 7 of the spread sheet and this information is available on the town web site, where you have to look for it. Or, as one selectmen stated, "you can call someone at town hall and ask" Who that someone is, I do not know, but I would begin with the town accountant, if she is cleared to give out such information.
On the 2nd quarter financial report approved by the town administrator, there is no line with deputy fire chiefs salary amount. It could be buried in the fire/EMS salary amount, but that will have to be checked on. There is the deputy fire chief's salary of $2020.00 on the 2nd quarter report..
posted by Jeff Bennett
from spread sheet presented at Town meeting in May of 2016 for fiscal year 2017.
Under fire department - deputy fire chief's salaries is an amount of $65,000.00.
Also under fire department, there is deputy fire chief stipend of $2,020.00.
(2 deputy fire chiefs)
That information is on page 7 of the spread sheet and this information is available on the town web site, where you have to look for it. Or, as one selectmen stated, "you can call someone at town hall and ask" Who that someone is, I do not know, but I would begin with the town accountant, if she is cleared to give out such information.
On the 2nd quarter financial report approved by the town administrator, there is no line with deputy fire chiefs salary amount. It could be buried in the fire/EMS salary amount, but that will have to be checked on. There is the deputy fire chief's salary of $2020.00 on the 2nd quarter report..
posted by Jeff Bennett
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