Looking at the Templeton Town website and you may notice a few odd bits of information, if you can find them. First, selectmen seem to still be ignoring their own policies and procedures. The ones created and voted on by the Board of Selectmen and no one else! I hope everyone understands that, SELECTMEN policies and procedures that were created and voted on by the Selectmen and NO ONE ELSE. There is suppose to be a report from the Town Administrator at selectmen meetings. This is another item having been left off the agenda for quite a while. Which begs the question of why have written policies if no one is following them?

Second, under the swearing in and picture IDs for new appointments, it shows John Caplis as veterans service agent with term ending on June 30, 2018. Voted on June 29, 2017. Under Veterans Service Agent on Templeton web site, it shows a different Veteran Service agent, Jessica Butts. So, just who is the Templeton Veterans Service agent? If I am new to Templeton, just who in the  hell am I suppose to call about Veterans services?


On a last note, if selectmen Brooks wants name calling to stop, perhaps she should call one of those amazing town employees, davey smart ,and tell him to stop putting the "liars club" on his blog! That would be a town employee calling the selectmen liars and I seem to remember another Town employee who had to apologize to the selectmen for calling them a name at a meeting. I have been told some selectmen wanted that employee fired. So lets see how the selectmen handle davey smart for calling them "the liars club" Remember, you have to let davey know who you are to comment on his blog, so he must control it and that makes him responsible, just as the selectmen are responsible for the actions of the town administrator. Smart has stated on more than one occasion that he controls that blog and only people who identify themselves may comment on his blog, so lets see how the selectmen handle that one. Again, if davey states negative comments will not be allowed, why does he not remove the liars club reference?



posted by Jeff Bennett

TO: Board of Selectmen
FROM: Carter Terenzini, Town Administrator
RE: Administrator’s Weekly Report
DATE: July 13, 2017
CC: All Departments



Weekly Report: I’ve reviewed the updated cherry sheet revenue and offset figures which are in the final state budget. They are in line with our revenue projections (i.e. $794 below the projections we used or .048% less than House 1 on a base of $1.65 million.) w/Respect to FY ’18, we now have $75k in the Ambulance Receipts reserved for appropriation of the $100k that we need for the Fall Town Meeting. The July receipts will provide us with the balance of what we need. I will warn you that this cycle of making a supplemental appropriation of these receipts at the Fall Town Meeting is what you will need to follow each year for the next few as you build this account up to where it has true reserves. The Advisory Committee approved the two transfer requests (Legal Counsel and Snow & Ice) so we were able to close those accounts out w/out deficit. w/Respect to FY ’17, otherwise we are on track to close the FY on schedule and continue on with our plan as per the Gant chart supplied to you. Likewise, the school project remains on track as we described to you on 06/29. I have now received the PD construction timeline and will send you an updated Gant chart once I’ve been able to review this submission and plug it in. Letters have gone out to all of our unsuccessful applicants for the several positions recently filled. They were advised that their applications will remain on file for 6 months from the closing date in case something for which they are suited comes up. The new town domain email for the Advisory Committee has been established as advisorycommittee@templeton1.org. We have informed them and asked them to use it in all official communications. Other non-town emails will be swung over in the coming few weeks. The special financial report will be going to the printer next week.

I hope the Town Administrator and selectmen realize there are approximately 2000 emails contained in the Advisory Committee existing email account that need to be saved and stored somewhere, as they are public records and contain record of town business.


posted by Jeff Bennett

for those who may be reading challenged or, the meeting minutes posted are from the June 21, 2017 meeting and not July 12 meeting, since there was no OML documents on agenda, that subject was not discussed and why would it have been? It was not on the agenda, unlike BOS, Advisory does not have a secretary changing the agenda during the meeting!

If anyone is interested, look at the Templeton annual town reports fro 2005, 2006 and 2007. You will find Doug Morrison listed as chairman of Advisory Committee (you may see it improperly listed as Advisory Board) In 2005, the committee report is 3 pages in length, 2006 and 2007, the report is 2 pages in length. Included in those reports; activity of the Town's reserve fund, as in an accounting of taxpayer monies. So why would any selectmen state that a committee they served on had only one page reports in the Annual Town report, something that is easily checked. Perhaps selectmen thought no one would take the time, well, someone did take the time and the only one page statement is a lie. Intentional or not, it was untrue.


Note: On the Templeton Town website, there is an item concerning the swearing in of newly or reappointed individuals from the June 29, 2017 selectmen meeting for various positions and committees. One item, the veterans service agent is listed as John Caplis. I believe there was a woman appointed that evening as Veterans service agent. Ooops! If you check the town web site, under veterans services, you will find Jessica Butts as the new veterans service agent.

As for that resignation suggestion, the answer is still the same, with regards to me resigning from Advisory - pound sand! No, not happening.


posted by Jeff Bennett

Templeton Advisory Committee

Meeting minutes from June 21, 2017

Conference Room

Town Hall, 160 Patriots Road, Templeton, MA 01438

Present: Paul Grubb, Julie Farrell, Bev Bartolomeo Darlene Buelow, Robert May, Wil Spring, Jeff Bennett

Note: Darlene Buelow arrived at 6:25 P.M. so votes taken prior to her arrival involved only 6 members

Call to order at 6:00 P.M.

Pledge

Accept minutes from June 7, 2017

Motion to accept by Julie Farrell

Second by Bev Bartolomeo

Yes all members present at 6:05 P.M. with no changes/corrections

Chairman makes note there is no budget versus actual this month.

Snow and Ice general ledger printout not available electronically and members were not able to properly prepare for meeting so this item was tabled until next meeting.

Motion to table by Julie Farrell

Second by Robert May

Yes all members present at 6:11 P.M.

Discussion concerning E911 grant funding/salaries.

Again, document not available electronically so members could not properly prepare prior to meeting so this item was also tabled until the next meeting.

Motion to table by Julie Farrell

Second by Bev Bartolomeo

Yes all members present at 6:15 P.M.

Discussion on Stabilization fund balance (s), chairman states there is no response from Town Accountant so far on this issue. Electronic copy concerning Town Meeting action involving stabilization fund (s) from Town Clerk. Due to lack of information, this item was also tabled.

Motion to table by Julie Farrell

Second by Bev Bartolomeo

Yes by all members present at 6:18 P.M.

Further discussion on the Town’s stabilization fund with the Chairman talking about the audits differing from what state website of the DOR/DLS shows Templeton having in it’s stabilization fund. Still questions on the stabilization and the differing balances. How did this happen since it requires a 2/3 vote of town meeting to put money in or take money out of the fund. Further discussion on this was tabled until next meeting.

Motion to table by Julie Farrell

Second by Bev Bartolomeo

Yes by all (seven members) at 6:28 P.M.

Committee discussed meeting with the DOR/DLS.

Question (s) by Julie Farrell; what needs to be done to get free cash certified and tax rate set on time?

What is the additional information needed to get FY2016 free cash certified?

What will be the effect on FY2018 tax recap sheet to fix prior errors?

Advisory Committee meeting of June 21, 2017 at Town Hall Conference Room

Motion to request a joint meeting with selectmen to prepare for the June 28, 2017 meeting with the DOR/DLS.

Motion by Paul Grubb

Second by Julie Farrell

Yes by 6 members with the Chairman not voting at 7:15 P.M.

A special financial report; memo –draft memo, citing a report will be forth coming to include the omitted Advisory Committee submitted information in the 2016 Annual Town report.  A motion to resubmit the original document (s) for inclusion in the special financial report.

Motion by Bev Bartlomeo

Second by Julie Farrell

Yes by all at 7:35 P.M.

A request for transfer of funds from the Town Administrator to pay legal bills.

Since no budget versus actual was available and no one from the selectmen, Town Administrator or town accountant were present, the Committee voted not to approve the transfer at this time.

Motion to approve transfer by Jeff Bennett

Second by Darlene Buelow

Vote Yes: Darlene Buelow, Wil Spring

Vote No:  Jeff Bennett, Robert May, Julie Farrell, Bev Bartolomeo, Paul Grubb

Vote at 7:44 P.M.

Motion to request a copy of the most up to date budget versus actual document – electronically.

Motion by Julie Farrell

Second by Robert May – yes by all at 7:47 P.M.

Reorganization of the Committee:

Chairman: Motion by Jeff Bennett for Wil Spring as Chairman – yes by all at 7:50 P.M.

Vice-Chairman: Motion by Jeff Bennett for Julie Farrell was respectfully declined.

Vice-Chairman/second motion by Wil Spring for Jeff Bennett, 6 yes and 1 no (by Jeff Bennett)

Clerk: Motion by Julie Farrell for Paul Grubb – yes by all at 7:55 P.M.

Advisory Committee representative on Capital Planning:

Motion by Julie Farrell for Robert May,

Yes by all at 7:53 P.M

Nothing under old business.

New business:

Cemetery Perpetual care was brought up by Bev Bartolomeo.

Motion to request an updated copy of all the perpetual care funds from fiscal year 2011 to present. (electronically)

Motion by Bev Bartolomeo

Second by Julie Farrell

Yes by all at 8:04 P.M.

Motion to adjourn by Julie Farrell

Second by Bev Bartolomeo

Yes by all at 8:16 P.M.

Where to begin, First off, I never said I went to Iraq, I went to Afghanistan and after thanking people for their generosity and warm welcome back, I do not believe I ever went on and on concerning my military service. Never spoke of spilling blood and this or that. I believe you would have to go to a selectmen meeting for that stuff. As for the fiscal 2018 budget, I believe if it is checked, the budget, shortfall and all, was recommended by Advisory Committee, with at least one abstain, but I will say that I did not want to throw out the entire budget so I voted to recommend and give it a chance to be fixed, one way or another. My issue was asking for a transfer of money that was not actually there. Not sure the reasoning for other Advisory members for their particular vote on that article, but the recommendations are on the record. So, Anon, you may wish to check those things out before going another tell all spiel, my opinion there by the way.

As for this board of selectmen, well, again, Town meeting vote and the position of the then Advisory Committee would have to be checked, but I believe when the combined position of treasurer/collector was moved on, it was for a certified treasurer/collector. Becoming certified requires at least three years time, but as can now be "certified", the selectmen decided to put an inexperienced person in that position and now the town has financial issues, in part because of that action.

Fiscal year 2015 shows a salary for treasurer/collector as $48,596.30 and fiscal year 2018 shows a salary request of $57,225.00. What did the town get for this action? I think it was at least 20 items of short comings in the office of treasurer/collector, that can be checked on by way of looking at the management letter from the audits. Personally I feel most of the actions or the lack of action for the past three years was all about getting the school passed, and that is my opinion!

Now as for the so called negativity from Advisory to the selectmen and the criticism of same and the continued talk and raising the issue of savings (stabilization fund (s) or lack of) that is nothing new. That same issue was noted by Advisory in the Templeton 2005 annual town report.

It is three pages in length and it shows as members; Doug Morrison as chairman, Dan Keeney as vice-chair, Carl Giacobone as scribe. Also James Cutting, Michael Gary, James Moody, David Nadzak, Phillip Thorton and one vacant position. The Advisory Committee has since been changed to seven members by Town meeting vote. So, the talking points of Advisory have not really changed on some important issues. This report is on page 10, 11 and 12 of the 2005 Templeton annual town report.

Interesting items also: The town did not receive anticipated chapter 90 funds of approximately $200,000.00, USDA loan reimbursements of approximately $600,000.00 in FY2005. The town also failed to secure a CDBG grant of approximately $800,000.00 reportedly due to wording in the grant application. 12 years later, different people on Advisory, same message/concerns from Advisory, so how is Advisory now just picking on these poor selectmen these days? The facts do not seem to support that accusation. Rather than work on a policy for town savings, selectmen spend more than one meeting on returned check policy, with reference made to about 30 returned checks per year, but no action on town savings! Facts do not seem to support the idea that Advisory is just complaining and just picking on selectmen. Advisory Committee has made suggestions and have tried by way of non binding recommendations, only Advisory does not make policy, selectmen do that and sometimes a Town meeting vote acts on policy. Advisory Committee does not make policy. Advisory does have a procedure with regards to asking for financial transfer from the Town's reserve fund. Take the policies and procedures for selectmen, Advisory had no say in those. Personnel policy for the town, no say in that. Social media policy, Advisory had no say. Town check policy, Advisory had no say in that! Unless something is going to town meeting, Advisory has no say in the process and even then, it is a non binding recommendation. Just look at the concerns raise by the Advisory Committee back in 2005 and look at today, pretty similar positions and my thought is if Advisory Committee had any real say in policy, there would be a town savings plan, but there is none, in part because town policy is the realm of the board of selectmen and town meeting, not Advisory Committee.

So Anon, please do a little reading before going off on some things okay.

posted by Jeff Bennett

from the Treasurer for fiscal 2015/ town employee salaries-page 1

NAME	Gross Pay	NAME	Gross Pay
Robert Adams	$52,998.74	Lawrence Bankowski	$     996.81
Todd Alden	12,258.48	John Bartlet	35,823.79
Jeffrey Aldrich	66,307.21	John Bartlus	920.00
Mark Anderson	16,590.45	Jennifer Belliveau	56,753.00
Joseph Arsenault	11,822.76	Michael Bennett	85,695.71
Patricia Arsenault	2,093.00	Thomas Berry	91,277.04
Eric Baker	53,043.15	Alec Bessonnette	3251.07
Dana Blais	750.00	Richard Blodgett	50,088.05
Margo Bombard	500.00	Thomas Bosworth	3,683.44
Nicole Boucher	30.00	Natasha Bourque	4,958.83
George Bowen	6,336.24	Lawrence Brandt	9,585.94
Marcia Breen	2,250.00	Randy Brown	81,102.32
William Buckler	13,263.97	Michael Caisse	46,257.85
Richard Caisse	39,854.61	Scot Caisse	1,443.38
Timothy Caisse	50,350,51	Steve CampoBasso	668.36
John Caplis	12,741.25	Steven Castle	2,250.00
Joseph Catalano	1,638.68	Bennett Chadbourne	1,587.26
Francis Chase	67,415.42	Warren Chaney	62,210.69
Russell Clark	8,993.37	James Cornwell	10,930.74
George Couillard	2,539.36	Ryan Courtemanche	6,030.40
Mary Curtis	390.16	Richard Curtis	904.16
Mark Danielson	36,698.20	Ronald Daven	96,767.95

Question, did the 19 thousand dollar purchase, through Brookside Sales inc., in Phillipston, go through the Capital Planning Committee and process as outlined in the Town's by-laws? I believe it went through the board of selectmen. It was over ten thousand dollars and I hope it is expected to last more than five years, so Anon, perhaps another question you can ask the selectmen. Of course, if you ask these questions, we may find out who you are, so is it heads or tails?

posted by Jeff Bennett
my personal thought and opinion!