Looking back through financial documents, I find that one of the largest departmental budgets to be that of Fire/EMS. They are surpassed by only the police department. Remember that 100 thousand dollar transfer at the special town meeting this past fall? That was for the fire/EMS department, because two full time positions were added as a requirement of the AS license. There will most likely be two more this year and the next as part of the license requirements for ALS.

So, is Templeton working towards a full time fire department as well?
What will be the resulting increase of financial requirements to pay for this?
What is the increase in cost for full time fire personnel?
What is the increase in cost for full time EMS personnel?
Did Town Meeting vote for a full time fire department?
If they did, was Town Meeting told of the financial costs for this service?
Was Town Meeting told of the increase costs for full time EMS service?
Are these expenses sustainable now and in the future?
Will other Town services and departments suffer because of this?

Explaining these items and making taxpayers aware of the financial costs and responsibilities does not mean anyone is against these services per say, it means "they" are attempting to ensure that all are aware of these things so taxpayers can make a decision based on all available information.

Perhaps anon can share their face book page with us and inform all about the above mentioned items. I would turn to anon for this because it seems that anon is informed about ambulance requirements, which should include costs.

When it comes to costs, I would not try to look or get that information from a Town supplied budget versus actual because what you will find is this: (that is if you have a "directory" of numbers)

220 - unnamed
Personnel     $387,500.00 (please let me know if can tell me how much of the fire chief's salary has been paid to date)

employee support      $32,500.00

purchase of services   $56,000.00

supplies                       $23,000.00

other                            $70,000.00

Total                            $569,000.00



What you use to be able to see:
                                                     allocated                       expended                   ending

Ambulance receipts reserved      $232,000.00                  $231,590.93               $   409.07       
Fire chief salary                           $  74,500.00                  $70,924.78                $3,575.22
deputy fire chief                                 2,020.00                       2,020.00                        0.00   
captain/lieutenant salary                    6,000.00                        3,228.00                2,772.00
firefighter/EMS salaries                 163,792.00                   161,451.00                2,340.04
maintenance/fire equip.                      6,000.00                        5,447.46                   552.54
fire/EMS expenses                            50,000.00                     49,733.31                    266.69


The change came last summer in July with the reason (s) being Town Meeting voted for these changes. I looked and found no warrant article asking Town Meeting about the budget versus Actual reports. I looked and found no warrant article regarding any change to revenue receipt documents. I looked and found no warrant article (s) with regards to any variance financial documents. Yet those are the reasons given by the Town Administrator and accountant for these changes. Since the selectmen appoint the Town Administrator and accountant, it stands to reason they support these changes, as they are aware of them. So, my question is this; how do these changes result in more accountability and transparency regarding taxpayers dollars? How do these changes make it easier for departments to check the budgets of departments they oversee? How did these changes make it easier and more efficient for the Advisory Committee to look at these things?

Perhaps anon can explain this to all.

Anonymous4:28 PM

bob

i have no clue on where you got the 3 year life expectancy from ? ambulances that have proper maintenance and care and pass the state inspection and laws 105 cmr 170.00 there is no reason for this town to get 10 years out of them ! just my 2 cents worth.

Does anyone see a problem with a 10 year old ambulance? I understand one of the main reasons for new equipment for the DPW is maintenance costs becoming too high. I was curious about this CMR 105  170.00, so I checked. I am thinking that with a of the requirements, administrative and the vehicles physical condition, the Town would be foolish to keep an ambulance for 10 years. Just think of how fast your car or truck's equipment availability can or has changed? Do you want to be transported or cared for from a 10 year old vehicle. What would be the value of such an old vehicle?

What condition would the ambulance be in after 10 years of winter time running?  Again, this is not a plow truck, this is life saving equipment. Now if Templeton has two ambulances, maybe keep one for 10 years but I believe if you are going to be in the ambulance business, you keep one as new and up to date as possible. I am sure there are other ways and schedules to come up with, but I also think the Town needs to look at this from a financial point as well. I mean check on the cost of an ambulance today and then guesstimate what it will be 10 years out. I believe if one checks on municipal finance, 5 years out is the max for financial planning purposes with three being optimum. That may be the reason for the three year plan, as 10 or even 5 years out is just too far out to accurately plan for and is that not one of the biggest complaints/issues with regards to Templeton's finance, lack of good planning. Of course if we want good planning, we need good inclusive information, such as detailed financial reports monthly, which the selectmen seem unwilling to give to the Advisory Committee and departments, which in my opinion, is a big problem.

As an FYI, I drive a 2005 Dodge, I needed to replace a brake line so I went to Dodge parts, that line was now obsolete, not available, I was told I would have to go to an automotive parts store to get materials to make one. I am fortunate in I do that type of work. Back to a 10 year old vehicle, an ambulance, which is involved in life saving. What will be the availability and costs for 5 or 8 year old parts? 10 year old parts anyone?

I am not sure what class of Ambulance Templeton has. Perhaps Anon 4:28 knows this.

from CMR 105 170.00:

A Class V ambulance is a vehicle that does not meet the minimum vehicle design and construction standards of any other class of ambulance, but which may be used to carry a patient in the horizontal position, with sufficient room for an EMT to accompany the patient in the patient compartment. A Class V ambulance may be dispatched to the scene of an emergency to bring trained personnel and appropriate equipment and supplies.

170.455: Class I A Class I ambulance shall be used primarily for emergency dispatch to and transport of sick and injured persons from the scene of an emergency. A Class I ambulance may also be used for scheduled transportation by prior appointment of persons having known and non-emergent medical condition. It shall meet the following minimum requirements: (A) Vehicle Design and Construction. (1) An ambulance service may only purchase, accept or put into operation a Class I vehicle which conforms with the specifications set out in administrative requirements of the Department which are in effect at the date of vehicle production. In the case of municipal services, standards are those in effect at the date of acceptance of a manufacturer’s bid. (2) The Commissioner or his designee may waive specific requirements included in the federal specifications referenced in 105 CMR 170.455(A)(1) where alternatives provide comparable protection of the public health and safety. Requests for waivers or variations must be filed and approved by the Department before the bid or order process is undertaken. Such requests for waiver or variations are not subject to the general waiver requirement set forth in 105 CMR 170.275. (B) Vehicle Equipment. A Class I ambulance shall be equipped at a minimum with the vehicle equipment specified in the administrative requirements entitled Vehicle Equipment Guidelines - Class I. Amendments to such administrative requirements shall be circulated to licensees for review and comment at least 60 days prior to adoption. (C) Medical Equipment and Supplies. A Class I ambulance shall be equipped at a minimum with medical equipment and supplies as specified in the administrative requirements entitled Medical Equipment and Supplies - Class I. Amendments to such administrative requirements shall be circulated to licensees for review and comment at least 60 days prior to adoption.

 In the case of municipal services, standards are those in effect at the date of acceptance of a manufacturer’s bid. (2) The Commissioner or his designee may waive specific requirements included in the federal specifications referenced in 105 CMR 170.460(A)(1) where alternatives provide comparable protection of the public health and safety. Requests for waivers of variations must be filed and approved by the Department before the bid or order process is undertaken. Such requests for waiver or variation are not subject to the general waiver requirement set forth in 105 CMR 170.275.

Anonymous7:08 PM

i think you guys are looking at the ambulance the wrong way . with lack of firefighters these days to respond to calls during the day having an ambulance is putting firefighters in the station to also respond to fire calls ! your making money to help with the cost of firefighters ! sooner than later there will be no call firefighters due to the comment it takes to become a firefighter and these guys are doing there training at very little cost to the town ! dont expect that in the near future ! time away from your family these days guys need to be paid!!!

very true anon, the days of true volunteers are over, it is now about the money - "guys need to get paid" So I think you will find advisory committee looking at this from a money stand point; taxpayer dollars and how much is available for these services as well as how long can it go without some sort of change. Not sure if you are aware of this, but every now and then, uncollectable ambulance charges are written off. I believe the town of Ashburnham just did that - from the Gardner News. Are you wiling and able to pay more in taxes for these services? 

It has already been stated that the plan in place is not working, do you have an alternate plan? If so, please come forward and present it, I am sure any suggestions would be welcome.

from the budget book fiscal 2018 - $387,500.00 for personnel was allocated for the fire department with $72,000.00 listed for the chief salary. Employee support list at $32,500.00. Purchase of services list at $56,000.00. Fire supplies list at $23,000.00. Fire/EMS other list at $70,000.00. This comes to $569,000.00 (from the alocated summary from town accountant) 

from the special town meeting of November 2011:

Article 8 To see if the Town will vote to create a Fire Department-Ambulance Receipts Reserved for Appropriation Account where collected ambulance receipts for services are placed beginning with FY2013. Monies out of this fund are expended only through town meeting vote for the purpose of funding various Fire Department capital requests pursuant to the betterment of the Fire Department services as deemed by the Templeton Fire Chief. Submitted by the Templeton Fire Chief 

On a motion duly made and seconded the Town voted to create a Fire/Ambulance Receipts Reserved for Appropriation Account where collected ambulance receipts for services are placed beginning with fiscal year 2013. 

Passed Unanimously/Nov. 7th @ 8:00 

from the annual Town Meeting of May 2013: 

 Article 10 To see if the town will vote to appropriate a sum of money from the Fire Department/Ambulance Receipts Reserved for Appropriation Account, or to otherwise raise and appropriate a sum of money to fund Ambulance Department operations, with any unexpended balances in the reserve account to be carried forward to the subsequent fiscal year, or to take any other action relative thereto. 

Submitted by the Board of Selectmen 

On a motion duly made and seconded the town voted that One Hundred Sixty Thousand Dollars ($160,000.00) be hereby appropriated from the Ambulance Department Receipts Reserved for Appropriation Account to be spent by the Fire Chief to pay for the operation of the Ambulance Service within the Fire Department, with any unexpended balances in said reserve account at year end to be carried forward to the subsequent fiscal year.

 Passed/May 14th @ 8:09 

Article 11 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds, or otherwise provide a sum of money to hire two (2) full-time equivalent firefighter/EMTs to work daytime coverage 48 hours per week (Monday-Friday), or to take any other action relative thereto. 

Submitted by the Board of Selectmen 

Chief Laporte was allowed to speak. 

On a motion duly made and seconded the town voted that One Hundred Twenty Eight Thousand Eight Hundred Twelve Dollars ($128,812.00) be hereby appropriated from the FY 14 tax levy and other general revenues of the town to be expended by the Fire Chief to add two daytime full time equivalent firefighter/EMTs to the staffing of the Templeton Fire Department.

 Passed/May 14th @ 8:26  

Speaking of that "monster" new school, did that project go before Templeton capital planning committee for review? If it did not, does that mean it violated Templeton Town by-laws? If it did not, does that mean in needs to be re-voted at Town Meeting?

As far as maintenance, I believe one must look at the regional school district agreement, that like the one involving Monty Tech, has not been looked at or revised in quite a while. I do recall there is an item in that agreement that the district is responsible for the maintenance and care of the facility, as long as the repair is $5,000.00 or less. If it is more than $5,000.00, the expense falls on Templeton taxpayers. Again, perhaps begin planning for those costs now, perhaps with the creation of another stabilization fund, that is provided money by way of a stand alone warrant article. Questions of this type should probably be directed towards the selectmen who are on said committee, oh wait, selectmen Haley Brooks has been conspicuously absent not only from selectmen meetings but school building committee meetings as well. Can you say recall of a selectmen for failing to do your duty and show up for meetings? One selectmen was let off the hook for disappearing, I do not believe we should allow any other selectmen that luxury. Show up and serve as elected, or if there are circumstances of hardship, illness, etc., resign so Templeton taxpayers may have proper representation. It takes hours, time and commitment to serve as a selectmen. If it becomes a problem for any reason to show up and serve, resign. Yes there will be talk and criticism, but it passes and it works out for all, especially the Town.
(That is a lesson learned from personal experience and you can come back and serve the Town if one wishes. Again, not easy, and accompanied by talk and criticism, but it can be done, and it is better the second time around.)

Capital Planning and snow and ice.

Reading comments on and hearing thoughts on capital planning in Templeton (or lack there of), a few things come to mind. First, there seems to be a lack of interest on the part of citizens to take part in the process. The process of democracy, self governance and watching out for their own money.

Example: there are currently two citizen at large positions open on the capital planning committee.

Secondly, did the capital planning committee submit any warrant articles for the upcoming annual town meeting with regards to setting aside money for a capital program. Is this committee trying to get the town administrator and selectmen to set aside, by way of a stand alone article, a sum of money to fund capital planning? Is there a plan with the political will to do this? There is a stand alone article for a scholarship fund so why is there no stand alone article to fund capital items (assets) for the town. In my opinion, it should not be, if we have some free cash available, it should be, along with any free cash, the capital planning committee wish to have x number of dollars budgeted for capital funding. If the selectmen approve and place this item on the warrant, that would be having the will to fund for investment, that would be having the will to put money aside for savings.

Now, with the purchase or planned purchase of a new truck for highway, is there a plan to trade that new truck in for a new one in two years, three years, etc., so the town could benefit from that truck still having some value.  Since the attention seems to be focused on the police department, fire department and highway, how about a detailed inventory of those three departments first. I mean with talk concerning a meas tax being used to fund new cruisers and one ton trucks, lets begin there with inventory. That would be action rather than talk and complaints about no town wide inventory. Capital planning needs to write a book. First the title, then a table of contents, then do a chapter or two in order. I believe a step approach is more doable and makes more sense because of lack of interest on part of towns people, the already existence of what I have heard described as a mess of a long range capital plan.

I think the town would be better served, the committee could better inform and communicate to the town what the plan is. I believe the capital planning should look into lease versus buying and report the true costs, the benefits or pros and cons to the selectmen, advisory committee and town meeting with a report to the town, per town by-laws and requirements.

Watching a segment of "talk of the town", I noted the town administrator stating that the Templeton DPW director has pointed out that the place where the town gets sand for the winter time is nearing the end of the line. It was also pointed out that mixing sand and salt is labor intensive which equals spending money. It was also stated that using sand wears on equipment because of the hauling, mixing, sweeping and drain basin cleaning all takes a toll on the trucks and tractors. It also takes time, which is time away from maintenance, on the equipment and the roads, sidewalks, etc. If the town area is "mined out" and highway continues to keep using sand, the costs will only double or triple. Taxpayers will not only buy sat, they will buy sand, as well as pay to clean it up.

That is another thing capital planning should be looking at. Ways to fund a storage facility for salt and the true costs for using it. There is in place an old, incomplete, cumbersome capital plan, stop complaining about it and start from scratch or create an addendum with current known information; contact the chief of police, how many police vehicles does the town currently have, age of vehicles, cost of new cruiser and time frame to get one in town. Average miles per year and what would be a time frame to trade in so there is value that could benefit the town. Stop complaining about lack of a plan or no complete inventory, rather work two fronts if need be, but the town needs action, planned action. I believe this information is easily obtained and could be reported to town meeting.

Massachusetts General Law, chapter 121C
section3:

Economic development and industrial corporation; authority to organize; consolidations; members of board of directors; surety bonds; compensation and reimbursements

First, below is a partial reading of how the law use to read: it was changed and I think this was caught after there was going to be a STM warrant article for the Town EDC.

Question is, if you want transparency and good governance, why not run it by the Town's legislative body, Town Meeting, and explain it, rather than having meetings at 9:00 A.M

or with the approval of the mayor in any other city, or a town at an annual town meeting or a special town meeting called for the purpose, shall by vote declare a need for such a corporation because unemployment or the threat thereof exists in the city or town or that security against future unemployment and lack of business opportunity is required and that attracting new industry into the municipality and substantially expanding existing industry through an economic development project or projects financed under this chapter and implemented by such a corporation would alleviate the unemployment and lack of business opportunity problems.

[ First paragraph as amended by 2016, 218, Sec. 219 effective November 7, 2016. For text effective until November 7, 2016, see above.]

  There is hereby authorized in each municipality in the commonwealth the organization of an economic development and industrial corporation, a public body politic and corporate, hereinafter referred to as the corporation. No such corporation, however, shall be organized, transact any business, employ any personnel or exercise any powers until the city council with the approval of the city manager, in a city having a Plan D or Plan E form of charter, or with the approval of the mayor in any other city, or by the board of selectmen in a town, shall by vote declare a need for such a corporation because unemployment or the threat thereof exists in the city or town or that security against future unemployment and lack of business opportunity is required and that attracting new industry into the municipality and substantially expanding existing industry through an economic development project or projects financed under this chapter and implemented by such a corporation would alleviate the unemployment and lack of business opportunity problems.

  In the event that two or more municipalities wish to consolidate their economic development and industrial corporations, each such municipality desirous of such a consolidation shall so vote as a city or town in the manner hereinbefore described. Such a vote may be made at the same time as the vote to organize the corporation or may be made at a time subsequent thereto.

  There shall be seven members of the board of directors of the corporation who shall be appointed by the municipality. At least one member shall be experienced in industrial development, one in financial matters, one in real estate matters, one in municipal government, at least one member representative of low income people who shall be chosen from a list of three submitted by the regional or local community action agency or, where there is no such agency, from a list of three submitted by the department of housing and community development. The appointing municipality shall designate one of the seven members as chairman and another as vice-chairman. Each of the seven members shall be sworn to the faithful performance of his official duties as a director of the corporation. A majority of the seven directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business, but the action of a majority of the entire board shall be necessary for any transaction. For the purposes of section eleven A of chapter thirty A of the General Laws, the corporation shall be deemed to be an authority established by the general court to serve a public purpose in the commonwealth. Of the members of the corporation first appointed, two shall be appointed to serve for one year from the first day of July in the current year, two for two years from said date, and three for three years from said date. Upon the expiration of the term of office of any such member, or of any subsequent member, his successor shall be appointed in like manner for a term of three years. In the event of a vacancy in the office of a member, his successor shall be appointed in like manner to serve for the unexpired term. Unless reappointed, no member of the corporation shall hold office after the expiration of his term; and the appointment of a successor to any person whose term has expired shall be for the remainder of the term which would have begun at such expiration if the successor had then been appointed.

  Any member may be removed by the municipality for malfeasance, misfeasance, or wilful neglect of duty, but only after reasonable notice and a public hearing, unless the same are in writing expressly waived, and after approval by MOBD. For purposes of chapter two hundred sixty-eight A of the General Laws, the members of the corporation shall be deemed to be special municipal employees.

  Before the issuance of any bonds under the provisions of this act, each member of the corporation shall execute a surety bond with a surety company authorized to transact business in this commonwealth as surety, in the penal sum of fifty thousand dollars conditioned upon the faithful performance of the duties of his office, each such surety bond to be approved by the legal counsel of the municipality and filed in the office of the state secretary. The members of the corporation shall receive no compensation for the performance of their duties hereunder, but each member shall be reimbursed for expenses actually incurred in the performance of his duties. Every such reimbursement shall be open to public inspection from and after the requisition therefor.

Watching the selectmen meeting of January 8, 2018, Brooks and Richards were again absent.

There was a vote to give Reno's pizza a license to sell booze. Morrison - yes, Fortes - yes, Caplis  - abstain. (Caplis owns a home next to the pizza shop) One odd question came from selectmen Fortes to the owner of Renos pizza, "naturalization/citizenship papers in order?" Strange question from a selectmen to a man who already has a business in town, has a business license and pays taxes, sales tax, state tax, income taxes etc. I wonder if the board of health asked the same question? Perhaps master Fortes should contact the feds! What a joke.

One item of interest was discussion on Templeton ambulance receipts; seems like there may be a problem with revenue projections. Fiscal year 2017 showed ambulance generating $282,000.00 according the the fire chief. Seems there were over 100 non transport calls for the ambulance, which means there was no billing, as in no collection of dollars, only expense for sending the ambulance out.

So far, for fiscal 2018, 315 ambulance calls with 253 transports. As of December 31, 2017, there has been $155,765.00 collected. It is guesstimated that if the other six months follow the first six months, there will be $311,531.00 in collections. Again, that is only a guess as there could be fewer calls in the next six months. Of course, there could be more.

Some ambulance issues; more calls for "I have fallen and I can't get up" (my words) but these apparently are calls for assistance where there is only expense for the ambulance going out, as there is no transport and no dollars collected. Also, there are more elderly calls which involve medicare and medicaid billing. No matter what Templeton has for ambulance billing rates, medicare/medicaid only pays so much and that is that. As of April of 2018, Templeton must go to 24 hours for ALS service. The three year income projections for ambulance service was based on 700 calls per year. Templeton is averaging 500 calls per year, oops! Selectmen Caplis stated there are some tough calls coming. Perhaps selectmen should have used a lower (conservative) number for those estimates, but I guess they needed to paint a real rosy picture. Do not worry, the meals tax will fix it! Maybe Tempeton can start charging people when they get locked up in the new cell at the police station, or we can charge for tours of the new school.