Yesterday, while attending the meeting of association of town finance committees at Devens, I sat in on finance committees and social media.
Most of the subject was how one town uses electronic communication to get the word out, with regards to town business. Eventually, the subject of open meeting law and social media came up. I was listening intently; the subject I wanted came up, members of a committee posted and commented on something, eventually, a majority or quorum was involved in comment. Someone filed open meeting law complaint. The results were interesting, the Massachusetts office of open government found basis for the complaint, seems the post and following comment was not aimed at just members of the committee, rather it was out there for all to see, read and comment on. Pretty much for the whole connected world to see, read and comment on. In the case of Templeton Advisory Committee members, a Templeton selectmen commented on things, more than once. He even went so far as to file a complaint at a selectmen meeting. There were eventually multiple complaints filed, which were answered by the committee. In the end, other than negative newspaper coverage, nothing happened and nothing else resulted. The answer is, as in the example given at yesterday's workshop, was the post and following comments were out for everyone to see, read and comment on. If it had been a group face book post for instance, available to only committee members, it would have been a different story.
Again, past and present members of the Templeton Advisory Committee are vindicated, they did nothing wrong and DID NOT VIOLATE the Open Meeting Law!
As for the committee, five of the seven current members attended the conference, on a Saturday, which began at 8:15 in the morning and ended around 2:30 in the afternoon.
Sunday, November 4, 2018
Friday, November 2, 2018
TO: Board of Selectmen
FROM: Carter Terenzini, Town Administrator
RE: Administrator’s Weekly Report
DATE: November 1, 2018
CC: All Departments
Public Works
Highway Department: In regard to Red Lined vehicles, the following is the final assessment; H35 (2001 F350) is permanently out of service and will be replaced with the new F550 currently on order and due to be delivered in February/March time frame. M11 (1975 Catch basins cleaner) is permanently out of service, one option is to replace it with a used catch basin cleaner, replacing the catch basin cleaner would allow the DPW to clean the basins rather than spend thousands on an outside source. H10 (2003 Ford F150), was a surpluses vehicle that is rusted beyond repair, we will replace it when another vehicle is available from surplus. H3 (1997 Volvo L70C loader), will be permanently out of service, and has previously been replaced. The first 2 classes have been scheduled for the new director in Baystate roads Scholar program. Reviewing requirements for getting the new director certified as a “Playground Safety Inspector” as well. Since the introduction of the DPW “TO DO” log many issues have been recorded and addressed. There are some still pending that will be addressed as time and supplies allow. The Generator that provides power to the DPW in the case of an emergency was worked on and is ready for the winter storm season. The north east winds over the weekend caused many downed branches. Several locations were addressed, and dead trees and limbs cut and removed. The driveway permit is being rewritten to include more details on the apron and safety features. When the driveway permit is approved it will be put into immediate use. CD5 the buildings and grounds truck had a new emergency brake cable added. 237, one of the SUV police cruisers was looked at for a headlight issue as well as the heater not working when the car is idle. The ACO truck came in for an oil change and general inspection. The project on Hubbardston road has been completed, as well as Pail Factory road. A Swale was made near the driveway to the paper mill to reduce the amount of water flowing thru the parking lot during heaving storms. Potholes were filled on Old North Road, Barre Road and Highland Ave.
Let's think about this a while; roads are in bad shape and there have been several roads with washed out areas that needed repair. Considering all the talk about the old worn out equipment that the highway department has or had, would it make sense to go buy another used piece, or new, for that matter, to do a job that is being done by a contractor for about $13,000.00 per year. If the highway department does this job, the truck has to be maintained, use fuel and ties up a highway department employee, which means there is one less individual to work on road repair.
There probably should be a costing analysis of this and other situations to determine the best way to spend taxpayer dollars. For instance, take the mowing of all the grass on town owned land, what is the possible cost of contracting it out versus the cost of the town doing it: cost of trucks, maintaining trucks including fuel, cost of mowers and trailers along with fuel for mowers, cost of labor, both full time and part-time/temporary/seasonal (to include any effect on the town's unemployment rate costs, if any) I believe if you check, the additional costs beyond salary, for each benefited town employee, is around $20,000.00 per. Upfront costs may appear higher, but the long term picture must be looked at, such as the ever increasing retirement and health insurance costs, as in OPEB expenses. The more town employees you have, the higher those costs become, contractors on the other hand, have no such effect. Also consider, if a town employee has an accident, with any town equipment, the town is on the hook. With a contractor, they are on the hook. This is a business decision and approach.
Take ambulance service provided by the town, you, the taxpayer just had an increase in your taxes, by way of a tax override (permanent increase in your taxes) to pay for that, where as a private ambulance service would have paid a fee to the town for the privilege of providing that service for the town residents. That is the choice you made and unless the approach changes, expect taxes to go up and up. Can you say tax override for the school district next year? It is a real possibility that must be considered as we approach the next budget season. The cost to the taxpayer for the new school will come home to roost soon enough.
FROM: Carter Terenzini, Town Administrator
RE: Administrator’s Weekly Report
DATE: November 1, 2018
CC: All Departments
Public Works
Highway Department: In regard to Red Lined vehicles, the following is the final assessment; H35 (2001 F350) is permanently out of service and will be replaced with the new F550 currently on order and due to be delivered in February/March time frame. M11 (1975 Catch basins cleaner) is permanently out of service, one option is to replace it with a used catch basin cleaner, replacing the catch basin cleaner would allow the DPW to clean the basins rather than spend thousands on an outside source. H10 (2003 Ford F150), was a surpluses vehicle that is rusted beyond repair, we will replace it when another vehicle is available from surplus. H3 (1997 Volvo L70C loader), will be permanently out of service, and has previously been replaced. The first 2 classes have been scheduled for the new director in Baystate roads Scholar program. Reviewing requirements for getting the new director certified as a “Playground Safety Inspector” as well. Since the introduction of the DPW “TO DO” log many issues have been recorded and addressed. There are some still pending that will be addressed as time and supplies allow. The Generator that provides power to the DPW in the case of an emergency was worked on and is ready for the winter storm season. The north east winds over the weekend caused many downed branches. Several locations were addressed, and dead trees and limbs cut and removed. The driveway permit is being rewritten to include more details on the apron and safety features. When the driveway permit is approved it will be put into immediate use. CD5 the buildings and grounds truck had a new emergency brake cable added. 237, one of the SUV police cruisers was looked at for a headlight issue as well as the heater not working when the car is idle. The ACO truck came in for an oil change and general inspection. The project on Hubbardston road has been completed, as well as Pail Factory road. A Swale was made near the driveway to the paper mill to reduce the amount of water flowing thru the parking lot during heaving storms. Potholes were filled on Old North Road, Barre Road and Highland Ave.
Let's think about this a while; roads are in bad shape and there have been several roads with washed out areas that needed repair. Considering all the talk about the old worn out equipment that the highway department has or had, would it make sense to go buy another used piece, or new, for that matter, to do a job that is being done by a contractor for about $13,000.00 per year. If the highway department does this job, the truck has to be maintained, use fuel and ties up a highway department employee, which means there is one less individual to work on road repair.
There probably should be a costing analysis of this and other situations to determine the best way to spend taxpayer dollars. For instance, take the mowing of all the grass on town owned land, what is the possible cost of contracting it out versus the cost of the town doing it: cost of trucks, maintaining trucks including fuel, cost of mowers and trailers along with fuel for mowers, cost of labor, both full time and part-time/temporary/seasonal (to include any effect on the town's unemployment rate costs, if any) I believe if you check, the additional costs beyond salary, for each benefited town employee, is around $20,000.00 per. Upfront costs may appear higher, but the long term picture must be looked at, such as the ever increasing retirement and health insurance costs, as in OPEB expenses. The more town employees you have, the higher those costs become, contractors on the other hand, have no such effect. Also consider, if a town employee has an accident, with any town equipment, the town is on the hook. With a contractor, they are on the hook. This is a business decision and approach.
Take ambulance service provided by the town, you, the taxpayer just had an increase in your taxes, by way of a tax override (permanent increase in your taxes) to pay for that, where as a private ambulance service would have paid a fee to the town for the privilege of providing that service for the town residents. That is the choice you made and unless the approach changes, expect taxes to go up and up. Can you say tax override for the school district next year? It is a real possibility that must be considered as we approach the next budget season. The cost to the taxpayer for the new school will come home to roost soon enough.
6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
at Templeton Town Hall, 160 Patriots Road, E. Templeton MA 01438
The major items to be discussed are what type of zoning would best benefit the town with regard to areas located on Baldwinville and Patriots Road; the Commission will also hear any other proposed changes to zoning in Templeton.
If you are unable to attend but wish to submit comments or questions, please do so such that they are received by the close of business on the day of the meeting, to:
Laurie Wiita, Director, at P O Box 620, E Templeton MA 01438 or by email at health@templeton1.org.
Posted this 30th day of October, 2018 Laurie A. Wiita, Director Development Services
Posted: Gardner News 10/30/2018
Town Web
Town Bulletin Boards
at Templeton Town Hall, 160 Patriots Road, E. Templeton MA 01438
The major items to be discussed are what type of zoning would best benefit the town with regard to areas located on Baldwinville and Patriots Road; the Commission will also hear any other proposed changes to zoning in Templeton.
If you are unable to attend but wish to submit comments or questions, please do so such that they are received by the close of business on the day of the meeting, to:
Laurie Wiita, Director, at P O Box 620, E Templeton MA 01438 or by email at health@templeton1.org.
Posted this 30th day of October, 2018 Laurie A. Wiita, Director Development Services
Posted: Gardner News 10/30/2018
Town Web
Town Bulletin Boards
Town Meeting Times, which if one reads the Templeton Town By-Laws, is the guide or procedure book for Town Meetings. Page 54, the reading of the articles: this speaks to the point that some towns have adopted the practice of omitting the reading of articles, either with the consent of the meeting or by tradition. Town Meeting times states if the reading of the articles is to be omitted, the warrant should be printed and in the hands of or available to every voter. A voters guide is not the warrant. It is going to take the will of Town Meeting to get things back on track so everyone has enough information in hand so as to make an informed decision.
Tuesday, October 30, 2018
Today, Templeton Town website shows no job openings at present time. Perhaps someone from Town Hall reads these postings. Point is, when someone is hired for a position offered on the Town web site, why is the website not updated? What other things happen in Town Hall that are not updated regularly so you can depend on some information anyways?
What is needed is a policy to guide Town Hall on how to do these things and then, all would be well.
What is needed is a policy to guide Town Hall on how to do these things and then, all would be well.
Monday, October 29, 2018
Dear Board of Selectmen:
I write to offer some words of caution.
We have a conference call scheduled for Tuesday at 1:30 to begin the work of closing out the BAN on the Pleasant St. pump station project. I received an email from Town Counsel that he has been notified that his necessary participation in this process must be scheduled through the town administrator's office. As you know the TA is part time and this week he won't be in the office until Thursday. I have copied Holly on this email, but I will tell you here that the closing will require a lot of work on an almost constant basis, and it is my opinion that the process will be hindered and delayed by requiring town counsel to receive approval from the part time town administrator.
I have directed everyone to copy the TA with all correspondence.
If there are complications and/or delays in closing the BAN and securing the grant and permanent financing from USDA because of this, the responsibility will be with the Board of Selectmen and the town administrator.
Regards,
Kent
Sunday, October 28, 2018
Perhaps the Templeton selectmen require a policy to look at the Templeton Town website weekly so they can ensure the information is correct and up to date.
Right now, that website shows Templeton is looking for a management fellow, an assistant Town accountant, assistant treasurer and a DPW Superintendent, along with a highway driver/laborer.
Another issue, after receiving the latest Town expenditure report, I notice that one Eric Pollitt is on the mailing list. He left Templeton employment back in July 2018 and here it is October 2018. How can anyone be expected to trust any information on the Town website?
Once again, at a Town meeting, Templeton resident Steve Drury brought up information that the Town may be owed around $300,000.00 from person or persons violating Town by-laws. So far, Templeton selectmen seem uninterested in acting. Instead, those same selectmen are interested in increasing Taxpayer legal costs by ignoring Town Meeting vote; failing to ensure or in this case, instruct employees to process non-union raises for sewer department employees.
One other issue is the failure of Town employee, Treasurer/Collector failing to follow Town by-laws in providing information requested by the Templeton Advisory Committee.
For a group that talks alot about policies and procedures, these selectmen seem to have a hard time following long established policies and mandates put in place by the very people who put the selectmen in place; the voters/residents of the Town.
That is my opinion on some Templeton matters / issues. It is also my opinion that Templeton chairman of the board of selectmen is long on talk and short on walk. John Caplis shows often he was in the military and anyone who has been in knows that when orders come down, you follow them, whether you agree or not. Well, Town Meeting gave selectmen some orders, when will they be obeyed? Perhaps selectmen feel no one cares when only 50 or so people show up for Town Meeting, which means we the people, hold some responsibility for this lax effort on the part of selectmen. Time for residents to stand up for themselves.
Right now, that website shows Templeton is looking for a management fellow, an assistant Town accountant, assistant treasurer and a DPW Superintendent, along with a highway driver/laborer.
Another issue, after receiving the latest Town expenditure report, I notice that one Eric Pollitt is on the mailing list. He left Templeton employment back in July 2018 and here it is October 2018. How can anyone be expected to trust any information on the Town website?
Once again, at a Town meeting, Templeton resident Steve Drury brought up information that the Town may be owed around $300,000.00 from person or persons violating Town by-laws. So far, Templeton selectmen seem uninterested in acting. Instead, those same selectmen are interested in increasing Taxpayer legal costs by ignoring Town Meeting vote; failing to ensure or in this case, instruct employees to process non-union raises for sewer department employees.
One other issue is the failure of Town employee, Treasurer/Collector failing to follow Town by-laws in providing information requested by the Templeton Advisory Committee.
For a group that talks alot about policies and procedures, these selectmen seem to have a hard time following long established policies and mandates put in place by the very people who put the selectmen in place; the voters/residents of the Town.
That is my opinion on some Templeton matters / issues. It is also my opinion that Templeton chairman of the board of selectmen is long on talk and short on walk. John Caplis shows often he was in the military and anyone who has been in knows that when orders come down, you follow them, whether you agree or not. Well, Town Meeting gave selectmen some orders, when will they be obeyed? Perhaps selectmen feel no one cares when only 50 or so people show up for Town Meeting, which means we the people, hold some responsibility for this lax effort on the part of selectmen. Time for residents to stand up for themselves.
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