If anyone remembers Town Meeting, article 30, which included $10,000.00 for an infield groomer to be used at Gilman Waite field. Now, apparently, it has been "discovered" that piece of equipment actually costs somewhere in the $30,000.00 to $40,000.00 range. So the appropriation made will not cover the cost. It seems more apparent every day that information out of the selectmen office cannot be trusted. I feel from here on in, when the selectmen say this will cost X or we need this much money for that, the question (s) will be; where did that figure come from? Where is the bid or the quote and who gave it to you? What is the contact information so it can be checked out? Does anyone still wonder why advisory would not approve $2,000.00 to be used under miscellaneous?
Do not worry, we have good numbers and the books are all set, well, except for some reconciliations and some unaccounted for checks and another possible payroll miscue.
Plus or minus 10%, give or take, not to worry.
Friday, June 22, 2018
Templeton's Jail cell: If you get arrested on a Friday, you will probably spend your time in the Athol State Police lockup until Monday morning.
If you are a qualified para-medic looking for work, Temple seems to need one - see the latest Templeton Town Administrator's weekly report. I hope all the shifts are covered beginning on July 1, 2018, as Templeton did pass an override to pay for that.
from the Town Administrator:
Weekly Report: Met w/DPW team. Sweeping runs behind due to staffing vacancy and maintenance needed on equipment. Have authorized the use of two Saturdays of overtime to try to get it caught up
Perhaps it is time to do a couple of things; first, contract out the street sweeping so it can get done, and secondly, use some free cash and chapter 90 money and build a salt storage shed and switch to road salt and skip the sand. Templeton can talk with the Hubbardston highway department and see how to do that and get some information on savings and other important work getting done when the crew does not have to spend weeks or month on sweeping streets. Time for the selectmen to manage, you know, their job.
If you are a qualified para-medic looking for work, Temple seems to need one - see the latest Templeton Town Administrator's weekly report. I hope all the shifts are covered beginning on July 1, 2018, as Templeton did pass an override to pay for that.
from the Town Administrator:
Weekly Report: Met w/DPW team. Sweeping runs behind due to staffing vacancy and maintenance needed on equipment. Have authorized the use of two Saturdays of overtime to try to get it caught up
Perhaps it is time to do a couple of things; first, contract out the street sweeping so it can get done, and secondly, use some free cash and chapter 90 money and build a salt storage shed and switch to road salt and skip the sand. Templeton can talk with the Hubbardston highway department and see how to do that and get some information on savings and other important work getting done when the crew does not have to spend weeks or month on sweeping streets. Time for the selectmen to manage, you know, their job.
Thursday, June 21, 2018
Laurel View Road and the law.
Massachusett General Law chapter 40
I traveled down Laurel View Road today and saw town property on that so called private road. Town property would be the light poles and wires etc,, belonging to a Town department, Templeton Light & Water. The united state postal service also goes down that road. I wonder if the Templeton police or fire department / ambulance have ever traveled down that road? I did not see any signs stating it is private property and since it has been open to the public and plowed for a number of years, I think the tax payers over there have a good case to be made, otherwise, why are they paying taxes if they will get nothing for it?
If all of those people suddenly stopped paying taxes, what then? Would Templeton take all of it by tax title and then what? How long would Templeton hold on to them? Who would buy it knowing the history? A planning board developer perhaps?
Time for the elected superior selectmen and elected planning board to step up and serve these taxpayers. Make the hard decision and make it happen, it is possible and it should be done.
Massachusett General Law chapter 40
Section 6N: Private ways; temporary repairs, ordinances or by-laws
Section 6N. Cities and towns may by ordinance or by-law provide for making temporary repairs on private ways. Such ordinance or by-law shall determine (a) the type and extent of repairs; (b) if drainage shall be included; (c) if the repairs are required by public necessity; (d) the number of percentage of abutters who must petition for such repairs; (e) if betterment charges shall be assessed; (f) the liability limit of the city or town on account of damages caused by such repairs; (g) if the ways shall have been opened to public use for a term of years; and (h) if a cash deposit shall be required for said repairs.I traveled down Laurel View Road today and saw town property on that so called private road. Town property would be the light poles and wires etc,, belonging to a Town department, Templeton Light & Water. The united state postal service also goes down that road. I wonder if the Templeton police or fire department / ambulance have ever traveled down that road? I did not see any signs stating it is private property and since it has been open to the public and plowed for a number of years, I think the tax payers over there have a good case to be made, otherwise, why are they paying taxes if they will get nothing for it?
If all of those people suddenly stopped paying taxes, what then? Would Templeton take all of it by tax title and then what? How long would Templeton hold on to them? Who would buy it knowing the history? A planning board developer perhaps?
Time for the elected superior selectmen and elected planning board to step up and serve these taxpayers. Make the hard decision and make it happen, it is possible and it should be done.
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
Templeton, MA; The Town's financial team has one certified member, that would be the Deputy Assessor Luanne Royer. Having successfully completed the prescribed requirements, Luanne has earned the recognition from the Massachusetts Association of Assessing Officers and has been named a Massachusetts Accredited Assessor. This demonstrates a level of dedication and professionalism to the Assessors office.
Now when people enter the office shared by the Town Clerk and the Deputy Assessor, they will meet two town employees who have earned certification from their respective associations / professional groups. Hopefully, eventually, the other members of the financial team will earn certification and recognition from their respective associations.
Now when people enter the office shared by the Town Clerk and the Deputy Assessor, they will meet two town employees who have earned certification from their respective associations / professional groups. Hopefully, eventually, the other members of the financial team will earn certification and recognition from their respective associations.
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
The Supreme Judicial Court on Monday rejected a ballot question that would have raised the state income tax on Massachusetts’ highest earners and put that money into transportation and education, delivering a crushing defeat for progressive activists and organized labor and removing a volatile issue from this fall’s election.
In a 5-2 decision, the court sided with business groups that argued the proposal was unconstitutional. The measure would have imposed a higher income tax rate for personal earnings above $1 million, a levy that would have brought in an estimated $2 billion in new revenue next year.
“We will need to be creative and take a hard look at potential revenues from new sources to address the very real challenges we face as a Commonwealth,” said outgoing Senate President Harriette L. Chandler. Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh echoed those sentiments, saying, “Nobody ever wants to raise a tax but we have some serious infrastructure issues here in Boston and Massachusetts, whether it’s roads and bridges, whether it’s education.”
So, no new taxes for being successful and wealthy. Perhaps now, the powers at be and those intent on having class warfare can concentrate on how to repair and improve the infrastructure within the state west of 495. They could begin with fully funding transportation costs of regional school districts.
Saturday, June 16, 2018
from the Templeton Town website, as of Today, this is the same post on Thursday, the day of the meeting. (Training on the open meeting law and posting of agendas perhaps?)
Information for Meeting of Cemetery & Parks Commission
Information for Meeting of Cemetery & Parks Commission
Thursday June 14, 2018 6:30 PM EDT
| Town: | Templeton, MA |
| Board: | Cemetery & Parks Commission |
| Time: | Thursday June 14, 2018 6:30 PM EDT |
| Location: | Council on Aging 16 Senior Dr., Baldwinville |
| Agenda: | Not Yet Available |
| Scheduled By: | the automatic scheduling system |
| Posted At: | May 11, 2018 6 AM EDT |
| Last Modified: | May 11, 2018 6 AM EDT |
| Minutes: | Minutes are not on record with the Town Clerk's office |
Email conveying a message to the Selectmen.
Carter;
As promised, I am emailing the results of the financial transfer request from you, via the board of selectmen in the amount of $15,000.00 from Insurance and Benefits to highway department funds of supplies and purchase of service.
The transfer was approved in the amount of $13,000.00, per transfer policy. Reason (s) for the difference in what was requested ($15,000.00) and what was approved ($13,000.00) was a lack of clarity with regards of accounting of additional $2,000.00. Advisory could not find nor verify any fund named or listed as "miscellaneous" and this lack of specificity along with there still being funds available (from information provided) in the supplies and purchase of service accounts under highway department.
The completed paperwork will be dropped off to Town Hall first thing on Monday, June 18, 2018 as soon as the office is open. Be aware that Advisory has scheduled a meeting for Wednesday, June 20, 2018 and intends to schedule meetings on Thursday, July 5, 2018 and Thursday, July 12, 2018 in case there is a need for additional transfer requests. In the future, Advisory suggests that a representative of the select board and or the department attend the Advisory Committee meeting in order to answer any questions or to clarify any issues. This would help in making the process efficient and more timely. Perhaps at a future date, select board and Advisory can meet jointly and discuss the process, perhaps discovering that our goals are more alike than different.
regards;
Jeff Bennett
Chairman, Advisory Committee
The above email was sent to the Town Administrator and also to all five selectmen, lets see if this makes it to Selectmen Fortes" face book page?
Five new members and so far, similar observations as with previous members. Same concerns and questions about the same subjects; so who should perhaps be looking in the mirror?
A financial transfer came before the Advisory Committee for $15,000.00, from Insurance and Benefits to highway department supplies and Purchase of Services. Accounting for what the funds were needed was 1 item: miscellaneous - $2,000.00. The committee could not find any fund listed as miscellaneous to put money in so the committee approved $13,000.00 instead.
It does not appear that "slush fund" building will be looked at favorably by this new Advisory Committee. The selectmen tried to get 4 members to resign previously, presumably to get new people on the committee: be careful what you wish for!
Carter;
As promised, I am emailing the results of the financial transfer request from you, via the board of selectmen in the amount of $15,000.00 from Insurance and Benefits to highway department funds of supplies and purchase of service.
The transfer was approved in the amount of $13,000.00, per transfer policy. Reason (s) for the difference in what was requested ($15,000.00) and what was approved ($13,000.00) was a lack of clarity with regards of accounting of additional $2,000.00. Advisory could not find nor verify any fund named or listed as "miscellaneous" and this lack of specificity along with there still being funds available (from information provided) in the supplies and purchase of service accounts under highway department.
The completed paperwork will be dropped off to Town Hall first thing on Monday, June 18, 2018 as soon as the office is open. Be aware that Advisory has scheduled a meeting for Wednesday, June 20, 2018 and intends to schedule meetings on Thursday, July 5, 2018 and Thursday, July 12, 2018 in case there is a need for additional transfer requests. In the future, Advisory suggests that a representative of the select board and or the department attend the Advisory Committee meeting in order to answer any questions or to clarify any issues. This would help in making the process efficient and more timely. Perhaps at a future date, select board and Advisory can meet jointly and discuss the process, perhaps discovering that our goals are more alike than different.
regards;
Jeff Bennett
Chairman, Advisory Committee
The above email was sent to the Town Administrator and also to all five selectmen, lets see if this makes it to Selectmen Fortes" face book page?
Five new members and so far, similar observations as with previous members. Same concerns and questions about the same subjects; so who should perhaps be looking in the mirror?
A financial transfer came before the Advisory Committee for $15,000.00, from Insurance and Benefits to highway department supplies and Purchase of Services. Accounting for what the funds were needed was 1 item: miscellaneous - $2,000.00. The committee could not find any fund listed as miscellaneous to put money in so the committee approved $13,000.00 instead.
It does not appear that "slush fund" building will be looked at favorably by this new Advisory Committee. The selectmen tried to get 4 members to resign previously, presumably to get new people on the committee: be careful what you wish for!
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