The Joint Committee on Transportation yesterday released a bond bill that would authorize $300 million for the Chapter 90 local road and bridge program for fiscal 2026, a 50% increase over previous years.

The bill (H. 4257) would distribute $200 million based on the traditional Chapter 90 formula and $100 million based on road miles only.

The committee’s proposal is a one-year authorization, whereas the governor had previously proposed $300 million per year for five years.

The committee’s nearly $1.2 billion borrowing bill would also authorize $200 million for a culvert and small bridge program overseen by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, along with $500 million for a MassDOT bridge and pavement asset management program and $185 million for congestion and safety initiatives.

 There is still one opening on Templeton advisory committee. If appointed, term would be until adjournment of Templeton annual town meeting May 2026.

 Good Morning

Over the weekend we had some more damage to the roof at Houghton Park.

The Police have 3 suspects who admitted to doing the damage.

We will be getting an estimate to repair damage to the roof and those 3 suspects will be responsible for paying for the damage.

They will more than likely be serving some community service hours as well.

Good Afternoon

The construction for the School St. project is completed.

School St. is officially open to 2-way traffic.

 Templeton, MA June meals tax revenue reports as $19,670.00.

Meals Tax revenue for fiscal year 25 is down $523.00 from previous year, using data from MA division local service.

FY24 total meals tax $83,879.00

FY25 total meals tax $83,356.00

Fiscal Year 25 meals tax for 1st., 3rd and 4th quarters were down from previous FY. 2nd qtr. was up from previous FY.

Templeton Meals Tax history.

Fiscal Year

2019 total $41,709.00

2020 total $50,573.00

2021 total $55,457.00

2022 total $67.168.00

2023 total $77,346.00

2024 total $83,879.00

2025 total $83,356.00

 Fiscally responsible spending plan is more than $1 billion below H1; Will make Massachusetts more affordable, improve transportation, invest in the state's world-class education system, and grow economy. House 1 is the state budget generally put forward in January that most cities and towns use as basis for state aid in local budgets. Except now the state has reduced it by 1 billion dollars. This is exactly why town should not use stabilization funds to pay reoccurring expenses such as school assessment. It was a dumb move a couple years ago, was a dumb move this year and will always be a dumb move, fiscally speaking.

 The Legislature plans to approve a final fiscal year 2026 state budget on Monday, the day before the new spending cycle starts, after House and Senate Democrats announced they reached an accord.

Rep. Aaron Michlewitz and Sen. Michael Rodrigues, the budget chiefs for each chamber, said in a statement just after 1 p.m. Friday that they completed a deal on the annual spending plan. They did not release any details about its contents or even a bottom line spending figure.

 How does a debt exclusion differ from an override? Both are Proposition 2½ questions and, in municipal finance language, both are technically overrides. However, there are some basic differences. While both will increase your property taxes, a debt exclusion is a temporary increase while an operating override is a permanent increase in the town’s tax levy limit. A debt exclusion finances a particular project(s) and your taxes increase for a period of time, usually 10-20 years, to cover the cost of the project. When the financing bond is paid off, your tax increase for that project goes away.

Why are there two votes – one at the polls and one at Town Meeting? A debt exclusion is required to pass two thresholds: a simple majority at the ballot and a two-thirds majority at Town Meeting.