Pauly's Templeton Watch: 2013

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Fiscal shortfall to dominate election

Templeton Selectmen hopefuls take stance, offer suggestions
Eryn Dion
News Staff Writer

TEMPLETON — The Board of Selectmen special election is two weeks away and the recently discovered $505,000 budget shortfall, with the potential loss of taxpayers trust, is weighing heavily on both candidates.

While each aspirant has their own approach to dealing with the issue, both agree a course of action must be agreed upon.

“People are shocked,” said Diane Haley-Brooks, a local realtor running in the Jan. 14 election. “They’re shocked that all of this can be happening.”

Ms. Haley-Brooks organized the “Gansett Greatness” grassroots campaign group to rally in favor of the $620,000 Proposition 2 1/2 override in town for fiscal year 2013, which was eventually approved by voters. She hopes to use that experience and her community ties to get residents more invested in their community.

“You can’t do anything alone,” she explained. “Long-term for me is about getting people educated and involved.”

She admitted that the taxpayers have been hurt during this ordeal, but cited trust and transparency as a way for the board to regain their standing in Templeton.

Robert Mitchell the second candidate running for the open seat. He is a former selectmen who sees implementing the suggestions given to the town by the state’s Department of Revenue as a long-term solution.

“It’s not something that will be solved overnight,” he said. “But, if we can get control over some of these departments, that will go a long way.”

The state revenue department conducted a financial management review of the town in October 2009 and many of their recommendations have gone unanswered. Chief among them was replacing the Town Coordinator position with a Town Administrator that would be tasked with managing the various departments and running day-to-day operations. The state also suggested that Templeton complete long-term financial planning for the next 3 to 5 years, and to limit their use of free cash.

Town coordinator resigns

Eryn Dion
News Staff Writer

TEMPLETON — Town coordinator Jeffery Ritter announced during Monday night’s Board of Selectmen meeting that he will be leaving Templeton.

The announcement was not entirely unexpected, with the town of Sterling’s Board of Selectmen offering Mr. Ritter a position as town administrator earlier this month.

Mr. Ritter’s letter of resignation was read aloud by board Chair Jeff Bennett. He stated he is leaving with ‘mixed feelings’ but gave the town his best wishes.

“Templeton, as a community, your best years are ahead of you,” he wrote.

While the board expressed regret at his resignation, many residents were not shy about venting their frustrations, claiming the board “forced him out” and that “they should be ashamed of themselves.”

“It didn’t have to come to this,” said Council on Aging Director Bethany Loveless.

Despite any hard feelings, Mr. Ritter made sure to end his letter on a positive note.

“Templeton is a great town,” he wrote. “With great people and dedicated public servants.”

Members delayed the motion as much as they could, joking about not letting him go, before board member Julie Farrell put the motion in order.

“It is with great regret that we accept the resignation of Jeffery Ritter,” she said.

Winchendon balances books in nick of time

School Committee says cuts on horizon for district
Katie Landeck
News Staff Writer

WINCHENDON — Last night, in an eleventh hour Special Town Meeting, Winchendon voters passed a series of articles closing the books for fiscal year 2013, balancing 2014’s budget and seemingly ending the town’s financial crisis.

According to officials, the budget had to be reconciled by end of day today in order for the Department of Revenue to set Winchendon’s tax rate for the upcoming year.

Without a tax rate, Winchendon would have been left without incoming tax revenue. At the meeting, Town Manager James Kreidler said this would have forced the town to borrow money in order to maintain emergency services such as the police and fire departments.

Selectmen sign contract with new town administrator

Start date for Jeff Ritter is Jan. 21
BY CHRISTINE SMITH
STERLING CORRESPONDENT

STERLING — Selectmen have approved a three-year contract for new Town Administrator Jeff Ritter with an annual salary of $85,757.

The vote followed an executive session on Dec. 18 during which contract details were finalized.

Selectman chairman Ron Furmaniuk and clerk Robert Cutler voted in favor of the new contract. Vice chairman Brian Patacchiola was absent.

Selectmen have been negotiating with Ritter since his appointment on Dec. 4.

I remember....

Part 1 April 12, 2012 BOS Meeting

Part 2 April 12, 2012 BOS Meeting

From Pauly....

In my own opinion, I was amazed at the turn out of our Peaceful Protest Tues AM at 690 Patriots

Rd against the hiring of Interim Coordinator. In my opinion again, the appointment was made by 3 people and 3 people only, and all us taxpayer had no say about it, see the video it was not even on the agenda to hire an interim coordinator, see the agenda for April 12, 2012, if this not against the bylaw of Templeton, and the constitution, what is? I filed a complaint with the Templeton Police about those 3 selectmen inciting a riot. I went to the courthouse with the written complaint, lets see what happens. Chief Whitaker stopped to talk to us at the protest, he in person informed me and the other at the protest that the police could not do anything about the inciting of a riot, I asked why not?

Meetings 12/30 thru 1/3

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Meetings 12/30 thru 1/3

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Monday 12/30/13

BOS 690 Patriots Rd 6:30 pm

Tuesday 12/31/13

Town Clerk Ballot testing 4 Elm St 8:00 a.m.

Thursday 1/2/14

COA 690 Patriots Rd. 1:30 pm

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Special Election: Water department management, budget decisions on agenda

Eryn Dion
News Staff Writer

TEMPLETON --- With January’s Special Election fast approaching, the vacant Board of Selectmen seat isn’t the only issue set to appear on the agenda for voter consideration.

In addition to electing a new member to the board, voters will also be asked their opinion on a non-binding referendum to rescind a vote taken over 13 years ago.

The question specifically deals with Chapter 93 of the Acts of 2000, which placed the town of Templeton’s water department under the jurisdiction of the Templeton Municipal Light Commission. Previously, the Board of Selectmen controlled the water department and when the measure was put forward, the transfer passed.

Quorum of 75 needed

Katie Landeck
News Staff Writer

WINCHENDON — Seventy-five voters will need to attend Winchendon’s Special Town Meeting on Monday night in order to have the quorum necessary to proceed with finalizing the town’s budget.

The purpose of the meeting is to balance the town’s books for fiscal year 2013 and 2014, which currently show a deficit of more than $200,000. The budget needs to be in the black before the Department of Revenue can set a tax rate.

“Anything that falls short of accomplishing that, would not be successful,” Town Manager James Kreidler said. “If we don’t get the tax rate set, we have no budget.”

Spring opening slated for senior center

Eryn Dion
New Staff Writer

TEMPLETON — After seemingly endless delays, the opening of Templeton’s new senior center is finally in sight.

With the January goal now a pipe dream, the town’s Council on Aging is hopeful for a grand opening closer to early spring.

“We’ve got a lot of balls that we’re juggling and a lot of things are coming together at once,” said Senior Center Director Bethany Loveless. “In the end we’re getting a big, beautiful, multi-purpose building for a fraction of the cost.”

Medicaid Reimbursement sparks budget controversy between town and schools

Katie Landeck
News Staff Writer

WINCHENDON — When the Winchendon School District first started filing for Municipal Medicaid Reimbursement almost a decade ago, the town and school committee came to an agreement — the town would keep the bulk of the money and the school district would receive 20 percent the first year of the funding “for efforts they put in,” — according to the original agreement.

Per initial negotiations, the second year the school district’s share of the funds would decrease to 10 percent.

The town is under no legal obligation to share the reimbursement, according to Town Manager James Kriedler, but chose to in order to give local schools an incentive to file the paperwork.

Lawsuit expands over radiation exposure during Fukushima disaster

By Matthew M. Burke
Stars and Stripes
Published: March 15, 2013

Sailors aboard the USS Ronald Reagan scrub down the flight deck in an effort to remove any potential radiation contamination during Operation Tomodachi, March 23, 2011.
KEVIN GRAY/U.S. NAVY, FLICKR

SASEBO NAVAL BASE, Japan — A lawsuit that U.S. servicemembers have filed against Tokyo Electric Power Co. is now seeking more than $2 billion, with a growing number of plaintiffs claiming Japan’s nationalized utility lied about the dangers to those helping out after a nuclear disaster two years ago.

The number of plaintiffs has nearly tripled from nine, when the case was first filed in December, to 26, and attorneys said another 100 people are in the process of joining the suit, despite criticism from their peers that they’re just looking for an easy payoff and claims from the Department of Defense that the amounts of radiation they were exposed to don’t pose serious health risks.

Nevertheless, the plaintiffs claim they have suffered a number of ailments they say are linked to their exposure, ranging from headaches and difficulty concentrating to rectal bleeding, thyroid problems, cancer, tumors and gynecological bleeding.

Questions remain regarding $505K shortfall

To The Editor: 12/28/2013
Bob Columbus
Templeton

To The Editor:

In a political advertisement taken out in The Gardner News (August 31/September 1, 2013) by a Select Board member, voters of Templeton were asked to support a $1 million dollar tax override to support the town of Templeton.

In the advertisement, it asks “Do you want a viable, financially stable and balanced town?” It states that these three things can be accomplished by this override and will be “attractive to business and people who wish to live and work here.”

The advertisement further states the override “would simply put Templeton back on sound and stable financial ground.”

In October, a $620,000 override passed in Templeton which made up for the school districts budget passed at the August Joint Town Meeting ($591,000) as well as give town employees back working hours lost last year. Two months later at the Dec. 13 selectmen’s meeting, an outside auditor reported that there was a $505,000 shortfall in the towns budget.

NDAA ...Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Congress Rushing to Approve 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)

Written by Joe Wolverton, II, J.D

The House and Senate Armed Services Committees have reached an agreement on the fiscal year 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

As approved by the committees, the text of the latest iteration of the bill is derived from H.R. 1960, which passed the House on June 14 by a vote of 315-108 and S. 1197, a version passed by a Senate committee by a vote of 23-3, later that same day.

House and Senate leaders hurried to hammer out a mutually acceptable measure so as to get the whole package passed before the end of the year.

Reading the mainstream (official) press, one would believe that the NDAA is nothing more nefarious than a necessary replenishing of Pentagon funds. Readers of The New American know, however, there is much more than budget issues contained in the legislation.

For two years, the NDAA included provisions that purported to authorize the president of the United States to deploy the U.S. military to apprehend and indefinitely detain any person (including an American citizen) who he believes “represent[s] an enduring security threat to the United States.”

Such an immense grant of power is not only unconscionable, but unconstitutional, as well.

Once again... Gardner News gets it mostly wrong

October override backers feel sting over Templeton shortfall news

Andres Caamano
Senior News Editor/NIE Director
Even in the midst of the Christmas season, Templeton once again finds itself embroiled in a budget fiasco that should cause town officials to stop pointing fingers and own up to this latest mess.

Having successfully convinced the taxpayers to support a $620,000 override last October, under the auspice that it would protect emergency services in the town, it was learned recently that the town is actually an additional $505,000 in the red.

The options, as offered by a consultant last week during a Board of Selectmen’s meeting, cover varying degrees of the unpalatable, from asking for another override, which selectman Kenn Robinson admitted that “the chances of us getting another override are nonexistent,” to tapping what’s left of the town’s free cash, or even finding where other cuts could be made to make the numbers work.

The news of this latest shortfall in particular distressed Police Chief David Whitaker.

“The (police) department put their reputations on the line when we went out for the override,” said the chief. “To find out now (about this shortfall) when we put our credibility out there, it affects the credibility of the town.”

Season's Greetings sent from overseas

Third holiday away from home, local soldier reaches out to friends and family with a special Christmas message
Doneen Durling
News Staff Writer

While spending his third holiday season away from home, Army Specialist Ryan Aker, shown above, of the 212th Combat Support Hospital takes a moment to send warm wishes to his friends and family in North Central Mass.

TEMPLETON — Army Specialist Ryan Aker of the 212th Combat Support Hospital has recently been deployed to Afghanistan, and wanted to do something exceptional for his family here in North Central Massachusetts.

He said, “I was wondering if I could wish my family and friends happy holidays in the paper. This is my third Christmas away from my family and friends. They know how much I love them, but I wanted to do something unique and different for them this year.”

SPC Aker is a medic serving with the 212th Combat Support Hospital and has spent the last two Christmas holidays in Germany.

Citizens must participate in government or pay price

To The Editor: 12/24/2013
Robert Mitchell
Templeton citizen

To The Editor:

Once again I am compelled to spend time advising the citizens of Templeton to participate in their town meetings. I do not count exercising your right to vote or sign petition papers because someone is your friend as an excuse for participating in the democratic process for it is this mentality that has placed our town in its present predicament.

I was at the last Board of Selectmen (BOS) meeting and am in hopes that the concerned citizens of Templeton will watch the video or get the minutes as parts of the meeting related to the need for a sewer rate payers increase, the need for a two-percent reduction in department budgets, the non-binding vote to separate the water department from the light department and the last part was in regards to the Dec. 12 ‘Letter to The Editor’. There was also a lot of unnecessary and uncalled for carping and finger pointing at the present board that should in no way be held responsible for the situation we are in. They did not purchase the Baldwinville Road white elephant, saddle the town with the long-term debt we now carry, nor did they call for this next bogus election that will cause the town to waste another $5,000 for a five-month position. Most members on the BOS have served less than two years, and the longest serving member on the board, the towns past accountant and the town’s advisory board, have all warned citizens in town meetings that we would end up in the creek we now paddle.

More on Tax Re-Cap

More on Re-Cap

Everyone,

I had the chance to read the Gardner News article regarding Templeton's 500k deficit and I think it is important to correct some misinformation. First, the switch over of software between City & Town and VADAR has absolutely nothing to do with the recap and setting the tax rate. Second, the closing of FY 13 also has absolutely nothing to do with recap and setting the tax rate except the certification of Free Cash which we now know was used to "fix" the tax rate for at least the last 11 years. Third, the Treasurer's Cash Book does not affect the recap.

For years the Town Accountant was in control of preparing the budget (including FY13) and part of the FY13 budget and as you might remember FEMA funds were used and when the FY13 recap was prepared we could not move forward as the FEMA funds were from a prior fiscal year so could not be used. This forced a town meeting to rescind votes and left the town scrambling to set a tax rate.

Shrewsbury sees financial strain ahead for schools, town

By Marc C. Sanguinetti CORRESPONDENT

SHREWSBURY — Town and school officials at Wednesday night's School Committee meeting reviewed the findings of a report released last month by the 2013 Fiscal Study Committee. The study found that resources and budgets across virtually all municipal and school departments are strained with little expectation of increases in revenue or state aid.

The report concludes that the community must set priorities for services to maintain if residents expect the town to continue to work within the current budget parameters for fiscal 2015.

NRSD Data from DESE

NRSD Information

Per Pupil Exependiture NRSD

2013 Accountability Data NRSD

Student Enrollment 2011 1495

Student Enrollment 2012 1466

Student Enrollment 2013 1426

So riddle me this: student enrollment is in steady decline. So why are administrative costs per pupil significantly higher than the State average?

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Templeton Re-Cap data

The following documentation has been provided by our current town accountant:

All,

We have all been trying to figure out how the town is having the issue regarding the budget and the recap. Jeff Ritter pointed out to me the FY12 budget in relation to revenue. The FY12 budget used $686,628 of Free Cash and $212,126 of Stabilization funds in order to balance the budget. As you probably remember the Accounting Consultant Matt Angel at last Friday's Selectmen meeting mentioned that if the town continues to use one time funds (Free Cash, Stabilization) the town’s money concerns will never be fixed.

Happy Birthday Federal Reserve

How Fed's pullback of stimulus could affect you

By Paul Wiseman THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Traders John Doyle, left, and Michael Smyth confer Thursday on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)

WASHINGTON — Consumers will likely pay more for home loans. Savers may earn a few more dollars on CDs and Treasury bonds. Banks could profit. Investors may get squeezed.

The Federal Reserve's move Wednesday to slow its stimulus will ripple through the global economy. But exactly how it will affect people and businesses depends on who you are.

The drop in the Fed's monthly bond purchases from $85 billion to $75 billion is expected to lead to higher long-term borrowing rates. Which means loan rates could tick up, though no one knows by how much.

The move could also weigh on stock markets from the United States to Asia, although the early response from investors was surprisingly positive.

Just keep in mind: The impact of the Fed's action is hard to predict. It will be blunted by these factors:

Rerun

Just to refresh your memories...

Acceptance of DOR Report

The official name of what is commonly referred to as the DOR Report is:

Town of Templeton

Financial Management Review

The DOR Report was completed and published on the DOR website in October 2009. After repeated attempts to discuss the DOR Report at BOS meetings, it was learned that Rep. Gobi had sent a letter to Deputy Commissioner and Director of Municipal Affairs, Robert Nunes. Former BOS chairman, Gerald Skelton referred to this letter during a public BOS meeting in 2009.

Rep. Gobi felt “compelled” to write the letter to deputy commissioner Robert Nunes due to the following wording in the DOR report:

December 16 2013 BOS Meeting… the movie

December 16, 2013 BOS Meeting…

the movie

Part 1 of the December 16, 2013 BOS Meeting

Part 2 of the December 16, 2013 BOS Meeting

Part 3 of the December 16, 2013 BOS Meeting

Part 4 of the December 16, 2013 BOS Meeting

Get comfortable. You’re gonna be a while. Enjoy.

Templeton grapples with $500K shortfall in projected tax levy

Kimberly Petalas
News Staff Writer

TEMPLETON — Templeton Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to freeze discretionary expenses and discretionary hiring until further notice at Monday night’s meeting after recently discovering that there is a $505,000 shortfall in the tax levy.

Forensic Accountant Consultant Matt Angel attended the special meeting of the Selectmen on Friday to discuss the issue as well as possible solutions for the town.

“There are a couple of accounts that were hard to follow,” said Mr. Angel.

The issue with the tax levy, according to Mr. Angel, traces back to the change in Town Accountant. According to officials, the former accountant reportedly used a finance software that is uncommon and not favored by the majority of municipalities. When the new accountant took over the books, the decision was made to transition to another program.

“Someone copied off of someone else’s homework and their homework was wrong,” said chairman of the Selectmen Jeffrey Bennett. “That is it in a nutshell. It is what it is.”

Ritter mum on Sterling offer

Staff Report

TEMPLETON — Templeton Town Coordinator Jeffrey Ritter is remaining quiet about his future plans after being selected for the Town Administrator role in Sterling.

Despite numerous requests over the past week by The Gardner News for a comment, Mr. Ritter has yet to announce whether he will accept the Sterling position or stay in Templeton. Mr. Ritter was offered the position after Sterling’s Board of Selectmen voted 2-to-1 in favor of hiring him earlier this month.

Mr. Ritter, who has served as Templeton’s coordinator since 2011, said he applied for the Sterling job in order to advance his professional career.

Athol school project hits minor snag while Templeton's mired by mixed messages

Andres Caamano
Senior News Editor/NIE Director

No more than a few months ago, back in July, the prospect for a new Templeton elementary school seemed to gain significant traction, shortly after a parcel of land on Crow Hill — as part of the soon-to-be-closed Templeton Developmental Center — was secured for its construction.

Despite that positive step, the project has hit one roadblock after another during the tenure of the district’s current superintendent, Ruth Miller, and that of her two predecessors.

In late November, town officials discussed whether a non-binding ballot question should be posed to town voters, asking whether they supported the building of an elementary school.

While the Board of Selectmen had initially approved drafting such a question, it was later decided the matter would not be placed on the warrant, as it was a “bad idea” according to Board Chairman Jeffrey Bennett.

Such a view, though, seemed in contrast with that of fellow selectman Julie Farrell, who argued that “I’ve had a lot of people come up and tell me they don’t support the new school,” while explaining why such a question was warranted, even if by doing so, it might jeopardize the loss of a promised state reimbursement — the Massachusetts School Building Authority is set to cover 59 percent of the project, a concern brought to light by selectman Kenn Robinson.

BOS Meeting December 16, 2013

BOS Meeting December 16, 2013

This was one very long BOS Meeting! First the good news!

COA Van – COA Director Bethany Loveless approached the BOS about submitting a bid for a used van. The bid was submitted and we won! The bid was $3,612. Good news, but wait there’s more! Bethany contacted Rep. Denise Andrews and with her help the actual bid was lowered to $1,635. I’m sure there will be an update in the COA newsletter, probably pictures as well.

Vendor Warrant Checks – If departments need a check for a vendor held, departments may make the request to the town coordinator for approval to hold the check. It is a better business practice that there is a single of contact to issue vendor payments. This procedure is a change to past practices with a goal of better financial management.

Meetings 12/16- 12/20

Meetings 12/16- 12/20

Monday 12/16

BOS KIVA 6:30 pm

Conservation 4 Elm St 7:00 pm

Tuesday 12/17

Capital Planning 690 Patriots Rd 6:30 pm

Planning Board 690 Patriots Rd 6:30 pm

10 K Solar Site Planning Hearing

Wednesday 12/18

Montachusett Public Health Network Clinton 9 am

Assessors 2 School St 2 pm

Advisory Board 690 Patriots Rd 6:30 pm

Monty Tech Workforce Fitchburg 6:30 pm

NRSD School Committee Kiva 6:30 pm

New rules would outlaw trapping of bait fish

Sentinel & Enterprise

Steve LaPrise of Templeton, left, and his friend, Joe LeBlanc of Gardner, have been legally catching live native bait fish from private and public ponds for freshwater and ice-water fishing. The state is considering legislation that would make all trapping of live native bait illegal in Massachusetts for both commercial and personal use. SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / BRETT CRAWFORD

By Carol Kozma

Statehouse Bureau

BOSTON -- The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife has made some local anglers angry by proposing regulations that would prohibit the old New England tradition of trapping chubsuckers, shiners and other bait fish.

The state agency is holding a public hearing Tuesday in West Boylston to discuss regulations that would make it illegal for fishermen to trap American eel, Creek chubsuckers, Emerald shiner, Spottail shiner and Bluntnose minnow for their own use.

The regulations would also outlaw the commercial sale of eels, carp, suckers and shiners from inland waters.

Local recreational fishermen are upset about the proposed changes.

December 13, 2013 BOS Meeting…and Movie

December 13, 2013 BOS Meeting…and Movie

Part 1 of the December 13, 2013 BOS Meeting

Part 2 of the December 13, 2013 BOS Meeting

Sorry for the delay in getting this information out to people. Suffering from computer glitches. Please watch the videos. No reporters were present at this meeting.

A special BOS meeting was held on Friday December 13^th to discuss Tax Rate Issues and Town Coordinator.

The meeting was held to discuss where we are in the process of closing FY 13 and setting the tax rate for FY 2014 (This year).

Local agriculture focus of co-op

ORANGE — State Rep. Denise Andrews, D-Orange, has announced she will host two fundraising receptions to boost support for the North Quabbin Community Co-op’s efforts to expand operations to downtown Orange in the coming year.

“I am proud to be a member of the co-op and share the vision of a community marketplace within walking distance for many in the downtown,” said Rep. Andrews. “Supporting local food supply and regional farms is critical for the health of this region. The co-op is a great organization that serves all of the nine towns of the North Quabbin and beyond.”

Weekend

Weekend!

Saturday 12/14

Cookie sale Scout Hall 10:00 am – 1 pm

Christmas Tea & Crafts Memorial Congregational Church noon – 3:00 pm

Rappe & Meat Pie Sale Holy Rosary School 11:30 am

Sunday 12/15

Breakfast Buffet Templeton Fish & Game 7:00 am

Candy cigarettes should be banned from stores in town

To The Editor: 12/13/2013
J.L. Butts
Baldwinville

To The Editor:

I am writing this letter in hopes of getting some sort of response from Templeton officials.

Approximately three months ago, I noticed two small children, maybe 12-years-old, smoking in a store parking lot in Templeton.

As I proceeded to say something to them from across the way, they informed me that they were candy cigarettes. Personally, I thought that the marketing and sale of such products to children was against the law. I guess new smokers have to come from somewhere!

To Templeton's Light and Water customers

To The Editor: 12/12/2013
John M. Driscoll
General Manager, TMLWP

To The Editor:

As the General Manager of the Templeton Municipal Light and Water Plant I feel as though I need to respond to some of the statements that have recently been made by some of Templeton’s town officials.

It has been stated that it was not “fair” for the water customers in town to “take a huge hit like that”, referring to our recent 23% increase in the water rates that we charge our water customers. A fair response to this statement may be that perhaps it was not fair to use water department funds for 20 years to lower property taxes rather than maintain the water distribution system. The years of reduced property taxation in town came with a high price tag; a non-compliant, nearly inoperative water department.

Meetings Friday December 13th

Meetings Friday December 13^th

Board of Assessors 690 Patriots Rd 6:30 pm

BOS 690 Patriots Rd 6:30 pm

Sterling voters to weigh in on natural gas plant, combined town utility

By Joshua Lyford CORRESPONDENT

STERLING — Town meeting voters will get a chance to voice their opinion on building a natural gas plant — and establishing a combined municipal electric and natural gas utility — at a special meeting being held in the Chocksett Middle School gymnasium at 7 p.m. Monday.

The meeting comes after the Sterling Municipal Light Department put forth a petition that garnered more than 200 signatures from registered Sterling voters. The vote taking place at this town meeting would be the first of two; voters would also have to approve an article at a second town meeting. A yes vote this time does not commit the town or the light department to build if the project is not found to be fiscally sound.

"Primarily, this is a gauge to see how the residents feel," said light department General Manager Sean Hamilton. "That's what this is for; after that we have a lot of work to do and, just as importantly, we want to make sure the town is informed."

A yes vote would mean that the light department can begin digging into the financial feasibility of such a project.

Detroit's water drains away from ravaged pipes

DETROIT — Torrents of water spew from broken pipes in Detroit's Crosman School, cascading down stairs before pooling on the warped tile of what was once a basketball court.

No one knows how long the water has flowed through the moldy bowels of the massive building a few miles north of downtown, but Crosman has been closed since 2007. It's not the only empty structure where city water steadily fills dark basements or runs into the gutter, wasting money and creating safety hazards.

As Detroit goes through the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history, the city's porous water system illustrates how some of its resources are still draining away even as it struggles to stabilize its finances and provide basic services.

Yet another freedom to licensed anglers in jeopardy

Steve LaPrise
Templeton

To The Editor:

I am 65 years old and a life long, North Central Mass. resident and recreational sports angler. For the past 40-plus years, my son and I have been legally trapping all our live native bait, from private and public ponds, in our area for fresh water fishing and ice fishing in Mass. Such as Golden, Emerald and Spot Tail Shiners, Crayfish, Minnows, etc.

On Dec. 17, 2013 The Mass. Department of Fisheries and Wildlife is having a public hearing at 1 PM in West Boylston, to pass a law to make all trapping of live native bait illegal in Mass. For commercial and personal use. If you, like a lot of Mass licensed fisherman trap shiners and bait fish for personal fishing use, this could very well be your last year. If this new law passes as of Jan. 1, 2014 it will be illegal. to do so and you will be forced to purchased imported bait fish and show sales receipt to game wardens when ask to do so.

Public Input sought on CDBG Grant funding

There will be a meeting to discuss the next application of CDBG grant funding in Templeton. The meeting will be held at 1:00 pm at 690 Patriots Road. This is the first forum to be held. These forums are important. This is YOUR opportunity to provide input on future projects in town.

Jeffrey Ritter is new town administrator in Sterling

By Ken Cleveland CORRESPONDENT
STERLING — Jeffrey Ritter was selected as Sterling's new town administrator, after a discussion in which each of the three selectmen had a different preference.

Selectman Brian J. Patacchiola initially nominated Carter Terenzini, of Spencer, during Wednesday night's meeting, while Selectman Robert F. Cutler said he preferred Michael Slzosek, of Ludlow.

Chairman Ronald A. Furmaniuk said he would opt for Mr. Ritter, a Harvard resident who is currently town coordinator in Templeton. The board eventually voted 2-1 for Mr. Ritter, with Mr. Patacchiola against.

Mr. Furmaniuk, who was participating in the meeting remotely, said the selection process included substantial research and feedback, and ultimately, "Our goal was to find some who is the best fit possible."

The town will now negotiate with Mr. Ritter on contract terms.

Placement of homeless families at Days Inn creates unexpected burden for Shrewsbury

By Elaine Thompson TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
ethompson@telegram.com
SHREWSBURY — School and town officials are racing to provide social and other services and holiday cheer for nearly 60 homeless families they were surprised to learn the state recently placed in a local motel on Route 9.

However, officials are concerned about the unexpected burden on the town's finances and the school district.

The families, who include more than 140 children, were placed in the Days Inn by the state Department of Housing and Community Development between Nov. 4 and Dec. 9.

State budget plan under microscope: Social costs on the rise

By John J. Monahan TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
jmonahan@telegram.com

BOSTON — State officials have begun assembling what will be Gov. Deval L. Patrick's final state budget with expectations of a steady increase in tax revenues next year that could be undercut by rising costs for health care, education and social programs as well as uncertainty over federal funding.

According to a budget analysis being offered by state Secretary of Administration and Finance Glen Shor at pre-budget planning hearings, a growing allocation of state funds for health care subsidies and state employee insurance now account for 54 cents of every state dollar in the budget.

Templeton Population Projections

Some population projections from the UMass Donahue Institute .

Templeton Population Projections through 2030

                                2010          2030

5-19 year olds         1673          1536
60+ years    1597    3163

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Season's greetings

Monday, December 9, 2013

Meetings 12/09 thru 12/13

Meetings 12/09 thru 12/13

Monday 12/9

Monty Tech Workforce Fitchburg 6:30 PM

Tuesday 12/10

TMLWP Water Bridge St 6:00 PM

TMLWP Light Bridge St 6:30 PM

Planning Board 690 Patriots Rd 6:30 PM

No joke: Experts urge feds to measure our happiness

By Seth Borenstein THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — Happy or sad? Content or bored? And how many times did you smile yesterday? A panel of experts thinks Uncle Sam should be more in touch with our feelings.

By gauging happiness, there'd be more to consider than cold hard cash when deciding matters that affect daily lives, according to a report this week from the National Academy of Sciences, which advises the government.

The panel of economists, psychologists and other experts assembled by the academy recommended that federal statistics and surveys, which normally deal with income, spending, health and housing, include a few extra questions on happiness.

''You want to know how people are doing?'' said panel chairman Arthur Stone, a professor of psychology at New York's Stony Brook University. ''One of things you may want to do is ask them.''

Asking how people feel can be as important as how much they are spending, Stone said.

Narragansett principal goes back to school, studies budget solutions

Kerry O'Brien
News Staff Writer

TEMPLETON — Narragansett Regional Middle School Principal Peter Cushing is pursuing a doctorate degree from Boston College with the hopes of discovering ways to address funding issues and new educational mandates school districts are struggling to cope with.

“When I went for my masters, I was really focused on social justice,” said Mr. Cushing, who’s been Narragansett’s principal for three years. “If a school district is under-funded, how is that social justice?”

'Country Roads Christmas' kicks off

Templeton shops come together for friendly competition
Kerry O'Brien
News Staff Writer

TEMPLETON — The Country Roads Christmas yearly shopping competition kicks off Saturday morning and will feature 17 stores as part of the 8th annual event, offering participants a chance to win an assortment of prizes.

“Its going to be very exciting for everyone,” said Gale Whittle, owner of Country Mischief in Templeton. “You go through 17 places, you spend the day meeting and greeting, and everyone has different sales — it’s just really a fun day.”

Templeton Coordinator offered Sterling Administrator position

Board of Selectmen vote 2 to 1, contract yet to be finalized
Kerry O'Brien
News Staff Writer
STERLING — Templeton Town Coordinator Jeffrey Ritter has been offered the position of town administrator in Sterling after the town’s Board of Selectmen voted 2 to 1 on Wednesday.

Mr. Ritter has been serving as Templeton’s coordinator since 2011 and said he applied for the Sterling position in order to advance his professional career.

2014 sewer rate hike considered

Kerry O'Brien
News Staff Writer

TEMPLETON — Sewer Commissioners are seeking the public’s input on what an acceptable rate increase would be following a 2012 study by the engineering company Tighe & Bond which stated the department could justify a rate increase up to 35 percent due to projected operating costs.

“We have independent thinkers here,” said Sewer Commissioner Mark Moschetti. “The rate study was money well spent, but we think the 35 percent is too high. We believe we need a multi-year plan.”

The engineering company suggested the rates be increased by 35.3 percent starting fiscal year 2014, with a four percent annual increase. The recommended increase would raise the quarterly rate for the average user from $94 to $133.

AG Coakley: Education a focus of campaign for gov.

By Steve LeBlanc THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BOSTON — Attorney General Martha Coakley said the state should take some of the money it's spending ''warehousing'' nonviolent offenders and help inmates get job training or pass the GED high school equivalency test.

The Democratic candidate for governor made the comments Thursday after visiting an early childhood center in Boston. Coakley said if elected she would push to reduce barriers to learning from pre-kindergarten through high school.

Coakley was asked about comments she made earlier in the week in Wellesley arguing that the state has ''lost that war'' by spending a lot of money putting people in jail and not enough on education.

Weekend! December 7 & 8 2013

Weekend!

December 7 & 8 2013

Country Roads Christmas

Saturday and Sunday from 8 am to 5 pm.

Be a shunpiker! Shop local.

St Martins Holiday Fair

Saturday and Sunday

American Legion Baldwinville

It’s a good weekend to buy a Christmas tree…before the freezing rain arrives!

Nuclear Option...Spencer voters agree to fund state-set school budget

Spencer voters agree to fund state-set school budget

By Kim Ring TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

SPENCER — After months of financial wrangling, the town now has a budget and the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District has one the town has agreed to fund in a vote Thursday night.

With no discussion at all, voters at the special town meeting quickly dispensed with the articles related to approving their share of the $23,451,588 school budget and retooling the town's spending plan for fiscal 2014.

Voters also approved a reduction in the town's operating budget, funding it at $8,222,334.

There were concerns about the use of unexpended funds from the treasury, also known as "free cash," to balance the budget, something the town does not usually do.

Ritter selected as Sterling Town Administrator

Harvard resident serves as Templeton Town Administrator
Christine Smith

Jeffrey Ritter of Harvard, who has been town administrator in Templeton for the past year, has been chosen as Sterling's Town Administrator at the selectmen's Dec. 4 meeting.

He replaces Terri Ackerman, who will leave the position at the end of December.
Selectman chairman Ronald Furmaniuk, who chaired the meeting via a telephone call, and selectman Robert Cutler voted in favor of Ritter. Selectman Brian Patacchiola, who had nominated Carter Terenzini of Spencer, voted against the motion to appoint Ritter.

Prior to his position in Templeton, Ritter served as town administrator in Hatfield from 2010-2012 and as assistant town manager in Harvard from 2008-2010.

During the interview process, Ritter said that the town's financial stability and resources attracted him to Sterling. He said that the rewards would be in building the community and leaving the town in better condition than when he started.

Town officials will notify Ritter to begin contract negotiations, which selectmen said could begin Dec. 16.

Ackerman will officially leave office at the end of December but will remain on the payoll through early January because of accrued vacation time. She has offered to assist Ritter during the transition.

Landmark

Shrewsbury's finances are strained, study committee reports

By Elaine Thompson TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

SHREWSBURY — Budgets and resources for virtually all town departments are strained and there is little expectation of an increase in state aid or other revenues to help sustain the level of services residents are accustomed to, according to the 2013 Fiscal Study Committee.

The 32-member committee, consisting mainly of selectmen, members of the Finance and School committees, and town meeting members, was formed in the summer. Over a four-month period, members divided into subcommittees met with all department heads to better understand the town's fiscal condition and to determine if there are any significant changes since a report from the previous Fiscal Study Committee, in 2007. That report, released after nine months of meetings, gave a detailed review of the municipal and school budgets, but failed to find major opportunities to increase revenues or cut spending.

Detroit pension officials: Funds 'cannot be touched' in bankruptcy

CHRISTINE FERRETTI THE DETROIT NEWS
Detroit— Seeking to quell fears of retirees, Detroit pension fund officials stressed Wednesday their opinion that the funds’ current combined value of $5 billion “cannot be touched” in bankruptcy.

Pension officials said the market value of the retirement funds is not in danger despite a judge’s ruling Tuesday that Detroit is eligible for bankruptcy and that pensions can be impaired to restructure the city’s debt.

“There are people out there that are panicking and we do not want that panic,” said Michael VanOverbeke, general counsel for the General Retirement System.

“That money cannot be touched through the bankruptcy process and proceedings. It’s there for the exclusive benefit of the members and beneficiaries and will be used to pay the benefits that have been promised.”

The General Retirement System met Wednesday with its restructuring advisers in a closed-door session hours before the funds jointly filed an appeal of U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Steven Rhodes’ Tuesday ruling.

The Police and Fire Retirement System is expected to meet today.

December 2, 2013 BOS Meeting…the movie

December 2, 2013 BOS Meeting…the movie

Part 1 of the December 2 BOS Meeting

Part 2 of the December 2 BOS Meeting

Part 3 of the December 2 BOS Meeting

Part 4 of the December 2 BOS Meeting

Enjoy!

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Selectmen seek investigation into Templeton Municipal Light and Water Department

Kerry O'Brien
News Staff Writer

TEMPLETON — In reaction to Templeton Municipal Light and Water Department’s plans to raise the water rate and customer service fee, the Board of Selectmen are sending a letter to the state Office of the Investigator General requesting a full investigation of the department.

“It’s unfortunate it’s such a dramatic increase all at once,” said selectman Douglas Morrison. “To take a huge hit like that it’s not really fair.”

Earlier this month the water department informed their approximately 2,200 customers — about 60 percent of the town — that their water rates will increase by 23 percent and the customer service fee will go up $21 to $49 beginning in December.

Templeton finalizes ballot questions

Kerry O'Brien
News Staff Writer

TEMPLETON — Voters will no longer be asked whether they want to pay for the construction of a new elementary school building as the first of two “non-binding” questions on the upcoming ballot for the Special Election sheduled to fill a seat on the Board of Selectmen.

“In short, question one — bad idea,” said Chairman of the Board of Selectmen Jeffrey Bennett. “Question one — in the can.”

Last week selectmen approved drafting a “non-binding” question for the ballot, which would ask voters if they approved the elementary school building project.

“I’ve had a lot of people come up and tell me they don’t support the new school,” selectman Julie Farrell said, “because of that I think we need to gauge the reaction to see if it’s true.”

Proposed Sewer Rate Increase

There were eight people in attendance at the sewer commissioners meeting yesterday. Those residents seem very interested in the proposed sewer rate hike. The Commissioners presented a handout from Woodcock & Associates who performed the rate study. This proposal includes a recommended 35 % first year increase in the sewer rates. The good news is there is not an inflated "customer service charge" included in the sewer rates.