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Friday, April 26, 2013

Government Study committee


I believe Templeton has a government study committee and I believe Ms. Wilder was/is on it. When was the last time this committee met and has a town charter ever been discussed? I am unaware of this being brought forward to the selectmen. I believe the process for a charter is about 2 years. Article 49: To see if the town will vote to AMEND vote taken by the town on June 23, 1998 (which resulted in the town adopting MGL chapter 41, section 23C) this article would amend that vote to accept MGL chapter 41, section 23A sec. 4. As section 23A gives better clarification (less Grey area) on the position and the authority that the selectmen can vote to give the position,
it would seem the prudent thing to do is vote this amendment and then look at a town charter which may be good for the town. I see no reason to not more clearly define the position of coordinator/town administrator now and look down the road to a charter. By clarifying the position and role, the job description would most likely change and require in the future, a high degree of qualifications for the position. This to me would be an example of building on what we have and moving forward, something Ms. Wilder seems to be in favor of. The choice will be up to the voters, stagnate or move forward and build on an already improving town.

                  Article 49 To see if the Town will vote to amend the vote taken on June 23, 1998 (to adopt Chapter 41 section 23c ) and adopt MGL Chapter 41 section 23A – By adding section 4 to Town By-Law Article III –Town Officers.
Section 4: Town Administrator-
The town may by vote or by-law authorize and empower the selectmen to appoint an executive secretary or town administrator who may be appointed by them for a term of one or three years and to remove him at their discretion. An executive secretary or town administrator appointed under the provisions of this section shall be sworn to the faithful performance of his duties. During the time that he holds office he shall hold no elective town office, but he may be appointed by the selectmen or, with their approval, by any other town officer, board, committee or commission, to any other town office or position consistent with his office. He shall receive such aggregate compensation, not exceeding the amount appropriated therefore, as the selectmen may determine. He shall act by and for the selectmen in any matter which they may assign to him relating to the administration of the affairs of the town or of any town office or department under their supervision and control, or, with the approval of the selectmen, may perform such other duties as may be requested of him by any other town officer, board, committee or commission.
Submitted by the Board of Selectmen
Jeffrey Bennett
Templeton

5 comments:

  1. The above post was also sent to The Gardner News as a letter to the editor on Thursday, taking bets on whether it will appear prior to the election.

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    1. I was told that the planning board has done the work on this article some years back, and the town voted it down. I think things have changed, and I would not have a problem giving a person like Mr. Ritter more say in the every day affairs of the office. Speaking of letters to the editor, I am really upset with Virginia writing that the citizen petitions "will destroy what we have", or something to that effect. This woman is not working for the good of the people. What is wrong with her? Oh, Echo Hillitis. It affects your ability to use good judgment, and think clearly. She has a position in this town, where the people should be able to go to, for clear honest answers. Dancing to another persons agenda, is hardly being honest. When a person looses respect,there is no getting it back. In my opinion, Ms. Wilder is walking on a very narrow path. Let our friend run his own campaign, he is a big boy now. My opinion, Bev.

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  2. While doing some spring cleaning this week, I came upon a document about the Government Study Committee. Interesting reading after a comment made by Candidate Skelton at Candidates Night regarding this Committee. Someone asked him why he was opposed to this Committee several years ago but is all for it now. He stated that "back then it was formed to get rid of one person and one person only" in reference to getting rid of his wife as town coordinator. Well…that's yet another false statement from this gentleman. The Committee was created to make a Town Administrator form of government with his wife assuming the role, of course. Look at the committee members and see how many are/were friendly to the Recall --Let the People Speak, Inc. Contributors to this Committee also included Lauren Goldberg from K&P and Carol Skelton. Seems to me that these were not people looking to get rid of his dear wifey but rather to help give her more control over the town operations. The Committee had three options to seek this new administrative position: adopt a Home Rule Charter, seek special municipal legislation, or use existing "permissive" legislation. The Committee came back with three "Scope of Services" levels from the Collins Center: Option #1- cost $4,000 to give report on town organizational structure, Option #2- cost $6,500 to develop a town charter and Option #3- $9,500 to deliver both Option 1&2. The Committee was disbanded when they asked for money to complete this process and the voters said NO to spending any more money. I point all this out because I am really tired of hearing false statements made by this man. Just like "10" people killed the 252 project. False (It was a vote at town meeting by way more than 10 people). Just like he stated that Bev was responsible for firing his wife. False (Bev was not involved in town politics in a any way in 2011). I wonder if anyone who has a Skelton sign in their yard reads this blog and actually comprehends the kind of man they support. In my opinion, his view of history is clouded and his math is fuzzy.

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    1. Wait a minute. It would have cost the townspeople close to $10,000 to have a report on town organizational structure, and to develop a town charter?
      That number rang a bell. The L&W (with ratepayer’s/townspeople’s money) spent around that amount for a document that pertains to this subject, and will not release it to the public. Something about that seems just wrong and smells fishy to me. Will we ever get transparent local government from some of the old guard? It sure doesn’t look that way.

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  3. No not from the old guard/wolf the chickens all ran then.
    There are people digging in places never before and i for one have the backbone to do more of it. With your help Templeton voters we will show how the votes are here for a reason.
    I think/know we have missed out on a few lately and that needs to be made right! As i have stated previously!
    IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY!
    IT IS OUR BUSINESS!
    IT'S OUR MONEY.
    Shareholder PLEASE
    Dave Smart "VOTE SMART"

    Did i mention there are only three good choices for selectman. DOUG,PAULY,KENN THATS ENOUGH! For Templeton's future!

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