Please vote on November 4th.

Please vote on November 4^th.

Please support the override questions on the Templeton on the November 4^th ballot. Requesting an override to increase taxes permanently is never an easy decision.  I support these override requests for a number of reasons.

Templeton has lost many hard-working, dedicated employees in the past 18 months. Currently, there are four key department head vacancies that need to be filled. The Templeton police department has had many younger officers leave for employment in other towns. Our highway and cemetery crews have been cut. Our town employees have performed admirably under very adverse conditions.

Templeton’s operating budget for the following years:

Fiscal Year  2012  $7,595,751

Fiscal Year 2014   $6,281,181

Fiscal Year 2015   $5,795,312

Templeton’s operating budget has been in a steep decline as our fixed costs have increased.

The two override questions on the November 4^th ballot ask for an additional 16 cents to be added to the tax rate. If passed, this additional money will be used to fund raises for employees who have gone without raises for a long time and funding for two assistants in the Town Clerk and Assessor’s Office.

If this override is successful, the town will not ask for an override for FY 16. Templeton has learned the hard way not to rely on Free Cash to fund the operating budget. In order to fund the Town’s operating budget, small incremental overrides will be necessary from time to time. At this time an override is necessary.

Please vote on November 4^th. I ask for your support on the override questions.

Thank you.

Julie Farrell