Eryn Dion
News Staff Writer
TEMPLETON With the Legislature heading into final budget discussions next week, the Board of Selectmen was informed by Tyler Wolanin, district director for Sen. Anne Gobi, that there is a line item in the budget to restore funding for the Gladys I. Salame Memorial Playground.
Last year, the town received an $85,000 grant from the state to build a new playground at Templeton Center School, with the stipulation that the work be completed by a certain date. The playground was already completed and the money spent by February when the grant funding was eliminated through a round of 9C executive cuts ordered by Gov. Charlie Baker to close the shortfall in the state budget.
Though the amount was seemingly covered by some financial juggling between accounts during the annual Town Meeting, the effects of trimming such a considerable amount from the current year’s budget are still being felt.
“That cut has really caused financial dislocation for us,” said interim Town Administrator Bob Markel. “We’ll survive it, but it’s really causing some problems right now.”
Town Accountant Kelli Pontbriand said she has been communicating with the state Department of Revenue regarding the situation, which has granted special considerations because of the circumstances.
“They will allow us to carry the playground forward like we do snow and ice,” she explained.
If the state budget passes with the line item included, Ms. Pontbriand said, the financial management team would need to push state officials to release the funds before Sept. 30 to avoid having to take the amount out of free cash or make further cuts.
With July 1 and the beginning of a new fiscal year looming, the $38.1 billion budget proposed by the Legislature is still awaiting a final vote and will likely be taken up Tuesday — the last day of the fiscal year — at the earliest.
I am pretty sure Gladys is turning over in her grave about now. She would not be happy about how this project turned out, especially with her name attached to it. How can the City of Boston and our Governor begin to think we can handle the Olympics when they have to cut corners so tight that they can't come up with the money for a few plastic swings and a slide. Once a gift is given, you do not take it back. Any six year old knows that. I does seem to me if the DOR had done their job, the Town would not be in the mess it is in. As they say, hind sight is 20/20, but these people are paid a good sum to do a job, they did poorly. Who watches over them ?? Bev.
ReplyDeleteI am pretty sure Gladys is turning over in her grave about now. She would not be happy about how this project turned out, especially with her name attached to it. How can the City of Boston and our Governor begin to think we can handle the Olympics when they have to cut corners so tight that they can't come up with the money for a few plastic swings and a slide. Once a gift is given, you do not take it back. Any six year old knows that. I does seem to me if the DOR had done their job, the Town would not be in the mess it is in. As they say, hind sight is 20/20, but these people are paid a good sum to do a job, they did poorly. Who watches over them ?? Bev.
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