Pauly's Templeton Watch

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Selectman Seeks Interim Town Administrator Job

Selectman Seeks Interim Town Administrator Job
Raeanne Siegel steps down from selectman post

Tara Vocino
Reporter

HUBBARDSTON Board of Selectmen Vice Chairwoman Raeanne Siegel has stepped down from her
position as a selectman to apply for the position of interim town administrator.

If she got the job, she would succeed Anita Scheipers, who is leaving in April to become the West Boylston town administrator.

Siegel’s term was set to expire in June 2017, but she had to step down in order to be eligible for the position.

“She resigned in order to pursue the interim town administrator position,” Scheipers said.

Retired Moultonborough, N.H., Town Manager Carter Terenzini is also applying for the job.

Scheipers brought Siegel’s and Terenzini’s resumes before the board on Monday, recommending them as good choices.

Neither were present on Monday.

Selectmen thanked Scheipers for her three years of service.

Selectman Chairman Daniel S. Galante thanked Scheipers for all that she’s done.

“We’re in an incredibly better position than where we were before you came here,” Galante said.

“Not everyone can see the organizational structure.

I know you aren’t leaving immediately, but we hate to see you go.

Good luck in your future endeavors.”

Selectman Michael S. Stauder added she’s done a lot for the town.

“I’ve enjoyed it,” Scheipers replied.

The town is going to have a longer search process for a permanent town administrator.

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Special Town Meeting Update

Article 1 Debt Authorization for USDA Loan for the Water Department:

After discussion and a handcount this article passed 41 YES votes to 11 NO votes. Required a 2/3 vote.

Points of discussion - New concrete tank is projected to have a useful life of 70-100 years. Painting the tank would cost $550,000. New Tank is projected to cost $1.23 million. Cost of maintaining the concrete tank is not known. At this point in time, the November 2015 increase in the water rates (9%) should be enough to cover the cost of the water tank. Unknown at this point is when the next water tank will need to be repainted or replaced which will increase the rates even further. To infinity and beyond!

The Advisory Board was split on this article with 2 - YES votes; 2- NO votes and 2 - abstentions

Some members of the Advisory Board feel the water budget should be reviewed by the Advisory Board and the water budget should be voted on at Town Meeting.

Article 2 Debt Authorization : Templeton Elementary School:

This article contained a small, inconsequential wording change - NOT!

The wording :

"To meet this appropriation the Narragansett Regional School District, with the approval of the Templeton Board of Selectmen, is authorized to borrow said amount under and pursuant to M.G. L. Chapter 44, or pursuant to any other enabling authority";

"To meet this appropriation the Treasurer, with the approval of the Templeton Board of Selectmen, is authorized to borrow said amount under and pursuant to M.G. L. Chapter 44, or pursuant to any other enabling authority";

Two years ago, the original article wording was brought before the Templeton Selectmen to be included in the Special Town Meeting Warrant held on March 29, 2014 by former Supt. Ruth Miller. Supt Miller insisted on this wording because " That's what MSBA says. Those are the rules."

TWO years later, Templeton's BOND Counsel is insisting on the change to Town's Treasurer be authorized to borrow, because guess what?

THIS IS A TOWN PROJECT!

Cause for concern:

When asked at last night's Special Town Meeting, Town Counsel responded that they had not reviewed the contract for the new $50 million dollar elementary school. This is the largest, most expensive capital project ever undertaken by the Town of Templeton (still no bond rating) and the Templeton Board of Selectmen did not request Town Counsel to review this contract!

Article VI of the General ByLaws states:

Article VI – Contracts by Town Officers

Section 1. Unless otherwise provided by the General Laws or a vote of Town Meeting, the Board of Selectmen is authorized to enter into any

contract for the exercise of the Town’s corporate powers on such terms and conditions as are deemed appropriate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no

Board, Committee, Commission or Town officer shall contract for any purpose, on any terms or under any conditions inconsistent with any applicable provision of any general or special law. (G.L. c. 40, section 4, Town Meeting

designation of contracting authority).

According to our Bylaws and Mass. General Law, only the Board of Selectmen can sign a contract authorizing debt on the Town's behalf.

That's why there was an article 2 on this STM warrant in the first place. Article 2 corrects the erroneous/felonious article submitted by the former school superintendent.

That's why the water department had to come before town meeting to allow the selectmen to sign off on the USDA loan for the water tank.

Only the Selectmen can authorize the town treasurer/collector to borrow money. Selectmen can only authorize the borrowing after voters approve at town meeting and/or the ballot.

A good, first step to correcting this potential blunder would be to have town counsel review the contract for the new elementary school. It's never a bad thing to have town counsel review contracts - especially if the are in the $50 million dollar range.