Changes to memorials causes stir in 'Gansett

Changes to memorials causes stir in 'Gansett 
Administration says removal of student names part of initiative to curb teen suicide
Eryn Dion
News Staff Writer

  TEMPLETON — Last week, Jessica Beaudoin’s mother took a trip through the halls of Narragansett Regional High School to help a family member enroll their child in the district’s School Choice program.

While in the building, she also wanted to take a detour and revisit the mural dedicated to her son Jared McPherson, whose life was tragically cut short during his sophomore year when he suffered an embolism as a result of a childhood illness.

For all intents and purposes the mural appeared untouched – the portly bear Baloo from “The Jungle Book” still lounging against a palm tree with a yellow bookbag, the famous quote from Disney’s adaptation still hanging in the air.

But then Ms. Beaudoin’s mother discovered something was missing.

An off-white splotch was visible where her son’s name had once lovingly been painted, leaving an empty space directly beneath the quote “Whenever great deeds are remembered in this jungle, one name will stand above all others: our friend …”

Jared’s name was not the only one removed, as several other murals around the school dedicated to students who passed away had also recently been touched up in the same way.

Selectmen signature on Warrants

Selectmen Signature on Warrants

The Templeton BOS now has a written legal opinion about signing the payroll and vendor warrants for TMLWP:

This message is in response to your question concerning the Board of Selectmen’s signing of warrants for Light and Water Department bills or payrolls.  You have informed us that some of the Selectmen are not sure about their authority to sign warrants for payment of Light and Water Department bills or payrolls.



Chapter 93 of the Acts of 2000, An Act Relative To The Water And Light Departments Of The Town Of Templeton states in Section 1 that



“”[u]pon the effective date of this act the Templeton municipal lighting plant shall be known as the Templeton municipal lighting and water plant, shall have all powers contained in chapter 164 of the General Laws and otherwise, and all powers and duties now and from time to time vested by general or special law and by by-law in the water department of said town …”



M.G.L. c.164, Section 56 states:



“[a]ll moneys payable to or received by the city, town, manager or municipal light board in connection with the operation of the plant, for the sale of gas or electricity or otherwise, shall be paid to the city or town treasurer … [T]he selectmen in towns, shall approve the payment of all bills or payrolls of such plants before they are paid by the treasurer, and may disallow and refuse to approve for payment, in whole or in part, any claim as fraudulent, unlawful or excessive; and in that case the auditor or officer having similar duties, or the selectmen, shall file with the city or town treasurer a written statement of the reasons for the refusal; and the treasurer shall not pay any claim or bill so disallowed. …”



We understand that moneys received by the Light and Water Department are deposited in accounts from which bills and payrolls are paid by the Town Treasurer.  The provisions quoted above indicate in our opinion that the Board of Selectmen has authority to sign warrants for payment of Light and Water Department bills or payrolls.

 ***************************************

 This opinion seems pretty clear. 

"“[a]ll moneys payable to or received by the city, town, manager or municipal light board ..."

Now the question arises about the money held in accounts by MMWEC ... 

An excerpt from an email from the General manager John Driscoll:

..."This money will have to come from one of the light department’s trust accounts held at MMWEC and this is not what these types of trust accounts were established for.  But the trusts were established initially with electric ratepayers funds over the years, which means that should the $200,000.00 be tied up for a period of months or years until this town gets its act together, Templeton Light’s electric ratepayers shall be denied access to these funds while simultaneously being charged monthly to build the funds back up ($16,666.67 per month per 3,525 electric customers) to a responsible level."...

So when is TMLWP considered part of the "Town"? As a ratepayer,  am I able to access these funds held at MMWEC? Anyone need a few bucks?

Happenings in Templeton

According to Dana Blais, "we do things right over here". Well, maybe not, according to Light general Manager John Driscoll, Templeton Light now has to post a cash collateral in the amount of $200,000.00 dollars in escrow at ISO New England. The reason for this according to Mr. Driscoll is the lack of a bond rating for the Town of Templeton. In the background I can hear a violin playing a tune of sorrow and I can see tears flowing for the position of the Light Commissioner's. Perhaps they should have had a different attitude towards the Town and it's residence. Perhaps when information was asked for, it should have been provided rather than a letter from a $300.00 per hour attorney. I do recall how the commission would say Templeton Light is separate from the town and I have heard the general manager say he does not work for the town. Well if that was the case, why would the bond rating of Templeton or the lack of one have any affect on Templeton Light? Perhaps it is in the name, as in Templeton Municipal Light & Water and the fact that Templeton Light & Water uses the Town of Templeton's federal tax ID number.

On another note, seems like the selectmen gave the okay to use chapter 90 funds so the highway dept. could buy a new loader so do not look for any roads to get fixed anytime soon! Yes the law allows this to happen but it does not mean the town or the selectmen have to go that route. I believe the capital planning committee led by Doug Morrison was and is working on a sound plan to show how to plan, budget and pay for large ticket items such as a loader. I hope the selectmen do not allow the highway dept. to continue to use this loader as a high speed wheel barrow when sweeping the streets. I also hope this new loader is properly maintained and care for so it lasts 20 or 30 years.

I have heard of at least one selectmen suggesting using free cash to complete the senior center project and I hope this is not done. I fully support the senior center but there needs to be a different way to finance it especially after we, the BOS spent the better part of a year telling residents it was bad to spend free cash (one time funds) on a yearly basis and it is better and smarter to save it and build a Town nest egg which allows for a contingency fund and a better bond rating because the town would show financial stability. There has to be state money available and in an election year, this is the time to push for that.

Hope you all enjoy these tidbits of info from Pauly's watch.

Jeffrey Bennett