Information for taxpayers:

Actually, I do not own a couch, I have a sofa. So enoughisenough can relax. Last night, Thursday, March 15, 2012 at the middle school auditorium, selectmen gave an overview of the budget as well as the articles for the annual town meeting. The board of selectmen voted to remove an article from the elementary school building committee that basically requested the town of Templeton to take by eminent domain a parcel of about 50 acres. It was brought forward that along with multiple mortgages on the property, there are about $900,000.00 in liens on the property. Seems Colonial cooperative bank may be wishing the taxpayers of Templeton take this troubled land off their hands. Concerns were raised by town citizens that if the town takes this land, taxpayers could be held responsible as in paying the bills on these liens. Take the land, which takes it off the tax rolls and then have to be responsible for paying off these liens too. Now that sounds like a financially responsible thing to do to me.........NOT I think even enoughisenough would agree with me on this one. The board of selectmen voted to remove this article from the warrant for the annual town meeting. However, the board voted 4 to 1 to have a special town meeting within the annual town meeting so taxpayers should keep an eye on what articles appear on the special town meeting. See if house keeping articles only appear on this meeting. I was the lone vote against the special town meeting. It has historically been used in a way to slide in articles that either did not make it onto the annual or were things (deals) made after the deadline to submit articles for the annual town meeting, in my opinion. Chairman of the Board bob columbus and the board voted to remove this article and then we voted to put forward an article to consider using Templeton center school for the site of a new school. The budget for the town of Templeton's share of Narragansetts budget was reduced to comply with the needed reductions across the board to meet the town budget. Taxpayers need to keep an eye on what happens between now and town meeting. Virginia Wilder myself and Police Chief Whitaker will be meeting with Mayor Hawke next week to discuss regionalization of some services between Templeton and Gardner. This makes sense to me since there is now state funds for everything from studies to putting in place regionalization of services so why not talk about it and see if we can benefit both communities by working together. More on this should be available on the town website or from the office of selectmen. More to come as it develops. Thank you to Paul H. Cosentino for having this blog so residents may share information and ideas and thoughts. If nothing else, it has us talking, directly and indirectly, which is more than the Gardner news is doing for us, and Paul does not charge for this service. Thank you for your support and for becoming involved.
Jeffrey Bennett