Civic Engagement Opportunities

Good thing I checked my junkmail. I found this notice to attend the 69^th Citizens Legislative Seminar. I thought I would pass this information along.

In the same e-mail there is a notice for a meeting on the Open Meeting Law in Barre:

Additionally, I would like to remind you that Attorney General Martha Coakley's Office will host one of four educational forums on the Open Meeting Law in Barre on Thursday, September 20, 2012 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at Quabbin Regional High School.  Additional information on this forum and other forums across the state is provided below.

I hope you will consider participating in these informative opportunities providing your schedule allows.

Sincerely,

Steve Brewer

Blog On!

Julie Farrell

We Are Not Alone…

Regarding issues with aging infrastructure

The multiple water main breaks in Templeton are a symptom of a larger problem. That problem is our infrastructure is aging and very costly to repair. In order to protect our residents and ensure their quality of life, we will need to have discussions about how to address the aging infrastructure in our community and formulate a plan.

If Templeton is to become a thriving community, it will need to provide businesses and residents with reliable electricity, water/sewer, roads and bridges. Our schools need to be maintained. We also need a new elementary school.

Water Main Break Update

Water Main Break Update

Do you recall the numerous water breaks on July 14^th? I was concerned about the lack of an update on that situation, so I asked for an agenda item at the August 27th BOS meeting to discuss requesting a written report from the Water Dept. on the water main breaks.

Lo and behold, the BOS chairman and newly elected Light and Water commissioner, Chris Stewart produced this document at the BOS meeting. It is an interesting document. It provides a timeline and an analysis of the water main breaks. It does not provide the expense involved in making the repairs to the water mains. There is no mention made of how to prevent this type of incident from occurring again.

OUR ADVISORY BOARD

I could not attend the Monday August 27th Selectmen’s meeting but Sue did bring home a print out from the Advisory Board – Our Advisory Board. I say our Advisory Board because, Woo Boy! It looks like we finally have a group looking out for the taxpayers. So for all of you who could not be there and because even with a new person covering the meeting for the Gardner News (Mark Harranas is on his honeymoon) They still didn’t print anything! No surprise there. Sooo here’s the information the advisory board provided. (now remember click on the blue words as Julie would say) First there is their “Vision and Mission” Read the Vision, read it, read it again and again – it says it all – thank you Advisory Board members!!!!  The Adv Bd will be “fiscally responsible to the residents and businesses” Then read the Mission, read it again and again.  All I can say is – this is what we have needed for years. I especially like the part that says “to ensure Town departments deliver exceptional service while optimizing financial resources.” Thank you to the dedicated members.

Goals – Planning for the future of Templeton, financial policies, Open Government, what great concepts. Watch where the money is going. Plan, plan, plan.

This should be a very important lesson to us all, without planning and watching the cookie jar- we will be back to where the Skeltons, BC, DO’B took us. Lets not forget this – ever!

FinancialGoals/Recommendation/Objectives – Bond Rate – One question, isn’t that the treasurer’s job? I think all of us are all too aware  of interest rates, on mortgages, loans, credit cards etc. This should be automatic for the person paying the town’s bills. Insurance Board – get the best plan for the best price, again an obvious thing. With my businesses I have changed  insurance companies a few times due to cost and service. Again the treasurer pays these bills – they should be questioned – can we get more for our money? I know in the past we had a selectboard who would have and did, ridiculed our past treasurer when she questioned things. But we have a pretty decent selectboard now (excluding scrappy who obviously doesn’t care what something cost a town).

Now I especially like the recommendation of establishing and inventory of all town meeting – I know that the Advisory Board have mentioned that they had a projector and a recorder that. Where did it go – probably the same place as the ConCom’s laptop and underwater camera.

The last thing I will comment on is the employee time sheet – this speaks for itself – no more cheating on hours or sick time or vacation time. The only thing better would be timeclocks! Let’s get this started now!!

So thanks to all the hardworking members of the Advisory Board and keep up the good work – Keep protecting us taxpayers!

Thanks for reading my opinions - Pauly

Selectman Update Part I 8/28/12

Selectman Update Part I 8/28/12

Community Development Block Grant Update –

Mike Pingpank from Communities Opportunities Group gave a presentation to the BOS reviewing different options for next year’s grant application. The 7 options included:

1.  Complete Back Bay – Memorial St. need bid ready

 construction plans. Ch. 90 can’t pay for water design.

2.  A different infrastructure project – need more lead time to

complete income survey…Graves development, Otter River, ET. Same issue using Ch 90 funds.

3.  Housing Rehab only – require a joint application w/another town. Problem with losing $$ due to homeowners losing their home.

More Donations

Bev called me today, she got a the check for $300.00 from the anonymous donor so she will be bringing to Ruth Miller. More to help the kids.

So all this talk of the empty houses and homeless kids and families doubling up had me thinking of the Chief asking to pursue building an addition on the police station or turning 252 Baldwinville Rd into a police station! We the Taxpayers are broke! Get it!

Stay tuned  I'll be writing a blog on this shortly, sorry still recovering!

Thanks - Pauly

School starts Aug 27

Reminder Schools starts back August 27 - so Drive Carefully!. Watch out for the Kids walking and at the bus stops! Put down the cell phone and the coffee and drive safely. Thank you!

Just to let you all know Citizens4Templeton delivered a check for $1,200.00  to Superintendent Ruth Miller for the 40 plus homeless kids. With school  starting Monday we needed to get the money to them. As more money comes in (like the anonymous $300.00 that someone promised Bev) it will be forwarded to the Ruth Miller. If anyone knows of a child in need please call Ruth Miller's Office at 978-939-5661
.
The formal accepting of the check by the Narragansett Regional School district will be at the next school committee meeting (yes because it is a donation they have to vote to accept it) I'll let you all know the date so those that want to attend can.

Thank you to all for all the hard work.

 As I was driving with a friend the other day, they told me about a small house in their neighborhood that currently has 2 families living there. Currently there are 58 empty houses/condos in town. There is also many homes in various stages of foreclosure that the families are still living there.

Sue
 

selectmens meeting

Please not that Monday August 27th Selectmen's meeting is at the High School Kiva at 6:30 pm Please pass the word!!!!!

anonymous post

Breakfast at the Thirsty Turtle Friday - Jerry Skelton and Patricks Mullins

Well, it's nice to know that Mullins shows up for SOME meetings. Do we have to make you pancakes to get you to the Select Board meetings? 

another selectmen's corner

from the selectmen corner

Lots of things happening within the entity that is the Town of Templeton. First is a group that got together first as kind of a political action committee, and these are my words because I do not belong to it nor do I profess to be a mind reader, but Citizens4Templeton seems to have evolved into a civic action committee. Simply looking at things to do or become involved with to try and make Templeton a better place. This group recently went on a quest to gather money for school supplies for children who attend Templeton Schools and are classified as homeless. Some of these kids may be living in cars, campers, or sharing a home with relatives,

I am back and what is all this bu----??

Hoo Boy! Miss a week or two and look what happens. The COA director wants more money the health agent wants more money and more benefits.  Hey  – we the taxpayers are broke.  End of story.

I would like to thank the staff of the 2^nd floor at Heywood and the emergency room staff. Jen F and Catherine thank you.  When I got out of the hospital I had to get some prescriptions filled $758.00 for just 2 of them. How do the seniors on  just social security or a pension afford this? 

Thank yous!!

Thanks to all the people who came by the Citizens4Templeton table and bought chances and helped support the children of the Narragansett school district that have lost their homes. Thanks to all the Volunteers - Will and Carolyn, Bev B, Carol G, Theresa K, Darren, Dave S, Karen and Hal B, Dianna and Doug, hope I didn't forget anyone.

The winner of the antique wood Toolbox was Ida O'Brien
Bud Chase and Debbie Henshaw won the two Wine Baskets
Bob Dennis won the Dog Basket
Tom Miller won the Smiths Country cheese Gift certificate
Bob Mitchell won the Chair from the Chair Shoppe
Kate C (a little girl )won the Fall Planting Basket
Amanda K won the Footstool
Rose B from Templeton won the Kitchen Garden Gift Certificate
Bev B won the JK Crossroads Gift Certificate
Ann Marie Page won the Baldwinville Station Gift Certificate
Nan Sans won the Baldwinville Pizza Barn Gift Certificate
Bridget from Gardner won the Ale House Gift certificate
A women from Gardner won the Kid's Basket

We raised over $1000.00 for the Kids thank you all.
We would also like to thank Sara Robuccio former Narragansett Student, now a teacher I heard and daughter of Mr. & Mrs.  Robuccio's of East Templeton who graciously donated a huge box of all kinds of supplies for the kids.  Thank you Sara!!!!

Steve LaPrise's puppies

Sunday

I expect to see you all at the Craft Fair today. Please, please stop by our table. We are raising funds for "back to school" supplies for the 40plus homeless children in the Narragansett school system. Yesterday Superintendent Ruth Miller stopped by and told us that one thing these kids really need is socks and sneakers. Please read the attached letter. Can you imagine? We have a Chinese auction, Tickets are 3 for $2.00 or 10 for $5.00. Prizes are Wine Basket (2), Dog Basket (everything to make your pup happy), a Kids basket, Fall Planting Basket with a $35.00 Gift Certificate to Agway, Gift Certificates to the Ale House, the Kitchen Garden, Baldwinville Pizza Barn, Baldwinville Station, JK Crossroads,  a Kringle candle and Gift Certificate from Valley Florist,. We also so have a beautiful chair and stool donated by the famous "Chair Shoppe" located right here in East Templeton. We also have an Antique Toolbox wonderfully restored and donated by Kirk Moschetti.

So come by for a good cause, help support the other local fund raisers. CERT, Gladys Salame Scholarship Fund, Narragansett Scholarship Fund, and others. And of course all the booths with great things for sale!

don't forget to click on the blue word.

Sue

PS Pauly is home and of course out working in the junkyard yesterday. He will be back with a blog shortly.  Thanks to all the people who have given him their well wishes!

Theft Alert

Title:	Theft of Water Meter and Copper Piping
Date of Occurrence:	8/17/2012
Location:	Worcester, MA 01608 US
Material:	Copper/Brass
Details:	Home owner reported unknown suspect(s) broke into his home and removed approx. 300 feet of copper piping and a City of Worcester water meter.
Reported Value:	Unknown
Photos:
Additional Info:
Law Enforcement Contact:	Agency: Worcester Police Department Phone: 508-799-8648 Contact Name: James P. Quinn Contact Email: quinnjp@worcesterma.gov Case Identifier: 12-76464
ISRI File ID:	MA1208170133087672

Another from Jeff B

From: "Town Coordinator"
To: "Jeff Bennett"
Sent: Thursday, August 9, 2012 4:45:06 PM
Subject: FW: Health Director Fiscal Adjustment

Fyi.

From: Phil: Templeton BOH [mailto:Health@templeton1.org]
Sent: Thursday, August 09, 2012 2:54 PM
To: 'Town Coordinator'
Subject: FW: Health Director Fiscal Adjustment

---

From: Laurie Wiita [mailto:boh@templeton1.org]
Sent: Thursday, August 09, 2012 1:57 PM
To: 'Town Coordinator'
Cc: health@templeton1.org
Subject: Health Director Fiscal Adjustment

Dear Jeff;

Attached is the new re-adjusted letter of negotiations, which should cover what we discussed. You will be receiving a signed copy.

Remember click on the blue word "Letter"

From Jeff Bennett

this is an e-mail thread from the Templeton health agent and a member of the Board of Health when I both inquired and informed a member of the "team" about items addressed within the town personal policy. The response as you can see does not appear to be "team" oriented, rather sounds selfish and an example of an entity that snubs it nose at taxpayers and other town employees who actually lost hours and money as a result of a budget short-fall in an effort to keep as many employees from being given a pink slip as possible. Town employees who attend future meetings on budgets should remember that while you were actually giving something up, the Board of Health was giving the Health Agent a pay raise. Sounds very familiar as when the Board of Health was signing contracts with a trash company and attempting to bring a large commercial dump to Templeton. Their argument then as now, we can do this because we are the Board of Health. Well I hope the taxpayers remember this come town meeting and only fund the Board of Health agent at the very minimum and if he does not like it, he is free to leave. Templeton can always team up with another community and share a health agent and the cost and only pay a portion of what they now pay and get the same service, it is called regionalization and it works. I will continue to re-post this from time to time so people do not forget as this is one of those items of the past worth remembering. Jeff Bennett

---

From: "Richard Trifilo" <rtrifilo@comcast.net>
To: jpb01468@comcast.net
Cc: "Donald Tourigny" , "estacyjr" <estacyjr@msn.com>, "Laurie Wiita" <boh@templeton1.org>
Sent: Friday, August 10, 2012 2:44:32 PM
Subject: Re: Health agent hours

No, you don't get to shut down this conversation. The BOH isn't interested in your problems with other departments. We negotiated in good faith under state law for the position of agent. You have no say in this. You are not an administrator, you are one of five select persons and individually have no power, only collectively. If the personal policy is in conflict with town by-law, then the plan has no weight and should be ignored even though it was subject to the same voting procedures. We in the BOH will have to review our rights under law. You should too. Remember, just because you believe something doesn't make it so, and the board will not accept your say so as factual. Past practice is enforceable. You are trying to conform us to an unjust and unworkable policy. You should fix the policy.

Rick T.

Sent from Rick's phone.

On Aug 10, 2012, at 2:27 PM, jpb01468@comcast.net wrote:

Team Players play by the same rules. Team players do not put themselves on some pedestal and take or expect 4 weeks vacation within their first year when every other member of the team is going by a policy that allows one week of vacation for their first year. Team players take the three personal days that all the other members of the team take. Everyone would like to have more, but the rules in place right now, no matter what you think of them are the ones we have. Team players accept the things done for the benefit of the whole, the team and the people who foot the bill, the taxpayers. I believe positive leadership was demonstrated at a personnel board recently when it was recommended against allowing a department to use grant funds to supplement a salary thus getting around the recent budget cuts as not everyone has access to such grants and special funds, it would be unfair to all the rest of the members of the team to allow this to happen. As for any blog posting or any other communication, I always reserve my right to speak up as a resident of Templeton and contrary to some points of view, it is never personal, I just take looking out for the taxpayer seriously. On the conservation agent, that is a position that is not required and taxpayers chose not to fund it, perhaps after they found out he had been paid outside of his grade for 2 years! The timing has been that many citizen began asking questions and demanding answers and they have not liked some of what they have been told or found out. I pushed for day one for the elimination of elected salary because I did not think people who volunteer should be or expect to be paid and I put in many hours per week, because I choose to. I believe I was setting the example of what is and would be required during a financially challenging time. I will continue for as long as the taxpayers allow to do what I think is in their best interest, especially for the ones who cannot or choose not to speak up for themselves.
And that is about enough on that subject from me.

Jeff Bennett

---

From: "Rae-Ann Trifilo" <rtrifilo@comcast.net>
To: "Laurie Wiita" <boh@templeton1.org>
Cc: "<jpb01468@comcast.net>" <jpb01468@comcast.net>, "Donald Tourigny" <dontour50@yahoo.com>, "<estacyjr@msn.com>" <estacyjr@msn.com>
Sent: Friday, August 10, 2012 11:55:30 AM
Subject: Re: Health agent hours

Here, here!

Sent from Rae-Ann Trifilo's I Pad

On Aug 10, 2012, at 11:26 AM, "Laurie Wiita" <boh@templeton1.org> wrote:

I hear through the grapevine that you have been posting comments on the Health Dept. I invite you and whoever to meet w/ me and or the TBOH to discuss any questions that you have about what we do and our responsibilities to protect public health. We as a dept. have done more than our fair share to help in this current budget crisis. We rebid the trash contract resulting in $6k a year savings over 3 years. We petitioned the DEP to modify our monitoring requirements and have just received approval to do so at a annual savings of $10k for 15 years. We partnered w/ Gardner for our haz/mat collection at a savings of over $4k. In other words, we take our job seriously and have produced real budget results.

As to regionalization, we belong to Region 2 Emergency Preparedness Coalition which has resulted in the town receiving thousands of dollars of equipment and assistance for pandemic response. All our computers that we currently have in our office have been funded via the coalition. We have mutual aid agreements w/ 65 area towns in case of a public health emergency. We are members of the Montachusett Public Health Network which has enabled us to have access to public nursing for communicable disease f/u at a cost of $300 a year. The network is part of a grant application that will create access for health education programs for obesity, diabetes, and tobacco cessation.

We are team players. What is really needed right now in Templeton, is positive leadership. We all work for the same company. By attacking part of the team, the whole team suffers. If you think by not funding the animal inspector and the con com agent is helping the town, so be it. If you are planning to do the same for the TBOH, let us know. Creating dysfunctional gov’t hurts the townspeople long term. I am committed to positive movement and action and providing consistent, fair, and timely response to business that comes to our office. I will not participate in negative actions or movement.

Next time you go see Sue next door, please stop in so we can discuss face to face any concerns that you have concerning my dept. If you wish to discuss anything w/ the TBOH, let me know and I will put you on the agenda. I do not read the blog, and I will not respond to the blog. I will respond to anyone that comes to me, however.

I look forward to improved leadership, improved budget process, and improved team spirit in the coming fiscal year.

Sincerely,

Philip Leger R.S.

Health Director

TBOH

From: jpb01468@comcast.net [mailto:jpb01468@comcast.net]
Sent: Tuesday, August 07, 2012 5:36 PM
To: .
Subject: Health agent hours

Phil,
First off, I would like to address an issue or question with regards to Laurie Wiita. In a letter dated July 10, 2012, addressed to Richard Trifilo and forwarded to the select board, it states Laurie is giving her resignation and beginning a new job on July 30, 2012, which is a Monday, so I take it her last day was Friday, July 27, 2012. As of that date, Laurie was no longer an employee of the Town of Templeton. I am wondering why a pay slip for Laurie dated week ending August 3, 2012, 5 hours at $12.84 totaling $64.20, so my question is what is this for?

Second issue is the amount of hours listed for Phil under vacation, on a form with a check date of August 3, 2012, the vacation balance is listed at 200, 200 hours = 5 weeks @ 40 hour week. According to the personnel policy, an employee with 18 months time as a town employee is entitled to 2 weeks vacation, 2 weeks @ 40 hour week =80 hours. The personnel policy also clearly state that vacation time does not carry over. I believe Phil has a start date in July of 2011, if that is wrong, please advise. 200 hours would be 5 weeks vacation which is only earned after fifteen years of service. Please also be advised that personal days do not carry over and as such, the most an employee may begin the fiscal year with is 3 days (24 hours) and be also advised that personal days are not vacation days and may not be combined with holidays or vacation days. (page 25 of personnel policy).

There is also one other conflicting item within the personnel policy, on page 23 of personnel policy which says town employees get 13 days of sick leave per year and may accumulate up to 100 days. How ever, in the Templeton town by-laws, on page 12 under Sick Leave for full-time town employees, the by-law states all full-time town employees get 10 days of sick leave per year and may accumulate up to 60 days. The personnel board will be sending a letter to the board of selectmen on this issue.

regards;
Jeffrey Bennett

Chairman of the Personnel Board
Vice-Chairman, Board of Selectmen

another selectman's corner

from the Selectman's Corner
Templeton needs a plan, no news there, so maybe the fire department could lead the way. And perhaps a place to begin or a subject to report on; give the selectmen the current state and possible future needs of Templeton Ambulance services and what it would take for Advanced Life Support Ambulance service to become available in Templeton. Perhaps Captain Dave Dickie could begin by coming to a selectmen meeting and educating the select board and the taxpayers. Tell us how Templeton Basic Life-support ambulance service operates in Templeton now and how could/would an advanced life support ambulance service work in Templeton.

Theft Alert

Title:	Theft of Wrought Iron Fence
Date of Occurrence:	8/15/2012 1720
Location:	Troy, NY 12180 US
Material:	Ferrous metal
Details:	Two stacks of wrought iron fence.
Reported Value:	5000
Photos:
Additional Info:
Law Enforcement Contact:	Agency: Rensselaer County Sheriff's Office Phone: 518 266-1983 Contact Name: Steven Wohlleber Contact Email: swohlleber@rensco.com Case Identifier: 12-84953
ISRI File ID:	NY1208160347541000

CRAFT FAIR THIS WEEKEND

Don't forget this weekend is the Annual Templeton Craft Fair on the Common. Let's support our town of Templeton. Don't forget to visit the Citizens4Templeton booth a chinese auction to raise funds for school supplies for the 40+ homeless kids in the NRSD. Also don't forget the Friends of the Elders booth.

See us there!!!!

from a blog follower!

VW Sighting Thursday Evening

Over the Otter River and through the woods,

To Echo Hill I go!

To see my dear friends and buy some zucchini,

And report to them all that I know!

There’s the new Building Committee,

With no Denis, Gerry, or Bob C.,

And then there’s the Fire Chief interviews,

Why doesn’t anyone like Larry B.?

I smile and I listen, it’s a new improved me!

I’m nice to Jeff Ritter,

And I even drove the bus over K+P!

I think the threat of recall has passed,

The dunk tank won hearts and minds.

As long as Mullins dominates the news,

I’ll make out just fine!

My dear friend Carol,

We’re true bosom buddies, everybody knows,

But I have just one simple question,

Why are you selling these old used clothes?

Where does Pete find this stuff!!!!!

Here's another one from Pete - Sorry Pete I'm not giving up my Jelly Donuts!!!
Hi Paul
New blog on the food we eat. Hope you feel better soon.
Pete.

Good Calories Bad Calories

Templeton residents who wonder why their appetite increases in the late fall and early winter might be surprised to learn that researchers have found an increase in insulin levels at this time of year and a decrease in insulin levels in late spring and summer according to the book Good Calories Bad Calories by Gary Taube.

MEETINGS and other comments

ADVISORY BOARD MEETING - TONIGHT WEDNESDAY AUGUST 15th 6:30pm 690 PATRIOTS RD the agenda is here

Also SELECTMEN MEETING August 16th 5:00pm 690 Patriots Rd agenda is here

Julie - greet idea on the special town meeting article to ask for an investigation. But people lets stick to the issues - we are not looking for world conspiracies we just want to fix OUR TOWN OF TEMPLETON. Sooo let cut the bu---- and get back to the subjects - we got screwed on 252 Baldwinville Rd by a special interest group. we got screwed by K&P with the American Tissue mills issues. The whole Casella issue. and yes Light and Water - which I keep saying "we the people ELECT our light and water commissioners" if we don't like what they are doing lets go to the meetings and remind them that they work for us the taxpayers, we elected them, we can un-elect them! Lets ask the AG's office to appoint a special investigator with no ties to K&P. Personally I think we - Templeton have just been a cash cow for K&P. look at the past bills over the last 8 years.  Let's stick to the issues at hand.- this town needs help.
Pauly

Just a reminder the TEMPLETON CRAFT FAIR is this Weekend - lets all go an support OUR Town and have a good time. And a shout out to the Boys Scouts and all the other people who do a lot of work at the craft fair!!!!

Citizen Petition for Fall Special Town Meeting

There have been many allegations of “wrong doings” in Templeton. Pauly and others have tried to begin or call for an investigation into these “wrong doings”. They have asked the BOS to request an investigation by the attorney general to no avail.

I have created a draft citizen petition to present at the special town meeting in the fall. Please blog your suggestions for wording or any additional instances of “wrong doing” that should be included in this citizen petition.

In order for the citizen petition to be included on the special town meeting warrant, it will need 200 signatures of registered voters in the Town of Templeton. I would like to start gathering the signatures as soon as possible. Once the draft citizen petition is finalized, I can bring it to the town clerk for the signature sheets.

Blog On!

Julie Farrell

Recycling-scrapping

Recycling-scrapping

 In my opinion Mr. Bennett, recycling is recycling, buying and selling scrap metal, nonferrous and ferrous, is a business and in our town of Templeton anyone that is engaged in that particular business needs a license. But, and I say but, check your town clerk's office and see how many of those junk peddlers license has been issued. Yes I PHC Sr have asked the police to check on those so-called out of town junk peddlers years ago, with no results. Ask them Jeff, do you have any idea how much junk was stolen from residences here in Templeton?

Sunday post

Join the Corn-ga line.

Let’s have some fun on this rainy Sunday

Bob Mitchell would love to share his ideas with you all

Join us at the Mitchell Estates @ 326 Royalston Road, Baldwinville

2-5 PM Today 8 12 12

Bring your “wild” imagination

Looking forward to see you all

Sally Mitchell

Scrap – Tastic News!

A shout out goes to reporter Damien Fisher of TGN for the article entitled “Revenue up at Winchendon transfer station”.  In this article, you may be astonished at the increase in revenue from the Winchendon transfer station since the “resignation” of our own selectman, Patrick Mullins aka “Scrappy” - the former Winchendon transfer station foreman.

 This table was created using the figures in the Gardner News article “Revenue up at Winchendon transfer station”. If I were the Winchendon Town manager, I would be grateful that Pauly lives in Templeton.

Media and Money

Hi Paul hope you feel better soon. Wrote a blog if needed. Thanks.
Pete.

Media and Money

Templeton residents have been fortunate to have a media source such as Pauly’s Templeton Watch for a somewhat unbiased source of information regarding world and local events. Thank you and a “get well soon” goes out to Paul Cosentino for all his hard work and honest efforts in regards to this information highway shared here in Templeton.

Thank you!

The Fontaine Family would like to thank everyone for all of their generosity. This ad appeared in the Gardner News on Friday and I was asked to put it on the blog for those people who do not read the Gardner News.

The Gardner News

Hey Everyone
Check out Page 3 of today's Gardner News its another article about Winchendon and the "Transfer Station" Our Selectmen Patrick Mullins is mentioned along with how revenues have increase since he left.  When are our Selectmen going to get a clue and ask Scrappy for his resignation.? Now is the time to put Virginia on the spot and see how she votes??
If anyone can send me a link to the article I will be happy to post it!!!!

PS remember the investigation I requested for misuse of municipal funds in Templeton - what happened??? and I am not talking about money from a transfer station I'm talking about big bucks- ask your selectmen?
Why did Winchendon wait until after Mullins was elected in Templeton to have this all come to light. What say Mr Kridler, Lenny Kopelman. How do you like your boy now Jerry. Has anyone looked into Carol S Red Barn selling stuff from the Winchendon Recycling center? Used furniture, dishes etc. I for one would like to know where she gets her stuff to sell. Is Scrappy's Garage still full of things from Winchendon? Maybe we need a search warrant for the Red Barn and Scrappy's Garage.
My opinions Pauly
Yes I am feeling better!!!!

Hey ttwistedssister68 please print your comments so we all can read them and understand them. I start reading them - then I stop because I don't understand "hieroglyphs".

Why is Water Fluoridation so hard to stop?

August 5, 2012

Dear Mr. Bergantino:

My name is Julie Farrell and I am a selectman in the Town of Templeton. I called your office at NECIR last week to speak with you about the possibility of investigating some issues. You asked if the issues were related to “Templeton only”. Some of the issues are “Templeton only”, but the issue I would like your organization to investigate is water fluoridation.

Needed Guest Blog

Pauly has been under the weather lately, if any of you followers would like to write a blog (keep it clean) I will be more than happy to publish it as a "Guest Blog" just email cosentinosalvage@hotmail.com
Come on people sound off as Pauly would say!!!!!

CRAFT FAIR

Just a reminder that the Templeton Craft Fair is coming up.  "always the third weekend in August"
August 18th & 19th On the Common. Always lots of Fun!!!!
This year CITIZENS4TEMPLETON will have a fundraising booth a "Chinese Auction". We are raising money to purchase "Back to School" supplies for the 40+ homeless children in the NRSD. Yes there are homeless children in Templeton, as more and more people lose their jobs and  homes many children are being displaced. Just look at the empty homes in your own neighborhoods, I'll bet the last people who lived there had kids! I am posting a link to a letter that is on NRSD website please take time to read it.

And please stop by our booth and buy a few chances for a very good cause!

 Gift Certificates for
Kitchen Garden
Baldwinville Pizza Barn
Baldwinville Station
JK Crossroads
The Ale House
Valley Florist
Smiths Country Cheese

Giant Wine Basket
Dog Supply Basket
Fall Planting Basket

Theft Alert

Title:	Theft of Welding Cable
Date of Occurrence:	7/25/2012
Location:	FARMINGTON, CT 06032 US
Material:	Copper/Brass
Details:	On 07/20/12 approximately 800 feet of welding cable was removed from a construction site for an addition at Tunxis Community College, Farmington Ct. The cable had been affixed to the steel ridge beam for the three story addition. Overnight between 07/23 and 07/24 additional 400 feet of #1 welding cable and 200 feet of #2 welding cable were taken from the site. Surveillance video showed a medium built white male, 25-40, short dark hair and possible facial hair committing the larceny on 07/20 at approximately 2320
Reported Value:	$5,100.00
Photos:
Additional Info:
Law Enforcement Contact:	Agency: Farmington Police Department Phone: 860-675-2461 Contact Name: Det. Brian Killiany Contact Email: killianyb@farmington-ct.org Case Identifier: 1200014118/ 1200014181
ISRI File ID:	CT1208081016541863

another selectmen's corner (forgot what number we are on)

from the Selectmen corner

Subject of the day is Templeton non-union sick time. I suggest employees obtain the latest copy of the personnel policy and turn to page 23 and look at C. Sick Time. Second paragraph down states each employee shall be allowed 13 days of sick time per fiscal year and may accumulate up to 100 sick days. My statement is wrong answer cupcake, Templeton town by-laws state on page 12 - Article XVII - Sick Leave for full-time employees, section 1. "All full-time town employees shall be entitled to ten (10) days of sick leave in any one year which may be accumulated to a total of sixty days." The Personnel By-law does not address this so i believe sick time totals may have to be adjusted in light of this situation, we have a policy saying one thing and a town law stating another. Town employees wanted to keep or get clarification on benefits and here is the latest, you earn 10 sick days a year, not 13 and you can have 60 days on the books, not 100.

Jeffrey Bennett

from Pete F

Hi Paul Part II of 9/11 Oil and the Brute Squad is ready if interested. Thanks Pete.

              9/11, Oil and The Brute Squad (part II) 

      In part one of Oil, 9/11 and The Brute Squad Templeton residents were made aware of events on the specific day of 9/11 that allegedly associated agents of Big Money (Rothschilds) with the terror that occurred that day. 

What services?

In my opinion Templeton does not offer services for your tax dollars. It’s all big business now. Read the blog carefully, emt and fire dept. 939 calls for their services, then the police 8138 call for services, that’s a total of 9077 calls in 1 year ( 365 days ) That a lot of calls. That’s over 248 calls a day. Allowing 1am to 5am as slack time. That’s 12 calls per hour – roughly based on a 20 hr day. And I am not knocking

An Interesting Case Study in Templeton Ethics

There was a procedural problem with the posting of a special election to be held on February 6, 2012 in the Town of Templeton. Templeton’s town counsel at that time was Lisa L. Mead of the law firm Blatman, Bobrowski & Mead. In a letter dated February 3, 2012, Ms. Mead outlined the steps to take to correct the posting error.  The last paragraph on the second page raises an interesting, and unknown ethical dilemma. It was determined by Amy Mee, a staff attorney at the State Ethics Commission, that the two BOS members who were up for election could not sign the Warrant as they have a financial interest in the outcome of the election.

The warrant was signed by the three BOS members who were not up for election at that time. Apparently, local officials have been violating ethics laws in the Commonwealth for over 25 years. I filed a public record request to the ethics commission for this groundbreaking opinion. I received this response from Ms. Rooney at Ethics.  Very quick turnaround time for the Ethics commission.

Brody Wilson

Brody Wilson was the highlight of the Block Party, WOW is he amazing! Cindy how do you watch your son do that???? Thanks Steve L for forwarding the pics.

Woo Hoo to the Block Party!

What an awesome day we all had at the Block Party. Just a few notes - I am tired. To the selectmen who went in the dunk tank - Virginia, Julie, Jeff and Chris - what good sports! The food, the entertainment what a  great job the 250th people did! By the way Tom Martin's wine is fantastic. After the rain we all went into Kamaloht  and ended the night listening and dancing to  the Boothill Express. Yes even Pauly danced WooHoo!!!!!
Sue

Mike C

in my opinion those three new desks at $1000 each was not as you say a squeak through the year and at the end you find you have X amount of dollars left, to just buy something to use up the excess instead of giving it back to the town on the desk issue. I am sure Columbus bought those three desks at $1000 each just to add more fire to the town going into bankruptcy. As far as the hoses are concerned, if you really needed them okay but if you bought the hoses just in case you need them that's wrong.

a fluoride blog from Pete Farrell

Hi Paul Attached is an open letter to the Templeton Board of Health for the blog should space allow. Thanks Pete.

Open Letter to Templeton Board of Health

Templeton members of the Board of Health may be surprised to learn that fluoridation of the public water system remains an experimental procedure, even though the practice has been in effect for over sixty years. However, the facts speak for themselves.

1. When the fluoridation trials began in 1945, practically no health studies had been undertaken or published.

Thanks Jeff B for forwarding this

From: "Anne - Rep. Gobi (HOU)"
Sent: Friday, August 3, 2012 11:19:56 AM
Subject: FW: STATE CAPITOL BRIEFS – LUNCH EDITION – THURSDAY, AUG. 2, 2012

Good Morning

I want to thank everyone who forwarded a name of a loved one for me to ride in support or in memory of for this weekends Pan Mass Challenge to benefit Dana Farber Cancer Center. I have been asked why I continue to ride. Last August 2nd, my dad was diagnosed with lung cancer and on November 3rd he died of lung cancer. Last year I rode in support of my dad this year I ride in his memory. I ride because one day I will be able to stop adding names to my memory list.

Thanks for all you do and have a wonderful weekend
Anne

---

LAWMAKERS KEEP BILLS MOVING IN INFORMAL SESSIONS
While the formal portion of the 2011-2012 legislative session ended at midnight Tuesday, the five-month informal period of lawmaking officially began on Thursday morning and the House and Senate used their brief gatherings to keep bills moving toward Gov. Deval Patrick's desk. Bills that require roll call votes, such as bonds, land transfers and veto overrides, are off the table during informal sessions but pretty much everything else is on the table as long as all of the members present agree to it. Few members of the Legislature attend informals, with three or fewer often on hand in the Senate and six or fewer in the House. The branches on Monday advanced to Gov. Deval Patrick's desk, over the objections of major business groups, legislation aimed at ensuring more widespread insurance coverage for hearing aids and cleft palate. Republican lawmakers who have often criticized the extent of extra health care mandates in Massachusetts opted against preventing the bill from moving forward on Thursday. The House also gave initial approval to bills establishing a 15-member Massachusetts afterschool and Out-of-School Time Coordinating Council (S 2111), regarding taxpayer hearings before the Appellate Tax Board (S 2187), dealing with the theft from or destruction of historic homes (H 442), and regarding off-road recreational vehicles (S 2381) and snowmobile education and safety (H 4359). - M. Norton/SHNS

SOMERSET OFFICIAL HIT WITH $25,000 ETHICS PENALTY
Somerset Water and Sewer Commission board member Charles Fisher II has paid a $25,000 civil penalty and admitted to violating the state's conflict of interest law in connection with his work over five years as a paid employee of a company that performed sewer work requiring board permits, state ethics officials announced Thursday. According to the State Ethics Commission, Fisher was from 2006 until 2011 a paid employee of Charles F. Fisher & Sons and a board member while he performed at least 60 sewer tie-ins or repairs in Somerset, work that required permits from the board. In 2001, when Fisher was also a member of the board, he contacted the commission for advice about whether his company could perform the work in Somerset while he was on the board and was told that he was banned from doing so under the conflict of interest law, according to the commission. In a statement, Ethics Commission Executive Director Karen Nober said, "The conflict of interest law requires a municipal employee's undivided loyalty to the municipality. That loyalty is compromised when a municipal employee is paid privately for performing work that is also regulated by the municipality." - M. Norton/SHNS

GUV RAISES SAFETY CONCERNS OVER NEWBURYPORT BILL
While Gov. Deval Patrick has been stamping his approval on numerous local bills sent to his desk in recent days, the governor returned one on Tuesday, saying it had potential “problematic public safety implications.” In a letter to lawmakers accompanies by an amendment, Patrick said he was okay with the bill’s exemption from the civil service law of the positions of plumbing inspector and gas fitting inspector in Newburyport, but raised concerns about a provision of the bill exempting the two positions from the state law requiring that all plumbing and gas fitting inspectors be licensed and that they have five years of practical experience in their profession to qualify as an inspector. The law also requires inspectors to inspect all plumbing or gas fitting in the process of “in the process of construction, alteration or repair for permitted projects,” according to Patrick’s letter. “Exempting plumbing and gas fitting inspectors from this section could result in unlicensed and unqualified individuals performing functions that have public safety implications,” Patrick concluded. The House on Thursday sent Patrick’s amendment to the chairman-less House Committee on Bills in Third Reading, whose members include Rep. James O’Day (D-Worcester) and Rep. George Peterson (R-Grafton). - M. Norton/SHNS

END
08/02/2012

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The Selectman's Corner V

Hot off the statehouse news service, State Ethics Commission hits a Water & Sewer Commission Board member with $25,000.00 fine. Charles Fisher II paid a civil penalty of 25K and admitted violating the state's conflict of interest law in connection with his work over five years as a paid employee of a company that performed sewer work requiring permits, state ethics officials announced on Thursday. According to the State Ethics Commission, Mr. Fisher was from 2006 until 2011 a paid member of Charles Fisher & Sons and a board member while he performed at least 60 sewer tie-ins or repairs in Somerset, work that required permits from the board. In 2001, when Fisher was also a member of the board, he contacted ethics for

Bennett, Bankowski, PHC Sr

Mr. Bennett get out the DVD on the reappointment issue with Grimley. You didn't have anything in front of you to make your decision to reappoint Grimley to the concom. Whoever was and still is to blame for Grimley's reappointment, Carol? Julie? Chris? Why did you people decide to put all the reappointments on "one" agenda item. In other words in layman's terms if you vote no for one reappointment it meant all reappointments are a no vote, am I correct? So whoever put all the reappointments on one article did make sure Grimley got reappointed. Is That true Mr. Bennett?

Block Party note from Steve LaPrise

Hi Pauly
Please post this about Brody Willson

Just in case you all don`t know, I would like to tell everyone that this Sat. at the Block Party in East Templeton between 4:30 to 6:30 Micky Willson`s son Brody will be putting on a motorcycle jumping show. Brody is one of the top X Game motorcross jumping experts in the world. He dose back and front mid air somersaults and jumping tricks that will blow your mind. He makes Eveil Kenevil look like a bumbling hill billy. He performs all over the world and just got done performing in France this July. He his home for a few weeks and has agreed to perform for our 250 Block Party. If you want to see some of his performances around the world google Brody Wilson X Games What he and a hand full of young men do on a motorcycle is mind blowing. Don`t miss this once in a life time live performance.

Saturday

Don't forget  John LeClerc Memorial Wind Turbine 5K, August 4, 2012  click here for info
And to Jonathan - Aunt Bev says "Gook Luck"


Then it's on to the BLOCK PARTY in EAST TEMPLETON

a request

Ok so there has been some mud slinging, as I said when I began this blog I would not delete any ones comments, I have stuck to that and will continue to. (don't want to be confused with the Gardner snooze) - so please lets keep the mud slinging to town officials, employees, town vendors (K&P), state officials, etc. (hey wait someone hit me with a couple of mudpies or were they cowpies) lol.
So I have a request from someone -  please don't attack people's businesses or them personally.
My opinions - Pauly

from the Selectman's Corner IV

As most people know, the Templeton budget was a little shaky at last Annual Town Meeting. Most people agreed that we either had an override or make cuts and we chose cuts. Well as I have said before, most people are for the cuts and budgets being looked at except, "don't cut mine." That issue has raised its head from a few employees and / or departments. One or two slipped by but others were caught and not paid. Part of things making it by are due to the fact that town accountant left and a new person was doing data entry and it took a couple of times to get a good grasp of how things go. What struck me was that one town employee actually looked at their salary account and saw the sum of approximately $16.00 was left and they just added it to their pay just because they thought they could.