Templeton Meetings for Oct 1-Oct 4

Templeton Meetings for Oct 1-Oct 4

Templeton BOS – Executive Session October 1 at 690 Patriots

Templeton Light agenda and Water agenda October 2 at 6:00 p.m.

Templeton Board of Health October 4 at 690 Patriots Rd.

Hope to see you there!

Question

Does the Water Dept reimburse the town for the water breaks damaging the roads? Not just the labor but blacktop etc.  If I hit a light pole I have to pay the light dept for it.  If I damaged a road Bud would send me a bill.  A few selectmen meetings ago a bill for highway labor was brought up. Do we know what has been paid back to highway, and who figures this all out. And lets not be cheap let's fix these areas right - the first time.

Pauly - my opinions

PS - sorry Pete but can you keep your stuff on your own blog. I'm getting too many complaints.

This blog is for all Templeton issues, concerns, people,  businesses. etc.
and yes if anyone has anything they would like to post for sale or a business they would like to promote  or a job they are looking for please post it here. Unlike TGN it doesn't cost you anything to put it here. Let's help each other. Pauly

Saturday want ads

Okay anybody got anything for sale or trade

Here's my stuff - Time to get rid of some stuff before winter. call me 978-808-3386 or email cosentinosalvage@hotmail.com

2 family house for sale 36 Circle St Baldwinville - needs some paint and cosmetics Newer windows and furnace extra room in back for studio/office $80,000 or bo

1994 Chevy 3500 4x4 w/4way angle plow for yard or  farm use only new brakes, tires, calipers No high gear $1,500.00 or bo

1990 Jaguar Convertible V12 needs a little tinkering $4,000.00 or bo

2002 GMC 1500 1/2 ton 4 wheel drive with slide in camper. $5,500.00

Pauly

Light & Water - Mass General Laws

Seeing as it's a rainy Saturday let's review the MGL that our L&W dept works under. Remember click on the blue words and read the parts that say what a Manager is to do and what the L&W commission is to do.


Chapter 93 acts of 2000

Chapter 164 Section 56

Chapter 164

Thanks - My opinions Pauly

Hat’s off to COA’s Outreach worker Tracey Deyo.

As everyone knows by now I have had a few stays in the hospital this past summer – 4 to be exact. In my younger days I was self employed and never had health insurance. When I hit 65 I got Medicare. Well there comes a time when Medicare alone just doesn't cut it. Especially when some prescriptions cost over $400.00 (using up my blueberry money, lol). Tracey helped sort through all the supplemental plans and prescription plans out there. There is so much it can be very confusing to the layperson. I encourage any senior in town to bring your insurance questions to her. She is very knowledgeable and helpful. Thanks Tracey.

Pauly

A View from the Desert

A View from the Desert

I see in the Gardner News that the Boards of Health from Barre and Templeton wish to regionalize inspection services> Isn't that just sweet, Phil Leger is currently Health Agent for both of those towns and it appears he wants to keep that sweet deal going. Remember that Phil is the one who got the sweet deal when he started and when others had their hours cut, Phil was right there with them talking about how we (employees) were already taking a hit on pay so please do not cut our benefits. All the while Phil was already getting more vacation, more time off and only working four days a week as it was. Phil was talking like he was being hurt but the cut backs when in fact he already was ahead of the game from day one. I still encourage taxpayers to find out where besides Templeton does Phil hang his hat and add up all the hours to see if he has time to do all of them. I have talked to a few contractors who say they have no problem getting intouch with Phil Leger, by cel phone, which means there is no way of knowing where Mr. Leger is when he is contacted by cel, he could be in Barre when he is suppose to be in Templeton. I see no reason why the taxpayers of Templeton should reward someone who has been taking advantage of them for a while already and is now trying to keep the gravy train rolling. Taxpayers should remember that they have the power of the dollar, as in the budget. Taxpayers should also remember that the Templeton Board of Health and Mr. Leger are the same ones who tried to let an employee who gave a notice to the town of Templeton, of leaving for another job and who had n fact already began a new job and was just going to be allowed to come back to work for Templeton with no advertising no application, just walk back in and collect pay, from taxpayers, as if the employee had never left. I don't believe this is the kind of supervisor or department head that Templeton or the taxpayers need to have working for them. As always, this is my opinion. Hope you taxpayers check this out and speak up.

Jeff Bennett

Save the Date ! TMLWP Meetings October 2, 2012

Save the Date ! TMLWP Meetings October 2, 2012

The next meeting of the TMLWP has been posted.

Here is the agenda for the Water meeting, which will begin at 6:00

Here is the agenda for the Light meeting, which will begin after the Water meeting concludes.

These are the meetings to attend if you hope to have your questions answered about the water breaks and the turbine. 

September 24, 2012 BOS Meeting

I’ve converted and uploaded Monday night’s meeting for your viewing pleasure.

Sept. 24 2012 BOS Part 1

Sept. 24 2012 BOS Part 2

Sept. 24 2012 BOS Part 3

Enjoy!

water main breaks

Thanks anonymous - anyone want to add to my list 

South Main St – before the bridge

Patriots Rd in front Lemier’s old house

Rt 202 near Bill Harris’ shop

Patriot Rd – near Bruce Moschetti’s diveway

Patriots Rd – near Glenwood Kitchen

Baldwinville Rd. near Resevoir St. (July)
Corner of Memorial & Summer St. (July)

Under Duress…another water blog

I finally checked my water bill this quarter to last quarter and I noticed a spike. I did a little basic math and here are the results:

Billing period –

2/29 – 5/23    84 days in cycle   10,000 gallons used    $95.00

5/23 – 8/30    99 days in cycle   14,000 gallons used  $122.91

Ok.

Hmm. The cycle was longer by 15 days for the bill from 5/23 – 8/30. In that cycle Average daily use was 141 gallons.

Notes from Tata & Howard Water Report

Notes from Tata & Howard Water Report

Water Distribution System Evaluation

For

Templeton, Massachusetts

February 2001

(a very large document)

It is interesting to note that this report is addressed to Mr. Chris Ryan, former town coordinator. Here are a few definitions that might be helpful when you read the report.

Mass Banking Bill

A big shout out goes to Rep. Kay Khan, Rep. Ruth Balser and David Snieckus for introducing a bill to create a Massachusetts Bank. The only other state with their own bank is North Dakota.

The bill is in a study committee…effectively it’s dead. This is an idea worth further exploration.

My opinions…supported by FACTS ! !

Julie Farrell

Hello all

Ok so here I am, still recovering. My friends have been stopping by to give me updates on town issues. I haven’t made the last few selectmen’s meetings but people have filled me in. 

I’m lucky because not one of the water main breaks hit my house. But what is with Driscoll’s attitude – hey bucko we pay your salary!!!  Who’s up for L&W commissioner this May, maybe I’ll run. Woo boy!!! Would that be something. Accountability that is what is needed at the light department, the water department and In all the  departments. Plain and simple and don’t give me any sect 168 or what ever bul-----. Your department is part of this town us taxpayers and rate payers pay your salaries and your expenses.

Templeton Issues

Thanks Julie for your latest Blog and yes "anonymous" we need to stick to Templeton issues here on this blog Pete has a blog at http://templeton01436.blogspot.com/ for discussing other things.

Since we cannot get a report of the water main breaks from Mr. Driscoll. I would like to start a list here with everybody adding what they know.
So people add what you all know of where the water breaks were. Also please add any damage that was caused to taxpayers properties.
let's get those comments going!!!!

Thanks - Pauly

As Templeton Turns…Sept. 24, 2012

This is just a quick update on the BOS meeting last night. The most contentious issue was front end loader for the highway department.

Before I begin, I want to commend Bud and the Highway crew for their hard work and dedication. Does the highway department need a new loader? Yes. Can the town afford to take on more debt, Chapter 90 money or otherwise to pay for a new loader? No.

I seconded the motion to repair the old loader – estimated at $16,488 in order to buy some time for the town to get a handle on its finances.

Templeton is responsible for over 17 MILLION dollars in long term debt. See (debt = slavery blog) We can not continue to do the same things and expect different results. We have committed much of the available Chapter 90 funds to existing projects. In my opinion, we should not be adding to that Chapter 90 commitment. That is why I voted to repair the old loader to try to get a few more years out of it.

When people lose their jobs or their hours are cut, they don’t go out and purchase a new vehicle. They cut back on vacations, entertainment and dining out. They make their old vehicles last until things turn around. 

In my opinion, we have to use the same approach as a town to try to get back on our feet.

My opinions…supported by FACTS ! !

Julie Farrell

Important notes

Julie sent this as a comment but I thought is was important so here it is as a blog.

When I was a TMLWP Commissioner, I had to make a public record request for MSDS (material safety data sheet) for the fluoride that is used in Templeton for water fluoridation.

There is more than one type of fluoride. TMLWP uses fluoride from WEGO chemical. This type of fluoride is labeled sodium fluoride...not pharmaceutical grade. It comes from China and it contains heavy metals like arsenic and lead.

WEGO Chemical & Mineral Corp
239 Great Neck Rd
Great Neck, NY 11021
1-516-487-3510 phone
www.wegochem.com

As far as the AG's Office goes, there are petition sheets to ask the attorney general to investigate a number of "wrong-doings" in Templeton. They will be distributed shortly. We should have a special town meeting in November sometime.

and I have a few questions - can we get a list from John Driscoll of all the water main breaks in the few months? I'll pay for it!!
If the same water is in the hydrants (fluoride etc.) when the hydrants are flushed why is this allowed to go into the wetlands, onto peoples lawns etc.(I'm check my ConCom book on this one) I noticed that when Gardner flushes their hydrants it goes into a tanker truck.
If just about everyone I know on town water buys bottled water and does not drink the town water, why do we waste money putting fluoride in the water. I'd like to do a survey at the schools as to how many kids actually drink the water from their tap at home.

and lastly - has anyone heard about the water main breaks causing damage to peoples property and the water dept either refusing to fix it or charging the homeowners to fix it? let us know.
Thanks for reading - weak but still here hee-hee-hee Pauly

Happy Fall

As the season turns to Fall I hope everyone is thinking of buying squash and pumpkins. Just want to let everyone know that the Yoke Farm (Terry Davis) on Old Winchendon Road has squash $1 and $2 and nice pumpkins that are real nice. Only $2 for the smaller size. Good prices. We need to buy local if we possibly can. Another place is Haley's Farm Stand on Baldwinville Road.

Henshaw Stand has great muffins. Anywhere else?

BOS Recorded Meetings

BOS Recorded Meetings

I finally uploaded the BOS meeting from September 10^th.

BOS September 10, 2012 part 1

BOS September 10, 2012 part 2

When the cable commission (THANK YOU!!) records the meetings from 690 Patriots Rd. the turnaround time is much faster.

See you at Monday’s BOS meeting! (690 Patriots Rd)

Julie Farrell

Open Letter

Here is a link to an open letter to Mr Driscoll. Please feel free to print it out and sign your name to it. Maybe he'll get the hint. (click on the word link.) How many times have we heard Mr. Driscoll say "I don't work for the Templeton Taxpayers, I work for the Light and Water Department."

from somewhere in the Desert

So half the money spent and not much to show for it, was a bad idea to hand that over to the school district to begin with but now we have a committee that I believe will get this fiasco going in the right direction. It should be the committee doing the work rather than paying someone thousands of dollars to everything except what their job is, so unfortunately I can see coming up short for the feasibility part. The selectmen and the committee need to look at the contract and how much money was singed off on. They will or should fine it more than the $550,000.00 that was appropriated at town meeting. You will see that Mr. Gerry Skelton signed that document. Surprise surprise surprise as Gomer Pyle use to say, maybe Gomer was in charge.

'Before and After' program draws praise Group donates $1,500 to assist Narragansett's homeless students

+ click to enlarge News staff photo by MARK HARANAS Members of the local community group Citizens4Templeton deliver a $1,500 check to John Columbus, left, chairman of the Narragansett School Committee, to provide aid the homeless children in the school district, Wednesday. The group raised the money during the Templeton Arts and Crafts festival earlier this year. Mark Haranas News Staff Writer TEMPLETON — Narragansett Regional School District officials are commending the newly implemented Before and After Program, which allows for earlier drop-off and later pickup times for parents. “The parents are extremely happy, and the kids are having a blast,” said Julie Waskiewicz, director of the program. “They get out of work and pick their child up and their homework’s done ... The children are basically getting private tutoring lessons.” The district created the program to ease the burden on elementary and middle school parents by allowing a 7:30 a.m. drop-off time and 5 p.m. pickup. The program is hosted in Phillipston, Baldwinville and at Narragansett Middle School. “It’s going extremely well,” said Superintendent Ruth Miller. “We have over 50 students enrolled in Baldwinville ... upwards to 12 students in Phillipston, which is a lot for Phillipston.” Ms. Miller said the middle school was lacking in enrollment, but believes it will gain interest in the future. The program allows students to have breakfast, provides a wide variety of activities and offers assistance with completing homework. In other business, the committee accepted a $1,500 check from the local community group Citizens4Templeton, who raised the money to help homeless students in the district. “This is going to mean a lot for the children here, and we want to thank you for all your time and effort,” said John Columbus, chairman of the committee.

Templeton Elementary School Building (TESBC)

Templeton Elementary School Building (TESBC) Meeting

The first meeting of the newly reorganized Templeton Elementary School Building Committee met yesterday at 4:30 pm in the Baldwinville Elementary School gym. Attending this first meeting were: Kirk Moschetti, Mr. John Graziano, Bill Clabaugh, Supt. Ruth Miller, BOS chairman Chris Stewart, town coordinator Jeff Ritter, Julie Farrell. Virginia Wilder and Will Spring were in the audience.

Selectmen's meeting back @ 690 Patriots Rd

BOS Meeting Sept. 24^th

The agenda for the next BOS meeting has been posted. Please note the meeting place has changed back to the conference room at 690 Patriots road.

There may be some information released regarding the executive session held on Sept. 20^th.

Also, I believe the DVD’s of the 250^th Anniversary Parade are available at the BOS office for $8.00

Hope to see you there!

Julie Farrell

Fluoride info from Pete F

Infant Formula Warning Fluoride.

Templeton Mass Antifluoride Action (AFA) met with the Templeton Board of Health (BOH) at their monthly meeting on 9/13/12 to ask if the BOH would vote to endorse a town meeting article asking the town to vote to add a warning on town water bills concerning the mixing of fluoridated water with infant formula. John Lynch governor of NH recently signed into law a similar bill HB1416 making this language mandatory in the“Live Free or Die” State. HB1416 passed the House by a vote of 253-23 and passed the Senate

Theft Alert

Title:	Theft of Three (3) Bronze Drainage Grates (Photo)
Date of Occurrence:	9/19/2012
Location:	BOSTON, MA 02114 US
Material:	Non-ferrous metal
Details:	Three bronze drainage grates (similar to photo) were stolen from the Chinatown Greenway area (Boston, Ma) sometime on 09/19/2012.
Reported Value:
Photos:	Similar in size/pattern (the one pictured is iron)
Additional Info:	Three bronze drainage grates (12"x12"x3/4" were stolen from the Chinatown Greenway area sometme on 09/19/12.
Law Enforcement Contact:	Agency: Boston Police Department - Area A 1 Phone: 617-343-4571 Contact Name: Donald Brown Contact Email: brownd.bpd@cityofboston.gov Case Identifier:
ISRI File ID:	MA1209201135126138

from Jeff Bennett

Here is the link to the  letter from Mr Driscoll
As anyone can read, Mr. Driscoll seems to have an air of arrogance about him, so if he is responsible for the water dept budget etc, how about he comes up with a plan to replace the aging water mains in Templeton so rate payers can actually have water, for which they pay a bill for. Mr. Driscoll should also address the wind turbine and its problems as well. One thing I hope Mr. Driscoll is not doing is telling the Advisory Board and Select Board that they have no business looking at the water budget and rates. The constant loss of water through broken water mains is a concern of the Selectmen who are charged with basically running the town. A consistent loss of water because of a poorly maintained water main system is their responsibility. My question to the light & water commissioners and Mr. Driscoll is what are you doing to solve this problem of constant water main breaks. It just may be time to dissolve the acts of 2000 and break that party up and that Mr. Driscoll does concern and involve the Selectmen and the Templeton taxpayers, because they would be voting on that, not you!

NARRAGANSETT REGIONAL

SCHOOL COMMITTEE

MEETING

September 19, 2012

6:30 p.m.

NRHS KIVA

464 Baldwinville Road

Baldwinville, MA 01436

Templeton Elementary School Building Meeting

The next meeting of the Templeton Elementary School Building Committee (TESBC) will begin at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 20 at Baldwinville Elementary School. The agenda has been posted.

The first step for this committee is to obtain a piece of land on which a school can be built. Land has been identified at the Templeton Developmental Center for building a school.

from the selectman's corner....somewhere in the dessert

Although I am not physically there in Templeton, I try to keep up with things as best as I can through Internet, phone, newspaper and such. With all that is going on here, I still care about Templeton. One thing I find interesting is that someone who voted against the continuation of the Government study committee would submit a letter of interest for that same committee. Another thing I see issues with is the exact status of the windmill, I hear it runs sometime and sometime it does not. I think it is about time Mr. Driscoll

email thread for public scrutiny

This an interesting e-mail thread that i think deserves public scrutiny. I may not physically be there in Templeton, but i do have limited access to phone and internet at odd hours. I have access to newspaper online as well so I may know more than one thinks. Perhaps someone can ask the question at a selectmen meeting if Police Sgt Bennett did a check on Mr. LaPorte. Then ask Mr. Stewart if he posted the meeting of three selectmen, Wilder, Mullins and Stewart in the office of the town coordinator.

Bennett

---

From: stewy5@comcast.net
To: jpb01468@comcast.net
Cc: "Nancy Paradis" , "Jeff Ritter" , "Julie Farrell" , "Virginia Wilder" , "patrick mullins 2012" , "Town Coordinator"
Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2012 8:09:12 PM
Subject: Re: Thursday Executive Session on Fire Chief

Jeff you aren't here and have no idea what you are talking about. We have not given up on Ray yet. There was some info in his background check we want explained. We also have some language in contract we need to discuss with him and make sure he is ok with it. Noone on the board has said anything about dismissing his nomination.

Chris

---

From: jpb01468@comcast.net
To: "Town Coordinator"
Cc: "Nancy Paradis" , "Jeff Ritter" , stewy5@comcast.net, "Julie Farrell" , "Virginia Wilder" , "patrick mullins 2012"
Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2012 6:27:30 PM
Subject: Re: Thursday Executive Session on Fire Chief

I hope this will be the end of the fire chief non-sense. After the interviews, a decision had been made to offer it to Mr. LaPorte so I would hope the board would honor its stated intention. I hear some people say forget the past and move on with town business so perhaps it is time for those people to stand by those words rather than change their tune after someone has to go away for a while.

Bennett

---

From: "Town Coordinator"
To: stewy5@comcast.net, "Julie Farrell" , "Virginia Wilder" , "patrick mullins 2012" , jpb01468@comcast.net
Cc: "Nancy Paradis" , "Jeff Ritter"
Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2012 6:10:47 PM
Subject: Thursday Executive Session on Fire Chief

We have scheduled a 6 pm THURSDAY meeting at 690 Patriots Road to conduct
negotiations with Ray LaPorte for the position of fire chief. I will send a
draft contract to you later tonight or tomorrow morning, as soon as I have
it from our Town Counsel.

Jeffrey W. Ritter
Town Coordinator
Town of Templeton
690 Patriorts Road
PO Box 250
Templeton MA 01468
Phone 978.939.8801
Facsimile 978.939.4065

a blog from Bev B

Well, I have not had a chance to put this on the blog, so this is as good a time as any. I saw the Gsnooz article about our meeting with our new lawyers, Deusch, Williams, Brooks,Derensis, & Holland.. We voted to hire them in April, or May.This was the first time we had a chance to meet them, as a group, at the last selectmans meeting.. Mr. Ritter had not stopped smileing since they were hired. He told me we hit gold when we picked them. Mr. Paul Derensis spoke the longest. He has read everything he could get his hands on, even the blog. I have to hand it too him, he did not go running down the street! He said he has heard it all, nothing can surprise him. I stood to welcome him. I really thought I was going to cry. I think it was the enormous relief, that we have a town lawyer who is not out to hurt us. I tried to let them know we have Mr. Ritters back, and have faith, that with them, we can go forward. I think K&P thought we would have to pick them, because their rate was the lowest. HA, HA, not on your life!. Now we do not have to worry about having a room full of Harvard Lawyers, out to screw us any way they could. As far as I am conserned, I think Mr. Ritter should have a job with us, as long as he wants to stay here. I told him that, and I also told him there is no way on this earth, that anyone is going to be allowed to bully him again., or anyone else for that matter. You all know I drew a line in the sand a week or two ago. I felt the need to let Virginia know, where I stand. I know I am not alone. I did it because I got bad vibrations, sometimes people need a reminder. That was the reminder! Just because Jeff is not sitting in that seat, does not give the stooges the right to pull any crap. If Virginia and Scrappy don't get the message, that we are not going where, they can put all their energy into screwing up the town, and working full time to prop up a loosing group of people who have done enough damage already, then they will be gone as fast as you can shake a stick. It is interesting that Virginia denies any wrong doings, she never called me to ask why I wrote what I did! Believe what you will. I will work with her, I will be nice to her, {I 'm not a mean person}, but I will also watch!!!! My opinion, Bev  

Debt = Slavery

Debt = Slavery

We owe, we owe, it’s off to work we go.

Finally! The debt schedules are now available. The long term debt schedule will be used to try to determine which bonds may be ready for refinancing to lower the cost of the interest payments.

The short term outstanding debt is the debt will we need to pay off or add to our long term debt…probably not a good idea to add it our long term debt.

The November 2, 2011 BAN for $1,900,000 was the short term borrowing for the Municipal building at 252 Baldwinville Rd. aka “the Boondoggle”.

250th Parade

250^th Parade

What a parade! Congratulations to the 250^th Anniversary Committee for a job well done. It took hours and hours of time to organize an event that size. The organization paid off with a great time had by all.

The weather was wonderful! The crowds were lining the streets. The bands and units marching in the parade were very entertaining. My personal favorite was the Ancient Mariners of Connecticut – gotta love the cannon! The Shriners were awesome! The bands were great! The floats were very imaginative.

Again, congratulations for a job well done!

Julie Farrell

PS – The raffle prizes were drawn up at Gilman Waite yesterday after the parade. I have winners from Chris Stewart –

Mike Page won the Harley motorcycle. He lives in Winchendon.

Arthur Arsenault won the cruise from Fitchburg,

Kathy O'Brien from Ashburnham the $1,000,

Peter Cushing won the day trip to NYC,

Derek Gendron from Fitchburg the Sox tickets

Chris Maselli the $100 gas card he lives in Wendell. 

Life Saving Progress by Anonymous

Life Saving Progress

     As Templeton continues to celebrate its 250th anniversary, it has become apparent the dedication that has been shown by the many individuals who have made up the fire department.  This includes both fire and EMS sides of the department.  Probably the most impressive progress has been shown by the department ambulance.  Medical response began as a few EMTs and first responders being notified by phone and transporting in a refurbished police cruiser.  These members went door to door collecting donations to purchase supplies and an ambulance when needed.  Unfortunately, beyond anyone’s control, call volume and ambulance prices increased over four times from what I have seen in the town reports.  This led to the ambulance being brought completely under the fire department.  The one thing the increase in call volume did not change was the need for skilled EMTs to staff the ambulance.  Templeton has been fortunate enough to have its own transport ambulance for many years.  Without this ability to transport certainly countless individuals would have died waiting and hoping an out of town ambulance would arrive.  Templeton has tried with no success to put full time members in the stations to cut down on its response times.  Hopefully this will eventually change, bringing medical or fire response to our citizens even quicker.  In the paper recently I saw that even our tiny neighbor of Phillipston has seen the need for getting EMTs and firefighters to their citizens quickly and put on a fulltime firefighter/EMT, and Templeton has almost five times the calls.  Having these community members there to bring you to the hospital is very comforting to a patient.  Our town is so lucky to be able to transport our own patients instead of handing them off to another agency like some less personal communities.  So next time you see a member of the department at church or another local establishment, reach out and thank them for being there prepared to save your life.

Interesting items from the State House News Service SHNS

Interesting items from the State House News Service SHNS

Before Mr. Bennett was activated, he mentioned the State House News Service. 

He used to read the SHNS regularly to keep up with state-wide issues.  I thought I

 would share some of the best from this week’s articles. 

Patriot Rd- Water Main Breaks

Patriot Rd- Water Main Breaks

The problem of chronic water main breaks on Patriots Rd is not being addressed. The Templeton BOS has received another, amazingly polite e-mail asking for our help. I have tried every way I can think of to have the BOS address the situation. I have asked for agenda items. I have written letters. I have attended TMLWP meetings to no avail. My latest attempt to try to begin to resolve the issues regarding chronic water main breaks has been to make a public record request for the PLAN that was created in the early 2000’s.

Steve L forwarded this for the blog

Princeton wind turbines losing money

Municipal Light Dept. still in the black

By Sandy Meindersma CORRESPONDENT

PRINCETON — The dual wind turbines that were supposed to save residents of this town money by producing locally generated electricity have actually been losing money, according to a light department official.

Brian Allen, who has been general manager of the Princeton Municipal Light Department since October of last year, reported in a letter to ratepayers that an analysis of the light department's financials reveals that the two turbines, which were installed in 2009, have lost ratepayers $1.875 million since they went online.

Despite the losses, the light department reported a profit of $451,000 in 2011.

The financial losses associated with the turbines are caused by a variety of factors, including a mechanical breakdown of one turbine, greater than projected expenses and lower than expected electricity production.

The turbines were expected to produce 9,000 megawatt hours of electricity each year. Actual production has been closer to 6,500 megawatt hours.

One of the turbines was offline from August 2011 until July of this year, which limited production. Further, while the light department had a three-year warranty on the turbines, disputes between the manufacturer and installation contractor have left PMLD fronting the repair costs and seeking recovery in court.

Because of the costs associated with purchasing, installing and running the turbines, the light department has also been unable to make investments into infrastructure.

The turbines are part of the reason town ratepayers pay some of the highest electricity rates in the state. In 2011, Princeton residents paid an average $173 for 1,000 kilowatts of power; only Unitil ($191) and NStar ($176) charged more.

Mr. Allen said he and the board of light commissioners are looking to see if another utility would be interested in purchasing the power and the associated costs of the turbines.

Thanks,

From Bev

I want everyone to think of another way this can be handled. On the Thursday, that we had the Primary Voting at the Middle School, I had a birds eye view of the road, and the parking lot. I spent the day acrossed the street, campaigning. What should have gone smoothly, ended up being anything but. Things went well until two thirty in the afternoon.All of a sudden we had busses pulling in to pick up kids, and a line of cars parked along side the driveway, going toward the back of the school. I found out these mothers were there to pick up their kids. I can't blame them, as one lady told me she had sex offenders in her neighborhood, and she wasn't going to let her kids walk home,{or from the bus} So now, we had two games going on, parking lot pretty full of cars, and a big bus. Cars, with people trying to vote could not get in the yard. The bus did not have to stay parked there,my opinion of course. At one point I did call the dispatcher and ask for the cruiser. Things were getting crazy! I guess I got what I wanted, as I saw the chief ride by on his way home? At that minute things had calmed down, but things did not stay calm for long! The traffic was flying by, at one point I heard skreeching breaks, as a man and two little kids tried to cross the road, into the big parking lot , on foot. No flashing lights , on the sign saying 20mph. Again the cars were backed up, could not get in to vote, or when they got in the lot there was no place to park. I called dispatch again, and pretty much said, get someone out here. Out of the school came a officer. He stayed down at the end of the driveway and told people there way no place to park{no kidding} All I can say is what are we going to do if this happens during a general election? This is something we have to think about now. November is not to far away. I wonder how many people did not get to vote. One or more is too many! Bev

from Mark B

Chief: Drug buy allegation unfounded

Selectman calls claim ‘dishonest’

http://www.telegram.com/article/20120913/NEWS/109139753/1246

Some key take-aways from this news:

1) The chief in Athol has sent this matter to the AG, in case they want to further investigate (fat chance - investigate a fellow Democrat?)

2) He must have clean hands, in other words, no cover-up by Athol PD, else he would not want the AG snooping

3) Suzanne Lee took and passed an immediate drug test when she first learned of these scurilous allegations by Denise Andrews

4) What kind of poor judgement would some one have to make such charges without any evidence beyond a (supposed) telephone tip? I certainly don't want that person as state rep

5) Too bad the Telegram did not report the facts in the Winchendon Transfer Station story as fully as they did these facts

Mark Barrieau

Sorry this one was suppose to be first

As Templeton turns…TMLWP Meeting 9/11/12

At the BOS Meeting on Monday night, I brought up the issue of the multiple water main breaks in town under new business. Again, I asked for a written report from TMLWP to answer some of the questions I have about this serious situation. The chairman, Chris Stewart, asked if I would draft a letter outlining the questions I would like answered. So I wrote a letter and sent it along to Chris.

I decided to attend the Light & Water meeting on 9/11/12 as well. There was an agenda item to discuss the water main breaks that occurred on July 14^th.  What I learned from that meeting:

9.11.2012 As Templeton turns

9.11.2012 As Templeton turns…Light Dept. Meeting

After the water meeting concluded, the Light department meeting began. The first agenda item was “Wind Turbine Generator Maintenance”. The wind turbine was out of service for 45 days. The cost to repair the turbine was $30,000. A loss of 115,000 kilowatt hours and an overall wind generation loss of $11,800 in addition to the cost of repairs. Both bearings were gone and had to be replaced.

AAER is the company from which TMLWP purchased the wind turbine. AAER is bankrupt. It not longer exists. AAER went bankrupt after receiving bailouts from the Canadian government. At the meeting Mr. Driscoll stated “ that ours is the only turbine from AAER that is still working”.

another one from Steve L

NIGHT WATCHMAN

Once upon a time the government had a vast

scrap yard in the middle of a desert.

Congress said, "Someone may steal from it at night."

So they created a night watchman position

and hired a person for the job.

Then Congress said, "How does the watchman

do his job without instruction?"

EEE

Third Human Case of EEE

I just wanted to try to get the word out that the Mass Dept of Public Health has confirmed a third human case of EEE in Massachusetts.

“Based on this finding, the EEE threat level has been raised in several towns in Franklin County and Worcester County. The EEE threat level has been raised to “Critical” in Athol, Orange, and Royalston,

and to “High” in Erving, Petersham, Phillipston, Templeton, Warwick, Wendell, andWinchendon. Communities which have been designated at either “Critical” or “High” risk of EEE are urged to cancel all planned evening outdoor events for the remainder of the season until the first hard frost.”

The full article is available here.   Chairman Chris Stewart will be delivering this information to the school department and the Board of Health will be contacted for procedures on how to proceed.

Stay safe!

Julie Farrell

Senior Center update from Doug Morrison

Since there hasn’t been much visible activity at the new senior center lately I thought I would post an update. There have been a number of things that have slowed the physical progress of the construction, but there has still been a lot going on. Recently the structural steel welding was completed, permanently securing the modular structure to the foundation. The sewer line and water lines have been installed, and we are waiting for the electrical transformer.

TMLWP Agendas

TMLWP Agendas

September 11, 2012

The next meeting for Light and Water is posted (Town Clerk’s office) for September 11, 2012. The Water department meeting begins at 6:00 followed by the Light Department meeting. Please note that there is a new agenda item on both the Light and the Water agendas – “Customer Questions”. Thank you to Mr. Driscoll and the commissioners for adding this agenda item.

For the August 27^th BOS meeting, I asked for an agenda item to discuss the multiple water main breaks on July 14^th. There was an agenda item to discuss making a request to the TMLWP manager for a written report. At the August 27^th meeting, Chris Stewart distributed this document at that BOS meeting. At that time the BOS was not able to discuss the document written by TMLWP manager, Mr. Driscoll. It is an interesting document.

Happy Birthday Federal Reserve

 December 23, 2013 will be the 100^th anniversary of the Federal Reserve System. With the 100^th anniversary a little over one year away, Chairman Ben Bernanke should be making preparations for a large celebration.

The Federal Reserve Act was enacted on December 23, 1913 and signed into Law by President Woodrow Wilson. The three main objectives of the Federal Reserve Act are:

Maximum employment

Stable prices

Moderate long-term interest rates

thanks Steve

Be sure to read the Tax List at the end.
 This is about as clear and  easy to understand as it can be. The article below is completely neutral,  
neither anti-republican  or democrat. Charlie Reese, a retired reporter for the Orlando Sentinel, has hit the nail directly on the head, defining clearly who it is that in the final analysis must assume responsibility for the judgments made that impact each one of us every day. It's a short but good read.

                     

Worth the time…Worth remembering!



545 vs. 300,000,000  People


-By Charlie  Reese



Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.



from Pete

Hi Paul:
Hope you are feeling better soon. This blog will be posted on Templeton Times if it is to controversial for the readership. Thanks Pete.

The Eleventh Marble

Templeton residents who have lost their homes due to foreclosure in the latest Ponzi scheme from Wall Street may be interested in learning about what has become known as “The Eleventh Marble”. Some residents may have lost their homes due to a lost job or health reasons but some also lost their homes due to variable rate mortgages that moved upwards and became unpayable, it is the latter group that has become victim to “The Eleventh Marble.”

See you all Monday

BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING MONDAY SEPTEMBER 10th 6:30 in the KIVA agenda is here

another anonymous blog sent to me

Some more questions. Is there ever going to be an answer to the windmill? Is it Fixed? Or does the light dept have a switch they push to make it run when they want people to see it running - such as when Templeton voted at the high school on Thursday? Why are people picking in Sue and Bev? Is it because they stands up for what is right? Some people have awful slanted minds. Sue knows her job frontwards and backwards. Are they jealous? The back light at the high school has been fixed. I wonder where they found the money to fix it. Probably the same place they found money to rehire teachers, fix up the gym floor and the cafeteria. And they wonder why the Town folks don't trust the Superintendent. Seems from the COA newsletter that Dianna will not be doing the newsletter anymore. Who will pick up the slack? Maybe a voluinteer? Did everyone see TB's name mentioned in the reporting of the cemetary damage? Has anyone seen VW bullying Jeff Ritter? If so, you better report it. Sooo... let's have some answers or some comments. Pauly, we are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.

Water Dept

Did you all read the Gardner News article Thursday September 6 page 1 and 4 about the water main breaks. Hey Will Spring you and the advisory board need to look into the finances of the water dept. In the 2011 annual report book the light and water dept report is from 2009. It is the same report as was put in the 2010 book. What gives.  Sooo Mr. Driscoll after reading the Gardner news and reading it again and again -I have a few questions – if the water main on rt 202 blew a hole to the side how the hell would this sent water to the mains on Summer (back bay) Mill st (way the hell over by Lee’s) Norcross st (now we are over in Otter river) what bu----- .

Theft Alert

Title:	Theft of Storm Grates
Date of Occurrence:	9/4/2012
Location:	CUMBERLAND, RI 02864 US
Material:	Ferrous metal
Details:	Cumberland Police Department is investigating the theft of a toatal of 4 storm grates from the streets. Grates have been stolen in the night time. All Cumberland Storm grates have an "X" grind in the center of the grate.
Reported Value:
Photos:
Additional Info:
Law Enforcement Contact:	Agency: Cumberland Police Department Phone: 401-333-2500 Contact Name: Peter Provencal Contact Email: pprovencal@cumberlandpolice.com Case Identifier: 12-2390, 12-2429,12-2655, 12-2

Bullies and Bankowski – HELP!

This was sent to me anonymously of course!

Very reliable sources have indicated that Virginia Wilder, Chris Stewart, and Patrick Mullins are planning to pull a fast one and hire Larry Bankowski for the Fire Chief position at Monday’s Board of Selectmen meeting. As you know, the Board has already voted unanimously to hire another gentleman from Princeton. Larry is NOT an EMT. He took a vacation in the middle of his interim term without notifying the Board properly. (Talk about blowing a perfect opportunity to impress the hiring committee!) He has demonstrated that he cannot take criticism from his superiors and that he has a temper. There was not a lot of support for him from his own department. Why on Earth would anyone choose him for this position? Oh, that’s right! He has breakfast with Gerry Skelton and Patrick Mullins! Please attend and voice your concerns about Larry’s performance as Interim Chief, and why he is not the right fit for Templeton. Also, explain to Mr. Mullins why he should not be voting on this particular matter.

Sources have also indicated that Mr. Ritter is experiencing a certain degree of bullying, once again! It seems Virginia Wilder and a few others have been harassing Mr. Ritter. If you like what you’ve seen and heard of Mr. Ritter and the work that he has been doing in Templeton to clean up the mess from the previous decade, please show up on Monday and show your support. Better yet, feel free to call Virginia at 978-939-8979, and educate her on the state’s pending anti-bullying legislation in the workplace. Whatever you do, don’t go to her house; usually doesn’t end well for unexpected visitors! 

Advisory Board meeting

Sorry I couldn't make the Advisory Board meeting tonight. How about some updates from those who did attend or the members.

Thanks - Pauly

another anonymous email from an anonymous blogger

Just a bunch of questions that maybe the bloggers might have answers to. What is going on in the Town when vandalism is done in our Baldwinville cemetary - pulling up and destroying the new streeet signs with names on them such as Houghton Rd. and then proceeding to the Senior gardens to do more damage. Maybe we need a night watch of citizens to keep the Cemeteries protected. I'm sure Bob Sans is on the watch. Thanks Bob. How come the windmill only turns some of the time? Did you notice it doesn't turn sometime even when the wind is blowing. Blows my mind. Another water break! Give me a break. And they all happen between 2:30 and 3:00 p.m. Does something happen to the pumps at this time? Sooo... as Pauly would say. Let's get some answers. Come on bloggers. Don't forget Advisory Board meeting on Wednesday, September 5, atd 6:30 p.m. on Patriots Road. We can't stop going to these meetings. It's for the good of the town.

who could steal this?

Theft Alert

Title:	Theft of 250lb Propane Tank (Photo)
Date of Occurrence:	8/31/2012
Location:	JAMESTOWN, RI 02835 US
Material:	Nickel/Stainless Steel/Alloy
Details:	Sometime between 1pm on 8/30/12 and 3pm on 8/31/12 a 250 gallon propane tank containing approximately 100 gallons of propane was stolen from a residence in Jamestown. The tank is all white with no obvious markings or logos from the gas company. The tank is similar to the one pictured.
Reported Value:	$1,250.00
Photos:	250 gallon propane tank
Additional Info:	Rebroadcast with Photo
Law Enforcement Contact:	Agency: Jamestown Police Department Phone: 401-423-1212 Contact Name: Derek Carlino Contact Email: dcarlino@jamestownri.net Case Identifier: 12-397-OF

Another water main break????

This was sent to me via email anyone know anything about this? Any comments - Hey Dana thought water lines were only suppose to break in the winter.  I need answers, hey Pete K did you see anything????

Via email this afternoon

Hey Pauly

Is there is another water main break Davis st and rt 68. Saw the water dept working there. How many more are they going to break until we are broke again. odd timing don't you think. 

Theft Alert

Title:	Theft of Cast Iron Radiators and Copper Piping
Date of Occurrence:	8/30/2012 1200
Location:	BERLIN, CT 06037 US
Material:	Ferrous metal; Copper/Brass
Details:	A bank owned unoccupied residence was entered and 7 cast iron radiators and copper piping was stolen.
Reported Value:	$2,600.00
Photos:
Additional Info:	Contact Det. Doug Bartolomeo at 860 828-7090 with any information.
Law Enforcement Contact:	Agency: Berlin Police Department Phone: 860-828-7090 Contact Name: Doug Bartolomeo Contact Email: dbartolomeo@town.berlin.ct.us Case Identifier: 2012-19365
ISRI File ID:	CT1209040903112594

BOH Meeting Sept. 6, 2012

BOH Meeting Sept. 6, 2012

The Board of Health will be meeting this Thursday at 7:00 p.m. 2 School St. The agenda for this meeting has been posted.

There are a few interesting agenda items. Under New Business there is an item -1. Assistant Health Agent – Posting

I know our very capable former Assistant Health Agent has found another position in Athol. I know the Assistant Health agent position was posted internally. I hope the interviews will be scheduled soon.

More questions and more hanky panky

Ok last week I had a visitor at my junkyard - this person who shall remain anonymous (on no not another anonymous, hee, hee, hee) This anonymous person stated that the Narragansett Regional school district had hired a new lawyer - a friend of Principal Mr Ricken. Hoo Boy here we go again. More controversy. Is it true that the teachers that were layed off were rehired. was this all a scare tactic for the taxpayers. Funny how every year they yell "wolf" (remember that story?) and every year they "find" the money they need while

How to Access Recordings of Selectman Meetings

I will post the links to August 27^th BOS meeting in this message. The August 27^th meeting is in three parts:

Part I – BOS Meeting August 27th

Part II – BOS meeting August 27th

Part III – BOS meeting August 27th

I know there are a few people who know how to access these videos without posting the links here on Pauly’s blog. I try to convert and upload the BOS meetings so people can access the recordings when they have time.

Our cable commission does a great job. The meetings can only be shown on Channel 8 for a limited time. When I convert and post the meetings to Youtube, the meetings can be accessed for a very long time. It does take a while to convert the DVDs and then upload to Youtube. If you have Internet access and follow the steps below, you should be able to access the BOS meetings I have uploaded to Youtube.

Enjoy and Blog on!

Julie Farrell

when someone is over their head

I'm back - although I am not feeling 100% and I still need that extra rest I have been reading the blog and trying to keep up! First with school starting I would like to thank C4T for all their hard work with raising money for the Naarragansett kids. to Ruth Miller hope this money actually goes to the kids. I've been hearing  some rumors that that there is some monkey business going on there. Hiring a lawyer that is a personal friend of  Mr Riken. A position created for a person who could not handle their job as principal!   I know c4t raised that money for the homeless kid in need - hope that all goes to them!

Now let's talk about the selectmens meeting they had  last week. I have a friend who lives in Maine that still owns land in Templeton. Last week he gave me a call - seems his land is in Tax title and he has been making payments to the town regularly. a hundred dollars or so every other week. seems he has been trying for months to get a print out of his account with our treasurer. His wife even called selectman Chris Stewart. well from the minutes I can tell that the meeting started out in open session. see the meeting was about whether the Treasurer was doing her job. as soon as the issue of whether the treasurer had paid her own taxes came up, she said she wanted to go into executive session. This was ILLEGAL - either you are in  executive or open - you can not change your mine just because the issues get touchy! I am not hammering on anyone - I just believe in the open meeting laws. Open government and the Town of Templeton Employees work for us the tax payers. Now I heard that Carolee helped resolved the issue that my friends from Maine had even though it was not on the tax Collectors end - so I say thank you Carolee for helping my friend - another templeton employee that did her job or should I say someone elses job! So I ask you all what is best for the town - we have to think of the town not the person!  Again I ask what is best for the town - I have heard that Ms Mary Lang who is on the Advisory board has ask repeatedly for the information on the town Bonds to see how we can save money - good work Mary - But she has not been able to get the info from the treasurer-for months she has been asking. What is the hold up?? Are we back where we were several years ago were we had a treasurer that did not know what she was doing?  I for one do not want to go backwards - what say Julie and Jeff?? I heard that VW  even has the sense to question whether the treasurer can do her job. Hate to say it but good job VW. uggg.

What is best for the town - that is how we should look to the future.  What is best for us the taxpayers!! we need to watch everything from the failing infrastructure to whether or not the employees are doing their jobs to where our tax dollars are going. I for one cannot afford to have my tax dollars be wasted. There is too much that needs to be fixed in this town.

Okay come on now comment - lets get the opinions going.

Just my opinions - thanks for reading -Pauly.  Thanks Bev for the pudding!!!!

Ps - Sue was rear ended today on her way to see her Mom at the hospital - she's ok just sore. I told her to buy me some megabucks tix tonight to change her luck. lol!!!