I
just finished reading the latest edition of the Beacon, a publication by the
Mass Municipal Association. My concerns about the economy and the effect
sequestration (automatic budget cuts on the federal level) were reinforced
after I read this article
by Geoff Beckwith.
The
magnitude of the cuts would include $1 billion from Title I and nearly $1 billion from IDEA – both
education programs. Head Start would be cut $600 million. Financial aid for
college students would be cut $140 million. Community Development Block Grants
(CDBG- think back Bay project) would be reduced as well as FEMA allocations.
These cuts will also effect transportation bond bills – think Chapter 90 or the
TIP list for Baldwinville road project.
Our
town has no reserves to make up for cuts of this magnitude. The Advisory Board
has taken the lead to help the town regain its financial footing. It will take
time for the town to build up its reserves. It looks as if the stimulus money
and bailouts have come to an end. As a town we will need to be fiscally
conservative in order to weather this storm. Templeton cannot afford any more
“boondoggles”. Every board, committee and commission will need to be on the
same page and face the same budgetary scrutiny of the Advisory Board.
Before
a project/regional agreement can begin, a thorough cost benefit analysis needs
to be done. Questions should be answered before a project begins. The days of
operating behind closed doors has come to an end.
My
opinions…supported by FACTS ! !
Julie
Farrell
The town has gotten used to getting chapter 90 money. When you are used to getting this money to fix the roads year after year, it is going to be a shock to every one when all of these benefits are gone. It is going to be a harder pill to swallow as the town has started the race with one leg gone. Our out standing debt is bad enough with out the next bill we will face in the next month. We can return the money we have not uses from 252 Baldwinville, but we have to pay for what was used. I heard a rough estimate of $16.000. a month for 4 years to get it paid back. It is amazing how much money can be spent when it is not yours. The last school building committee spent $213,700. This is alot of money, considering their is nothing to show for it. I don't know how you do that? Julie is right, every one will have to pull together like never before. It is going to be a long cold winter. Please attend the meetings that go on during the week. Your voice counts, it is your money. Bev.
ReplyDeleteWell Bev, I hope people look at what was done last town meeting and realize that some more of that may happen again. Either more money has to come in or less has to go out, or both. People wrote on this blog that it would not be nice to publish the names of those who owe back property taxes but I think it is less fair and nice to let those who can pay to keep riding the "its okay not to pay wagon" I saw how two town employes suddenly paid back taxes when the subject came up. I hope there is a continued effort for centralized purchasing. Time to roll in the credit cards and charge accounts. Time to focus on important chores. This is not the time to be wasting fuel and other resources on cutting brush etc and perhaps begin preparing equipment for winter. Fuel spent on cutting brush should be saved for plowing. Time for all taxpayers to request/demand accountability for their tax dollars. Time to look at how money was spent and wasted and who was in charge of this and let taxpayers know who and how so they do not let those people back in the door to screw them over some more. It does matter how it happened and it does matter who did it. We do not want it to repeat it self again.
ReplyDeleteHere is a thought, tell dpw to stop fixing the junk, then tell them to keep fixing it cuz we can't afford anything else. Tell them to stop wastin fuel on brush cut then tell them to make sure the trees and debris stays off the roads. Next, tell them to get the roads fixed but don't vote any road money and the state money is spoken for for a while longer. What is the direction you want to go in? Close dpw and hire it all out
ReplyDeleteI do not think the day will ever come when we would "hire it all out." You know it is just as hard for the average tax payer to understand why some things are done, but if you ask, or write something on the blog, then you find out. You guys on the highway dept have not got it easy, I know that. I'm in my nice warm house, and you are out in a ice storm. What more can I say. I had a talk with Bud tonight. I now know the reason they cut back the brush on the sides of the road. For one thing safety, especially on corners, brush grows into trees, it costs more to cut when it gets to big, needs manual labor, instead of using the brush cutter. It is also hard on the plow when they push the snow back. As for the Pot hole complaints I had, he said he has been to busy to ride around town to check for them. I do have to give him credit, he has been busy helping at the senior center, and they have been screening sand, I guess for winter. So arn't you glad I asked. We all are, much more aware of what is going on at the highway dept, after my discussion with Bud. If you have a big pot hole on your road, call the highway dept. They will fix it when they get a chance. {are we good Bud?} My opinion, Bev.
DeleteHere's a different thought - create a DPW.
ReplyDeleteinclude water, sewer, highway, cememtary. Share resources and personnel equipment. Equipment to be shared by many departments . so when someone from the water dept "borrows" a sewer vehicle and cracks it up, it's not so funny!
Understand the frustration! There's plenty of that to go around!
And here's a positive thought: at least we avoided being governed by BC and the Echo Hill Gang for another year who would be still dumping money into 252 Bald. Rd. and other nonsense. At least we have new attorneys that will not milk the town for every cent. At least we have a great Advisory Board watching every financial move in town. At least we have an outstanding town coordinator who is cleaning up our operations including implementing standard time sheets so people won't get paid more than they should. While times are hard and will be for years to come, lets be sure to be thankful for the progress that has been made in the last 6 months.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, yes, we need to track down any outstanding money owed to the town. Anyone know how to look into how much the L&W Dept should be paying the town instead of the $100k they've paid for a number of years? How about this: lets continue to push for an investigation on past issues that seem illegal. If there is money that the town should have received from past settlements, we really should push further to get that money. We're talking millions of dollars which we should have received. And yes, I also agree...time to fully investigate a DPW and consolidate our resources. Time to sell off town owned property in order to pay our debts. Time to refinance our loans if possible.
Super good blog, anonymous 8:00 A.M. The other day I sat down at my computer and looked back, to when this blog got started. Our new lawyer was right. We have been through a war. We have won many battles, but the war is still going. I am so proud of where we are, for we have accomplished alot. We still have alot of work to do. We cannot stop yet. I promised Pauly we will have the A.G. come here. What I told him is this, "We have to do this right. We have only one good shot, and I do not plan to fail. We need to get our 200 signatures. The town needs to get this done, and the town needs to ask for this investigation. That way they can not brush us off, or try to pacify us." That is the biggest battle we will face, and we need help from you all. There is no way that we should have to swallow 252 by our selves, what do you think ? Let me know. Why in the hell is Bud having them cut brush when there are so many holes to fill, and just plain repairs to be made to all the roads in town, before winter comes? I guess I will just ask him! I don't want to make his life any harder than it is, but some of this stuff is just plain common sence. Now that we all know the crap that the Light and Water depts have handed us for years, about their accountability, is nothing but crap, there should be some new attitudes at the next meeting. If Mr. Driscoll is "sick", I am sorry. I must say his attitude toward the tax payers of this town brought alot of stress on himself, that would not have been there if he had been at least civil. We need a couple of strong people to run for selectman this May. Just always remember, we can not afford to go back wards. My opinion. Bev.
DeleteSet ur priorities bev what do u expect those dpw guys to do 4 yr tax dollar? Give them ur priorities they give u a list every year. What do u expect ?? U r a citizen spell it out. Don't beat up a hard working group if u ain't got a plan
ReplyDeleteI think your question got answered on the Anonymous blog, above at 6:30 A.M. There is alot of good that is done when you guys stand up for your selves. There is always two sides to a story, and Pauly's Blog is open to all. I will always admit when I am wrong, some times I write out of frustration, that does not mean I am right. I am afraid that it will be a couple of years, at least, until there is any money to work with. Things are not going to be easy, we will have to have alot of open discussion so we can get through this time in one piece. If I say something you do not agree with be free to let me know. I'm ok with that. Bev
DeleteAwesome bev for taking the time to gotothe source and get your???ANSWERED? AFTER FOLLOWING YOU ON THIs BLOG I EXPECTEED NOTHING LESS? it is apparent how much u care and this blog allows you that freedom of speech. I hope other bloggers are willin to get the truth,answers and facts before judging and trashing the few good ones though beleagurd and beat down...they are still there do in a job
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