Community gathers for event at former Templeton animal shelter

Community gathers for event at former Templeton animal shelter

Doneen Durling

News Staff Writer

TEMPLETON — Ahimsa Haven Animal Rescue welcomed the community to celebrate the opening of its new facility at Baldwinville Road on Saturday.

“Opening day was busy,” said Marjorie Twiraga, the group’s director. “We had donations, and we had a good outpouring of goodwill from the community.”

Meetings 9/30 thru 10/4

Meetings  9/30  thru 10/4

9/30/13   BOS Meeting   690 Patriots Rd  6:30 p.m.

                    

                     SHINE Petition

                     Sell East Templeton Elementary school

                     Create a Town Building Committee

                     Warrant for STM 10/23/13

Templeton creates 'sick bank' to support employees

Templeton creates 'sick bank' to support employees

9/28/2013

Kerry O'Brien

News Staff Writer

TEMPLETON — The Board of Selectmen recently approved creating a means through which town employees can donate their sick time to a “sick bank,” as those employees rally around a pair of colleagues fighting terminal illnesses.

Weekend!

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Weekend!

Saturday –

9:00 am – Brian’s Gift Road Race

11:00 am – Gardner Ale House Oktober Fest

2:00 pm – Wolf Talk Program –

At the Otter River Sportsman Club-

The Wolf Talk Program is sponsored by the Templeton Arts and Cultural Counsel. There is no charge but donations may be made to the Narragansett Historical Society.

Sunday-

 7:00 a.m. Youth Day

Youth Day will be held on Sun., Sept. 29th at the Otter River Sportsman’s Club located at 250 Lord Rd. Youth Day is an introduction to hunting, fishing and sportsman’s safety for youth ages. Sign-in will be starting at 7 a.m. A free breakfast will be served from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Events are from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. They will also be serving a free lunch. They will be talking about Fly Fishing, Fly Tying, Bow and Arrow Safety, Canoeing and Gun Shooting Safety. Space is limited! For reservations and more info. Please call 978-939-5027 

Town's Light Department in talks to add solar

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Town's light department in talks to add solar

Kerry O'Brien

News Staff Writer

TEMPLETON — The Templeton Municipal Light and Water Department is in talks regarding a solar project that would increase the department’s renewable energy sources to 20 percent of its total inventory.

“We’re looking at a 10- to 15-year contract,” said John Driscoll, the department’s general manager, regarding the negotiations currently under way with tenKsolar.

9/23/13/ BOS Meeting…the movie

9/23/13/ BOS Meeting…the movie

Part 1       of the September 23, 2013 Templeton

        BOS Meeting

Part 2       of the September 23, 2013 Templeton

        BOS Meeting

Fluoride update

SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

There is currently legislation being considered by the Massachusetts Legislature that would require infant fluoride warning statements on all water quality reports sent to customers in all fluoridated communities within the state. The public hearing on the bill (H-3467) has just been scheduled on short notice for this upcoming Thursday, September 26 at 10AM, before the Joint Committee on Environment, Resources, and Agriculture. in room A-1 at the State House in Boston.

TGN article on 252 Baldwinville Rd

Group seeks to present town hall plan to voters

Kerry O'Brien
News Staff Writer

TEMPLETON — Although the Board of Selectmen has put the Baldwinville Road site acquired to serve as the home of a new town hall up for sale, several residents have worked out preliminary plans to complete the project for $1 million less than the $2.2 million estimate that brought the effort to a halt.

Recap Solutions Update

RECAP Solutions

FYI-

Recap Solutions Update:

Memorandum

To:                  All RCAP Solutions Constituents

From:              Karen A. Koller, CAE, President & CEO

Date                September 24, 2013

Subject:         Important Announcement - Gardner Office

As of September 20, 2013, all RCAP Solutions Housing Assistance and Client Service Program Representatives are now located in our Worcester office at 12 East Worcester Street, Worcester, MA 01604.

BOS Meeting September 23, 2013

BOS Meeting September 23, 2013

Chairman Bennett opened the meeting with a reminder that the Benefit for Mark Kasper and Marty Paine will be held October 12^th.

252 Baldwinville Rd –

The chairman amended the agenda for this meeting to include a proposal entitled NEW TOWN OFFICE presented by Dana Blais. Please take some to read through the material. NEW TOWN OFFICE = 252 Baldwinville Rd. There may be a citizen petition presented regarding 252 Baldwinville Rd for the STM scheduled on October 23^rd.  Stay tuned!

If you wish to take a trip down memory lane regarding “OLD TOWN OFFICE PROJECT” at 252 Baldwinville Rd, please read these documents:

Meetings and…the movies

Meetings and…the movies

Advisory Board Blog

Part 1  September 4, 2013

Part 2  September 4, 2013

BOS/ Town Hall  Blog    

Part 1  September 16, 2013

Part 2  September 16, 2013

Town Hall Meeting Blog

 

Part 1  September 17, 2013

  Part 2  September 17, 2013

Meetings for the week of 9/23-9/28

Meetings for the week of 9/23-9/28

Monday September 23, 2013

BOS Meeting  690 Patriots Rd 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday September 24, 2013

Planning Board 690 Patriots Rd 6:30

Today is the last day to register to vote in the October 15th Special Town Election & the October 23rd Special Town Meeting. Town Clerk Office is open from 7:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday September 25, 2013

Advisory Board 690 Patriots Rd  6:30 p.m.

Selectmen back review of funding formula for state's school districts

 

Selectmen back review of funding formula for state's school districts

Kerry O'Brien

News Staff Writer

TEMPLETON — The Board of Selectmen is asking the Massachusetts Municipal Association to lobby lawmakers to create a committee to evaluate the state’s formula on how education is funded.

The attitudes to succeed in a small town

From simpletonian775September 19, 2013 at 7:59 PM:

The attitudes to succeed in a small town
#428 - April 23, 2013


Becky McCray is one of our favorite small town advocates! So when we saw the title of her recent post, we had to share it with our readers!

The attitudes to succeed in a small town
Beck McCray

BENEFIT FOR MARK KASPER & MARTY PAINE

Fundraiser Pig Roast October 12, 2013

The benefit for Mark and Marty will take place on October 12, 2013 at the Templeton Fish and Game Club beginning at 12:00 p.m. Food at 2:30 p.m.

Town Hall Meeting part 2

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Town Hall Meeting Part 2

The Town Hall informational meeting on September 17^th was sparsely attended.

Chairman Bennett began the informational meeting with an announcement of a benefit for two highway employees. The PigRoast/ Raffle will take place on October 12^th at Templeton Fish and Game.

Town Hall Meeting Part 1

Please attend the Town Hall Meeting

Tonight in the KIVA  6:30 p.m.

Town Hall Meeting Part 1

The Town Hall informational meeting began after the BOS meeting adjourned.

BOS Meeting September 16, 2013

BOS Meeting 9/16/2013

A brief BOS meeting was held prior to the Town Hall Forum.

The BOS discussed and voted in the affirmative to send a letter to John Robertson, Director of MMA Legislative Division requesting the MMA’s position on the pivotal school finance bills before the Joint Committee on Education. The hearing on school finance is scheduled for October 17, 2013 at the State House.

Meetings September 16-20

Meetings September 16-20

Sept. 16

BOS Meeting /Town Hall Forum  Kiva 6:30 pm

Conservation Commission 690 Patriots Rd 7:00 pm

September 17

Town Hall Meeting Kiva  6:30 p.m. Questions about the override? Please attend.

Sept. 18

NRSD School Committee Meeting Kiva 6:30

H. EXECUTIVE SESSION

Executive Session – Reason #3 – To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares …

teacher contract was in effect until August 31 2013

Advisory Board Meeting  690 Patriots Rd. 6:30

9/9/13 BOS Meeting …the movie

9/9/13 BOS Meeting …the movie

Part 1 of the September 9, 2013 Templeton BOS Meeting

Part 2 of the September 9, 2013 Templeton BOS Meeting

Part 3 of the September 9, 2013 Templeton BOS Meeting

Op/ed regarding school libraries

Closing school libraries? This means war

Philadelphia's school budget woes have shuttered the district's much-lauded libraries. It's a failure of basic civilization that cannot be allowed to stand.
By Stephen Segal

ESEA Education Funding on the Federal level

I received the following response from Congressman McGovern regarding the re-authorization of ESEA  (The Elementary and Secondary education Act). HR 5

Weekend Events TGIF

Weekend Events TGIF

9/14/2013 Saturday

Wolves in the Hollow 10 a.m.

  

9/15/2013  Sunday

Highway 2 Help Gardner Fish & Gun Club   9am – 1 pm

Holy Cross Parish Chicken BBQ 11:00 – 3:00 pm at the Otter River Sportsman’s Club

If you are aware of other events, post them as a comment!

Animal inspector post to be filled by volunteers

Animal inspector post to be filled by volunteers

Proposed livestock permit fees delayed as Templeton officials mull possibilities
Kerry O'Brien
News Staff Writer

TEMPLETON — Following a hearing at which more than 70 residents voiced opposition to proposed livestock permit fees, an agreement has been reached with the Agricultural Commission to delay any changes for at least the next year.

“We found a way to temporarily avoid this conflict,” said commission member Matthew LeClerc.

Power Theft a Growing Issue for Templeton Light

Power theft a growing issue for Templeton Light

Driscoll says safety primary concern
Kerry O'Brien
News Staff Writer

TEMPLETON — Residents stealing power has increasingly become a problem for the Municipal Light and Water Department, according to General Manager John Driscoll, leading commissioners to begin a discussion on creating more deterrents to electricity theft.

“People are getting particularly brave and stupid about it,” Mr. Driscoll said. “Coming from other municipal light plants, I’ve never seen it this bad. It’s amazing. It’s a sign of the times that it’s really bad out there. We don’t want anyone to get hurt.”

It is Important for us to never forget

'It is important for us to never forget'

Kerry O'Brien
News Staff Writer

TEMPLETON — American flags flown in Afghanistan were presented to the town by Jeffrey Bennett, chairman of the Board of Selectmen and a sergeant in the Massachusetts Army National Guard, as part of a Wednesday ceremony held in remembrance of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Sound familiar?

Spencer-East Brookfield voters reject override

By Kim Ring, TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

Voters in Spencer and East Brookfield overwhelmingly turned down an override request that would have funded the Spencer East Brookfield Regional School District budget for fiscal 2014.

Both communities approved the measure at their town meetings, but in the privacy of the ballot box, things were much different, with each town seeing a margin of about two to one or more in opposition.

Selectmen set vote on $620,000 Override

Selectmen set vote on $620K town override

Ballot to be held Oct. 15; request would fund school assessment, restore hours
Kerry O'Brien
News Staff Writer


TEMPLETON — Voters at an Oct. 15 special ballot will be asked to approve a $620,000 Proposition 2 1/2 override to fund the Narragansett Regional School District’s assessment for the current fiscal year and restore town employee hours that were cut in 2012, the Board of Selectmen decided Monday following comments from residents.

Meeting the week of September 9th

Monday Sept. 9th Board of Selectmen 6:30 PM the agenda is here

Tale of Two Contracts

A Tale of Two Contracts

Why support an override now? Either the town passes an override or major cuts to public safety will occur.

I believe the current members of the BOS will work to ensure the override money is expended in a trustworthy manner. That has not always been the case. When the Advisory Board recommended cuts to certain town employees in order to balance a budget, it was in the context of a very different political climate. That BOS had major credibility issues including but not limited to:

Templeton selectmen to 'Gansett schools: 'Arrange back-up snow plow service'

Templeton selectmen to 'Gansett schools: 'Arrange back-up snow plow service'
Kerry O'Brien
News Staff Writer

TEMPLETON — The Board of Selectmen recently decided to inform the Narragansett Regional School District that if a proposed Proposition 2 1/2 increase does not pass, the town may not be able to plow the schools in a timely manner this winter.

Important override for town of Templeton

Important override for town of Templeton

To the Editor: 9/6/2013

Jeffrey Bennett Templeton

To the Editor:

Having read a couple letters to the editor in The Gardner News (TGN), I decided to reply and pose questions and thought. 

I do not think a public school district should be in the business of trying to lure children away from their local schools. Schools should concentrate on educating children rather than using them as financial pawns. In the end, the school district now has more kids so we need more guidance counselors and teachers so we need more money. If you simply concentrate on having and maintaining a great school system, the children would be better off. A better school system and you perhaps lose fewer children to school choice. As far as I know, you cannot prevent children from going out of the district by way of school choice, but the district can opt to not take part in receiving students from school choice. 

TDC closure ongoing; discussions on future of property to be held

TDC closure ongoing; discussions on future of property to be held

Reuse committee will include state, local representatives

+ click to enlarge TGN file photo Closure of the Templeton Developmental Center is planned to be complete by 2015. Kerry O'Brien News Staff Writer

TEMPLETON — As the closure of the Templeton Developmental Center continues, state officials say they are ready to open up a discussion with the town on how the property will be used going forward.

Selectman: Town must prioritize business

Selectman: Town must prioritize business

Officials supportive, but cite prior efforts

Kerry O'Brien News Staff Writer

TEMPLETON — With a Proposition 2 1/2 override likely to go before voters following approval of an increase in the town’s contribution to the Narragansett Regional School District, Selectman Kenneth Robinson says the community must prioritize drawing businesses to support its tax base.

Meetings

Meetings for September 7-13

Sept. 7 Tomb Restoration Committee

Sept. 9 BOS Kiva 6:30

Sept. 10 Light and Water Bridge St 6:00 p.m.

Sept 11 Memorial Service Templeton Common 9:30 a.m.

Appleseed Fair

'Simple country fun' in store at Appleseed Fair

Phillipston's Red Apple Farm hosting 2nd annual event

PHILLIPSTON — While his story has become a part of folklore, the true Johnny Appleseed, John Chapman — born in Leominster in 1774 — planted apple trees to help settlers heading out west as far as Ohio.

The types of apples he planted still grow at the Red Apple Farm in Phillipston, making it a fitting setting for this weekend’s second annual Appleseed Country Fair.

“It’s really neat to think the same trees go on and on,” said farm owner Al Rose.

The gathering, also sponsored by the Gardner Ale House, Johnny Appleseed Trail of North Central Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, is set to run 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

BOH Meeting TONIGHT at 7:00 Kiva

AGENDA
BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING
 KIVA, 
460 Baldwinville Rd, Baldwinville, MA 
Thursday, September 5, 2013 @ 7:00 PM

Richard Trifilo, Donald Tourigny, and E. Jane Crocker Philip Leger

AGENDA:
1. ReviewminutesofAugust1,2013 
2. Chairperson report
3. Members report
7:15 – Hearing: Regulation for the Keeping of Farm Animals

Board backs $750K override

Board backs $750K override

Calls for 30-percent cut if bid for funding fails
Kerry O'Brien
News Staff Writer

TEMPLETON — The Advisory Board has recommended a $750,000 Proposition 2 1/2 town override request following an increase in Templeton’s assessment to the Narragansett Regional School District, and is also calling on the Board of Selectmen to make 30-percent across-the-board municipal budget cuts if the request for additional funding fails.

Sept 4th Advisory Board Meeting

September 4^th Advisory Board Meeting

The Advisory Board meeting was well attended. Michael Greene was voted on as a new member of the Advisory Board. Thank you for stepping up in these difficult times. Town Clerk, Carol Harris was in attendance and swore Mr. Greene in.

September 11 Service

September 11, 2013 Service

Attached you will find information regarding a memorial service for 9/11 by the Templeton Fire Department.

Thoughts from the BOS Meeting september 3, 2013

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Thoughts from the BOS Meeting September 3, 2013

The first agenda item – Discuss bid specifications for 252 Baldwinville Rd – generated a lot of discussion.

A little history lesson can be found in this list of documents regarding 252 Baldwinville Rd. [Please download the page and then the links on the page should work] Go ahead and refresh your memory. I’ll wait.

Time for a reality check

Time for a reality check

Time for a reality check appeared in the weekend edition (8/31-9/1) of the Gardner News. Please read it carefully.

Week of Sept. 1 Meetings

Sewer Commission - Tuesday, September 3rd agenda is here

Board Of Selectmen - Tuesday September 3rd agenda is here

Advisory Board Wednesday, September 4th agenda is here

They say charity begins at home.

Sometimes the comments on this blog can get a little heated (really!) Sometimes they have been right out nasty. (no!) So, seeing as it is Sunday, the start of a new week, and September 1st the start of a new month, I (someone other than Pauly) would like to share some thoughts.

It seems the CERT members had a fund raiser last week and unfortunately the email about it was missed. So this post is a reminder that  sometimes we need to take a step back and look around and do something nice. CERT (Community Emergency Response Teem)  is a group of volunteers (help me out here Diane) Well if you missed the fund raiser last week, you can still send a donation to CERT. They are funded very little by Town of Templeton due to there not being any money to fund them. 

So this got me thinking, maybe we all should start paying it forward. There is a fund raiser today at the ORSC (along with their annual bake) for the Kasper family. Mark has been fighting cancer. I heard that sometime soon there will also be a fundraiser for the Paine family. Marty has also been fighting cancer. You can always put some money in an envelope and drop it at the Highway Barn, you see both guys are town employees and anyone who has ever gone through this in their family knows the financial toll it can take.