Spencer employees wait anxiously for state to set school budget
By Kim Ring, TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFFSPENCER — The staff at Spencer Memorial Town Hall spent Wednesday waiting and wondering, and they will do more of the same Thursday as the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education works to set a school budget that could affect their jobs.
"They were asking me about it all day," Town Administrator Adam D. Gaudette said.
But by 5 p.m., when there was no word from the state, Mr. Gaudette went home.
He expects to hear the final number sometime Thursday. Meanwhile, he continues to crunch numbers in preparation for a town meeting at which voters will be asked to reconfigure the municipal budget based on what the state rules the two school district towns — Spencer and East Brookfield — must pay for education.
Many Town Hall staff members in Spencer could see their hours reduced and their benefits cut if the school budget is higher than local officials are hoping.
Mr. Gaudette won high praise from the town moderator, who said a 21-page document prepared for the state was one of the best financial documents he's ever seen.
Peter Adams said he's been looking at budget numbers for years and has never seen anything as impressive as the written presentation Mr. Gaudette prepared for the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
In it, Mr. Gaudette pleads the town's case for a compromise school budget that won't force the town to make drastic cuts to municipal services.
On Tuesday, finance committee members mulled over the warrant for the Dec. 5 special town meeting, which will deal with whatever budget the state sets. Mr. Gaudette has projected a best-case budget based on $23.3 million for the schools, a number approved by voters at a regional district meeting and later rejected by the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School Committee.
The worst-case scenario is based on a $24 million school budget. He hesitates to talk about what could happen if the state, which has already set a $26.3 million budget from which the schools could draw one-twelfth monthly, decides on that number.
The schools have instead been using one-twelfth of $24.7 million monthly, but state law dictates that if no budget is in place by Dec. 1, the $26.3 million would become the district's budget, and if voters fail to appropriate the money, it will be taken from local aid issued to the town by the state.
Finance Committee members gave their blessing on most of the warrant articles but held off on the two related to the school budget and a third on marijuana dispensaries because it is lengthy and members wanted to read it thoroughly before deciding whether they'd support it.
They will meet at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5 just before the town meeting to decide whether they will recommend passage of the articles.
Contact Kim Ring at kring@telegram.com. Follow her on Twitter @kimmring
We all know the anxiety this kind of conflict causes, and it is not healthy for anyone. It looks like all but the a few members of the School Committee were willing to negotiate in good faith. That is very sad, because this could be have been taken care of by now, and the school in Spencer/West Brookfield would have gotten along. Now push has come to shove, so we will see the results. I don't think these people know they are not the only ones waiting for the results. I think we need selectmen on the School Committee, because there has to be some input about the financial side of the town. How does anyone make good decisions about the schools, if they lack the input from the town's financial state, even though our finances were not a big secret. Now I can tell you, in the past three years, I have not seen Mr. Mason or Mr. Columbus at a regular meeting of the Select Board or the Advisory Board. I just remembered, Ms. Miller went to the A.B. this spring. Ms. Miller did not get it, and does not really care about what kind of a financial mess the town is in, in my opinion. I know Mr. Spring had attended the S.C. meetings and said Phillipston had more representative than Templeton did. Now why that has been the case is beyond me, because we have always paid more. I think the number of students from Phillipston have increased some, but I don't know if that would affect the number of reps. they have on the board. As it stands now, things look out of balance. This needs to be corrected very soon. If my memory is right I think the numbers of who has what for the number of representatives, was something set at a meeting years ago. I may be nieve, but I always thought it was the job of a town commissioner to be a go between, from the town and the group they are working with. Otherwise why have them there at all? It just seems to me, if people are on a commission too long, they stop being productive and begin to identify with the group they should be monitoring. We need to fix this so the town has a fair say in matters that are affecting our town, is a very serious way. Think of it as a brain transplant, or a major blood transfusion, but as silly as that sounds, this has to happen soon. Bev.
ReplyDeleteCan a person serve on both the BOS & SC at the same time, or is it a COI?
ReplyDeleteI don't see how that would be a COI. One entity is the Town of Templeton. The other is the NRSD.
ReplyDeleteIt should never be a conflict of interest, as the purpose of the School Committee should never be to blindly support anything the Superintendant wants. They should watch out for the taxpayers and all the citizens. Not just the students and parents of current students. What would be the conflict?
The SC sole interest should be what is best for the school.
Delete& can a person hold 2 elected seats at once? Seems like a conflict to be on the board that submits the budget & also the one that approves it
Puffy,
DeleteI was elected to the BOS in 2005. I was already serving a member of the school committee and had been since 1995. So indeed, it is possible be elected to BOTh he school committee and the board of selectmen.
I look forward to running again for school committee.
Vote Bennett for school committee.
Vote Mitchell for Selectman.
Remember the past to ensure a better future.
The nuclear option should NEVER be used.
....and when was it that you were recalled?
DeletePuffy, saying things like that is so sick!! You just don't get the fact that there are people who really want the best for the town, that means the whole town. I feel so bad for you, is there anything good in your life?? What good does it make to say such awful things to good people?? You are hurting yourself more than you hurt Julie or myself, or anyone else you make nasty comments to. Think before you speak...At least give it a try
DeleteHA, more proof you've no clue.
Delete1. Does the truth hurt?
2. I chose every word very carefully.
3. I have a very happy life. A profitable business, happily married, wonderful children, & live in a town that is finally waking up to reality.
4. Havent I been right most of the time since I started on this blog?
Try joining the winning side. The side that is finally moveing this town forward, instead of being stuck in the same old manure.
Puffy,
DeleteWhat have you won? Exactly?
You are so wrong in so many ways, I've lost count.
well lets see...
DeleteThe funding at the JTM....
The ensuing override...
The fact that without business, the tax rate MUST go up.
When was I wrong!
Ouch!
DeleteDESE brought coal to Spencer?
Virginia,
Where is Santa Claus?
Ouch!
DESE reached a compromise figure? AND the school department is under DESE control? Ouch again !
WOW!
Maybe that nuclear option wasn't a good idea after all.
OUCH !
Is that coal in my stocking?
Santa, …I mean DESE .. how could you?
That may be your opinion. Another area where we would differ is on how effective the extra money is in producing better results for the students.
ReplyDeleteI think you may wish to learn more about the budget process. The NRSD does not submit a budget to the BOS for approval.
To answer your question - multiple selectmen have served on the BOS and the L&W commission. Mr. Skelton, Ms. Farrell and Mr. Stewart to name a few.
The one exception I know of is the Advisory Board. You cannot serve on the Advisory Board and be elected to any town office. Town employees are not eligible to serve on the AB.
Article IV, Section 1
There shall be an Advisory Committee consisting of seven legal voters of the town who shall be appointed by the Moderator as hereinafter provided. No elective or appointive town officer or town employee shall be eligible to serve on said committee, except that a representative from the Advisory Committee shall be entitled to serve as a member of the Capital Planning Committee and the Insurance Committee.
Amended 5-13-03 & 5-11-11
eh, doesnt really matter either way. No way they get elected running on platforms of calling us gang rapists, or cutting funding & jobs we just approved.
Deletewho would be running on a platform of cutting funding or jobs. I believe that would be a process moving forward. Now a platform of being responsible to the taxpayers and bringing forth an attitude of willing to compromise could be a thesis to run on. Also, the BOS do not really set or vote on the budget, that is what town meeting is for. I read the by-law and it says selectmen cannot ne elected to other town offices such as planning or sewer and it specifically singles out not L&W commissioners as well. Since the school committee is an entity separate from town government, it is ok to run and serve on both. I would wonder exactly what was won and what will be the result of coming to the taxpayers for funding for a woodchip heat system and a new elementary school after what was won, supposedly.
DeleteSo, save town jobs, & cut school jobs?
DeleteDoesnt the bylaw we just passed say, any other elected board?
The SC is the welfare of the school. Not the cemetary dept, town clerk, or any other town job.
Oh yeah, 2 more than off to bed.
DeleteThe wood chip heat will save the taxpayers thousands of dollars a year. Just ask Seaman Paper.
And dont try to use word symantics. Your not a good enough politician to pull that off.
Puffy,
Delete"In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is." Yogi Berra
In theory, "The wood chip heat will save the taxpayers thousands of dollars a year." In practice? Will the assessments for Templeton and Phillipston go down?
Will the "savings" from the wood chip heat system evaporate into E & D never to be seen nor accounted for? Like the roof at Narragansett?
Theory and practice my friend. Theory and practice.
Vote Bennett for school committee.
Vote Mitchell for Selectman.
Remember the past to ensure a better future.
The nuclear option should NEVER be used.
Has anyone checked the price of wood pellets of today versus say five years ago? Have they gone down? The superintendent of schools at the school committee meeting on Wednesday, November 20, 2013 basically said that with the savings, the district will be able to fund many things without having to ask taxpayers for more money. Now here is something for you to ponder. The superintendent did some debt restructuring on school debt ( you know the things that taxpayers fund through taxation) which is suppose to save money but extends the length of time for the debt. Now did the MSBA refund some of this debt and if they did, who got those funds, the town or the district?
DeleteWood CHIP Jeff, not pellets. They shred pallets....very cheap.
DeleteAnd either way, it saves us taxpayers money. You against that now too?
How much would Templeton's assessment go down with a WOOD CHIP boiler at "Gansett"? Dollar figures …please.
DeleteOh BTW, does this project come with a Guarantee?
How would I know? All I know is that the businesses that have them are saving millions on oil costs & its green so theres probably some govt kickbacks.
DeleteSHOULDNT A SELECTMAN & PERSON RUNNING FOR SC ALREADY BE IN THE KNOW FOR THIS PROJECT????
Puffy,
DeleteAll I am asking for is the dollar amount that Templeton's assessment would be lower by if this project comes to fruition.
What is the return on investment? What is the payback period? I have served on many committees and seen many large capital projects…like the wind turbine that have not lived up to their promised benefits or payback periods. When a large capital project encounters "unforeseen" costs and overruns, the ratepayers/taxpayers are the ones who pick up the tab.
A wood chip boiler has many benefits as you have pointed out. The devil is in the details. Before you make a statement "saving millions on oil costs", I think you need more details. In my opinion, asking questions about a large capital projects is the sensible thing to do in order to protect the interests of the taxpayers.
If the wood boiler project is completed, will Templeton's assessment for NRSD be lowered? Where will the anticipated cost savings of heating the high school/middle school complex go? has a cost benefit analysis been performed? Is this cost benefit analysis available to the public?
Vote Bennett for school committee.
Vote Mitchell for Selectman.
Remember the past to ensure a better future.
The nuclear option should NEVER be used.
I can't wait to take out papers for school committee.
I know it is wood chip, the pellet comment was to make a point. Details: The mount had electric heat system prior to wood chip and they also now have an oil plant as well. I believe they use about 6,000 gallons of oil on top of the wood chips. Now with regards to funding, will the district go for complete grant funding or will they come to taxpayers for debt exclusion money? Again, if that is the route, the district would have went along way in this had they compromised a bit on the last budget cycle. That would be looking down the road and thinking on the consequences of doing what they did or how they did it. See you at the next school committee meeting Huff. Well, I won't know if I see you there but I will be there.
DeleteSince this past May, Selectmen can no longer simultaneously serve on the L&W commission.
ReplyDeleteFor someone from the "Let's be positive" side of the debate on this blog, I must say you have a bad habit of mischaracterizing statements and actions of people to whom you are in opposition. Why must you demonize people who serve for $0, do not work for the town, gain no financial benefit from their service? Good people can disagree. And just so you don't have the last word, the majority of Templeton voters at TWO override elections were against giving the $690k to the NRSD.
Whoa, I never claimed to be the happy, rah rah, all goody two shoes person. Quite, the contrary. I'm the dissenting voice on this VERY one sided blog.
DeleteI was ALWAYS for the actions of the SC, as it enlightened a major block of voters, that never even went to the 2 override votes. Once the participation grew, & we realized how severely underfunded the enire town (inc. the school) was, the outcome was enevitable.
The problems with the taxes we are paying, is the fact we spend to much on the debt the town took one in the past ten years. As a result, we do not have much tangible to show for our money. The interest we have paid is huge, and this is what the people have got from not paying attention. It is not what the people were told that was the problem, but what they were not told. So now we have a town to run without the industry we once had to help us, less money coming in from the state and federal agencies. Those are huge losses for the people to take on. If you want to pay more be my guest, but I am telling you that the people in this town that have supported it for years, have only so much to give. You will not get away with the deal you pulled this year again, I can promise you that. The school puts to much of it's money in the administration, that could change with no harm to the children, but time will tell how things will work out. Bev.
DeleteMaybe Templeton should reconsider the by-law passed a few years ago that requires any commercial building of 12k feet to install an expensive emergency radio system. Not exactly a business-friendly by-law.
ReplyDeleteBoy, I never heard of that one !! Just who was going to benefit from that ?? Must have been some ones idea to make a buck. I would say that could go, with the new technology, it would be obsolete by now. Just wait a minute and what you bought today is old news tomorrow. Bev.
DeleteI was at that meeting when the by-law passed. We were told that It is for safety of the first responders (Fire Dept.). I wondered if it was necessary or if it would actually work properly when needed. I did not vote for it however, it did pass and became a by-law. I do not see any sizable business sprouting up anywhere in this region..Look at the unemployment numbers for Winchendon and Athol on the State Department of Labor Web site. Winchendon may get a new facility that will grow medical marijuana. If it is allowed to start up, it may provide up to 90 jobs for the area. Other than that I have not seen much happening in the area. The good news is that if they do start it they will help support the school in town. Maybe we could do that with the 252 property. We could use the money as we are planning on building a new school high up on a rock mountain with no sewer or water pressure available, centrally located adjacent to a facility where people who are dangerous to children will be housed only a short walk away. And where it is totally legal to carry firearms behind this new school. What will transportation costs be to bus all the kids in town to that location? What will the industrial leach field and grease traps cost initially and yearly to take care of ? What about the black bear that travel the area (they will love those dumpsters)? And finally what about the wetlands at the base of the big rock mountain. Anybody visit and see what the runoff did to the road this year? Well they fixed it now but it was a pretty impressive hole carved down much of it. Lots of water is shed off that location and is diverted to the wetlands below. What affect will all that asphalt, motor oil, antifreeze and fertilizer have on the watershed? Yep looks like we should join the people growing the Pot as we will need the money for the schools. It looks like most of the people planning the whole thing have been smoking it or quite a while. I am thinking of running for school committee as I may be the only one that is not smoking it. I should win by a landslide.
ReplyDeleteHi Jim,
DeleteDo you think the voters in Templeton will support building a new elementary school? Do you support the nuclear option to fund the school budget?
Mrs. Farrell I do not think that the voters will support the building of the Elementary school as it now stands. The site selected has many issues that I touched upon briefly. The hidden costs like attempting to blast the ledge to get a level foundation. The elevation drop from the front of the site to the top of the hill would require blasting. Drainage is a big problem as rock will not absorb much water and runoff will be an issue. Study the maps and you will see that the runoff would end up at three pipes near the water supply well and enter the otter river. Building a safe road wide enough to get to the site would also be very costly. Traffic control systems for route 202 would also come at a price. This area is the super market for the Templeton State Forest. it should be used to feed the wildlife as it has in the past. Hunting is restricted to Bow and Arrow only here so wildlife thrives there. I have run into many people who come to our area to Bow hunt in the only area designated specifically for it in the state. They have asked directions to the gun store, where they can get a good meal and where the can stay. These folks travel from all over the state to come here to enjoy our area for a few months each year. Some come back to enjoy the Camping and outdoor recreation available in the area once they see what we have to offer. We need to promote these things more as that's the resource we have plenty of in this area. Boat rentals for otter river tours could start up a small business as a example. Get fish and game to help us provide more food for the animals to attract visitors. Plant the fields like they did in days gone by. Post trail maps of the hiking trails. Sponsor nature and bird walks. Do not destroy what we have left just to build a public building. I will stop for now to answer your next question. The school needs to work with and be a partner with the town. The tactics used this year are counter productive and have caused a great divide in the town. From a logical stand point the cost of educating each student is roughly $6,000 when I checked before the over ride took effect. That is not an unreasonable number given todays economy. There are areas and items that should have been cut back on. There was space to compromise and come to reasonable figure that both sides could live with. So NO I do not support the tactics used and never will. The time has come to grow up and act like responsible people who look out for everyone young, old, and in the middle. Every vote affects someone in some way. We all have t do what is best for everyone.
DeleteJim,
DeleteTempleton needs people to serve on many committees. I'm a city kid and have signed up for BOS duty on the Open Space committee. I'm a little out of my element. Would you care to help? Our trail maps are out of date. We need to update and improve our Open space plan ( wish I could find the newest edition) I would like to formulate a plan that integrates all of our designated open space areas and plan which parcels are crucial to providing wildlife corridors. I also have to balance that goal with the belief that not every parcel is ripe to consider for Open Space.
Just something to think about.
As far as education goes, the need for a new elementary school is beyond dispute by most people. Do you have any ideas to urge the Templeton taxpayers to support finding an elementary school?
Truthless is the name you are known by and when did the Templeton people get the need for you to rant your lack of anything?
ReplyDeleteGo away and leave Templeton for the grown ups that can be honest and truthful,not truthlessly incorrectly time and time again.
Your way of adding to this blog are less of substance and you have a grudge anyone who reads your blah can tell.You should find a purpose that one person could care about and when you do, take a look in the mirror and tell yourself your sorry again. No facts are removed and only the cold hard crap is like batman. Blog with us not for your teams agenda.Echo the factor of truth your team are sore loosers and have lost the trust of Templeton for good. Their not stupid enough to listen to you.
Bla Bla Bla More senseless Part Batman Part ??
ReplyDeleteWhen they fired you did you feel this was your way to get back at them?
We know who you are and feel bad for you. We spare you the embarrassment and let you work out your problems here at no charge.Your therapist however won't work for nothing will she.Your up to 21 words a minute,good job! See were helping you there too!
A post a minute is something to smile at in your mirror.
Good luck, Sorry it didn't work out for you but, I'm trying to help the elderly and low income people in town. They will love to have a voice at the L+W. You don't know the facts there either do you
Sorry you had to go,but better for the town!
Grudges get you nowhere and focus on your better tomorrows, Your family will be proud of you if you do/can.
Hi Dave,
ReplyDeleteDon't waste your time with "Truthy".
Just pathetic.
Vote Bennett for school committee.
Vote Mitchell for Selectman.
Remember the past to ensure a better future.
The nuclear option should NEVER be used.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteTruth,
ReplyDeleteI still hold out hope that you will get help. Back to the topic at hand:
What is your position on the the use of the nuclear option to secure school funding? Do you have some facts to contribute to this discussion?
Vote Bennett for school committee.
Vote Mitchell for Selectman.
Remember the past to ensure a better future.
The nuclear option should NEVER be used.
I can't wait to take out papers for school committee.