Templeton Treasurer dismissed

Templeton Treasurer dismissed

Eryn Dion
News Staff Writer

TEMPLETON — Town Treasurer Dan Keeney was dismissed during an executive session held by the Board of Selectmen Monday evening.

Chairman Jeffrey Bennett described the issue as a “personnel matter” and explained that the decision came at the recommendation of interim Town Administrator Bob Markel.

The board voted to enter into an executive session at 5:30 Monday night, where Mr. Markel’s suggestion was brought up for consideration.

The board then voted to approve the administrator’s recommendation and Mr. Keeney, who was present at the meeting, was dismissed.

According to Mr. Bennett, the move falls well within the powers allocated to the town administrator, who can — based on merit — appoint or dismiss department heads or town officials with the exception of those associated with the school district, subject to the board’s approval.


Kate Myers was appointed as the town’s acting treasurer during the board’s regular meeting. Ms. Myers is the board’s senior administrative assistant and will serve as treasurer until June 30.

The full-time treasurer position will be posted in-house first and then advertised to the general public. Mr. Bennett also said the tax collector and treasurer titles may be combined in the future as an effort to save money.

The dismissal is the latest development in the town’s unfolding financial crisis. Currently, the board is struggling with fallout from the projected $505,000 budget shortfall discovered last November, which has been blamed on software issues and inflated budget forecasts.

The board will likely ask for a Proposition 2 1/2 tax override at a Special Town Meeting tentatively scheduled for March 29, as well as proposed budget cuts and an option to appropriate free cash — if available.

Mr. Keeney had previously gone before the selectmen several times stating that he does not have the funding or help to complete his office’s mounting workload.

The town is owed over $800,000 in unpaid property taxes, most of which was inherited by Mr. Keeney upon taking office.

It was reported last month that the Treasurer’s Office, due to software errors and interference, sent out several rounds of incorrect W-2 tax forms to municipal employees.

Mr. Keeney declined to comment on the decision at this time.