Friday, May 9, 2014

Templeton faces devastating cuts or state takeover

Templeton faces devastating cuts or state takeover

Eryn Dion
News Staff Writer

TEMPLETON  — After many thought the failure of a $505,000 override at Monday’s ballot would lead to receivership, Town Administrator Bob Markel informed the Board of Selectmen Tuesday night that there existed another option.

Make $505,000 in cuts to the current operating budget immediately.

Mr. Markel described the plan as “eviscerating” the town’s government for the remainder of the fiscal year, resulting in numerous furloughs, layoffs and union contract negotiations. The town’s public library and Council on Aging would likely be closed until July 1 and public safety departments — including the Fire and Police departments would see their hours and spending dramatically slashed.

“It would be very, very painful for the town,” said Mr. Markel.

Employees given a furlough would return on July 1, however should the town adopt the budget suggested by the Advisory Board, many would see their positions eliminated permanently in the coming fiscal year.

According to Mr. Markel, the town has spent about 74 percent of this year’s budget, with about $3 million in cash left for the town to carve out $505,000 in cuts. With less than 10 weeks left until the start of a new fiscal year, the reductions will need to be dramatic to make an impact.


“That’s why they’re such draconian cuts in spending,” explained Vice Chairman Kenn Robinson.

Those in attendance during the meeting — most of whom work for the town — expressed frustration at the course of action in front of them.

Health Director Phil Leger was concerned for town employees not part of a union or bargaining unit who would likely see their jobs on the chopping block.

“This is really painful for us and our families,” he said.

Mr. Robinson agreed with Mr. Leger's assessment, saying that almost all nonessential — and even some essential — personnel will be laid off, at least temporarily.

Library Director Jackie Prime explained that if a public library closes at any time other than for construction or an emergency, it immediately loses its certification, which can only be regained after it has been open and in compliance with state mandates for a year. Templeton residents would then be unable to use their library cards to borrow materials at any library in the state.

Both the town officials and residents were under the impression that should the override fail, the next step would be receivership. The selectmen and those in the audience expressed that many voters turned down the override with that understanding and hoped the vote would lead to state intervention.

Mr. Markel was able to provide more information on the conditions of receivership, should the town reject the budget cuts.

“The loan from the state would be a fiveyear loan and it would be for about $350,000,” Mr. Markel said. “The state is insisting that we cut $150,000 from existing budgets at the Special Town Meeting on May 17.”

The deficit legislation outlining the terms of the state’s intervention has already been prepared, and Mr. Markel said he has been in contact with the offices of both Senator Stephen Brewer, DBarre, and Representative Denise Andrews, DOrange, to keep them updated on the situation and that Sen. Brewer will introduce the bill immediately.

“They’re going to file the legislation if that’s the route we choose to go,” said Mr. Markel.

It will take several weeks for the bill to move through the legislature before it is finally signed by the governor — delaying the town’s work towards balancing the budget. The state’s loan would be paid back over a period of fiveyears in $80,000 installments, starting in Fiscal Year 2015.

The loan would still leave the town with a $505,000 budget shortfall for the coming fiscal year, as well as an additional $80,000 in cuts necessary to cover the loan payment.

“The loan from the state solves the problem for the next six weeks, not for the next year,” said Mr. Robinson. “It turns a sixweek problem into a fiveyear problem.”

The loan would come with substantial state control over the town’s finances, exercised by the state Department of Revenue.

There would be no financial control board or overseer, as has been done in the past, but all spending and significant activities would need to be cleared through Boston. While they would not have the authority to raise taxes above the amount dictated by Proposition 2 1⁄2 override, they would be able to institute their own cuts and spending measures.

The board decided to delay their decision until their scheduled meeting Thursday evening in the Kiva, when hopefully all members would be present. Any cuts voted on by the board would also be subject to a vote at the May 17 Town Meeting.


7 comments:

  1. The meeting last night was very difficult and very emotional. All departments have taken a hit. Some departments are shut down.

    Please spread the word that streetlights will be shut off. The police department shifts will change. Patrols will be 10 am - 6 pm and 6 pm - 2 am. The State police will assist as best they can from 2 am - 8 am.

    Please take care of each other. Look in on your neighbors.

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  2. watching the meeting and hearing a selectmen say "any politician who says you can get more for less is lying" has me wondering if it is true by moving to a treasurer-collector and being told it will save about $8,000.00 is true or not? I believe there is also a need to fact check Templeton's required (by state law) minimum contribution to the school district, what is the target number and what the taxpayers actually freely voted for last spring, for FY2014. On the subject of the library, perhaps the town could see if it is possible to keep it open for now and look to some kind of arrangement with the library in Gardner. Since there is no certified librarian in the school district, I think every effort should be made to keep the library available, and all the other benefits it brings. Perhaps since it is an election year, state rep. anne gobi can get some funding for the library, since she wants to be out next state senator.

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    1. If you do not want your street light shut off, you can ask the Light Company to leave it on and they will charge you 5.00 a month. I did that the last time we went through the "shut off the Lights routine". When it is dark out here on South Road, it helps to see who is stopped in front of your house, or what the dog is barking at. Good for Ken putting Mr. "if it isn't broke, don't fix it" Paul Q. in his place." If you did not see the meeting last night, or couldn't go, Mr. Q lit into the selectmen because they were going to hire a Town Administrator. He said the running of the town was their job, and they were not doing what they were elected to do. Ken stood up to him, and what he said was right. The business of running a town is a big business that requires a knowledgeable person to over see the departments, and have answers when they are asked. Part time people do not cut it in this day and age. I have felt for a long time the town needed a professional person, and just maybe if we had made this move sooner we would not be in this mess today. We all know hindsight is 20/20, so onward we go. My heart goes out to the people who are going to get ferlowed. This is not what you have been working toward and it not fair. Bud and his highway guys are out in all kinds of weather, making the roads safe for us. Bud is already worried about next winter but all he can do is the best he can, and take it one step at a time. Bev.

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    2. Had and have ideas, did put them in front of the board.

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  3. Bev i think the new rates increased the street lamp cost to privates. We were all paying for them in our bills as the amount they were charged was not enough to cover the costs of the lamps power.The high school middle school cost for out door lamps is over 6,000 per year. No they don't get free power from the wind turbine either.
    Templeton light now has a rate for Net Metering on page 11-12 in the rate schedule on their web site.
    Qoute TMLWP will never offer residents Net Metering.
    I have pushed for this option for years and now you fine customers can have this option.
    I question why they didn't let us know this or tell the news papers about this like Nation Grid does?
    The part that has solar so attractive is it is produced when the power use peak demand is happening.
    I will research about the lease options and grant/tax deductions available and write a blog about the way ewe are able to save on our power costs.
    Thats Driscolls job but i don't think he can figure out how to do the blog thing.
    He's had a hard time posting to the TMLWP web site as it is.
    Not sure if the commissioners would share the info you would be needing or if they have it.

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  4. Can you say regionalization, consolidate positions & centralize purchase of supplies

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  5. Thank you for your interest please sign what you post and we won't remove. If you want to slander people we all have the right to know who you are. It's only fair for the viewers to be allowed to see the face value of the posters.
    Thank you viewers for putting up with the people who don't have the backbone to own what they post.
    We will do what it takes to keep this blog about infomation and not allow the past behavior to continue to try to drive you away.

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