In response to the comments posted above by Mr. Bennett,

 In response to the comments posted above by Mr. Bennett,...

In response to the comments posted above by Mr. Bennett, I want to assure the readers of this  blog that the Selectmen and Town Administrator are providing accurate and consistent information to the public based upon the information we have available at the time.

In the normal process of government, decisions of the state and federal governments often affect what happens at the municipal level. 

The Town did apply for $110,000 in reimbursements for the howling blizzard that was visited upon Massachusetts on January 26-27.  The Governor declared a State of Emergency, thereby making the cities and towns eligible for Federal reimbursement for the costs removing a massive amount of snow.  The Town submitted $110,000 in expenses for the storm, but despite good documentation and over the objections of Governor Baker, the Federal government reduced its snow emergency funding for Massachusetts.  The Governor asked for reconsideration, but no additional funds were forthcoming from Washington.   Result:  The Town of Templeton share of Federal emergency funding was reduced to $30,000.   

The Town was given a line item in the state budget, sponsored by Senator Brewer, for $85,000 to pay for a new playground in Templeton Center.  The state required the Town to spend its own money up front and to complete all work by December 31, 2014.  In January, when the state grant was expected, the new Governor faced a $750 million deficit in the state budget, and he vetoed payment of the $85,000 to the Town.  The grant funding was added to the Fiscal 2016 budget by Senator Gobi.  The Governor again vetoed the $85,000 line item.  Fortunately, the legislature overrode the Governor’s veto, and the Town has received payment the $85,000 payment.  The Town now has a beautiful playground paid for entirely by the Commonwealth.    

The budget line items for professional certification, known as “CMMT” expenses, are for the Town Accountant, the Treasurer/Collector, the Assistant Treasurer/Collector and the Town Clerk to become properly trained and updated in state rules and regulations.  Certification indicates that they are professionally competent to perform their complex duties.  In order to become a certified municipal official, a minimum of three years of training are required.  Once certified, municipal officials are required to attend annual refresher courses at U-Mass-Amherst in order to maintain professional certification.  There is nothing inappropriate about the use of “CMMT” funds for training; training is a required part of the certification process.  The total expenditure for CMMT is $2,000 for all four officials.  The financial problems in recent years are attributable, in part, to a lack of properly trained financial officials.  The Selectmen and I have restored CMMT training funds as part of the effort to restore sound fiscal practices.  For more information:  http://mcta.virtualtownhall.net/pages/MCTA_Webdocs/PACT2015/required-treas-coll

Regarding free cash certification, the Town was informed by the Department of Revenue that no free cash will be certified until professional audits for Fiscal 2013, 2014 and 2015 are submitted.  In August, the DOR changed its position and informed the Town that they will certify free cash as soon as reliable balance sheets for last three years are submitted by the Town Accountant. The change in the DOR position is a positive indicator for the Town.  It means that the Town has made substantial progress towards better financial management and that the state Revenue Department has increased confidence in the financial data that the Town submits. 

As we conclude the first quarter of Fiscal 2016, our budget is balanced and most of the services that were cut in the spring of 2014 have been restored.  More steps are required to complete the improvements in financial management, but we are well along in the process, and I expect certification of an abundance of free cash and restoration of the Town’s bond rating in the latter half of this fiscal year. 

Bob Markel

Interim Town Administrator