[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6372554,"mediaKeyId","2147540-71227fbdff0b932b3f6af8974ce3af31","parentId",2147540,"title","Select Board considers reconstituting economic development committee, agrees to refine charge","audioSeconds",530,"startMs",7391000,"endMs",7921000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2147540-71227fbdff0b932b3f6af8974ce3af31&start=7391&end=7921","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2147540-71227fbdff0b932b3f6af8974ce3af31/thumbnail_7391000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6372554/Massachusetts/Select-Board-considers-reconstituting-economic-development-committee-agrees-to-refine-charge","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6372554-9b4e9eca7c6fdb061d6291a242236b73/orig.mp4?Expires=1777099081&Signature=ZyqoHdNJt70uIu5VHEW6v45Uzm500l125HXG8ZPBrhJmXGro3r0F2JnTwDpxDP3kwIbtql82Im1DeOkuM3V6qO-9VGHqYIEI~U6Mv2xtJ2~Wcig0p6eRiMvV8hKn60vbMOfwa4xCRYcNGJytKptIr4lSVC43OuxDenvmvKpZzMbnaU0XwErhQbrH7aYOcAscltPyHej17Pt6ySI9-~fL6rbJ-22GdDdRAy~DYE-a9GS--n1eEj6hqrM4kB6YcaQiwkj6M94jus8YO51mF4rUFFLDGKzTd6VLzUI0ODNmCih3ZCE1HVIZiMsf3C~jwTEpHrzuXw5C4CXRr36ec3mkEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Templeton, MA","date","2025-01-24T16:29:31.81Z","article","The Select Board reviewed a draft charge to create a new Economic Development Committee (EDC) to take on research and planning tasks that would guide the town’s economic development strategy.

The draft proposes a five‑member committee appointed by the Select Board and charged with producing recommendations on economic development initiatives, researching the feasibility of a redevelopment authority or other legal tools, developing procurement language for an economic development plan, identifying funding sources and grants, and coordinating with the town’s development services department. The draft also said the EDC would produce updates for the Select Board as part of quarterly briefings.

Board members discussed composition and skills: the draft originally stated “no specific expertise required,” and board members asked for language that would allow appointments to prioritize candidates with relevant skills. Select Board member Matt said he would add language suggested by a community member recommending that “individuals with experience in administration, finance or lending, legal, economic development planning, grant writing or administration, and similar skills would be useful.”

Why it matters: Board members said an EDC could serve as a town “think tank” to build an economic development plan and to recommend whether the town should pursue a redevelopment authority or EDIC structure. The committee would perform groundwork such as surveying local conditions, identifying barriers to business growth (including zoning and infrastructure), recommending priority projects and helping assemble grant applications.

Next steps: The Select Board asked staff to include the suggested expertise language, place the revised charge on a future meeting agenda for further review, and begin outreach to potential committee members. No formal appointment or vote was taken at the meeting.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Templeton Select Board Meeting of Jan 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Select Board reviewed a draft charge to create a five‑member Economic Development Committee (EDC) to research and recommend economic development strategy for the town.","taxTitle","Town of Templeton, Worcester County, Massachusetts","taxId",51753,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6372559,"Select Board reviews proposed bylaw changes to annual town report and audit timing",1530,5556000,7086000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2147540-71227fbdff0b932b3f6af8974ce3af31&start=5556&end=7086","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2147540-71227fbdff0b932b3f6af8974ce3af31/thumbnail_5556000.jpg","/articles/6372559/Massachusetts/Select-Board-reviews-proposed-bylaw-changes-to-annual-town-report-and-audit-timing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6372559-666e88775e3fe5d6f7c0b9c98fdfad06/orig.mp4?Expires=1777099081&Signature=IalvldkrKgqIQllkOdg0TYkJRNal0ZL-dE1Yx1VAQW2u2inMkbM01aeiVBiZILsuzshNqr90q28GxEa845jshnY1xpKtuJnVzpRvCDFxVeZ4gOtm72QHVSMd~U6cmgMM7UnEpLR~IXCWjkTTrE65uM6HKKZbaZAiF2KyGsSDQvWSF5BlHQu33mZAD-HvXWLJHUvspMNgR0sz5w1rDgRNViUXzwjbAB1VKbqqaSwEx-iIcqGNyTa18AEY4JizQhK3wHF02OmD-pJkuXk45I7ScHbc8MpMgYzuesXeTujnMXAlezZXJPAcFgVZGB9ws8ShtZ9kgguHV0aFLHZzxQChvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Select Board member Matt presented a first reading of draft changes to two town bylaws that govern the annual town report and the annual audit, citing a goal to make the report available earlier for voters to review before the annual town meeting and election.

Matt said the proposed changes would revise deadlines so departments file their annual submissions earlier, and would move the duty to publish the annual town report to a specific date (the draft says the last business day of February) while allowing the audit to be posted separately if it arrives after print deadlines. He said the change reflects the Municipal Modernization Act and practical timing conflicts between fiscal‑year and calendar‑year reporting for some enterprise funds (water/light) that sometimes delay receiving complete audit materials.

Board members discussed how to ensure physical copies remain available to residents at town hall and at annual town meeting, and whether references to distribution at polling places should remain in the bylaw because early voting and mail ballots have shifted how and where residents cast ballots. Questions were raised about print quantities and logistics; staff told the board they typically procure a few hundred printed reports and that leftover copies are frequently returned after meetings.

Process and timing: Matt requested the Select Board’s concurrence to circulate the draft to department heads and committee chairs for a 14‑day comment period ending Feb. 5, incorporate any comments, and return it for a second reading the first meeting in February. After that, he proposed sending the revised draft to town counsel for a legal sufficiency review before a final decision on whether to include the amendments on the ATM warrant.

Why it matters: Board members said the annual town report is a key document for voter information and that incomplete or late publication undermines residents’ ability to research warrant articles. The board asked staff to provide distribution cost estimates and to test language about physical availability at town hall and at the annual town meeting; they agreed the bylaw should preserve public access while avoiding an unworkable mandate tied to shifting polling practices.

Next steps: The board agreed to the 14‑day comment period and asked Matt and staff to return the revised text at the board’s first February meeting, then route the document to town counsel for legal review if the board approves a second reading.

","Select Board member Matt presented a first reading of draft bylaw revisions designed to make the annual town report available earlier and to align audit publication with practical timing constraints.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6372569,"Town hears CivicPlus pitch to upgrade website, add AudioEye accessibility tools",628,567000,1195000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2147540-71227fbdff0b932b3f6af8974ce3af31&start=567&end=1195","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2147540-71227fbdff0b932b3f6af8974ce3af31/thumbnail_567000.jpg","/articles/6372569/Massachusetts/Town-hears-CivicPlus-pitch-to-upgrade-website-add-AudioEye-accessibility-tools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6372569-490a12c98b1ec1cdc1b2929ae5d28760/orig.mp4?Expires=1777099081&Signature=UO6bZIEYy0lWIwo4JnBEEbKtdZtjJ2jR4k9DlopRPqsipXd-bg16lO7b-xPhcSiM~CjKpk5enH3bkB6FCCT3aGUelnZqghSO1i5vx5pcf7nQPddwoblIkD0hkzzrQN07lLn995GrggsK5h6d37PjMMUoGn4TtWcezCqmj8LNnRePV3niUYcH9G~MKT5W3WmsRRlp1TcEh671jdvVHSE1CuUqIJutacRGmG1I6y-UmKoQiXoej-wv8Z8jBdgqsSSwggOGHv79jL--pr0jaRr-VerWBWkOu9Z~7MT30-DZhABJcToC~RKPUOtNR5Ui1JhRbaJP2mBuSVIefgQ~DpaLoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","John Pugh, account manager for CivicPlus, showed the Select Board examples of the vendor’s Central website platform and an accessibility product called AudioEye at the board’s Jan. 22 meeting.

Pugh said Central is “Civic Plus’s flagship website platform,” built to meet WCAG accessibility standards and to improve mobile responsiveness, search, news and calendar features. He demonstrated language-selection tools and the AudioEye toolbar on sample municipal sites and described AudioEye as a tool that “is automatically fixing content and pictures for you so the staff doesn’t have to.”

The presentation outlined two purchasing options: a full website redesign to CivicPlus Central with AudioEye included and a lower-cost path to add AudioEye to the town’s existing site. Pugh provided a statement of work showing a first-year total “initial term” price just under $25,000 (listed as $24,281) for a Central redesign, which the vendor said would be billed as 30% up front and 70% at mid-project. He said the typical timeline from signature to go‑live is about six months. He also said the company was offering AudioEye for free in year one as a promotion and that year-two pricing would apply after that trial.

Select Board member Holly Stone and other board members asked practical questions about language translation, calendar functionality, and whether AudioEye would work on the town’s current site while a redesign is underway. Pugh said language switching is part of the Central upgrade and that AudioEye could be added to the existing site immediately if the town chose that route. Stone noted the board might pursue the AudioEye-only option during budget deliberations for FY 2026 and mentioned grant possibilities for a site redesign later.

Board members also raised the budget context: Stone and others called the $2,510 AudioEye option and the $24,281 full redesign “options” to discuss during the town’s upcoming budget process. Pugh said the company runs promotions and that he would follow up with the board and with Holly about whether CivicPlus would attend the Massachusetts Municipal Association conference next week.

Why it matters: The town’s website is the primary way many residents get municipal updates, agendas and emergency notices; board members said improved findability and stronger ADA compliance are priorities. The board did not make any purchase decisions at the meeting but asked staff to keep the proposal in mind for the budget process and to share detailed pricing and the statement of work for further review.

Next steps: The vendor will supply the board with the formal quote and scope documents. The Select Board said it will consider AudioEye and/or a full redesign during the FY 2026 budget process and may seek grant opportunities for a future full redesign.

","John Pugh, account manager for CivicPlus, showed the Select Board examples of the vendor’s Central website platform and an accessibility product called AudioEye at the board’s Jan. 22 meeting.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6372549,"Votes at a glance: Select Board actions, Jan. 22, 2025",0,8376000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2147540-71227fbdff0b932b3f6af8974ce3af31&start=8376&end=8376","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2147540-71227fbdff0b932b3f6af8974ce3af31/thumbnail_8376000.jpg","/articles/6372549/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-Select-Board-actions-Jan-22-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6372549-308fde212aaac89207ac675a9c6b9047/orig.mp4?Expires=1777099081&Signature=Knox5n8SAtiMQoE49WNMx2VJenT0X4WRUysGNn-iYBd5whNks~yYrXcXCtNYf-zz9K6GH2Nyx-tbaozYphaY~qB3vjbVLCp3-m0Ls7bJvN0QzukjVwkRLJhggmLgsCGpRyY5f~u0YTor43qUqTBpgjRzMOVj3q7hP6X6llqw52PNJFaIlTcbdFjWGSC35A-8QJSKEmhf~COl3h63KK019W9XjjKI7Bfvce6M7HM7kCwrqor6EUaiMi0Mic7VococQaI-DVUN1zcIQeD-EQzwQhaGZXK2QXuRMjXtEi-hFdrKNsDNxneUeehFtAo~u-zrIcVSPtgRW4MkNfHreKoBQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Templeton Select Board recorded the following formal actions at its Jan. 22, 2025 meeting.

1) Approval of meeting minutes (amended)
Motion: To approve the meeting minutes of Jan. 8, 2025, as amended (mover/second not specified in the transcript).
Vote: Tim — yes; Jeff — yes; Matt — yes; Terry — yes; Chairman Mike Curry — yes.
Outcome: approved.

2) Acceptance of senior center donations
Motion: To accept senior center donations (memo in packet) (mover/second not specified in the transcript).
Donors and amounts noted in the meeting: $100 from Doris and John Brooks; $500 from the Knowlton Foundation for the Elderly (total $600).
Vote: Tim — yes; Jeff — yes; Terry — yes; Matt — yes; Chairman Mike Curry — yes.
Outcome: approved; board thanked donors and staff.

3) Change to the town website \"Financial Transparency\" link
Motion (mover: Jeff; second: not specified): Change the town financial transparency link on the website from a ClearGov page to links that point instead to the state DLS gateway and a Templeton‑specific tax recap (two links to be provided on the site).
Vote: Tim — yes; Jeff — yes; Terry — yes; Matt — yes; Chairman Mike Curry — yes.
Outcome: approved; staff (Holly and Adam) to implement links and provide both DLS gateway and Templeton recap links.

4) Executive session on collective bargaining (police)
Motion: Enter executive session under M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3) for strategy regarding collective bargaining with Police Local 155, with the board to only reconvene to close the open meeting.
Vote: Tim — yes; Carrie — yes; Matt — yes; Chairman Mike Curry — yes; (motion seconded and carried).
Outcome: approved; the board entered executive session and did not return to deliberations in public.

Notes: Where specific mover/second were not audible in the transcript, the meeting record showed motions and seconds and roll calls were taken and recorded on the public record. No ordinance adoptions, appointments or other legislative votes were taken at this meeting.","The Select Board took several procedural and administrative votes on Jan. 22: it approved amended minutes, accepted senior center donations totaling $600, directed a change to the town website financial transparency link, and authorized an executive session on collective bargaining. Vote tallies and motions are listed below.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6372564,"Select Board hears Q2 FY25 departmental reports on development, finance and community services",597,1879000,2476000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2147540-71227fbdff0b932b3f6af8974ce3af31&start=1879&end=2476","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2147540-71227fbdff0b932b3f6af8974ce3af31/thumbnail_1879000.jpg","/articles/6372564/Massachusetts/Select-Board-hears-Q2-FY25-departmental-reports-on-development-finance-and-community-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6372564-2bbb30e0013613701c8e1cebba0e0b14/orig.mp4?Expires=1777099081&Signature=Tg5D-3fcx5IItJ8Kqjlp5lVKwRJSTtUnlcmPdnoeB3qWAMuRjU4sutc-nwpWBlvk2u3A3qbvi1uDo-8Np34Kqom0hJ2-zzoP8L1HTPvOuN2HuW3x4XgyWu4Pk6eLuQGnA0zqPR2J5pusTq~SXI0Zjahbi9AA3r~hR-wN0WtHgvDWvAaIQxoNEsY1Up8kZKeVcBQ4mIIhZ7Er7Ne51RSzjbceu3OOyQ0pCr~LVT4zuS1XhRkO-2KSbIK-RWQBB8kET4YSvRapTxEPHKcT0pxYQKlS7jLXFSrBUgFSl6tx4wgjn4zAfrTpabASCgJKiCjrGeUPdFLL61rXcH8G5pNUuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town staff presented the town’s Q2 FY25 quarterly reports at the Jan. 22 Select Board meeting, covering development services, finance and community services.

Development services reported active permitting and large permit values. Laurie (development services) told the board that building inspectors reviewed plans for the Baldwinville School project and that no work would start until closing; she said plans discussed dates in late February to early March for construction to begin. Her office reported 66 building permits from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, with permit values cited collectively as $23,964,000; Laurie said permit fees include the Baldwinville School project and that the bulk of the recent work was upgrades (stoves, mini‑splits) rather than new single‑family construction.

Finance and accounting staff provided background on audit work and other year‑end tasks. Melanie from the accounting office said auditors had been on site and that most requested material had been provided, with a few outstanding items pending (water‑enterprise items referenced). She also described the work to obtain IRS e‑filing credentials (TCC number) needed to file informational returns and outlined steps to reconcile accounts; the board asked for a quarterly projection‑versus‑actual revenues spreadsheet to be included with future quarterly BBAs (budget vs. actual) packets.

The assessors’ office reported a timely tax-rate setting for FY25 with a tax rate of 12.12, a decrease from the prior year; Justice (assessor staff) said residential values increased approximately 7.4% and that the town’s assessed base remained heavily residential (noted as about 92–93% residential). The office committed real estate and personal property figures for the quarter and said April 1 remains the deadline to file FY25 exemptions for abatement consideration prior to fourth‑quarter billing.

Community services highlighted library and senior center work: library certification was approved by the Board of Library Commissioners and SSB Architects has begun a preliminary site visit for the library. Jackie (community services) said the senior center received a new replacement van via a community transportation grant, staff completed required reporting for that vehicle, and new kitchen capital funding received at a special town meeting cleared the way for facility improvements. Michelle, the town’s veterans’ service officer, reported continuing increases in veterans seeking assistance and noted the state training and certification requirements for veterans services.

PCTV (local access TV) staff described progress on digital equity planning and media‑transfer services and cautioned the board about data quality and AI tools when scraping or relying on third‑party datasets. PCTV staff and a cybersecurity engineer on the call urged caution with AI outputs and “poison datasets” that can misreport local conditions (broadband coverage and floodplain mapping were cited as examples that require local verification).

Why it matters: The reports contained a mix of operational updates (permitting and large capital projects), fiscal housekeeping (audits and filings) and community services programming (library, senior, veterans), all items that inform the board’s budget and policy priorities.

Board directions and follow‑ups: staff were asked to (1) provide the requested quarter‑to‑date revenue vs. actual projection spreadsheet with the next BBA; (2) share Baldwinville School schedule updates as closing and construction milestones are confirmed; (3) supply the town with print and distribution estimates for the annual town report as the board considers a proposed bylaw change; and (4) let the board know when PCTV’s digital‑equity mapping discrepancies are resolved.

","Town staff presented quarterly updates covering development services, building permits and the Baldwinville School project; finance and accounting office catch‑up; and community services updates including library certification, senior center activities and a new senior van. Several operational details and follow‑ups were requested by the board.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Select Board considers reconstituting economic development committee, agrees to refine charge

Select Board reviews proposed bylaw changes to annual town report and audit timing

Town hears CivicPlus pitch to upgrade website, add AudioEye accessibility tools

Votes at a glance: Select Board actions, Jan. 22, 2025

Select Board hears Q2 FY25 departmental reports on development, finance and community services