[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6246760,"mediaKeyId","3215658-6c64899c631be17600122cf5810012b0","parentId",3215658,"title","Residents question proposed appraisal of 381 Baldwinville Road sewer easement through conservation land","audioSeconds",266,"startMs",1994000,"endMs",2260000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3215658-6c64899c631be17600122cf5810012b0&start=1994&end=2260","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3215658-6c64899c631be17600122cf5810012b0/thumbnail_1994000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6246760/Massachusetts/Residents-question-proposed-appraisal-of-381-Baldwinville-Road-sewer-easement-through-conservation-land","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246760-e06b046476ae8037bb6f6bd3b7e6c081/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152190&Signature=iBxXESNLeN~dVuh3Ua4077YGj1-s3sqIQzLHcd7S316KyrRi4fh8mXI-dvw4im7Ar3Zz-B36mi-i4vwsg7D0~IsQPwtfs2rIYseg7T0Brf91pFKlT-ERuEGbpW4grGwHrjjKchL09C3KKzuRFIUBMyRRIAdHBD7egD1-89BRLeAUBOi36j43HVa~bU5Ky0moQRN9en3S7ElYksMpNHsE1toUcSiESAZ3xn2UL5ICuD7mvTpVMI9HN2CFZmwAruhrBDnTrDqW~nqnKYkvbAfeWBx-RZ~WckVIz2GGTJQ9V7VVglHmN5VofrWN-rvoyVewtwn~54Iq1KWpFO8hzhZYmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Templeton, MA","date","2025-05-07T13:19:44Z","article","A warrant article asking Town Meeting to authorize the Select Board to measure and assess the value of a potential 20‑foot easement across land at 381 Baldwinville Road drew robust public comment and concern about wetlands and long‑term town liability.

Resident John Graves told the advisory committee that the easement proposal, as drafted, lacked specificity and did not disclose that the proposed path crosses wetlands. “I’m very uncomfortable with the way this is written because it doesn’t tell people that it’s going to wetland,” Graves said. He warned that granting authority now could expose the town to future maintenance and environmental obligations if a sewer line crosses conservation land.

Town officials said the article was revised from earlier language that would have authorized granting or selling an easement. Under the revised text, the Select Board would obtain measurements and an appraisal to determine value and inform future decisions; any grant or sale would require a future vote. Town staff indicated private parties could pay for appraisal work before the town acted, and that the article specifically would not authorize selling the easement.

Advisory members and Select Board participants described the article as a transparency measure to permit a town discussion rather than give unilateral Select Board authority to dispose of town property. Speakers also raised broader issues about development pressure and how new residential construction affects town services and school capacity.

No final conveyance or easement was granted at the pre‑town meeting; the article would authorize an appraisal and analysis to inform any future action to be brought back to Town Meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Templeton Advisory Committee Pre-Town Meeting of May 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A warrant article asking the Town to authorize an appraisal of a potential 20‑foot sewer easement at 381 Baldwinville Road prompted residents to raise concerns about wetlands, ambiguity in language and potential long‑term costs.","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},6246767,"Town moderator and town staff push electronic voting option for town meeting",400,1238000,1638000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3215658-6c64899c631be17600122cf5810012b0&start=1238&end=1638","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3215658-6c64899c631be17600122cf5810012b0/thumbnail_1238000.jpg","/articles/6246767/Massachusetts/Town-moderator-and-town-staff-push-electronic-voting-option-for-town-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246767-9d6cba2fc5b482e16ae31a153a5a4c98/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152190&Signature=FTzVP1S8WRFqE49rP81UwSo7qc5~0CXMhaXy~34oiph70UKvJ7o8Iba7-u84wF1zg-xUDSbRn6uvss-~Jjl68y7XPXOmMznNUm6TKjjfyi2Lyti6NKlHILIYODiQAnUSgJ11I9L8yK5Wb4efdlRKT2sot0N7-DLusncPDhu6BT75mvjci6UY-~Y5s2EtXqlBHIQBZO5t1-7Pwd06Ltt~As0fyrP7jb14LiuEcuXRx532VK7ezCIXLHFuFHL79lTuMoZJ0wCTKBquFY4VsL71aY9aDl2yYpzjJIpWL3XSUVxfZur2xQOBEUXw4LuZaIXbOgy1N6yBMg0b5xJn3r8sdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the pre‑town meeting, Article 5 proposed amending the town bylaws to permit electronic voting by handheld devices at Town Meeting. Proponents said the system would speed vote counts, enable anonymous voting on sensitive matters and make it easier to handle close voice counts and two‑thirds threshold votes.

Town Moderator John Graydon described outreach he and the town clerk made to other towns and to residents who said they were uncomfortable shouting votes aloud. “I had people coming to me saying, ‘John, I don’t feel comfortable voting…,’” Graydon said, and he urged the committee to make Town Meeting more accessible: “You can go to town meeting. You can click yes or no. You don’t have to raise your hand. You don’t have to worry about someone watching you.”

Graydon said the particular voting system discussed operates on a dedicated radio frequency, has been used by 76 Massachusetts towns and can handle live amendments and automatic percentage calculations for two‑thirds votes. Town staff described the article as a joint effort between the moderator and town clerk and said the system can be rented initially before the town buys equipment.

Advisory members and other speakers expressed broad support, saying the change would reduce time spent on hand counts, protect voter privacy and could make Town Meeting more inclusive for people unable or uncomfortable with public voice votes. The article was presented for voters at Town Meeting; the advisory committee recorded its recommendation in the roll‑call.","Moderator John Graydon and town officials presented an Article to allow electronic voting at Town Meeting using handheld devices; supporters said the system speeds counts and protects voter anonymity and noted the technology is already used in other Massachusetts towns.",{"_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},6246772,"Advisory committee flags tight town budget, warns school costs will rise",3018,4452000,7470000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3215658-6c64899c631be17600122cf5810012b0&start=4452&end=7470","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3215658-6c64899c631be17600122cf5810012b0/thumbnail_4452000.jpg","/articles/6246772/Massachusetts/Advisory-committee-flags-tight-town-budget-warns-school-costs-will-rise","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246772-3cad70be938fc73076e1911af94db6a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152190&Signature=nYaAjSii8X5q0qTwyPbgLXuAw8GmPw6hVttzUMvIEWAkgUTUBVOUiC8-ctBYMN0Uz0McFFXYrMfdPIxorP7pj35wXMUL0NZKHNr1G7wW-8M451vICzLgkBdiJOAKofKmY9FO-iLGrsMglFh1HkEsD~yF1OcpPsbQCJ8yAX-hhdqDURnOWjSIxzeD-x704MK9a9lwN4gMVa5RwpPFwO7wiavsVJZ9aJZZzrX~rlo-nOdfFyBJ7Ok-p6TIhtpZznl6e0LalPsol6QykAzKL9ZtsBGskPk0nPeGeRpx~1X~jtpX2lPgYg3P~KDkimM0duNms953mpbw3OnlqKb-2yKZvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the Town of Templeton Advisory Committee and Select Board warned at a pre‑town meeting that the town’s operating budget and school assessments are under growing stress and that using one‑time funds this year will leave the town more vulnerable next year.

Speakers at the meeting said the Select Board and school leaders worked to reduce this year’s gap, but the town relied on certified free cash and other one‑time sources to help balance fiscal 2026. Select Board and advisory members repeatedly said those fixes are temporary and that recurring cost increases — notably school contract costs, transportation and public safety staffing — will make next year’s budget more difficult.

Advisory chair and others emphasized that Narragansett Regional School District and Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School assessments are annual obligations and that small, one‑time offsets do not address the structural gap. Select Board members described discussions with the school district and said the district made cuts to bring its request within the amounts the town could provide, but warned that cuts this year will not prevent higher assessments in 2026 and beyond.

Select Board member Mike Curry and other speakers urged the community to prepare for a broader conversation about revenue and service levels, saying departments are “limping by” and that continued reliance on free cash or stabilization to cover operating expenses will reduce the town’s ability to fund capital needs or sustain services. Advisory members said they support transparency and public engagement on choices about taxes, services and school funding.

Speakers repeatedly noted the difference between one‑time funding and recurring revenue: using free cash to cover an operating shortfall solves the immediate problem but creates a hole next year. Several advisory members said they would prefer a more comprehensive process — including public education and possible ballot measures — to resolve the structural imbalance rather than one‑off fixes.

The pre‑town meeting recorded committee discussion about the town’s budget posture and alternatives, and members asked that advisory’s comments and the recorded votes be provided to the Select Board and included in the town meeting guide ahead of the annual town meeting.","At Templeton's pre‑town meeting, committee members and Select Board speakers said one‑time funds were being used to cover recurring school and municipal costs and warned the town faces a worsened budget gap next year if revenue sources are not addressed.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6246750,"Citizen petitions seek to ban commercial fuel‑production activities in multiple zoning districts",150,4610000,4760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3215658-6c64899c631be17600122cf5810012b0&start=4610&end=4760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3215658-6c64899c631be17600122cf5810012b0/thumbnail_4610000.jpg","/articles/6246750/Massachusetts/Citizen-petitions-seek-to-ban-commercial-fuelproduction-activities-in-multiple-zoning-districts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246750-199df2752787fb34130a3404a50a020d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152190&Signature=ZKPvOmOK5Nrc4IsiuDALQDzefwP9onaOjoJu8ZtT-VBkxQVMQFr2V8K1HTlES-goNAWC4PIZZx0AovVRrYbTyVx822RfExgJI4jmCGWn3-Zud6DJJxQD6cp7DKDVsMKdc0zT46GwIO-5DTuKEfyn9ZA8B8aJy7WIx27guI0dEGONwMakQuxZaVNrneMR7PVMfKESvdgYhAidAO-8bPbL9gF5Y05E5EWcoEH3pFEoqgPxxaIF6bVCwlIeJKiQaNiCqLxzt8BeW-HrE664Gsrn6sgehpGddfu5RdUBJEeoGXEmvZgA-YNsWfG7cNWL1jmbwaShP1xXUp6INQHFwfI84w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two citizen petitions (Articles 27 and 28) would add zoning language prohibiting indoor or outdoor commercial fuel production and processing activities in specified zoning districts, citing public health, safety and quality‑of‑life concerns.

An email from a petitioner, read into the record, said the articles are intended to implement the solid‑waste bylaw and the December special town meeting moratorium by clarifying that commercial fuel production and related processes are not permitted in the town’s zoning districts. The petitioner argued such operations are “dirty, disruptive and dangerous,” and referenced prior votes in which residents rejected similar activities.

Advisory representatives noted the articles were citizen petitions and the committee traditionally does not take a position on citizen petitions. Select Board and planning board members indicated the planning board reviewed the language and recommended against spot‑zoning; questions were raised about pending litigation and whether a pending zoning appeal could affect or be affected by the petition language.

The petitions will appear on the warrant for Town Meeting. Advisory recorded its customary neutral posture on citizen petitions and did not adopt a formal recommendation at the pre‑town meeting.","Two citizen‑petition warrant articles would amend zoning to prohibit commercial fuel production and processing in specified zoning districts; petitioners and supporters cited prior town votes and public health and safety concerns.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6246755,"Town proposes updated floodplain overlay bylaw to align with state and federal flood‑management rules",165,3245000,3410000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3215658-6c64899c631be17600122cf5810012b0&start=3245&end=3410","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3215658-6c64899c631be17600122cf5810012b0/thumbnail_3245000.jpg","/articles/6246755/Massachusetts/Town-proposes-updated-floodplain-overlay-bylaw-to-align-with-state-and-federal-floodmanagement-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246755-1dea69beed546d8fcae13219a0d17184/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152190&Signature=G1JekxYPKQsREXJpek4-~6f50EF3FOBWa6ANFNHbl1X68Gg0UrA~xTTVRDZKoAwwQjOeA370tHhQomTvL1vsaUS-uo60qXtuS0JtQ3tLY9aL8Dty-XGGjMvdIGcVN2rXjAeDV8BhkeKxT-gE8BgG2vFcEceZ8djQvMWL1itwKhYKsCasBJ6OITSQhs~ORNFU0afcG0ciGxA1hHnn8ZHabrGGO15z6NmyeRz2iKhEJPo3lPMyTYqwMtQEBlSibJwTTTB4IFz6QWbrGqmjZ~tf1LP8ZRXmv331YpIk9a-3g-NKfPRILGQvPuRI2YgmDt~AZV-hG-bZ-DG5CoE6WdzMXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Article 21 proposed replacing Templeton’s existing floodplain bylaw language with updated definitions, procedures and a designated floodplain administrator to align the town with Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and National Flood Insurance Program requirements.

Town staff said the maps of regulated floodplain areas have not changed since 1982 but that the bylaw language needed modernization. The revision adds definitions, establishes a floodplain administrator to help residents and applicants navigate permit review and clarifies the process for appeals and map changes. Staff said the bylaw is intended to improve the town’s capacity to work with DCR and FEMA on future map changes and to provide homeowners with better information before they buy or build in a floodplain.

Speakers noted the change will not automatically expand or alter the current mapped floodplain and said it is intended to provide better guidance to residents and applicants. Town staff said the role will add permit review work for local offices but that it would provide a point of contact for property owners seeking National Flood Insurance Program information. Advisory members asked for maps and explanatory materials to be included in the Town Meeting information packet so voters can see the current mapped floodplain and understand the practical effects of the bylaw update.

The article will go to Town Meeting for voter consideration; town staff planned to include supporting materials and to work with DCR for guidance.","A lengthy zoning amendment creating a Floodplain Overlay District was presented to bring Templeton into alignment with state and federal floodplain management language and to designate a floodplain administrator to assist residents and review permits.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents question proposed appraisal of 381 Baldwinville Road sewer easement through conservation land

Town moderator and town staff push electronic voting option for town meeting

Advisory committee flags tight town budget, warns school costs will rise

Citizen petitions seek to ban commercial fuel‑production activities in multiple zoning districts

Town proposes updated floodplain overlay bylaw to align with state and federal flood‑management rules