Select board approves single tax rate; TCTV wins $22,000 and rolls out montachussett.tv plans

The Town of Templeton’s select board approved a single tax rate for residential and commercial real estate at its Nov. 10 meeting, TCTV hosts reported. An on-air presenter summarized recent valuation changes—ranch-style homes rose about 1.8%, Cape Cods and Colonials increased more than 6%, and the average single-family assessed value was reported at $378,285, about a $12,000 increase from the prior year.

TCTV reported that a $22,000 supplemental funding request from its retained earnings passed at Fall Town Meeting; hosts said the money will help fund station operations through the fiscal year. Hosts also described montachussett.tv, a regional website created with a grant from the Massachusetts Office of Business Development to help small businesses. TCTV said the platform is intended as an economic-development tool, and hosts discussed plans for interior digital displays in Town Hall, the library, senior center and Scout Hall to inform residents and generate advertising revenue.

Hosts also noted the town administrator opened bids for Scout Hall repairs and highlighted community events such as the 46th annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning, the Dec. 7 holiday parade and tree lighting, and other seasonal activities. On-air cost estimates for adding police officers were given in response to a question about a potential tax override: a $500,000 levy increase was said to raise the tax rate by about $0.43 and increase an average single-family tax bill by approximately $157.43.

The broadcast framed montachussett.tv and planned digital signage as revenue-generation opportunities to help TCTV and local businesses; no contracts or awards were announced on air for signage or Scout Hall repairs.