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Templeton heads to annual town meeting as override, budget cuts and TCTV funding loom
Summary
With the annual town meeting set for May 13 and an override on the ballot May 18, Templeton faces a roughly $2.02 million shortfall; Select Board contingency cuts could eliminate roughly 8 full‑time and 3 part‑time positions, and the town is considering use of TCTV’s cable‑fund retained earnings to plug this year’s gap.
The Town of Templeton will hold its annual town meeting on May 13 at 6 p.m. at the Narragansett Middle School Auditorium, and voters will face the same override question again at the town election on May 18, hosts Ian Dolan and Erin Bresnahan said on TCTV’s May 11 pre‑town meeting show.
The override could determine whether the town trims services or uses reserve funds to balance the fiscal year 2027 budget. "They did, but free cash and retained earnings were not certified in time, so the yes vote at the meeting was voided," Dolan said, describing why a previous fall vote failed to take effect. One warrant article would allow TCTV to use retained earnings from the cable fund to cover this fiscal year’s TV station budget.
Why it matters: If voters reject the override at either town meeting or the ballot, the Select Board has prepared a list of contingency cuts. During an on-air discussion a town staff member estimated the immediate cuts would cut "8 full time people, 3 part time people," and another speaker said the practical effect could be "11, 12 positions" removed overall. A shortfall figure mentioned on the program was "2,019,000 and change." The hosts and guests cautioned that some figures were rounded in conversation and that final department‑by‑department details remain subject to Select Board decisions.
The hosts also outlined other warrant items and committee actions. The Community Preservation Committee submitted articles seeking CPA funds for a Heroes Park project and for an open‑space and recreation plan; hosts said an open‑space plan would allow the town to pursue more grants and that a newly formed Open Space Committee would lead those efforts. The Advisory Committee voted on its recommendations at a May 4 meeting. The hosts reported 12 citizen petitions are on the warrant and noted that the Select Board and Advisory Committee have a policy of not commenting on citizen petitions.
Library and senior services were a particular focus. Erin Bresnahan said the Select Board "intends to keep the library and Senior Center open," contrary to a previous report that suggested closures. Other speakers on the show warned that reducing hours or services could reduce the town’s ability to secure related grants and lead to a loss of state funding tied to programmatic commitments.
On funding for TCTV, presenters and a staff member discussed enterprise fund limits and long‑term sustainability. The program noted that TCTV operations have been paid for largely by cable subscribers even though all residents may use the service, and that those subscription revenues have declined over time.
Next steps: Town Meeting convenes May 13 at 6 p.m.; the override also appears on the May 18 annual town election ballot (11 a.m.–7 p.m., Narragansett High School gym). Residents who want to influence the fiscal‑year 2027 budget are advised to attend the meeting and vote on May 18.
