TEMPLETON — Funding shortages and public safety concerns took center stage at the Templeton Select Board meeting on April 9, 2025.
Steve Castle, who works for Templeton Community TV (TCTV), warned the board about impending service cuts due to budget constraints. “We are trimming our hours from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday to 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.,” Castle said, citing a need to preserve funds for fiscal year 2025. He added, “I request you consider increasing the free cash contribution to the cable department from $50,000 to $100,000 in the FY26 budget,” noting that a staffing plan hinges on securing a digital equity grant. He emphasized, “At this point [FY26] is not going to be funded to retain our present level of service or personnel without your help.”
The board also heard a request from Paul Cormier, president of the Templeton Fish and Game Club, for assistance in repairing deteriorating guardrails on a bridge located on the club’s private property. Cormier described the current guardrails as dangerously rusted, expressing concern that children who frequently fish off the bridge could be injured. “Some of the older members are afraid that with these steel problems one of these [children] is going to get hurt,” he said.
Public Services Director Bob Sicard informed the board that the estimated cost for the guardrail repairs was $4,380. However, he raised concerns about the legality of using public funds for improvements on private property, explaining, “I’m not comfortable…liable on private property.”
Select Board Member Jeff Bennett echoed those concerns, stating, “Using public money on private property to do repairs… we can get ourselves in trouble.” He added that while cities and towns may conduct temporary repairs on private ways if permitted by ordinance or bylaw, the situation in this case remained unclear without further legal review.
Town Administrator Holly Young said she would consult town counsel to determine whether the town could legally contribute to the repairs given the safety concerns and the longstanding community partnership with the Fish and Game Club.
Additionally, Candace Graves who chairs the Parks and Recreation Commission asked about the history of the guardrails and suggested that the club submit a formal written request. “I would love us to have the ability to help out,” Graves said, while noting the need to verify if the town could legally do so.
The Select Board agreed to revisit the guardrail issue at its April 23 meeting after receiving a legal opinion and a formal request from the Templeton Fish and Game Club.
