Please watch this short video prepared by Gardner Magazine which illustrates the importance of this override and avoiding catastrophic Public Safety cuts.
The Chair Man and the Chair Lady explain and discuss the issue in this podcast. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.
Templeton Town Administrator James Ryan Explains Upcoming Override Vote
At the Templeton Select Board meeting of August 20, the specific override language was approved. This Press Release explains everything in detail:
On Monday, September 28, 2026, Templeton voters will be asked to decide whether the Town may levy an additional $1,388,534 in property tax revenue through a Proposition 2.5 operational override. If approved by voters and appropriated at Fall Town Meeting, the override will help balance the Fiscal Year 2027 budget and prevent further reductions to key municipal services.
The proposed FY27 budget totals $24,762,222, including Templeton’s assessment for the Narragansett Regional School District (NRSD). The NRSD budget approved at the August 3rd district-wide meeting increased Templeton’s required contribution to $9,829,831. That action created a $1,160,186 shortfall in the Town’s municipal budget, requiring either additional revenue or significant service reductions.
Town officials have already taken extensive steps to reduce spending while preserving core services. Earlier in the budget process, reductions totaling $1,118,700 were ultimately approved by the Select Board. These reductions followed months of public meetings, department reviews, and budget deliberations.
Initial FY27 budget cuts have already resulted in layoffs and service reductions, including the loss of positions in Building and Grounds, Highway, and the Police Department. The proposed override would restore the Police Department’s 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift, commonly referred to as the midnight shift, which was eliminated when the fiscal year began on July 1, 2026.
If the override is not approved, or if approved funds are not appropriated at Fall Town Meeting, the Town will need to reduce municipal services by $1,160,186. These reductions would affect non-school services and substantially reduce services in multiple town departments. Cuts to the general fund budget include six police officers, four firefighters, seven DPS employees, loss of hours at the Senior Center, and more.
Residents are encouraged to review the Town’s override information materials, attend public meetings, and participate in the September 28th vote. Additional information, including specific departmental reductions, can be viewed on the Town’s website at: https://www.templetonma.gov/1625/Proposition-25-Override-Info.
