Police Chief Michael Bennett said at a recent town meeting that Templeton should begin discussing a Proposition 2½ tax override to add officers and broaden coverage. "We should have a minimum of 13 to 14 officers," Bennett said, adding that "the conversation needs to start now regarding a Proposition 2 and a half override."

Bennett said the department needed one additional officer last year and that many Massachusetts municipalities are weighing similar overrides: "Over two thirds of all towns, cities, and towns in the Commonwealth are facing 2 and a half overrides," he said. The chief tied proposed staffing increases to concerns about public-safety workload: speakers at the meeting described increased youth activity and incidents of vandalism around town and questioned whether current patrol levels were adequate to deter those behaviors.

The meeting transcript does not show a formal vote or ballot question being set; Bennett framed his remarks as initiating a conversation rather than announcing a finalized proposal. No fiscal details, timeline for a ballot question, or a Select Board vote on placing an override on a ballot were specified in the broadcast.

If the town moves forward, a Proposition 2½ override would require a formal action by the Select Board and, in most cases, voter approval at a town election or town meeting. The broadcast urged residents to consult official Select Board materials for details on any forthcoming proposal.