If insert makes use of DEFAULT value of NOW, make sure to evaluate NOW o...

...n every insert.  Avoid serializing default values for columns that will be explicitly set.
How about "initTupleWithDefaultValues"?  Seems like "template" is redundant, or maybe even misleading (since we will only be putting default values for columns not specified by the insert statement).

As for the long lines, I have been used to wrapping at 80 columns.  I have been trying to get used to the longer lines at VoltDB... maybe I went overboard.  I'll wrap the line.