FINCOM 03-09-2009

Source page 1

Town of Canton Finance Committee
Meeting Minutes
Monday, March 9, 2009
Opening:
The regular meeting of the Canton FINCOM was called to order at 7:04 p.m. on March 9, 2009 in the Salah Meeting
Room of Town Hall by Dave Emhardt, Finance Committee Chairman.
Members Present:
Dave Emhardt, John Friel, Alan Hines, Pat Johnson, Adam Mazonson, Jim Sims and Diane Wolff.
Guests Present:
Joe Ciccolo, Superintendent, Blue Hills Regional Technical School
Aidan Maguire, Canton Committee Representative to Blue Hills Regional Technical School
James Murgia, Finance Director
David Proule, Business Manager, Blue Hills Regional Technical School
Ellen Jones, Secretary, FINCOM
A. Approval of Agenda
The agenda was briefly reviewed by the FINCOM Chairman.
Announcements
There were no new announcements.
B. Approval of Minutes
There were no minutes submitted for approval.
C. Old Business/Open Issues
None.
D. New Business
Members of the Blue Hills Regional Technical School (BHRTS) were present to discuss the FY10 operational
budget for Blue Hills. Superintendent, Joe Ciccolo, briefed FINCOM members on the following items:
• Projects the school has helped the Town of Canton with such as Pequitside siding and the Canton Food Pantry.
• Student enrollment for Canton students is up to 83 students as compared to 79 from the prior year. Overall,
enrollment is near capacity at 850 students.
• BHRTS assessment for Canton, based on student enrollment, has been projected at a 5.45% increase over the
prior fiscal year, as compared to the 5% increase budgeted for by Canton's Finance Director.
• Overall, there is a 1 % decrease in the total FY l0 budget requested from FY09. Savings have been attributed to
a new heating plan including burning #4 oil versus #2 oil, the purchase of heating oil in the prior year at a
considerably lower price and a 12% increase in health insurance rates for employees and retirees.
• Health insurance costs for employees and retirees and the recent enrollment in the state's GIC insurance, which
was brought forth by the labor unions. This enrollment savings was not reflected in the budget package
presented to FINCOM members. Savings could be reflected in the assessment for Canton next year. A
$200,000 savings has been projected.
• The decision by the Blue Hills School Committee fora 1-year suspension of the capital plan. Recent completed
projects included the $1.5 million roof and the asphalt paving of the parking lot and track. The FY10 budget
reflected a decrease from $600,000 for capital to "$0" for FY 10.
• A 3% increase was negotiated for FY 10 for all bargaining groups. BHRTS carries $90,000 per percentage point
for budgeting the cost of raises.
• The Chapter 70 Aid that Blue Hills will be receiving for FY 10 is the exact same amount as the prior year.
Canton FINCOM Minutes 03/09/09 Paee 1 of 4 3/7/2010