Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text
FINCOM 03-20-2008
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Town of Canton Finance Committee d Meeting Minutes Thursday, March 20, 2008 Opening: The regular meeting of the Canton FINCOM was called to order at 7:04 p.m. on 3/20/08 at the Pequitside Tavern by Ted Powell, Finance Committee Chairman. Members Present: Leo Chausse, John Demoy, Dave Emhardt, John Friel, Alan Hines, Pat Johnson, Ted Powell, Alan Reese, Jim Sims and Diane Wolff. Guests Present: Tony Andreotti, Verterans Agent Ken Berkowitz, Chief, Police Department Bob Burr, Chairman, Board of Selectmen Avril Elkort, Board of Selectmen Bill Friel, Town Administrator James Murgia, Finance Director Sal Salvatori, Board of Selectmen Tim Ronayne, Chief, Fire Department Paul Derensis, Town Counsel Mike Trotta, Superintendent, DPW Ellen Arsenault — Secretary, FINCOM A. Approval of Agenda The agenda was approved as presented. 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 Budget Review Bill Friel provided a handout which included a summary by department of FY09 municipal requests, a copy of a PowerPoint presentation previously given at a prior BOS meeting and a 3 -Year Municipal Budget Projection for FY09 through FYI 1. The Town Administrator reviewed for the FINCOM the following budget items: • Total FY09 BOS budget request for municipal departments is $14,600,071. • A total of $1,376,000 was requested by the departments for FY09. • The BOS approved $600,000 for FY09 requests. • The BOS presented what they feel is a reasonable request of an override over three years. They also stated that it is well documented that there is a structural deficit. If funding is not received through an override, there will be a continued reduction in services. Canton FINCOM Minutes 03/20/08 Page I of 6 11/5/2010
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• BOS plan does not allocate override all at once, but is phased in over three years. The tax increase impact on an assessed home value of $500,000 is $225 in year one, $99 in year two and $123 in year three (FY2011). • Chairman Ted Powell complimented the BOS for the cuts they made. • Pat Johnson also complimented the BOS for last year's 0% COLA, consolidated healthcare, steps and lane changes. She recognized that costs such as fuel and gasoline are beyond departments controls. • FINCOM expressed their concern that the feeling is the BOS was forced into this override position. • Alan Hines addressed CPI and Social Security cost of living increases and how they compare to increases in the Town's budget. • A FINCOM member stated that the towns and citizens have to put more pressure on the state to obtain increased funding especially for mandates that are unfunded. • Ms. Elkort expressed concern for the commercial tax customers. • Mr. Burr reminded FINCOM members that debt authorized has been kept low and that the Town has not authorized debt since 2001. Selectman Sal Salvatori presented a handout and reviewed for the FINCOM Articles 24 and 25. Article 24 — Acquisition of Properties within the Canton Center Parking District • This is not an appropriation article. • Article gives the BOS an opportunity to acquire properties through donation or lease. • Concern by owners is liability. Insurance issues would be covered under the Town's insurance. Article 25 — Establishment of Canton Center Parking District Enterprise Account • Article would establish an account to receive revenues from parking operations in Canton center. • This article would allow the BOS to have an officer monitor and issue citations. • A garage is not practical for the Town to consider at this time. Article 31 — Amend General By -law — Hours of Operation of Heavy Earth Moving Equipment • The BOS deferred Article 31 to town meeting to define the terms of the article. • This article addresses written or prior approval of using equipment. A person applying for a permit would be responsible for a fee. SCNARC Funding • It was agreed that the FY09 budget for Snow and Ice would be reduced by $13,000 and the FY09 budget for SCNARC with the Board of Health budget would be increased by $13,000. Article 40 — Transfer of Funds to Meet FY09 Appropriations The Town Counsel made a recommendation to appropriate from free cash to stabilization if the override does not pass. The FINCOM proceeded to voting on the following FY09 budgets: Municipal Department Budgets A motion was made by Dave Emhardt to recommend $859,095 for the FY09 Executive budget, seconded by Pat Johnson. Vote: 10 -0 -0. A motion was made by Dave Emhardt to recommend $799,411 for the FY09 Finance Department budget, seconded by Pat Johnson, Vote: 10 -0 -0. A motion was made by Dave Emhardt to recommend $182,901 for the FY09 Town Clerk budget, seconded by Pat Johnson. Vote: 10 -0 -0. A motion was made by Dave Emhardt to recommend $379,479 for the FY09 Property Maintenance budget, seconded by Pat Johnson. Vote: 10 -0 -0. A motion was made by Dave Emhardt to recommend $3,542,045 for the FY09 Police Department budget with $51,000 contingent upon the override passing, seconded by Pat Johnson. Vote: 10 -0 -0. Canton FINCOM Minutes 03/20/08 Page 2 of 6 11/5/2010