FINCOM 20190225 Minutes

Source page 1

Meeting of the Canton Finance Committee Minutes Voted on: 3/27/19 
Meeting Minutes Vote: 7-0-2 
Monday, February 25, 2019 
Finance Committee Members Present: 
Christos Arsondiadis, Rob Barker, Dan Cole, Cynthia Holcombe, Emilio Mauro, Tim McKenna, Barbara Saint Andre, 
and Wai Wong. 
Finance Committee Members Absent: Cindy Thomas. 
Guests Present: 
Ken Berkowitz, Police Chief 
John Ciccotelli, Public Health Director 
Liza Colburn (Article 27) 
Charlie Doody, Fire Chief 
Tammy Rose (Article 27) 
Christine Smith, Esq. (Article 27) 
Jennifer Wexler (Article 27) 
Jim Murgia, Finance Director 
Ellen Jones, Finance Committee Secretary 
Opening: A meeting of the Canton Finance Committee was called to order by Chairman Barker at 7:01 pm. on 
Monday, February 25, 2019 in the Salah Meeting Room of Town Hall. 
A. Approval of Agenda 
Chairman Barker reviewed the items on the agenda which included a review of the Police Department Budget with 
Chief Berkowitz, a review of the Fire Department Budget with Chief Doody and a discussion with Christine Smith 
and John Ciccotelli regarding Article 27. 
B. Announcements 
There were no announcements. 
C. New Business 
Discussion with Police Chief Berkowitz regarding the Police Department FY20 Budget Requests 
Chief Berkowitz presented the following information regarding a requested budget increase of $307,867 for FY20: 
The Chief is requesting $53,000 to hire an additional School Resource Officer. Currently the Department 
has three officers assigned as resource officers — one each to the Canton High School, Blue Hills Regional 
Technical High School (BHRTHS) and the Galvin Middle School. This fourth resource officer would be 
assigned to cover the elementary schools. The purpose of this fourth resource officer would help to 
identify troubled youths develop strong relationships with the youngsters and have discussions regarding 
stereotypes. During the summer these resource officers would be used for shifts to cover for vacations 
and reduce overtime costs. 
Mr. Wong inquired if Canton was funding the cost of the resource office assigned to the Blue Hills School. 
Mr. Murgia confirmed that Canton is currently funding 100% of the cost of this officer and that he has 
been in contact with the Superintendent of BHRTHS who would be agreeable to paying for a portion of 
the cost of the resource officer's salary starting in FY21. 
Chief Berkowitz explained that his $46,000 request for Quinn stipends is a contractual obligation for 
officers that have achieved higher education. The Quinn Bill was passed in the 1970s to encourage police 
FINCOM 20190225 Minutes Page 1 of 8 3/17/19