FINCOM 20230109 Minutes - Sub-Committee Elected Officials

Source page 1

Canton Finance Committee Minutes Voted on: 1/18123 
801 Washington Street Vote: 2-0-1 
Canton, MA 02021 
Sub -Committee to Review Compensation of Elected Officials 
Meeting Minutes 
January 9, 2023 
Finance Committee Sub -Committee Members Present: Emilio Mauro and Cindy Thomas. 
Finance Committee Sub -Committee Members Absent: Dave Clough. 
Guests Present: 
Ellen Jones, Finance Committee/Sub-Committee Recording Secretary 
Call Meeting to Order: Ms. Thomas called the virtual Sub -Committee meeting to order at 7:41 p.m. 
Ms. Thomas stated the purpose of the meeting was to reconvene as a Sub -Committee to review the issue of elected 
official's compensation for the Town of Canton. 
Approval of Minutes — A motion made by Mr. Mauro to approve the minutes of the Sub -Committee to Review 
Elected Officials Compensation for November 21, 2022 as written was seconded by Ms. Thomas. 
Roll Call Vote: 
Mr. Mauro Aye 
Ms. Thomas Aye 
The November 21, 2022 minutes were approved 2.0-0. 
Update on information nathered relative to Elected Officials Compensation 
Ms. Thomas stated that she had two tasks: one was to reach out to Town Counsel and the other was to reach out to 
John Connelly to see if the Sub -Committee could obtain historical information with regard to elected official's 
compensation. Ms. Thomas stated that she had not yet been able to connect with Town Counsel and suggested that 
the subcommittee wait until the Sub -Committee was further along with its deliberations. Ms. Thomas did have a 
conversation with Select Board Chair, John Connolly, who indicated to her that the current structure/salaries for 
elected officials have been in place since he had been elected to the School Committee 39 years ago. He was not 
aware of any rationalization for the current structure of salaries other than what has been referred noted by others — 
that some of the boards and committees did not have staff, such as the Assessors Office. Long ago the Assessors 
were responsible for doing more field work than today when it is covered by the staff. 
Ms. Thomas stated that she has more follow up information with Norfolk County Retirement System on what qualifies 
for vesting which can impact both retiree health insurance and pension. She also noted that she recently learned, 
although not elected, the Zoning Board of Appeals members have the option to receive some compensation and that 
it appears as it is a stipend for possibly a decision -writing fee. The Sub -Committee may want to look at other 
compensation that might be paid to other appointed officials that the Sub -Committee is unaware of. It was noted that 
these stipends are part of the budget and not subject to Town Meeting approval. 
Ms. Thomas slated that she has two tasks for the Sub -Committee to follow up on: 1) to gain a better understanding 
any rules that the Sub -Committee needs to consider around what kind of compensation is pensionable and what 
makes someone eligible for retiree health insurance and 2) figure out whether we have any other issues in the town 
with regard to compensation to appointed officials. 
Ms. Thomas suggested that the Sub -Committee draft a preliminary recommendation that would need further 
consideration by the Finance Committee and decide if the recommendation would be for a two -tiered system or three - 
tiered system that would allow for compensation of elected officials (not for appointed officials) and that it would 
include a payment structure that is not pensionable and does not create eligibility for retirement health insurance 
benefits. The Sub -Committee would also recommend to the Select Board that they discontinue with the current 
policy which allows compensated elected officials to be eligible for the Town's health insurance and other benefits 
such as dental and life insurance. 
FINCOM 20230109 Minutes Sub-Committee.docx Page 1 of 3 1/16/23