Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text
FINCOM 20240131 Minutes
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Canton Finance Committee Minutes Voted on: 2/14/24 801 Washington Street Vote: 6-0-0 0 Canton, MA 02021 Meeting Minutes January 31,2024 Finance Committee Members Present: Dan Cole, Karen Foley, Emilio Mauro, Tim McKenna, Maureen Menconi, Kristin Mirliani, Reuki Schutt and Cindy Thomas. Finance Committee Members Absent: Dave Clough. Guests Present: Ellen Jones, Finance Committee Recording Secretary Tracy Kenney, Town Clerk Arafat Knight, Veterans' Agent Tyler Radicioni, Parks & Recreation Director Chief Wendell Robery — Fire Department Call Meeting to Order: Ms. Thomas called the virtual Zoom Finance Committee meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Review of the Agenda — Ms. Thomas reviewed the agenda items that included FY25 budget discussions with Tracy Kenney, Tyler Radicioni, Fire Chief Robery and Arafat Knight. Two Annual Town Meeting Articles to be sponsored by the Finance Committee - Feedback from Town Counsel Ms. Thomas stated that she received feedback from Town Counsel regarding the warrant Articles. The warrant article with a change to the Finance Committee By -Law was fairly simple. However, the proposal of a Government Modernization Study Committee was more difficult. She mentioned that the Select Board (SB) would be reviewing all of the warrant articles at their meeting on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, If Finance Committee members have the opportunity to watch or attend the meeting Ms. Thomas did not want the Members to be surprised with the changes Town Counsel made to the Finance Committee's proposed Government Modernization Study Committee article. She further stated that there would be more time between now and Annual Town Meeting to discuss any proposed changes. Discussion - FY25 Budget Requests - Town Clerk. Elections and Registrar— Tracy Kenney Ms. Thomas screen shared Ms. Kenney's budget documents which included a 3-page very detailed breakdown (see meeting documents) of the requests Ms. Kenney is making for FY25. Ms. Kenney is requesting the following: Town Clerk Budget • Salaries -Town Clerk's salary is not covered by a union or personal service contract. She is requesting a 3% COLA increase for her salary, similar to the AFSCME contract for FY25. • Increase from 35 hours to 40 hours for both the Town Clerk and Assistant Town Clerk in order to complete tasks and meet deadlines. There are 21 employees in Town Hall that are paid for a 40-hour week. • Overtime Salary — $5,000 increase to cover cost for Assistant Town Clerk and Town Clerk to work beyond their regularly scheduled hours. • Town Clerk Longevity — $1,750 annual longevity payment request similar to 22 other Town Clerks in the state that are receiving longevity payments. Ms. Kenney received longevity as a staff member in the Town Clerk's office but the longevity payment stopped 21 years ago when she was elected as the Town Clerk. Elections and Registrar's Budget • Salaries — Increase from $850 to $900 for each member of the Board of Registrars. • Police Detail Salaries — Increase of $3,000 to cover anticipated cost of police details for three elections. • Overtime Salary — Increase from $4,000 to $6,000 to cover Assistant Town Clerk and Senior Clerk to work beyond regular hours for elections, process vote by mail, absentee ballot applications and ballots returned by voters. • Purchase of Services— Total increase of$16,OOOtothe Purchase ofServices. An increase of $2,100 (annual maintenance of poll pads used on election days). $3,500 for purchase of a scanner (rental cost of $2,500 with option buy out scanner for $3,500. This well help out with the early processing of ballots. Increase of $400 FINCOM 20240131 Minutes TM.docx Page 1 of 6 213/24