Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text
SB Minutes 4-14-26
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M Minutes April 14, 2026 7:00 PM Meeting Memorial Hall, 801 Washington St., Canton, MA Chair John R. McCourt I Vice -Chair Patricia M. Boyden Member Michael C. Loughran I Member Susan M. Harrington I Member Julie Beckham The Chair noted the meeting is being recorded by Canton Community Television The Chair welcomed new Select Board Member Julie Beckham Public Comment Period (15 minutes) The Chair read statement about Public Comment Time was provided for attendees to discuss items not on the agenda Brenda Sweeney, Canton provided comments to the Board. Motion was made that the Board approve the Deputy Police Chief of Administration personal service contract for Michael Gifford Cruz Motion: Ms. S. Harrington Second: Ms. T. Boyden Vote: 5-0 Deputy Police Chief of Administration -Swearing in Ceremony Michael Gifford Cruz was present with his family, where Town Clerk Tracy Kenney gave an oath to the new Deputy Police Chief. Congratulations were extended to the new Deputy Police Chief. Public Hearing regarding the application for a Class II Auto Dealer's License for Urban Auto Group LLC, DBA Urban Motors, 1033 Turnpike St, Canton, MA 02021 The Clerk read the notice into the record. Motion was made that the Board open the Public Hearing Motion: Ms. S. Harrington Second: Ms. T. Boyden Vote: 5-0 Interim Town Administrator Jen Kemalian noted all paperwork was in order. The owners were present. Motion was made that the Board close the Public Hearing Motion: Ms. S. Harrington Second: Ms. T. Boyden Vote: 5-0 Motion was made that the Board approve the application for a Class II Auto Dealer's License for Urban Auto Group LLC, DBA Urban Motors, 1033 Turnpike St, Canton, MA 02021 Public Hearing to obtain public input and hear the recommendations of the Water Sewer Rate Policy Committee and their consultant, relative to new water and sewer rates and rate structure with implementation date proposed for the bills issued in Fiscal Year 2027, i.e., as of July 1, 2026
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Clerk read the public hearing notice into the record Motion was made that the Board open the Public Hearing Motion: Ms. S. Harrington Second: Ms. T. Boyden Vote: 5-0 Randy Scollins, Finance Director and member of the Water and Sewer Rate Policy Commission along with Mike Baker, of NewGen Strategies & Solutions were before the Board to present Town of Canton Water & Sewer Rate Study and Recommendations prepared by consultant firm NewGen Strategies & Solutions. They noted they spent the next four months compiling data for the consultant, reviewing various iterations of their rate models and refining several new rate structure options. In summary the rate structure options considered are as follows: 1) Status Quo rate structure with 3.0% rate increases for both Water & Sewer 2) Adopt "unit averaging / factoring" for water billing for apartments, as is currently done for condominiums. They continued, this will reduce water bills to apartment landlords, but it is not guaranteed those savings will be realized by renters. This change will result in the loss of —$1.2 million in water revenue. This option shifts this burden to all other water customers equally. 3) Adopt "unit averaging / factoring" for water billing for apartments, as is currently done for condominiums. This will reduce water bills to apartment landlords, but it is not guaranteed those savings will be realized by renters. This change will result in the loss of —$1.2 million in water revenue. This option shifts this burden primarily to irrigation water customers. The discussion continued. Mike Trotta, Superintendent of Public Works, reminded that the rates are based on usage of water. Mr. Trotta continued about the Legislative educational programs from the state, and there are not a lot of options with water rates. Greg Murphy, Canton resident rose to ask a question about what is fair and the tiered structure. The discussion continued. Tom Birmingham, member of the Water Sewer Rate Committee offered some ideas which might help to address tenant rate bill impact issues over time. The discussion continued. All members of the Select Board responded to this matter with various questions and inquiries. The discussion continued. This hearing remained open and continued until another meeting, where the Board will take a vote. SCAP Committee Update Tom Birmingham and Jen Wexler, Sustainability and Climate Action Plan Committee, were before the Board to update on the progress on the implementation of the Climate Action Plan, status of committee restructuring, status of the Greener U work plan, and progress on the Municipal Buildings Decarbonization, municipal transportation and more. The discussion continued. Motion was made that the Board approve the Common Victualler license for Life's A Bagel, 29 Washington Street Motion: Ms. S. Harrington Second: Ms. T. Boyden Vote: 5-0 Re -appoint the Members of the Boards and Committees which are due to expire on 4/30/2026 There was a discussion about the re -appointments of Boards and Committees, in particular the Zoning Board of Appeals. The discussion continued. Some Boards members wanted to postpone this matter of all appointments until the next meeting, and other members were opposed to postponing the re- appointments of all the other committees. There was a discussion. Members felt there was not enough information to postpone and some members requested the scope of the years of services to members of committees, before making a determination of any re -appointment. The discussion continued. Motion was made to postpone the re -appointments of members to Boards and Committees Motion: Ms. S. Harrington Second: Ms. T. Boyden Vote: 3-2 (Mr. Loughran and Mr. McCourt opposed) Motion was made that the Board approve the updates to the Town Engineerjob description Motion: Ms. S. Harrington Second: Ms. T. Boyden Vote: 5-0 Motion was made that the Board appoint a member to the Commission on Disabilities -Elizabeth Gray
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Motion: Ms. S. Harrington Second: Ms. T. Boyden Vote: 5-0 Motion was made that the Board approve the appointment of the Young Adult Services Librarian -Victoria (Tor!) Crossman Motion: Ms. S. Harrington Second: Ms. T. Boyden Vote: 5-0 Motion was made that the Board approve the insurance premium rates for FY 27 Motion: Ms. S. Harrington Second: Ms. T. Boyden Vote: 5-0 Motion was made that the Board accept and authorize: the use of the gift in accordance with the terms there of under MGL Ch. 44 § 53A: the following donations to the Department of Elder and Human Services: $150 from Dorothy Tilley $100 from Marjorie Weiner and the following donations in memory of Ralph Staples: $1000 from Susan Staples $50 from Rich Hegarty $50 from Carol Munson $50 from Dan and Shirley Kelley Motion: Ms. S. Harrington Second: Ms. T. Boyden Vote: 5-0 Motion was made that the Board approve the request for a Carnival to be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, One Blue Hill River Road on Friday, May 22, 2026, 6pm to 10pm; Saturday, May 23, 2026 1pm to 10pm; Sunday, May 24, 20261pm to 10pm; Monday, May 25, 2026, 1pm to 9pm; Friday, May 29, 2026 6pm to 10pm; Saturday, May 30, 2026 1pm to 10pm; Sunday, May 31, 20261pm to 9pm contingent upon current certificate of insurance and approval of Building Commissioner, Police Chief and Fire Chief and police detail during hours of operation Motion: Ms. S. Harrington Second: Ms. T. Boyden Vote: 5-0 Motion was made that the Board approve the Cemetery Commitments in the amount of $4325 Motion: Ms. S. Harrington Second: Ms. T. Boyden Vote: 5-0 The Vendor Warrant total for the week of 04/02/26: $ 1,496,776.56 The Payroll Warrant total for the week of 04/02/26: $ 1,992,623.09 The Vendor Warrant total for the week of 04/09/26: $ 975,582.39 Motion was made that the Board approve the Cemetery Lots/Perpetual Care Deeds Motion: Ms. S. Harrington Second: Ms. T. Boyden Vote: 5-0 Town Administrator Update Jennifer Kemallan, Interim Town Administrator updated the Board on the Town Administrator search, noting Human resources is looking for consultants to conduct the search. She continued that the Library will be closed from 4/27 through 4/29 because of a system conversion. Ms. Kemalian continued that there are a couple of surveys on the website, Open Space and Recreation and Community Health. She continued that Hazardous Waste Day is and DPW will be conducting road improvements beginning April 27, 2026 and affected roads are listed on the website. The Select Board will hold the next meeting on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 7:00 PM Salah Meeting Room, Memorial Hall, 801 Washington Street Motion was made that the Board adjourn the meeting at: 9:14 PM Motion: Ms. S. Harrington Second: Ms. T. Boyden Vote: 5-0
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d Resp ctfullysubmitted, Clerk Approved on: "/`
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Attachments for April 14 2026 meeting 30 minutes to present Water sewer rate p... M715 Legal notice for. Urban Auto Group.cloc 715-745 Legal Notice March Z6, 2026 Wat... 715-745 Water sewer rate policy committ... 72D Water Sewer Rate Hearing.pdf Deputy POlice Chief contract.pclf DPC-A M. Gifford Cruz Y26-28.pcif Patriot Ledger ad for Urban Auto.pclf Police - Deputy Police Chief.pclf Urban Auto Group.pdf Carnival Permit Request - Trinity ,Episcop... DPW - Engineering - Town Engineer 2026... NB Carnival Permit Request - Trinity Epis... ° NB Commision on Disabilities.pclf NB Donations to DEHS.pclf NB Elizabeth Gray - Commission on Disa... NB Engineering Job clescription.pclf NB Insurance premiums.pclf NB Library appointment.pclf NB Life's a Bagel Common Victualler app... NB PAF for Library.pdf NB Trinity Carnival ,pclf NB Young Adult Librarian appointment.p... Other Cemetery Commitments 3-31-26.p..:.. ` other Payroll and Vendor warrant.pdf other payroll vendor warrants 4-2-26.pclf L other Perpetual Care Deeds many.pclf