Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text
February 03, 2021, Finance Committee Meeting - Virtual Meeting. Minutes
Saved text from 5 source pages. Transcription and OCR may contain errors; verify figures and wording against the original. Retrieved 2026-10-15.
Source page 1
Minutes Voted on: 2/10/21
Canton Finance Committee Vote: 8-0-0
801 Washington Street
Canton, MA 02021
Meeting Minutes
February 3, 2021
Finance Committee Members Present: Rob Barker, David Clough, Dan Cole, Emilio Mauro, Tim McKenna, Reuki
Schutt, Tom Theodore, Cindy Thomas and Wai Wong.
Finance Committee Members Absent: All members were present for the meeting.
Guests Present:
Andrea Capone, Library Director
Liz Francis, Parks & Recreation Director
Ellen Jones, Finance Committee Secretary
Arafat Knight, Veterans’ Agent
Randy Scollins, Finance Director
Opening: Chair McKenna called the virtual meeting via Zoom to order at 7:00 p.m.
Approval of Agenda: Chair McKenna reviewed the agenda.
New Business
Conservation (#171) FY22 Budget Requests – Discussion with Regen Milani, Conservation Agent
The discussion with Regen Milani regarding the Conservation FY22 budget requested was postponed due to a
personal conflict. Ms. Milani will be scheduled for a future meeting.
The Finance Committee discussed inviting the following attendees/committees to their upcoming meetings and
adding the following topics:
• Blue Hills Regional High School.
• Community Preservation Committee.
• Capital Planning Committee.
• Planning Board, Town Planner.
• Revenue Forecasting Committee is scheduled to meet on February 9th. The revenue forecast would be
added to the February 10th Finance Committee meeting.
• Have the School Committee participate on the budget target setting meeting on March 3.
• Select Board (SB) to discuss budgets and SB-sponsored articles.
The Finance Committee will request a copy of the Annual Town Meeting (ATM) from the Select Board. Mr. Scollins is
predicting approximately 46-47 Articles on the warrant this year. Planning Board articles not acted upon at last year’s
Annual Town Meeting would be on this year’s ATM and the discussions for the articles will be circulated to the
members for reuse in the warrant.
Library (#610) FY22 Budget Requests – Discussion with Andrea Capone
Ms. Capone thanked the Finance Committee for the opportunity to present the Library’s FY22 budget requests.
Ms. Capone gave an overview of how the Library has been affected by the COVID pandemic. The library had to
radically shift their service model. They have been providing electronic resources since March 2020 to meet the
needs of the public. They have issued approximately 600 library cards, many digitally. They have moved to virtual
Daily Storytime. Physical circulation has been brought back through curbside pickup. In one month alone the Library
provided 10,000 items. They have been lending Chromebooks with hot spots for those in need of searching for
employment, for applying for unemployment as well as faxing services. Ms. Capone stated that during economic
hardships people turn to the Library.
Ms. Capone is looking for a $67,200 FY22 budget increase consisting of the following:
• An increase to the Building and Maintenance supplies budget of $23,000 (from $25,000 to $48,00)is being
requested for flooring and HVAC repairs. The Library has had a severe pest problem of termites in the
FINCOM 20210203 Minutes.docx Page 1 of 5 2/7/21Source page 2
historical part of the building. The floors need to be removed and reinstalled. The amount of damage is
unknown and will be determined once the flooring is removed. There is also work that needs to be done
with the Library HVAC system. Regular maintenance and repair of the HVAC system is not considered a
capital request item and, therefore, must be included in the operating budget.
• An increase to the Custodial Supplies budget of $6,700 (from $3,500 to $10,200) is being requested as a
result of the additional cleaning and sanitizing to be done for COVID. This will also be used for maintenance
of ventilation and filters to keep the Library safe.
• Ms. Capone is seeking a combined total of $36,700 budget increase to four line items to meet the
mandatory state certification requirements. The state requires the Library to spend 15% of its budget on
library materials. She is recommending incremental increases so that the Library can move towards the
15% spending requirement. Budget increases are being requested for Books and Periodicals (from $92,300
to $115,000), Non-print (from $13,000 to $18,000), Digital Information (from $22,000 to $25,000) and E-
Books (from $24,000 to $30,000) for a combined total increase of $36,700.
Because of COVID the Library has had a strain on their revenue sources. In good conscience the Library has not
been collecting the usual late fees. Because of social distancing the Library has not been issuing passports. The
issuance of passports requires mask-less face to face interaction. Last year the Library was short of meeting the
15% requirement. This shortage difference was made up using revenue from fees and passport sales. The Library
has also seen a drop in revenue from room rentals from $3,500 in 2018, $2,600 in 2019 to only a few hundred dollars
for 2020.
• An increase of $800 from $1,700 to $2,500 is being requested for the Meetings budget to meet the
increased needs of digital training for staff.
In response to a Finance Committee member’s question about the Town applying to the State for a waiver of the 15%
requirement, Ms. Capone stated that the Town would have to fund it in the next year’s budget. Every year that it is
delayed would make it more difficult for the Library to make up that amount in their budget, making it harder to dig out
of that deficit.
Mr. Scollins stated that the $2,083,000 the Town received for COVID-related expenses has been almost all
expended. The Town will continue to have COVID-related expenses in the last half of FY21, but it is unknown if the
next round of stimulus will provide additional funding relief to cities and towns. He reported good news that FEMA will
be covering certain expenses at 100% instead of 75% and that there will be an additional webinar on February 4th.
He remains hopeful that there will be additional funds, but nothing is definitive. Mr. Scollins stated that the Library’s
flooring request was originally in the capital request budget but a decision by himself and the Town Administrator was
made to move the Library’s request to the operating budget in order to maximize cash capital.
Veterans (#543) FY22 Budget Requests – Discussion with Arafat Knight, Veterans’ Agent
Chair McKenna welcomed Mr. Knight to his first Canton Finance Committee meeting.
Mr. Knight is requesting the following increases to the Veterans’ budget for FY22:
• Communication – There is no budget for the Veteran’s Communication budget at the present time. Mr.
Knight is requesting a budget of $700 to cover cell phone as well as an office land line.
• Office Supplies – An increase of $200 (from $300 to $500) is being requested so he can property supply the
office with notebooks, pens, informational boards etc.
• Grave Markers & Flags – An increase of $1,750 (from $250 to $2,000) is requested to cover the cost of
replacing large flags in every year. The cost of an individual large flag can range from $100-$200 and must
be replaced every five years. Mr. Knight would also like to replace the small flags that are displayed on the
individual veteran-named street signs. Street marker signs need to be replaced every six months due to
wear and tear from weather conditions.
• Dues & Memberships – An increase of $230 (from $70 to $300) is requested to cover annual membership to
MVSO (Massachusetts Veterans Service Organization) and for VetraSpec. VetraSpec is a web-based,
secure veterans claims management software system used for electronic claims submission.
Mr. Knight commented that as an outsider he is excited to be part of such a tight-knit community such as Canton. He
recently organized a drive-by parade for one of Canton’s 96-year old veteran. It only took him three phone calls for
word to spread to have 40 vehicles for the drive-by parade.
Mr. Knight has been seeing first-hand the impact COVID has been having on the older population of Canton – seniors
and veterans not being able to get to the Senior Center or to the American Legion. Mr. Knight will soon be
FINCOM 20210203 Minutes.docx Page 2 of 5 2/7/21Source page 3
advertising to increase membership in Canton’s Honor Guard. The cost of service uniforms has been very
expensive.
Mr. McKenna thanked Mr. Knight for his service and for all his work with the veterans of Canton.
Parks & Recreation (#630), Paul Revere Heritage Site (#650), Youth Services (#542) and Rink Enterprise
(#700) FY22 Budget Requests – Discussion with Liz Francis, Parks & Recreation Director
Ms. Francis provided the following comments regarding her FY22 budget requests:
• A total budget increase of $11,600 for the Parks & Recreation budget is being requested to cover minimum
wage increases
• The department was unable to open the pool for 2020. The lifeguard salaries have been unspent for FY21.
Unless things change with regard to COVID restrictions, the Parks and Recreation department will be
running swim programs and lessons for smaller group sizes for the summer of 2021.
• A $1,200 stipend has been requested in the budget to cover contractual obligations for phone stipends for
union employees.
• Electricity and Heating Fuel/Gas expenses have been increasing. Ms. Francis is requesting a 3% increase
for each of these budget line items.
• The Parks & Recreations web-based platform software fees have increased. A small increase of $200 is
being requested to this budget line item.
• The pool is scheduled to be open in June. It is built into the contract for the vendor to come back in the
spring for the start up of the pool. At the present time Ms. Francis does not know what the fixed costs will be
to keep the pool pumps going for the season.
In response to a Finance Committee member’s question if the Rink was being impacted by COVID, Ms. Francis
offered the following comments:
• The Rink opened later in the season. The contractor had a few items to work out which delayed opening.
• Ice time was not sold until November in contrast to the usual start month of September.
• The department was also restricted on selling ice time into the evening due to night curfews.
• The Director also had to take into consideration allowing enough time in between games for teams entering
and exiting the rink for proper social distancing.
• One of the biggest problems during COVID is crowd control at the rink.
A Finance Committee member inquired if the projected revenue of $390,620 for the Rink Enterprise Fund for FY22
was a top line number or on the conservative side. Mr. Scollins stated that on average the rink has had revenue
around $450,000. Ideally it is better if the Rink Enterprise breaks even. When filing the tax recap budgeted excess
enterprise revenue is required to be returned to the General Fund. That is why enterprise revenue budgets are set to
meet appropriations.
If there is a deficit at fiscal year end there are a few sources for covering the deficit: a transfer can be made at
Annual Town Meeting, a transfer can be requested from the Finance Committee’s Reserve Fund or a transfer can be
made from other general fund budgets that end the fiscal year with a surplus. Annual Town Meeting may also vote to
make a transfer for some of the $900,000 of unappropriated state aid. Mr. Scollins stated that he is not concerned
about the Rink revenue.
Parks Department #650 – Paul Revere Heritage Site (PHRS) – Ms. Francis provided the following comments
regarding the care and maintenance of the Pau Revere Heritage Site:
• A budget of $80,000 is being requested for FY22.
• The Director has not seen a full year of electricity costs at the site but she is comfortable with the $4,000
budget request for FY22.
• A budget of $65,200 is being requested for Repair/Maintenance of Playground/Park. The largest component
of this request is for $35,000 for a landscaping contract for seven months. Pump maintenance ($3,000) is
for the maintenance of pumps that draw water from the pond for the irrigation system. There could be some
repair of irrigation equipment due to damage over the winter.
• There is no snow removal in the budget request for FY22 as it remains uncertain if the sidewalks will be
cleared during the winter months.
• A budget of $9,750 is being requested for herbicide for weed removal in the diversion channel.
• The bridge opening date is unknown at this time.
• $5,000 is being requested for geese removal. Ms. Francis stated they have used wildlife services through
the University of Amherst, a program through the USDA. Different methods such as capturing the geese
and disturbing the nests have been used.
FINCOM 20210203 Minutes.docx Page 3 of 5 2/7/21Source page 4
Rink Enterprise (#700) – FY22 Budget Request – Ms. Francis stated that because the rink has only been open for
a short period of time there is only a limited sample of information available with regard to expenses.
• Energy costs have been higher than expected. $80,000 is being requested for FY22 as compared to actual
expenses of $53,273 in 2015. The Zamboni is 100% electric. Less KwHs are being used, but the per KwH
rate has increased significantly since 2015.
• A request of $34,000 is being made for an additional full-time maintenance staff for 28 weeks. Two full-time
Recreation employees are transferred to the Rink while it is in operation. Ms. Francis stated that a full-time
employee is needed at the rink at all times.
• A $6,000 increase from $5,000 to $11,000 to the Repairs/Maintenance of Machinery is being requested. A
service contract is required under the lease with the Commonwealth.
• A new budget line for an $8,000 stipend is being requested. This will be in addition to the regular salary of
one of the current employees. This stipend is being requested because it requires a special skill set for
making the ice, maintaining equipment, being available for late-night calls and weekend calls for
emergencies that come up at the rink. The expectation is that this employee will be available at all times.
In response to a Committee member’s question about lost revenue, Ms. Francis stated that at the current time she
cannot fill all of the requests for ice time and that there is definitely a market for it. She has had to turn away
customers.
Another member inquired as to why he could not find any information available on the Recreation website with regard
to open skate. Ms. Francis stated that 95% of the ice time is being used for leagues such as the Canton High School
team, Canton Youth Hockey and Norwood High School hockey. She further stated that COVID made public/open
skate a challenge and that they are hoping to be open for February vacation and are working on incorporating it into
the schedule. She also stated that Town Counsel has been working on waivers that may need to be signed and that
pre-registration for specific times would have to be reserved through the website. The total expenses for the Rink for
FY22 are estimated at $390,620.
Youth Services (#42) – FY22 Budget Request – There is no increase being requested to the $5,000 Youth
Services Budget for FY22.
Approval of Minutes
A motion made by Ms. Schutt that the January 27, 2021 minutes be approved with minor edits as
recommended by Chair McKenna was seconded by Mr. Mauro.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Wong Aye Mr. Mauro Aye
Mr. Theodore Aye Ms. Schutt Aye
Mr. Barker Abstain Mr. Clough Aye
Mr. Cole Aye Mr. McKenna Aye
Ms. Thomas Aye
The motion passed 8-0-1.
Next Meeting Date – The next Finance Committee meeting will take place on February 10, 2021.
Adjournment - A motion made by Mr. Clough to adjourn the meeting at 8:53 p.m. was seconded by
Ms. Schutt.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. McKenna Aye Mr. Mauro Aye
Mr. Theodore Aye Ms. Thomas Aye
Mr. Wong Aye Ms. Schutt Aye
Mr. Barker Aye Mr. Clough Aye
Mr. Cole Aye
The motion to adjourn at 8:53 p.m. passed 9-0-0.
Minutes reviewed by: Tim McKenna
Respectfully submitted,
Timothy McKenna
Chair, Canton Finance Committee
FINCOM 20210203 Minutes.docx Page 4 of 5 2/7/21Source page 5
Canton Finance Committee Meeting
February 3, 2021
Please note: Some meeting documents may be found on the Town’s website under the Posted Minutes
section (Laser Fiche).
Agenda for February 3, 2021 (1 page).
See the below link for detailed information regarding the FY22 budget requests discussed during the meeting.
https://www.town.canton.ma.us/DocumentCenter/View/7526/FY22-Municipal-Budget---Dept-Requests---Jan-2021
FINCOM 20210203 Minutes.docx Page 5 of 5 2/7/21