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October 26, 2021, Finance Committee Meeting - Virtual Meeting. Minutes
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Canton Finance Committee Open Session Minutes Voted on: 1/26/22
801 Washington Street Vote: 8-0-0
Canton, MA 02021
Meeting Minutes – Open Session
October 26, 2021
Finance Committee Members Present: Dan Cole, Dave Clough, Tom Emery, Karen Foley, Emilio Mauro, Tim
McKenna, Reuki Schutt and Cindy Thomas.
Finance Committee Members Absent: All members were present for the meeting.
Guests Present:
Ellen Jones, Finance Committee Recording Secretary
Randy Scollins, Finance Director
Call Meeting to Order: Chair McKenna called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and reviewed items on the agenda
and stated that the Finance Committee would be going into Executive Session later in the evening to discuss Article 3
of the Special Town Meeting regarding 1860 Washington Street, St. Gerard’s.
Article 3 – Special Town Meeting (STM) – Appropriation for the Metropolis Rink Reconstruction Project
The Finance Committee had been provided a revised motion for Article 3 that removed the language “to be used as a
partial funding replacement related to the unexpected shortfall in insurance funds” with “to be used by the Canton
Select Board to fund any shortfall in insurance funds”.
A motion made by Ms. Schutt to amend the motion for Article 3 and recommend the following motion as
follows “That Two Hundred Four Thousand Dollars ($204,000) be transferred from surplus funds in the
Bolivar Pool Capital Project Fund (43002-58900) into the Metropolis Rink Reconstruction Project Fund
(57010-58210) to be used by the Canton Select Board to fund any shortfall in insurance funds was seconded
by Mr. Mauro.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Schutt Aye Mr. Cole Aye
Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. Clough Aye
Ms. Foley Aye Ms. Thomas Aye
Mr. Emery Aye Mr. McKenna Aye
The motion passed 8-0-0.
Mr. Scollins shared good news with the Finance Committee with regard to the Metropolis Rink. The Town
Accountant, Ms. Butters, had been working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the
Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). Despite rejection of an award due to initial estimate
insurance proceeds exceeding the repair estimates, MEMA had to request from FEMA a formal project closeout.
Based on their closeout review, MEMA recommended final obligated funding for repairs in an amount of $1 million.
The Town may receive $750,000 from FEMA towards the cost of the project.
Article 3 at the STM is needed because of a timing issue. FEMA may approved the funds but it may take1-2 years to
received funds from FEMA. If the Town receives funding after the project is completed, the funds would go into the
General Fund/Undesignated Fund and fall out as free cash. No vote is required by the Finance Committee to move
these funds into Free Cash but the funds would have to be appropriated at an Annual Town Meeting.
Mr. Mauro volunteered to draft the Finance Committee’s discussion for Article 3. The discussion would have to be
completed by November 1 as Town Counsel would be looking over the discussions. Mr. Mauro would send a draft
discussion to Mr. McKenna, Ms. Thomas and Mr. Scollins.
Approval of Minutes - A motion made by Mr. Mauro to approve the open session minutes for October 13,
2021 and the open session minutes for October 14, 2021 was seconded by Mr. Clough.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Schutt Aye Mr. Cole Aye
Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. Clough Aye
Ms. Foley Aye Ms. Thomas Aye
Mr. Emery Aye Mr. McKenna Aye
The motion to approve the minutes for October 13, 2021 and October 14, 2021 passed 8-0-0.
FINCOM 20211026 Minutes – Open Session.docx Page 1 of 3 1/16/22Source page 2
Liaison List – Mr. McKenna volunteered to be the liaison for the Town Clerk and Elections & Registrars. Alternates were still need for the Capital Planning Committee, the Police Department and the Fire Department. Ms. Thomas emphasize that when the various departments come before the Finance Committee it would be beneficial to hear what is new and different within the department. It is unnecessary to attend all meetings of that department. Ms. Thomas suggested that an email sent to the department would be a nice introduction. Announcements – The next Finance Committee meeting on October 27 via zoom would be held only in executive session to discuss Article 2, STM, 1860 Washington Street, St. Gerards. Mr. Scollins stated that with regard to the approval of executive session minutes that the Finance Committee could approve the executive minutes and hold them for release at a future meeting. There is a risk of voting executive session minutes in an open meeting if changes needed to be made they could not be discussed in the open meeting. There was no vote taken on the October 14, 2021 Executive Session Meeting Minutes. Motion to Move into Executive Session At 7:34 p.m. a motion made by Ms. Schutt to enter into executive session to discuss strategy with respect to consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real estate, (1860 Washington Street) if the Chair declares that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the public body was seconded by Ms. Thomas. Roll Call Vote: Ms. Schutt Aye Mr. Cole Aye Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. Clough Aye Ms. Foley Aye Ms. Thomas Aye Mr. Emery Aye Mr. McKenna Aye The motion to move into Executive Session at 7:34 p.m. passed 8-0-0. The recording was stopped at 7:34 p.m. and Mr. Scollins removed Community Cable TV (CCTV) from the virtual meeting. Open Session Minutes reviewed by: Tom Emery Respectfully submitted, Timothy McKenna Chair, Canton Finance Committee FINCOM 20211026 Minutes – Open Session.docx Page 2 of 3 1/16/22
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Canton Finance Committee Meeting
Open Session – Meeting Documents
October 26, 2021
Please note: Some meeting documents may be found on the Town’s website under the Posted Minutes
section (Laser Fiche).
Agenda for October 26, 2021 (1 page).
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Canton Finance Committee Executive Minutes Voted on: 1/26/22 801 Washington Street Vote: 8-0-0 Canton, MA 02021 Released on: 5/9/22 , Vote: 6-0-0 Meeting Minutes — Executive Session October 26, 2021 Finance Committee Members Present: Dan Cole, Dave Clough, Tom Emery, Karen Foley, Emilio Mauro, Tim McKenna, Reuki Schutt and Cindy Thomas. Finance Committee Members Absent: All members were present for the meeting. Guests Present: Ellen Jones, Finance Committee Recording Secretary Randy Scollins, Finance Director The Finance Committee resumed their October 26'" meeting in Executive Session at 7:34 p.m. Discussion of Article 2 - Special Town Meeting (STM) — Real Estate Acquisition — St. Gerard’s Mr. Scollins stated that the Finance Committee should review the draft of the motion which would be printed and be available to the Voters at the STM. Town Counsel recommended the following motion, “The Finance Committee will make a recommendation regarding Article 2 at the Special Town Meeting”. Mr. Cole expressed concern that the lack of a definitive motion for Article 2 in the STM document might give the appearance of a” “blank check” and might give the impression that there were not funding limits. The motion that Town Counsel is recommending as the Finance Committee’s motion does not recommend specific action. Prior to the STM on December 1 the Finance Committee will be hearing additional information as to the cost and how the project would be funded. Finance Committee will vote at that time to either support or not support the recommendation. Mr. Clough suggested with regard to the sum of money that the Finance Committee should set a ceiling for this purchase with a best guess of the appraisal amount. He further suggested “not to exceed” language for the motion. He also inquired if there would be a purchase escalation clause to outbid other bidders. By including other miscellaneous costs in Section B of the motion it would help make it more obvious to the voters. Mr. Scollins stated that the Finance Committee could set a ceiling in the motion they will make on STM floor to the voters. The Select Board or others could not commit to an amount unless STM approves it. At the time of the October 26" meeting the appraisal had not been completed and that no one had any idea of the amount. Ms. Thomas hoped that the Finance Committee would have the amount prior to STM. Mr. Scollins stated that no reasonable recommendation would be made by the Finance Committee unless the Committee fully understands the costs and funding sources. Mr. Scollins had not prepared language for the funding sources yet until he has seen the appraisal amount. Mr. Mauro stated that the Select Board and the Chair, Mr. Loughran, stated that the value of the property by eminent domain would be based on best use. Mr. Mauro inquired as to how that best use would be determined. Mr. Scollins stated that typically best use is tied to largest economic value derived from assets. Mr. Mauro inquired that once the value is selected and the recommendation is made to STM, could the Town go higher? Mr. Scollins stated that the traditional rule assumes the cost would hold. An amount would be recommended at STM. The Finance Committee would have total control over the discussion for Article 2. A one-page draft of the discussion drafted by the Select Board Chair, Mr. Loughran, and the Vice Chair, Ms. Lopez, was emailed to the Finance Committee on October 25. The goal of the discussion is to be informative and not recommend a particular direction. Mr. Scollins hoped that the Finance Committee could vote on a discussion to publish in the STM at their meeting the following night on October 27. Town Counsel would be reviewing this discussion by November 1. Mr. Mauro thought the draft was good at addressing the main topics. He suggested adding an explanation of a deferred recommendation because the Finance Committee was waiting to obtain more information due to the sensitivity of the topic. FINCOM 20211026 Minutes — Executive Session.docx Page 1 of 4 1/16/22
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Mr. Mauro suggested that the Glossary of Terms for the STM document could include a definition for eminent domain. Mr. McKenna suggested that the discussion could include information regarding potential sources for the purchase of St. Gerard’s and the competing uses of funds on the horizon. Mr. Scollins stated that the Finance Committee would need to consider if the sharing of other financial information belongs in the discussion. Ms. Thomas was okay with the discussion but that the Finance Committee has the responsibility to the voters the considerations to take with regard to this purchase and that the discussion should also reflect what the Finance Committee has talked about in their meetings. The discussion should include why the Town should purchase the property, what if the property is not purchased, what would it mean if the Town takes the property by eminent domain, what are the financial implications. She further stated that the Finance Committee has the responsibility to inform the voters various items to consider such as short-term maintenance, insurance costs, use of capital and operating costs and the Galvin Middle School renovations. Mr. Clough inquired if there was any correspondence from the attorneys that could be shared with the Finance Committee. Mr. Scollins stated that he had not received any information from the attorneys and that the Finance Committee would receive information at their November meeting. In response to a question from a member as to why the Town was considering taking the property by eminent domain instead of through the real estate process, Mr. Scollins stated that the transaction is being managed by the attorneys and that eminent domain would allow the Town to obtain clear title of the property and eliminate any defects with the title. The property has been listed and is out for sale and that the Town may not be paying the fair market value. Mr. Clough spoke in favor of the Town not acquiring the property through the eminent domain process and that the Town should submit an offer. Ms. Thomas suggested that the Finance Committee has the responsibility to address the negativity associated with the term eminent domain and that just because there is a perception regarding it does not necessarily mean it is wrong. Mr. McKenna stated that it is the role of the Finance Committee to advise the voters the best fiscally financial decision. Mr. Clough stated that if the property is purchased through a debt exclusion override that the impact should be explained to the voters regarding the effect on their real estate taxes. Does the Town plan to rehab or redevelop the property or tear down the buildings. Mr. Scollins stated that the goal was to provide the Finance Committee all of the options and that the Finance Committee had to either vote to approve or not approve the purchase of the property and that they must take a vote on the drafted motion and approve the narrative to make the deadline of sending it to the printer on November 5. Mr. McKenna asked members to send him their edits of the Finance Committee discussion for Article 2 by noon on Wednesday, October 27. A motion made by Ms. Thomas to recommend to Special Town Meeting a Finance Committee motion as drafted in Article 2 for Items a, b, c and d was seconded by Mr. Mauro Mr. Clough requested that the language “eminent domain” be stricken from Item a in the motion. Mr. Scollins stated that it could not be removed from the motion. Mr. Clough inquired about a substitute motion. Roll Call Vote: Ms. Schutt Aye Mr. Cole Aye Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. Clough Nay Ms. Foley Aye Ms. Thomas Aye Mr. Emery Aye Mr.McKenna Aye The motion passed 7-1-0. Chair McKenna asked for Committee members to email to him any comments they may have for the Finance Committee’s discussion by noon on Wednesday, October 27, and that the discussion should be in line with what was voted on by the Committee. FINCOM 20211026 Minutes ~ Executive Session.docx Page 2 of 4 1/16/22
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Adjournment - A motion made by Ms. Thomas to adjourn the executive session meeting at 8:38 p.m. was seconded by Ms. Schutt. Roll Call Vote: Roll Call Vote: Ms. Schutt Aye Mr. Cole Aye Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. Clough Nay Ms. Foley Aye Ms. Thomas Aye Mr. Emery Aye Mr.McKenna Aye The motion passed 8-0-0. Executive Session Minutes reviewed by: Tom Emery Respectfully submitted, AA LIA Timothy McKenna Chair, Canton Finance Committee FINCOM 20211026 Minutes — Executive Session.docx Page 3 of 4 1/16/22
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Canton Finance Committee Meeting Executive Session — Meeting Documents October 26, 2021 Please note: Some meeting documents may be found on the Town’s website under the Posted Minutes section (Laser Fiche). Agenda for October 26, 2021 (1 page). Initial Draft of the Discussion for Article 2 Special Town Meeting provided by Select Board Chair Michael Loughran and Select Board Vice Chair Lisa Lopez (1 page). Finance Committee Liaison List dated 10/26/21 (1 page). FINCOM 20211026 Minutes — Executive Session.docx Page 4 of 4 4/16/22