Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text
March 19, 2015, Finance Committee Meeting. Minutes
Saved text from 7 source pages. Transcription and OCR may contain errors; verify figures and wording against the original. Retrieved 2026-10-15.
Source page 1
Town of Canton Finance Committee Minutes Voted on: 3/25/15
Meeting Minutes Vote: 9-0-1
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Members Present:
Rob Barker, Sepp Bergschneider, Jerry Dorfman, Nichola Gallagher, Dianne Gustafson, Stephanie
Leach, Tim McKenna, Mark Porter, Barbara Saint Andre and Jim Sims.
Members Absent:
Jim Casamento and Diane Wolff.
Guests Present:
Bob Golledge, School Committee Member
Jeff Granatino, School Superintendent
Kristin Mirliani, Candidate for School Committee
Barry Nectow, School Business Administrator
Cindy Thomas, Chair, School Committee
Jim Murgia, Finance Director
Ellen Jones, Finance Committee Secretary
Opening:
A meeting of the Canton Finance Committee was called to order at 7:03 p.m. on Thursday, March 19,
2015 in the Salah Meeting Room of Town Hall.
A. Approval of Agenda
Chairman Porter reviewed the items on the agenda.
B. Announcements
Chairman Porter thanked Jeff Granatino for his years of service to the Town of Canton and wished him
well in his new position as Superintendent for the Town of Marshfield.
C. New Business
The School Committee discussed with the Finance Committee various items and provided the following
information, with Ms. Thomas taking the lead on the discussions.
School Building Study Committee (SBSC) — Draft Report — A copy of the March 13, 2015 draft report
by the SBSC had been provided to the Finance Committee members. A few highlights presented by Ms.
Thomas included the following:
• A final report of the SBSC would be given at the Annual Town Meeting.
• The SBSC visited and reviewed all buildings and examined enrollment numbers.
• The SBSC sees a need for another elementary school in the long term. However, the present
enrollment numbers for Canton do not meet the MSBA (Massachusetts School Building Authority)
standard threshold for MSBA funding.
• The SBSC does not see the need for two classrooms per year slowing down.
• The Galvin Middle School locker room area could be subdivided into four more classrooms.
SBSC - Rolling Mill at Plymouth Rubber Development Site
• The SBSC supports moving the School Administration offices to the Rolling Mill at the proposed
Plymouth Rubber Redevelopment site which would allow the Rodman Building being brought on
line for classrooms.
• The School Committee is in agreement with enrollment projections proposed by John Connery of
Connery Associates. The SBSC reviewed Mr. Connery's projections for Needham. The SBSC
was comfortable that his projections were accurate.
F1NCOM 03192015 MINUTES.doc Page 1 of 7 03/21/2015Source page 2
• The School Committee stated that they would not take a vote on the Plymouth Rubber project as
they see it out of the scope of the School Committee.
$2,000,000 School District Funding
• The School Committee stated that the $2,000,000 the Plymouth Rubber developer has proposed
giving to the School Department was not a gift. The Town would have to borrow for the
$2,000,000 to give to the developer who would then turn it over to the School Department. The
Town's debt service for the $2,000,000 would be paid for out of the tax revenue that is collected
from the new development.
• The School Committee stated that the $2,000,000 would not be enough to bring the Rodman
Building on line.
Article #20 — Transfer of Portion of SPED Stabilization Fund to Supplement Special Education
FY15 Budget Deficit
• Ms. Thomas stated that while the SPED FY15 budget is still highly volatile, it is not in a crisis
state.
• The School Committee would be looking at the SPED budget closer to the Annual Town Meeting
and would be utilizing Article 20 as an option if needed.
Article 34 — Full-Day Kindergarten
• Ms. Thomas stated that the School Committee believes in the value of full-day kindergarten but
was not supporting it at this time because of other priorities at Annual Town Meeting, such as the
$4.1 million Hansen Elementary School addition.
• The School Committee voted at its last meeting not to support Article 34.
• Chairman Porter asked the School Committee to calculate cost estimates for a full-day
kindergarten project and provide these numbers to the Finance Committee.
• Mr. Nectow stated that he had these numbers and based on past experience the cost would be
approximately $600,000 to $800,000 per year. Ch. 70 would cover only a portion of this cost.
Article 35 — Improvements to the Hansen Elementary School - $4A million Debt Exclusion
Override
• The current modular classrooms are approximately 17 years old, 7 years beyond the 10-year
usual life expectancy for these classrooms.
• Additional costs have been added to the Hansen improvements estimates due to the Fire Chief
determining that an access road must be part of the plans.
• After discussions with the Board of Selectmen and Capital Planning Committee, the School
Committee decided not to place the $4.1 million override on the April 7 ballot. Instead, Annual
Town Meeting would address this request first and then a Special Election during the summer
may be called for after Annual Town Meeting. There is no November election in 2015.
• The modular classrooms would still be available during construction.
Dianne Gustafson joined the meeting at approximately 7:50 p.m.
Mr. Golledge gave an overview regarding class size and enrollment numbers.
FY16 School Operating Budget
• The preliminary target FY16 budget number for the School Department as set by the Finance
Director early in the budget process was $35,780,908. This represents a $1.2 million increase
over the School's FY15 budget or a 3,53% increase.
• For steps and lanes, collective bargaining unit costs and personal service contracts, the School
Department is requesting $1,061,014.
• The School Department is also requesting a Budget Supplement of $1,539,369. At the time of
the Finance Committee meeting, the School Committee provided a 3-page document that
outlined the Superintendent's Priority Level 1 items (totaling $825,618 for 13.5 FTE positions) and
FINCOM 03192015 MINUTES.doc Page 2 of 7 03/21/2015Source page 3
their Priority Level 2 items (totaling $713,751 which included $355,320 for an increase to the
Transportation Budget for 6 buses being proposed for purchase).
• The School Committee is requesting a total $2.6 million budget increase for FY16. This
represents a 7.52% increase over the FY15 budget.
• The School Committee's operating budget exceeds the target number by $1 million.
• The School Committee has not voted on the budget yet.
• Their highest priority is addressing class size with an approximate cost of $650,000.
• Ms. Thomas stated that the School Committee would most likely vote against changing the start
time which would cost approximately $350,000.
• The School Committee would prefer receiving the $1,000,000 to address both the start time
change and the class size issues.
• If the School Committee sets a budget at $37,159,638 they would be able to address the hiring of
16.7 additional FTEs.
• If the School Committee sets a budget at $36,169,638 they would be able to hire 6.7 additional
FTEs.
Ms. Gustafson requested information from the School Committee Oregarding the number of teaching
positions over the past 8-10 years and the areas of concentration for these positions. Ms. Gustafson
reminded everyone one that as more people are added with steps and lanes the problem becomes bigger
over time. There is a need to look at the structure for sustainability purposes.
Mr. Sims requested back-up information to the request for Budget Line Item #175 (Contracts $1,061,014)
and Budget Line Item #176 (Budget Supplement $1,539,369).
• Ms. Thomas stated that the School Committee will vote to not move forward with the start time
change, thereby removing the $355,320 increase to the Transportation Budget.
School Revolving Funds — Revenue Offsets Mr. Nectow led the discussion on the revolving accounts,
referring to a Summary that he had prepared as of 1/31/15.
• Mr. Nectow stated that there were peaks/fluctuations as to the balances in the revenue offset
accounts due to the timing of when the funds are collected as compared to when the funds are
deposited.
• Student Parking revenue was deposited after December.
• With regard to the Transportation account, 92% of the student population was now riding the
buses.
• The third floor of the Rodman Building is currently being rented to a collaborative.
• The Building Rental account had expenses of approximately $45,000 for roof snow removal. Mr.
Murgia stated that the DOR was now allowing the cost of roof snow removal to be charged to the
Snow and Ice Budget, for which the Town would be applying for FEMA or MEMA reimbursement
for.
FY16 School Capital Budget — 6 Buses $540,000
Mr. Sims requested an updated 5-year capital plan for the School Department's long-range capital
requests.
• The School Committee had requested $540,000 in its capital plan for purchasing 6 new school
buses, but may not be moving forward with this request due to the start time change not being
implemented.
• The School Committee may reallocate the $540,000 to other projects.
• The Hansen is in need of a roof replacement at a cost of $1.1 million.
• Memorial field is in need of field turf replacement and track resurfacing at a cost of $775,000.
• The School Committee has not voted the capital budget yet.
Chairman Porter suggested that a target deadline date should be added to the Annual Town Meeting
Timeline for which the School Committee should vote the budgets.
FINCOM 03192015 MINUTES.doc Page 3 of 7 03/21/2015Source page 4
The School Committee's presentation to the Finance Committee ended at approximately 9:10 p.m. D. Old Business/Open Issues Vote Article 2, Motions 1, 2, 3 & 4 — Adopt Rules to Govern Town Meeting A motion made by Rob Barker that Article 1 Motion 1 (sets the date and time of Annual Town Meeting) be approved as printed in the warrant was seconded by Sepp Bergschneider. Vote: 10-0-0. A motion made by Sepp Bergschneider that Article 1 Motion 2 (lists non-residents allowed to participate in Annual Town Meeting) be approved as printed in the warrant was seconded by Rob Barker. Vote: 10-0-0. A motion made by Sepp Bergschneider that Article 1 Motion 3 (insures that Annual Town Meeting ends with a balanced budget) be approved as printed in the warrant was seconded by Rob Barker, Vote: 10-0-0. A motion made by Barbara Saint Andr6 that this Annual Town Meeting be adjourned to reconvene at this auditorium upon the adjournment or dissolution of the Special Town Meeting within the Annual Town Meeting of May 11, 2015 was seconded by Rob Barker. Vote: 10-0-0. Vote Article 8 — Pay Bills of Prior Fiscal Year A motion made by Barbara Saint Andre that the subject matter of Article 8 be indefinitely postponed was seconded by Rob Barker. Vote: 10-0-0. There were no bills to pay for a prior fiscal year. Vote Article 10 — Transfer Unexpended Prior Year Appropriations A motion made by Barbara Saint Andr6 that $27,751.95 be appropriated to be spent by the Library Director with the approval of the Board of Selectmen for the purpose of renovations in the main level meeting/study rooms at the Canton Public Library thereby increasing such appropriation already voted pursuant to Article 13 Motion 2 of the 2012 Annual Town Meeting from $36,000 to $63,751.95 and to meet this appropriation $27,751.95 be transferred from Fund #303 was seconded by Rob Barker. Vote: 10-0-0. The balance of Fund #303 is $27,751.95. This fund consisted of issued debt, a state grant of $2.6 million and $400,000 of donations raised through Library fundraising. The $27,751.95 would be added to an amount of $36,000 previously approved at a prior town meeting. Vote Article 14 — Approval of Funding for the Annual 4th of July Community Celebration A motion made by Barbara Saint Andr6 that $35,000 be transferred from Free Cash in the Treasury of the Town to be expended by the Canton Recreation Director for the July 4th community celebration in 2015 with the intent that said funds shall be available in FY15 in anticipation of July 4, 2015 was seconded by Sepp Bergschneider. Vote: 10-0-0. Mr. Murgia confirmed for Mr. Sims that if the 4th of July community celebration costs less than $35,000 the remaining money would create free cash. Vote Article 15 — Insurance Proceeds A motion made by Rob Barker that $23,999 be transferred from Insurance Reimbursement Fund #173 to Police Cash Capital Cruiser Replacement ATM 2014 Article 11 Motion 2 (#12104-58705- FINCOM 03192015 MINUTES.doc Page 4 of 7 03/21/2015
Source page 5
A1550) in connection with losses suffered by the Town from a patrol vehicle accident was seconded by Sepp Bergschneider. Vote: 10-0-0. Mr. Murgia explained that any reimbursements the Town receives for insurance claims in excess of $20,000 must be appropriated at Annual Town Meeting and these funds typically go back to the Department that suffered the loss. Vote Article 20 — Transfer of a Portion of Special Education Stabilization Fund to Supplement Special Education Budget Deficit A motion made by Rob Barker that the subject matter of Article 20 be indefinitely postponed was seconded by Sepp Bergschneider. Vote: 10-0-0. Vote Article 36 — Amend Additional 430 Priority Development Sites A motion made by Barbara Saint Andre that 10 Campanelli Circle be identified as a 43D Priority Development Site was seconded by Rob Barker. Vote: 10-0-0. Vote Article 39 — Vote to Approve Title Change for Human Resource Administrator Chairman Porter suggested that the Finance Committee wait until a future meeting to vote on Article 39, as Committee member Jim Casamento had some questions for the Board of Selectmen with regard to this article. The Finance Committee will vote Article 39 at an upcoming meeting. Liaison Reports — There were no liaison reports presented at the meeting. Vote Article 34 — Full-Day Kindergarten A motion made by Rob Barker that the subject matter of Article 34 be indefinitely postponed was seconded by Sepp Bergschneider. Ms. Gallagher spoke in favor of the Town expanding the full-day kindergarten. Chairman Porter explained that Ms. Gallagher needed to identify a funding source. Mr. Murgia spoke against using free cash for next year's budget. A motion made by Ms. Gallagher that Article 39 for Full-Day Kindergarten be approved for $800,000 with the source of funds being provided through an operational override. The motion was not seconded, and, therefore, failed. Mr. Dorfman spoke in favor of the original motion to indefinitely postpone Article 34. Vote: 9-1-0. Ms. Gallagher voted in opposition to the motion to indefinitely postpone. E. Approval of Minutes The minutes for the March le Finance Committee meeting had been completed but were still being reviewed and would be voted on at a future meeting. F. Next Meeting Date: The next meeting date would be Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in the Salah Meeting Room of Town Hall, The Finance Committee would be meeting with the Fire Chief regarding an FY15 budget shortfall, Lisa Lopez of the Community Preservation Committee to discuss the CCPC's recommendations for purchasing open space land at Plymouth Rubber and Jeremy Comeau of the Planning Board to discuss zoning and Special Town Meeting articles. Chairman Porter's plan was to have the Finance Committee vote as many articles as possible at the meetings scheduled for March 25 and March 26. FINCOM 03192015 MINUTES.cloc Pages of 7 03/21/2015
Source page 6
The Finance Committee would be available on either April 2' or April 9th if the School Committee needed
to meet with them again.
Chairman Porter polled the members to see if April 8th could be added to the meeting schedule.
Mr. Sims inquired as to the Finance Committee's leadership if Chairman Porter were elected to the Board
of Selectmen. Chairman Porter explained that an existing Board of Selectmen remains in office until the
successor takes the oath of office.
Adjournment: A motion made by Barbara Saint Andre to adjourn the meeting at 9:43 p.m was
seconded by Tim McKenna. Vote: 10-0-0.
Minutes reviewed by: Tim McKenna
Respectfully submitt
Mark Porter
i
Chairman, Canto Finance Committee
F1NCOM 03192015 MINUTES.doc Page 6 of 7 03/21/2015Source page 7
Town of Canton
Finance Committee Meeting — March 19, 2015
List of Meeting Handouts
Please note: These meeting handouts may also be found on the Town's website under the Posted
Minutes section (Laser Fiche).
Amended Agenda (1 page).
School Building Study Committee Report — DRAFT — provided by SBSC, dated March 13, 2015
(subject to change).
Article #20 — Transfer of Portion of SPED Stabilization Fund to Supplement Special Education
FY15 Budget Deficit — copy of article (1 page).
Hansen Elementary School Addition — Construction Cost Estimate - $4.1 million (1 page).
Hansen School Addition.- $4.1 million — Tax Impact/Average Cost per year to Taxpayer, provided by
Jim Murgia, Finance Director (1 page).
Tax Impact from Current Debt Exclusions — Fiscal Years 2015 thru 2024, provided by Jim Murgia,
Finance Director (1 page).
FY16 Preliminary School Operating Budget — provided on January 23, 2015 (12 pages).
Summary of Revolving Accounts as of 1/31115, provided by Barry Nectow, School Business
Administrator (18 pages),
School Department Operating Budget with Offsets — Analysis, provided by Jim Sims (2 pages).
School Bus Information, email from Jim Murgia to Finance Committee, dated March 17, 2015 (4 pages).
Article 2, Motions 1, 2, 3 & 4 — Adopt Rules to Govern Town Meeting, copy of article (3 pages).
Article 8 — Pay Bills of Prior Fiscal Year, copy of article (1 page).
Article 10 — Transfer Unexpended Prior Year Appropriations, copy of article (1 page).
Article 14 — Approval of Funding for the Annual 4th of July Community Celebration, copy of article
(1 page).
Article 15 — Insurance Proceeds, copy of article (1 page).
Article 36 — Amend Additional 43D Priority Development Sites, copy of article (2 pages).
Article 39 — Vote to Approve Title Change for Human Resource Administrator, copy of article,
(1 page).
FINCOM 03192015 MINUTES.doc Page 7 of 7 03/21/2015