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March 12, 2025, Finance Committee Meeting - Virtual Meeting. Minutes
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Canton Finance Committee Minutes Voted on: 3/26/25
801 Washington Street Vote: 4-0-1
Canton, MA 02021
Finance Committee Meeting Minutes
March 12, 2025
Virtual Meeting
Finance Committee Members Present: Dave Clough, Dan Cole, John Leonetti, Emilio Mauro, Maureen Menconi,
Kristin Mirliani, Reuki Schutt and Cindy Thomas.
Finance Committee Members absent: All Finance Committee members were present at the meeting.
Guests Present:
Jill Brilhante, Business Manager, Blue Hills Regional Technical School
George Comeau, Chair, Canton Community Presentation Committee (Article 15)
Mark Driscoll, Canton Representative on the Blue Hills Regional Technical School (BHRTS) District Committee
Ellen Jones, Finance Committee Recording Secretary
Gene Manning, Chair, Economic Development Committee (Article 3)
Allison Neff, Administrator, Community Presentation Committee (Article 15)
Jill Rossetti, Superintendent-Director, Blue Hills Regional Technical School
Randy Scollins, Finance Director
Call Meeting to Order: Mr. Mauro called the virtual meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Mauro introduced the Finance
Committee members and the guests that were present at the virtual meeting.
New Business:
Discussion – Article 3 – Hear Reports of Committees Appointed at Prior Town Meetings - EDC
Mr. Gene Manning, Chair of the Economic Development Committee (EDC) was welcomed by Mr. Mauro and he then
presented the Economic Development Committee report that will be part of Article 3 at the 2025 Annual Town Meeting.
The following are some of the highlights of Mr. Manning’s presentation:
• EDC was appointed at Annual Town Meeting approximately 20 years ago (ATM 2004). A part of that
appointment is the requirement that they provide an annual report every year at the Annual Town Meeting.
• Initiatives include: maintain and grow a strong business community, ensure stable commercial tax revenue
for town services, increase property values of residences and businesses and maintain Canton’s reputation
as a proactive business-friendly community in MA.
• Business Developments in 2024: Remtek (micro-processing cartridges) relocated from Norwood to Canton
at 5 Campanelli Circle, new expedited permitting for 30 Dan Road under Article 21 of ATM 2025 is planned,
the demolition of the former 99 Restaurant at 362 Turnpike for a new self-storage facility is ongoing, and the
major expansion and addition at Trillium brewery and distillery.
• Trillium’s growth has continued with a new distillery. The property is now assessed at approximately $24.5
million.
• Pledge Therapeutics is on Dan Road.
• Chipotle will be opening in late 2025 or early 2026.
• Canton Businesses paid over $39 million in commercial taxes in 2024 which is 39.5% of the tax levy. Canton
is one of the top Norfolk County communities in commercial taxes generated.
• Tax rates dropped for FY25 to $9.89 per $1,000 dollars of valuation for residential properties and $20.45 per
$1,000 dollars of property valuation for commercial properties.
• A number of Canton businesses offer scholarships, donations to municipal departments, donations to Canton
charities and hosts an annual Canton road race at Trillium Brewing.
• The members of the EDC include Mr. Manning as the Chair, Mr. Mauro as the Vice Chair, Tera Kull as Clerk
and members Tyrishma Allen, Mindy Milman, Gregory Murphy, Dr. Alan Rapport and Dr. Gopal Chopra.
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Mr. Mauro emphasized how important economic development is to the Town’s ability to have new growth and
revenue in general and how it allows the Town to have a split tax rate that lessens the burden on the residential
taxes.
The other members of the Finance Committee did not have any questions for Mr. Manning.
Vote – Article 3 – Hear Reports of Committees
A motion made by Ms. Schutt that reports of the following committees appointed at previous Town Meetings
be heard:
Canton Alliance Against Substance Abuse (CAASA) (ATM 2016, Article 32)
By-Law Modernization Study Committee (ATM 2024, Article 30)
Economic Development Committee (ATM 2004, Article 14)
was seconded by Ms. Menconi.
Mr. Clough inquired if the Police Audit Committee would be included under Article 3 to present a report at Annual Town
Meeting. Mr. Scollins explained that the Police Audit Committee was not appointed at the November 2023 Special
Town Meeting – it was requested that it be formed at the Town Meeting, so it does not meet the technical requirement
of the General By-Laws for inclusion in Article 3 of the Annual Town Meeting in which only those committees appointed
directly by Town Meeting have standing to present a report at Annual Town Meeting. Mr. Scollins further explained
that the intent is to have in the very near future a community-wide forum with a presentation of the findings of the Police
Audit Committee. Mr. Scollins had already confirmed with Town Counsel about the Police Audit Committee, and another
Town Committee (Revere & Son Heritage Trust), not being able to provide a report at the Annual Town Meeting. Mr.
Scollins would double check with Town Counsel and report back to the Finance Committee.
Roll Call Vote
Reuki Schutt Aye Dave Clough Aye
Maureen Menconi Aye Kristin Mirliani Aye
John Leonetti Aye Emilio Mauro Aye
Dan Cole Aye
Vote: 7-0.
Discussion – Article 15 – Recommendations of the Canton Community Preservation Committee (CCPC)
Mr. Mauro turned the meeting over to Mr. Comeau, Chair of the Canton Community Preservation Committee (CCPC).
Mr. Comeau thanked Ms. Mirliani for her time reaching out to the CCPC. Ms. Mirliani is the Finance Committee’s liaison
to the CCPC. Mr. Comeau apprised the Finance Committee that under Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 44B
Section 5 Subsection 2 that the CCPC is empowered and shall make recommendations to the legislative body (Annual
Town Meeting) and considers the Finance Committee part of that legislative body.
Mr. Comeau listed the members of the CCPC: himself as the Chair representing the Historical Commission, Melissa
Meyer as Vice Chair representing the Conservation Commission, Dave Emhardt as Treasurer representing the Capital
Planning Committee, Alison Grossman, CCPC Secretary representing Parks and Recreation, Chris Albert representing
the Select Board, Adam Brothers representing the Housing Authority, David McCarthy representing the Planning Board,
Kendall O’Halloran representing the School Committee and Thomas Theodore representing Citizen-at-Large. Members
are appointed by the Select Board.
Mr. Comeau introduced Allison Neff, CCPC’s Program Administrator, who presented CCPCs financial information as
follows:
• Surcharge revenue (paid by the taxpayers): FY25 estimate $822,768 and FY26 estimate $851,565.
• State match: FY25 actual $147,193 (18.5.2%) and FY26 estimate $119,219 (14.49%)
• Sate distribution: FY22 and FY22 distributions were higher than normal due to additional funds the state
distributed in a second round of distribution.
• FY26 Debt Obligation for Paul Revere Heritage Site: $214,490 for bond payment (for year 6 of 10 years).
• End of FY25 funds remaining after FY25 appropriations: $367,493.16. Closed projects returned in late
2024 an additional $257,096 of funds. Approximately $166,000 was returned due to the LaFrance Antique
Fire Engine Project bids exceeding available funds. The remainder of $257,096 had to do with the Galvin
Middle School (GMS) outdoor basketball courts project, which was not done due to the upcoming GMS
project).
• Estimated funding available for FY26 projects: $1,564,018.01.
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The following is a list of the eight projects the CCPC is recommending for FY26 (see meeting documents for project
details). Ms. Neff turned the discussion over to Mr. Comeau to explain the eight projects in detail.
• Open Space and Recreation Plan Update (every 7 years plan needs to be updated). $100,000
• Paul Revere Heritage Site Pavilion (second time presented to CCPC for funding). $200,000
(The project will cost $300,000. Paul Revere Heritage committed to raising $100,000.)
• Affordable Housing Production Fund (to help Canton maintain 10% affordable housing). $255,000
• Hemenway Windows – Phase III Supplement $90,000
• Historical Society Facility Analysis $40,000
(Mr. Comeau recused himself on the discussion for the Historical Facility Analysis because he is the
President of the Canton Historical Society and Ms. Neff presented. He did state that he will be allowed
to speak at Annual Town Meeting regarding the project).
• Public Library Restoration of Historic Rooms (Mr. Comeau, Library Trustee, presented.) $200,000
• Canton Corner Cemetery Historic Gravestone Preservation & Restoration (DPW request). $295,000
• Ponkapoag School Bell Tower and Façade Preservation. $123,000
Mr. Clough inquired about the Pickleball Courts that had been previously presented to CCPC for funding and approved
at a previous Annual Town Meeting. Mr. Comeau stated that CCPC Town Meeting votes are not ‘undone”. The
proponents for the Pickleball Courts informed CCPC that they would not be moving forward with the project. The CCPC
voted to accept those funds be returned to CCPC. Funds returned to CCPC are returned to the “source bucket” for
which they had been approved from.
CCPC projects presented at Town Meeting can be approved for the amount recommended or can be approved for a
reduced amount. Projects cannot be approved for an amount higher than the CCPC’s recommended amount. With
regard to the Historic Gravestone Preservation and Restoration Project, Mr. Comeau stated that the CCPC acted
within their purview by approving funding for $295,000 with the understanding that $95,000 would be appropriated for
a Master Plan of the Cemetery and the remaining $200,000 would be released upon completion of the Master Plan.
The work on the project would only begin once the Master Plan was completed and with Canton Historical Commission
support.
With regard to the Ponkapoag Schoolhouse Bell Tower and Façade Preservation, Mr. Comeau explained that for
any private projects that are eligible for CPA funding there needs to be a public use associated with the project. He
stated that the public interest will be protected through a preservation restriction in perpetuity to maintain the façade of
the historic school house and the bell tower. This project came at the request of the Zoning Board of Appeals. The
Zoning Board is trying to balance out the neighborhood and the maintain historic integrity of the neighborhood while
the Christ’s Ambassador Ministries is requesting a large project to renovate and expand the building. The Zoning Board
suggested to the Ministries group that if they want to preserve the site they should seek CPA funds. The CCPC plans
to withhold funding until the preservation restriction in perpetuity is obtained and a building permit for the project has
been issued and the work is done under the Secretary of Interior Standards.
Mr. Mauro inquired that given the Ponkapoag Schoolhouse is now a church, how is the separation of church and state
being handled for this project? Mr. Comeau responded that it does not fall within the separation of church and state
but falls under the Anti-Establishment Law of the State. The CCPC looked at case law for the Town of Acton that had
a similar project. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that CPA monies can only be used for secular
purposes and cannot be used to fund sacred items such as stained glass windows, altar pieces, etc. The CCPC has
been working with Town Counsel and the CCPC believes they have passed the test with regard to this project, as long
as the funds are not used for church purposes.
Hemenway Windows - Mr. Comeau explained that according to the Department of Revenue replacement of windows
cannot be done for upgrade or esthetic reasons. The windows can be replaced to further prevent structural damage to
the building caused by leaking. Not replacing the windows could be a detrimental to the building.
Paul Revere Heritage Site (PRHS) Pavilion – Mr. Leonetti made a few comments regarding the $200,000 request for
the PRHS Pavilion. This is one of the few project applicants that has the ability to fundraise. This property is sort of a
quasi-government property that the Town sort of owns and provides some funding for while PRHS also has fund raising
opportunities and has the opportunity to collect rental fees by hosting various events at the pavilion. PRHS will be
contributing $100,000 to the project.
Ms. Neff stated that all of the eight eligible fully completed applications submitted for FY26 were recommended for
funding. The application request for School soccer nets did not move forward in the application process because the
nets were ineligible because they were considered moveable items.
Affordable Housing Production Fund – Mr. Leonetti stated that in the past he has spoken against funding the
Affordable Housing Production Fund through the use of Community Preservation Funds. Mr. Leonetti respects the
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CCPC survey that had been done a few years ago but stated that 96% of homeowners who pay into the Community
Preservation Fund do not want to see these funds go towards affordable housing but would prefer the funds go towards
other areas allowed by the CPA funding. He observed that the FY26 request for this Housing Fund is $255,000; which
is approximately 20% of the total funds available (not including the repayment of the debt for the land at the PRHS).
He questioned how the $255,000 is going to advance the cause of maintaining a 10% of year round housing of what is
required under M.G.L. Ch. 40B if the total property values in Canton is $7.6 billion (some of which is commercial)? He
further asked if the proponent of this request presented any long-term plan to articulate how the $255,000 (not highly
supported by the taxpayers who fund the CPA) was going to work to resolve the challenge of affordable housing.
Ms. Neff responded that $250,000 would go into the Affordable Housing Production Fund and that $5,000 would be
used for legal fees. Mr. Kevin Shea (Canton Housing Coordinator) is hoping to add 12-18 affordable housing units
through incentives for developers using these funds. Mr. Shea is also hoping to use all of these funds in one fiscal year
for either one project or several smaller projects but will also be supplementing the Housing Fund through grants and
sources other than CPA funds. The Affordable Housing Trust will act as an intermediary between developers and the
State’s Housing Trust for properties whose deeds are expiring and to use finances for tax credits. Mr. Comeau will
convey Mr. Leonetti’s concerns to Mr. Shea. Mr. Comeau will obtain more detailed information on the use of these
funds and will respond to some of these concerns at Annual Town Meeting.
Mr. Clough believes the Town is currently at 12% affordable housing units and that additional affordable housing units
will be added due to the new MBTA zoning approve at last year’s Annual Town Meeting. He also stated that through
the PRHS buildings the Town would receive credits for all of the units even if there are only one or two units deemed
as affordable housing within the building. Ms. Neff stated that she believes the affordable housing percentage of units
is around 12-13% however the percentage is based on the 2020 census. Mr. Shea’s concern at maintaining the
percentage is because many deed restrictions are expiring and that there are many non-affordable developments being
built and that the Town is more at the level of 11% of affordable housing units. As more non-affordable homes are
built, the percentage of affordable housing units will decrease relative to the total housing stock in Canton. Ms. Neff
stated that it will not be until the 2030 census that the numbers will change.
Canton Corner Cemetery Historic Gravestone Preservation and Restoration – Mr. Leonetti, a former member of
the CCPC, stated that it was always the case that applicants would first apply for funding for a Plan for a specific project
and then would return the following year to CCPC with that plan and advance an application seeking the funding for
the project. The purpose for that process was because the true cost of a project was often unknown until the plan had
been developed. Mr. Comeau responded that the DPW Superintendent already had estimated numbers for work that
he would like to complete immediately at the Cemetery. Mr. Comeau further stated that the work would most likely
exceed $200,000 but that the CCPC was comfortable enough to work with DPW to allow them to begin work on the
project instead of having to wait another year for the funding. Mr. Leonetti stated that it is not a point of whether a
project should or should not be funded from CPA funds but whether or not there may be other funding sources available
instead of using CPA funds. Mr. Leonetti praised the CPA for the great work they do..
Mr. Comeau thanked the Finance Committee for allowing them to present the CCPC’s recommendations for ATM.
Mr. Mauro, also a former member of the CCPC, thanked the CCPC for all the work they do and he noted how CPA
funds allow the Town to have additional resources to complete other projects that help preserve the community.
The discussion with Mr. Comeau and Ms. Neff concluded at approximately 8.39 p.m.
Discussion - Blue Hills Regional Technical School (BHRTS) – FY26 Operating Budget and Assessment
Mr. Mauro welcomed Ms. Jill Rosetti, Superintendent-Director, BHRTS; Ms. Jill Brilhante, Business Manager of BHRTS
and Mr. Mark Driscoll, Canton’s Representative on the District School Committee.
Mr. Driscoll stated that he hopes BHRTS is able to address all of Mr. Scollins concerns about the BHRTS budget and
the assessment. Mr. Driscoll stated that as a member of the BHRTS Board and a citizen of Canton he appreciates the
approach that the BHRTS team has taken in endeavoring to minimize the impact of costs on all of the member towns.
Mr. Driscoll turned the discussion over to Ms. Rosetti and Ms. Brilhante. Ms. Brilhante screen shared a revised
presentation that had been forwarded to the Finance Department late the same day as the meeting.
Ms. Rosetti and Ms. Brilhante read from prepared statements and read from the FY26 PowerPoint Presentation. The
following are some of the highlights of their presentation:
• FY26 Total Budget Request: $27,719,605
• Sources of Funding for the BHRTS budget:
o Required Local Contribution collected thru property taxes from member towns 47%
o Chapter 70 Aid 28%
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o Additional Local Contribution – paid by the member towns 11%
o Capital Assessment 8%
o Transportation Reimbursement 3%
o Other Revenue – Excess & Deficiency and Special Revenue Funds 3%
The Preliminary FY25-26 Budget Worksheet, Budget Expenditures was reviewed as follows:
• Budgeted Expenditures include the following:
o Operating Budget $25,162,174
o Capital Debt Service Assessment 2,256,431
o Stabilization Fund Assessment 250,000
o OPEB Fund Assessment 50,000
• Total FY26 Operating and Capital Budget, Debt Service & Stabilization Funding: $27,719,605
• A total increase of 4.82%.
• Revenue Sources include the following:
o State Funding (Ch. 70, Transportation) $8,468,702
o Excess and Deficiency Funding 500,000
o Other Special Revenue Funding 186,707
o Chapter 70 Required Contribution 13,010,907
o Blue Hills Operating Assessment 2,995,858
o Capital Debt Service Assessment 2,257,431
o Excess & Deficiency Transferred to Stabilization & OPEB Funds 300,000
Total Revenues: $27,719,605
Ms. Rosetti and Ms. Brilhante read from their presentation all of the specific FY26 budget requests by cost centers.
They read from the footnotes for all of the various cost centers. Some of the highlights include the following:
• Most salary increases are due to contractual obligations.
• Transportation expenses increased due to obligations under a new three-year transportation contract.
• Athletics increased by $99,576 due to additional costs for buses for games, ice time rentals, an Athletic
Trainer contracted services, programs and police details.
• Insurance Programs increased by $287,692. Insurance for Retired Employees increased by $171,319.
Assessment Calculations were presented with some of the highlights as follows:
• Canton’s foundation enrollment increased by 15 students from 75 students as of 10/1/23 to 90 students as of
10/1/24. This is a significant increase (20%) and is the highest among the nine-member towns.
• Assessments for member Towns is based on foundation enrollment, foundation budget and required
contribution.
• Total Foundation Budget for 9 member Towns: $20,652,851
• Canton’s share of the Foundation Budget: $2,042,590
• Total Required Contribution for 9 member Towns: $13,010,907
• Canton’s share of the FY26 Required Contribution/Governor’s Budget: $1,642,893
• Canton’s share of the FY26 BHRTS Operating Budget: 296,294
• Canton’s share of the FY26 BHRTS Renovation Assessment: 197,625
• Canton’s share of School to Careers FY26 Assessment; 27,970
• Canton’s Total requested FY26 Assessment: $2,164,782
• Canton’s Total requested FY25 Assessment: $1,759,530
• Canton’s Assessment Increase for FY26 represents a 23.03% increase or $405,252
The FY26 assessment represents a significant increase for the Town of Canton.
The Total FY26 Assessment increase for all nine-member towns: $481,235
Ms. Rosetti and Ms. Brilhante opened up the presentation for questions from the Finance Committee.
Mr. Mauro inquired if BHRTS was concerned about the grants they receive from the Federal government being
potentially endangered. Ms. Brilhante responded that they are watching the Title 1 Grants they receive and are also
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monitoring Special Education grants and are concerned about the Free School Lunch grants for FY26. Perkins Grants that fund BHRTS 17 educational programs are a concern for Ms. Rosetti. Ms. Rosetti stated that they will not know any more information regarding these grants until July. Athletics 3510 Budget – Ms. Thomas inquired about the significant increase of $99,576 to the BHRTS Athletics Budget from $291,391 for FY25 to $390,967 FY26. Most of the increase for this budget is for BHRTS to hire an Athletic Trainer. BHRTS has never had an in-house Athletic Trainer. The Trainer is required for more home and away games. Transportation costs, ice time rental, programs, and police details are also contributing to the increase for this budget. BHRTS New Program – Dental Assistant – An anonymous donor will help fund some of the costs for a new Dental Assistant program. BHRTS still needs to get approval for this new program from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Funds will be set aside for the new program due to BHRTS closing their LPN Program. The Dental Assistant Program will be started with one teacher in year one and will be increased with additional teachers as the students move up to the next grades. BHRTS Student Enrollment - The Foundation Enrollment for Canton is 90 students as of October 1, 2024. Ms. Thomas inquired if there are students graduating from Canton’s 90 students. Ms. Brilhante responded that there was a decrease of 18 students in the total school population from 928 in FY25 to 910 students as of October 1, 2024. Ms. Thomas’ question about the number of Canton students graduating from the school at the end of the year was never really answered. Mr. Cole asked if BHRTS would ever consider using a rolling average for the number of students from the member towns when calculating the Assessment. Ms. Brilhante stated that they use the Department of Education’s Foundation Enrollment number as of October 1, the same that all the rest of the state uses. Ms. Rosetti stated that BHRTS gets “dinged” by the state depending upon the number of applications they receive from the Town and the number of applications they accept. Ms. Brilhante also stated foundation budgets are based on the wealth of towns to support the required contribution. In response to Mr. Driscoll’s inquiry as to how much flexibility BHRTS has for applying the formula or is it all state driven, Ms. Brilhante responded that she would have to ask her counterparts and make inquiries but that she would “hate to have to hurt another Town that doesn’t have more funding with their local contribution”. Mr. Driscoll and Ms. Brilhante stated that BHRTS had used approximately $500,000 spread out through the member towns to help mitigate costs, but they did not indicate how those funds were distributed. Ms. Mirliani inquired as to how the allocation of student amounts for the towns is decided, meaning is there a formula for which each town needs to be represented, or what sort of “swing” is possible. Ms. Rosetti stated that it is “blind”. Ms. Mirliani also inquired as to what level of control the Finance Committee has with the BRTHS budget, meaning what power does Canton have in terms of accepting or not accepting Canton’s Assessment for BHRTS. Ms. Mirliani was not suggesting to protest the budget but merely inquiring as to the Town’s level of control. Mr. Scollins referred to an example of Southeast Regional Vocational Technical High School (SRVTHS) whose member communities rejected a proposed budget because of a significant increase to the member towns. SRVTHS was forced to reduce their recommended budget. Mr. Scollins stated Canton has to rely on the Administration of BHRTS for submitting a reasonable budget. The budget for FY26 has a reasonable increase of 4.28%. BHRTS has to have the support of 2/3 of the district members, or 6 of the 9 member towns, accepting the recommended budget. BHRTS - Admissions Process – Lottery System – Ms. Thomas inquired about the proposed change to the admissions process with a lottery system. The Department of Education (DOE) is proposing a lottery system for career technical vocational schools. Mr. Driscoll opinioned that it would be a “disaster” for vocational schools if the DOE were to control the admissions process in that way rather than the individual schools having the control over the admissions and the consideration of the “fitness” of prospective students for the programs for which they have applied. The status of the lottery system decision will be out for public comment until 4/18 at 5:00 and for a vote on 5/20. Ms. Thomas expressed an interest in the weighting of the lottery system over the member towns and she wondered how this would impact Canton’s enrollment numbers. Ms. Rosetti does not know the impact that it would have on the Town of Canton. Mr. Mauro inquired that if the lottery process were to be implemented, would there still be a focus on programs and how might those costly programs be affected from year to year if the district could not accept applicants through a deliberate process that considered enrollment distribution for the programs offered. Ms. Rosetti does not believe the 17 existing programs, plus the one new program, would be affected by the lottery process because there is still a strong demand for vocational education. Mr. Mauro thanked Ms. Rosetti, Ms. Brilhante and Mr. Driscoll for their presentation and for their work to bring these educational options to students. The discussion with BHRTS ended at approximately 9:26 pm. FINAL FINCOM 20250312 Minutes EM MM.docx Page 6 of 11 3/14/25
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Vote – Article 20 – Appropriation for Master Plan Update - $15,000 Mr. Mauro, the chair of the Master Plan Implementation Committee (MPIC), provided background information regarding the Master Plan and the appropriation being requested to update the Action Plan. The 35-year Master Plan was adopted by the Planning Board in 2020. The Plan focuses on the following: housing, public health, social well being, Town services, economic development, workforce issues, open space and recreation, transportation, historic preservation, arts and culture, environmental protection, energy conservation and generation, adaption to natural disasters and to climate change, as well as having three additional focus areas that are Canton Junction, Route 138 corridor, and the Downtown area where many of these goals can be achieved together. Since 2021, the MPIC has been working with different stakeholders and responsible parties to help encourage the implementation of the Master Plan. There are three main items that came out of the delivered Master Plan: 1) a baseline report of existing conditions from that time (2018-2019); 2) a roadmap of different findings from the research conducted and a collection of recommended policies, goals, and principles; and 3) an Action Plan that includes specific actions for implementing the goals of the Master Plan, which also identifies responsible parties for action items and timelines for their implementation. The current Strategic Framework (an offshoot of the Action Plan) is for the first five years (2020-2025) of implementation and is reaching the end of its life. The purpose of the $15,000 request under Article 20 is to hire a consultant to look at 1) what has been accomplished under the Action Plan; 2) determine items not accomplished and identify what obstacles are preventing the incomplete action items from be completed; and 3) what new items could be added to the Action Plan for 2026-2030 to reflect changing times since the Plan’s adoption in 2020. This would help the Master Plan to continue as “a living document” with updates to the plan. The Town would go out to bid because of the request being greater than $10,000. Mr. Clough thanked Mr. Mauro for the information regarding the Master Plan. Mr. Clough spoke against the $15,000 appropriation request for the reason that the Town spends too much on feasibility studies and he questioned why the MPIC could not go through the Action plan themselves to determine what has or has not been done. Mr. Clough was concerned that the Article 20 motion only referred to the Master Plan and not to the Strategic Framework. Mr. Mauro stated that the MPIC was a volunteer committee and that it would make better sense to have professional services review the Plan especially given their technical knowledge and the experience of working with other towns. Mr. Mauro also noted that the Strategic Framework is derived from the Action Plan of the Master Plan. A motion made by Ms. Thomas that $15,000 be appropriated to be spent by the Chief Procurement Officer with the approval of the Select Board for the purpose of enabling the Planning Department to engage a consultant to perform a five (5) year review and update to the Action Plan section of the 2020 Canton Master Plan with said process to be conducted under the general supervision of the Town Planner with the advice and assistance of the Master Plan Implementation Committee and to meet this appropriation $15,000 be transferred from Free Cash (Undesignated Fund Balance) in the Treasury of the Town was seconded by Ms. Schutt. Roll Call Vote: Cindy Thomas Aye Dan Cole Aye Reuki Schutt Aye Dave Clough Nay Maureen Menconi Aye Kirstin Mirliani Aye John Leonetti Aye Emilio Mauro Aye Vote: 7-1. Mr. Mauro commented that since the vote was a split vote that if Mr. Clough wanted to write a dissenting discussion that he would be okay with that. Mr. Clough thanked Mr. Mauro. Ms. Schutt inquired that if the Finance Committee has a true split vote such as a 5-4 vote then maybe a dissenting opinion would be needed. She was concerned that if the Finance Committee has a lot of votes that are 7-1 or 6-2 there could be a lot of dissenting opinions and she is not sure if that should be the spirit of the dissenting vote to appear in the warrant article. Mr. Clough commented that the Supreme Court writes dissenting discussions if one justice opposes the majority decision and that he would be taking care of writing the discussion, so it would be his time commitment. Ms. Schutt asked if it was appropriate and is it the decision of one Committee member and is that what the Committee would like to do. Mr. Clough commented that “it sounds like tyranny” and he asked why would you not allow someone to express a dissenting opinion. 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discussion in the warrant and that based on past practice it was decided that when there was not a unanimous vote
the dissenting opinion would be integrated into the main warrant discussion, for example, that one member felt as
though too much money is being spent on feasibility studies and that the warrant discussion should reflect on what
was discussed by the Finance Committee. Ms. Thomas suggested to Mr. Clough that, should he choose to write a
discussion, he should make the Committee member who is writing the discussion know, so that the discussion can
reflect the additional perspective can be included in the Finance Committee discussion of the Article.
Mr. Mauro recalled that during the Town Meeting process that it has been common practice of the Committee to allow
members to write a discussion if they voted the opposite way from the majority and that there was not a unanimous
decision to adopt a different policy. If the purpose of the Recommendations to Town Meeting booklet is to provide the
potential Town Meeting voters with a full sense of what the Committee is recommending and what concerns members
had, then members that had alternate ideas being represented to the voters would give them a more complete picture
of what the Finance Committee discussed about the article. Unless the Committee decides on another path at some
point.
Mr. Mauro believes it would be fair to allow a dissenting Committee member to decide whether or not to write a
dissenting discussion and that such dissenting discussions should therefore be optional but allowed.
Ms. Thomas stated again that in her earlier days as a member of the Finance Committee that the Committee would
only have a dissenting discussion in the warrant if it was truly a split vote and then it would be integrated into the main
discussion. The one concern that has been brought up by voters was, and she is not suggesting that the Committee
do something different, was that proportionately some of the dissenting discussions were longer than the majority
discussions and that it was confusing to the voters.
Mr. Clough agrees with Mr. Mauro’s strategy with regard to separate dissenting discussions and that someone in the
minority should never be precluded from writing a dissenting discussion and that this is not how it is in a democracy.
Vote - Article 2, Motion 1 – Adopt Rules to Govern Town Meeting
A motion made by Ms. Schutt that this 2025 Annual Town Meeting shall meet on consecutive Monday and
Wednesday evenings in the Morse Auditorium on the grounds of the Canton High School, 900 Washington
Street, until the business of this Annual Town Meeting has been concluded, each such session to begin at 7:00
o’clock P.M. and to adjourn at 11:00 o’clock P.M., or as near that hour as may be feasible, according to the
nature of the business pending at the said hour was seconded by Ms. Thomas.
Roll Call Vote:
Cindy Thomas Aye Dan Cole Aye
Reuki Schutt Aye Dave Clough Aye
Maureen Menconi Aye Kirstin Mirliani Aye
John Leonetti Aye Emilio Mauro Aye
Vote: 8-0.
Vote – Article 2, Motion 2 – Adopt Rules to Govern Town Meeting
A motion made by Ms. Schutt that the following individuals be granted all of the rights and privileges of
participation in this Annual Town Meeting, except the right to vote, under any article of this warrant which
affects matters within their jurisdiction:
Timothy Arnold, Owner’s Project Manager, Accenture, Inc., Library Interior Project
David Buccelli, Director of Facilities
Steve Choiniere, Supervisor of Facilities and Grounds
Maura Crowley, Director of Food Services
Paul R. DeRensis, Town Counsel
Jennifer Weiss Donovan, Accenture Inc., Owner’s Senior Project Mgr., Library Interior Project
Paul Feeney, State Senator
Derek Folan, Superintendent of Schools
Josh Fogel, Director of Technology and Data Analytics
M. Regen Jamieson, Conservation Commission Agent
Louis Jutras, Information Systems Manager
Yugon Kim, Architect & Engineering Design, TSKP-IKD, Library Interior Project
Arafat Knight, Veterans’ Agent
Alfons Koka, Town Engineer
Yeshi Lamour, Principal of Luce Elementary School
Karen Lawlor, Administrative Assistant, Canton Planning Board
Brian Lynch, Director of Facilities and Grounds
FINAL FINCOM 20250312 Minutes EM MM.docx Page 8 of 11 3/14/25Source page 9
Brian Lynch, Assistant Superintendent of Finance & Operations, School Department
Stephen Lynch, Representative in Congress
Paul McKnight, Principal of Lt. Peter M. Hansen Elementary School
Jon Mulhern, Principal of Galvin Middle School
Shelley Needle, Rodman Early Childhood Coordinator
Allison Neff, Canton Community Preservation Committee Administrator
Kristen Phelps, Revere & Son Heritage Trust Administrator
Cody Pratt, Assistant Town Accountant
Tyler Radicioni, Parks & Recreation Director
Helena Rafferty, Police Chief
E. Wendell Robery, Fire Chief
Debbie Rooney, Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
Mark Roy, Executive Director, Canton Housing Authority
William Scollins, Finance Director
Sara Shaw, Director of Student Services
Julianne Shore, Director of Personnel Services
Jeffrey Sperling Principal of Canton High School
Walter Timilty, State Senator
Taylor Torres, Town Planner
Nick Trocki, Jumbo Capital, Owner of 30 Dan Road (Article 21)
Michael Trotta, Superintendent of Public Works
Diane Tynan, Director of the Department of Elder & Human Services
Saundra Watson, Principal of John F. Kennedy Elementary School
was seconded by Ms. Mirliani.
Roll Call Vote:
Cindy Thomas Aye Dan Cole Aye
Reuki Schutt Aye Dave Clough Aye
Maureen Menconi Aye Kirstin Mirliani Aye
John Leonetti Aye Emilio Mauro Aye
Vote: 8-0.
Vote – Article 2, Motion 3 – Adopt Rules to Govern Town Meeting
A motion made by Ms. Schutt that whenever during discussion under any article in this warrant during this year’s annual
town meeting, irrespective of which session such discussion is reached during the progress of the annual town meeting, a
motion is made, the effect of which is to increase the total amount to be appropriated beyond that which is recommended
by the Finance Committee or which changes the method of obtaining funds to meet that appropriation, the moderator shall
not accept such motion unless said motion also contains a corresponding decrease in another appropriation as contained
in an appropriation article on this specific warrant or a corresponding transfer from any other available funding source or
borrowing as an alternative funding source, so that the total amount to be appropriated by the town, at this town meeting,
and to be expended thereafter, for all the appropriation articles contained in this warrant, shall not in any event exceed the
total dollar amount recommended by the Finance Committee as set forth in the published Report of the Finance Committee
Recommendations as may be increased by any transfer from available funds provided, however that nothing in this motion
shall prevent an increase in appropriation funding contingent upon the passage of a Proposition 2½ override was seconded
by Ms. Menconi.
Roll Call Vote:
Cindy Thomas Aye Dan Cole Aye
Reuki Schutt Aye Dave Clough Aye
Maureen Menconi Aye Kirstin Mirliani Aye
John Leonetti Aye Emilio Mauro Aye
Vote: 8-0.
Vote – Article 15 – Recommendations of the Canton Community Preservation Committee (CCPC)
The Finance Committee decided to defer voting on Article 15 until their next meeting on March 19, 2025.
Approval of Minutes
The March 5, 2025 minutes would be considered for approval at the next meeting on March 19, 2025.
Next Meeting Date
The next Finance Committee virtual meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
FINAL FINCOM 20250312 Minutes EM MM.docx Page 9 of 11 3/14/25Source page 10
Adjournment. A motion made by Ms. Thomas to adjourn the meeting at approximately 9:53 p.m. was seconded by Ms. Schutt. Roll Call Vote: Dave Clough Aye Cindy Thomas Aye John Leonetti Aye Maureen Menconi Aye Kristin Mirliani Aye Dan Cole Aye Reuki Schutt Aye Emilio Mauro Aye Vote: 8-0. Minutes reviewed by: Maureen Menconi Respectfully submitted, ; Emuler €. Mow, Yi Emilio E. Mauro, Jr. Chair, Canton Finance Committee FINAL FINCOM 20250312 Minutes EM MM.docx Page 10 of 11 3/14/25
Source page 11
Finance Committee Meeting Documents March 12, 2025 Please note: Some meeting documents may be found on the Town’s website under the Posted Minutes section (Laser Fiche). Budget documents may also be found on the Town’s website under the Finance Committee’s page, Municipal Budget and Capital Information, Operating Budget Requests, “FY26 Municipal Budget — Dept. Requests — Jan 2025. Agenda — March 12, 2025. FY26 Budget Request information and Annual Town Meeting 2025 Article information for the following: Economic Development Committee (EDC) Report, dated May 12, 2025, provided by Gene Manning, Chair of the EDC, (8 pages.) Recommendations of the Community Preservation Committee FYf26 Funding Report for FY26 Annual Town Meeting (16 pages). 2026 Proposed Blue Hills Operating Budget and Assessments — Canton received on 3/12/25 (21 pages). Draft Motion - Article 20 — Appropriation for Master Plan Update $15,000 (1 page). Draft Motion — Article 2 — Adopt Rules to Govern Town Meeting (3 pages). Draft Motion — Article 3— Hear Reports of Committees Appointed at Prior Town Meetings (1 page). FINAL FINCOM 20250312 Minutes EM MM.docx Page 11 of 11 3/14/25