Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text
March 29, 2017, Finance Committee Meeting. Minutes
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Canton Finance Committee Minutes Voted on: 5/8/17
Meeting Minutes voce: ~-o-o
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Members Present:
Rob Barker, Jerry Dorfman, Dianne Gustafson, Cynthia Holcombe, Stephanie Leach, Tim
McKenna, Barbara Saint Andre and Cindy Thomas.
Members Absent:
Nichols Gallagher.
Guests Present:
Jim Murgia, Finance Director
Ellen Jones, Finance Committee Secretary
Opening: A meeting of the Canton Finance Committee was called to order by Chair Saint
Andre at 7:04 p.m. on Wednesday, March 29, 2017 in the Salah Meeting Room of Town Hall.
A. Approval of Agenda
Chair Saint Andre reviewed the items on the agenda: completion of voting Town Meeting
articles, review of the Finance Committee report and review of minutes.
B. Announcements
There were no announcements.
C. New Business
Finance Committee Report
Mr. Murgia informed the Committee that he had received an updated number from the School
Business Office. On page 9 and page 13 of the Finance Committee's report there is an
approximately $100,650 shift in the School Department's COLA number and steps and lanes
budget for FY18. The steps and lanes budget for FY18 increased from $331,120 to $431,770
and the COLAs number decreased from $1,037,732 to $937,083.
The Finance Committee continued to discuss the overview report. It was decided to add
clarification to the Committee's report and the "Town Finance Terminology" section regarding
the term "indefinite postponement".
The "Additional Funds" section of the report represented some additional funds with balances
greater than $100,000. Ms. Holcombe inquired about accessing a complete list of additional
funds. Mr. Murgia stated that there are over 150 funds. He also stated that a list of the major
additional funds was listed in the audited financial statements which were available on line. Mr.
Murgia stated that these financial statements would be distributed at a future meeting.
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Reopen the Vote for Article 4 —Consent Agenda —The Board of Selectmen had recommended that the Consent Agenda include Article 14 (Approval of Funding for the 4`h of J uly Community Celebration). A motion made by Mr. Barker to reopen the vote on Article 4(Consent Agenda) was seconded by Mr. Dorfman. Vote: 8-0-0. A motion made by Mr. Barker to add Article 14(Approval of Funding for the 4th of July Community Celebration) to Article 4(Consent Agenda) was seconded by Mr. Dorfman. Vote: 8-0-0. A motion made by Mr. McKenna to add Articles 40 and 41 (Street Acceptances - Cedarcrest Road Extension and Beatrice Way as Town Ways)to Article 4(Consent Agenda) was seconded by Mr. Barker). Vote: 8-0-0. There was discussion about adding Article 26 (Appropriation to Supplement Chapter 90 Roads Program) to Article 4(Consent Agenda). Ms. Gustafson and Chair Saint Andre spoke against this being added to the Consent Agenda. There was no vote taken on this change. A motion made by Mr. Barker to add Article 57(Amend General By-Laws, Sec. 24 Canton Alliance Against Substance Abuse)to Article 4(Consent Agenda) was seconded by Ms. Holcombe. Vote: 8-0-0. Chair Saint Andre stated that the Moderator had suggested to her that as many articles as possible be included in the Consent Agenda so that it would be in the printed copy that is mailed to residents. This would help alleviate any confusion on the day of Town Meeting as in the past when substitute motions were presented on the day of the meeting. Apre-meeting for Town Meeting would be taking place on Thursday, March 30, at which time the Consent Agenda would be discussed among key players in the Town Meeting process. A motion made by Mr. McKenna that the Chair, the Finance Director and the Finance Committee Secretary be authorized to place any additional articles in the Consent Agenda on behalf of the Finance Committee which are agreed upon at the pre-town meeting was seconded by Mr. Barker. Vote: 8-0-0. The Committee continued its review of the discussions in the warrant book and made changes to various discussions. D. Other Business/Open Issues Article 10 Motion 3 - $56,675.04 Transfer Unexpended Prior Year Appropriations — A Finance Committee member inquired about this transfer. Mr. Murgia explained that this $56,675.04 transfer was related to a Mechanic Street project change order that triggered a need for funds. There were funds leftover in a water main project that was complete. A comment was made that this represented a 2% change on a $2.6 million project. Article 12 Motion 5 — A member inquired about the $181,000 breathing apparatus borrowing request. Mr. Murgia stated that the grant has been delayed until June. If the grant is approved after the borrowing has been approved at Town Meeting, the $181,000 can be rescinded at next year's Town Meeting. FWCOM 20170329 Minutes Page 2of4 4/2/17
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E. Approval of Minutes
A motion made by Mr. McKenna to approve the minutes as written for March 16, 2017
was seconded by Ms. Holcombe. Vote: 5-0-3. Mr. Barker, Mr. Dorfman and Ms. Gustafson
abstained from the vote.
A motion made by Mr. McKenna to approve the minutes as written for March 20, 2017
was seconded by Ms. Holcombe. Vote: 8-0-0.
The minutes for March 22 would be held for approval at a future meeting.
F. Next Meeting Date: Chair Saint Andre suggested the Finance Committee Secretary
seek meeting space and schedule tentative meetings for Wednesday, April 12, and Wednesday,
April 26.
Adjournment: A motion made by Ms. Leach to adjourn the meeting at 9:40 p.m. was
seconded by Mr. McKenna. Vote: 8-0-0.
Minutes reviewed by: Rob Barker
Respectfully submitted,
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1 , ~
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Bar~ar~-Saint Andre
Chair,.Canton Finance Committee
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Canton Finance Committee Meeting
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Meeting Documents
Please note: These meeting documents may also be found on the Town's website under the
Posted Minutes section (Laser Fiche).
Agenda (1 page).
Draft of Finance Committee Report, as of 3/27/17 (12 pages).
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