Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text
April 07, 2021, Finance Committee Meeting - Virtual Meeting. Minutes
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Source page 1
Minutes Voted on: 4/14/21
Canton Finance Committee Vote: 7-0-1
801 Washington Street
Canton, MA 02021
Meeting Minutes
April 7, 2021
Finance Committee Members Present: David Clough, Dan Cole, Emilio Mauro, Tim McKenna, Reuki Schutt, Tom
Theodore, Cindy Thomas and Wai Wong.
Finance Committee Members Absent: Rob Barker.
Guests Present:
Ellen Jones, Finance Committee Secretary
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
Article 7 Motion 1 – Set Salary of Town Clerk - Discussion
A motion made by Ms. Thomas to recommend an FY22 annual salary of $97,749 for the Town Clerk was
seconded by Mr. Mauro. The 2% salary increase for this position is being budgeted in Department #910 which is
reserved for contract increases. The electorate or Town Meeting sets the salary for elected officials.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Wong Aye Mr. Cole Aye
Mr. Theodore Aye Mr. Clough Aye
Ms. Schutt Aye Ms. Thomas Aye
Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. McKenna Aye
The motion passed 8-0-0.
Article 7 Motion 2 –Set Salaries of Elected Officials - Discussion
There are no salary increases being recommended for the Board of Assessors, Board of Health and Select Board.
Elected Officials that receive compensation are eligible to be on the Town’s insurances . Ms. Thomas commented
that Town Counsel had advised them in the past that these salaries could not be grandfathered out.
Ms. Schutt stated that for now the Finance Committee could approve these salaries but that a request to the Select
Board to appoint a committee to review and investigate historical rationale and equity among these elected officials’
stipends is recommended for further discussion at ATM 2022.
A motion made by Ms. Schutt to recommend FY22 annual salaries for all part-time elected officials as
follows:
Board of Assessors $2,400.00, for each member
Board of Health $600.00, for each member
Select Board $1,400.00, for each member, with an additional
$200.00 to chairperson
Planning Board $0.00
School Committee $0.00
Library Trustees $0.00
was seconded by Ms. Thomas. Ms. Schutt volunteered to take on the review over the next few months of the random
and arbitrary salaries of these elected officials. Ms. Thomas agreed that this should be studied and perhaps a different
approach in next year’s budget. Town Counsel would be contacted to see if the elected officials with zero salaries
could be removed from the motion.
FINCOM 20210407 Minutes.docx Page 1 of 5 4/11/21Source page 2
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Wong Aye Mr. Cole Aye
Mr. Theodore Aye Mr. Clough Aye
Ms. Schutt Aye Ms. Thomas Aye
Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. McKenna Aye
The motion passed 8-0-0.
Article 4 – Consent Agenda – Discussion – The Consent Agenda was to be discussed at the Pre-ATM Planning
Meeting on April 8. Chair McKenna and Ms. Thomas will attend the virtual meeting. Chair McKenna explained that
the Moderator has a say in which articles will be included in the Consent Agenda.
The reason within the Consent Agenda for Article 24 (Removal of Weeds & Nuisance Vegetation at Old Shephard’s
Pond) would be changed from “Not needed at this time” to “Alternate Funding Available”. Mr. Scollins explained that
the Conservation Commission has a fund that is allowed by law to be segregated from General Fund receipts. This
fund has an approximate balance of $40,000 of which $25,000 would be used to purchase a vehicle for the
Conservation Agent. Some of the remaining balance will be available for weed removal.
Chair McKenna recommended that the Finance Committee hold off on taking a vote on Article 4 Consent Agenda
until the next meeting on April 14.
Article 42 Motion - Transfers Available Funds
A motion made by Mr. Mauro recommend for FY22 the transfer of $2,871,011 funds from various sources to
fund the general operating budget was seconded by Mr. Clough.
Vote to Transfer Available Funds
WITH A VOTE THAT $2,871,011 BE TRANSFERRED AS FOLLOWS:
TRANSFER FROM AMOUNT PURPOSE
AMBULANCE SERVICE $1,000,000 FIRE DEPARTMENT
WATER ENTERPRISE FUND 660,999 FIXED COSTS
SEWER ENTERPRISE FUND 402,613 FIXED COSTS
SOLAR FACILITY 374,659 TOWN-WIDE ELECTRICITY
AMBULANCE SERVICE 258,530 DEBT SERVICE
DENTAL INSURANCE TRUST 100,000 DENTAL INSURANCE COSTS
GREENLODGE STREET PARKING FEES 35,000 EXECUTIVE OFFICE
RINK ENTERPRISE FUND 14,829 FIXED COSTS
SALE OF LOTS/GRAVES 10,000 CEMETERY MAINTENANCE
BOND PREMIUM FUND 9,381 DEBT SERVICE
CEMETERY PERPETUAL CARE (EXPENDABLE) 5,000 CEMETERY MAINTENANCE
SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE 0
TOTAL $2,871,011
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Wong Aye Mr. Cole Aye
Mr. Theodore Aye Mr. Clough Aye
Ms. Schutt Aye Ms. Thomas Aye
Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. McKenna Aye
The motion passed 8-0-0.
Article 42 Motion 2 – FY22 Operating Budgets
A motion made by Mr. Mauro to recommend an FY22 School Department Operating Budget of $47,792,662
was seconded by Ms. Thomas. Mr. Wong inquired about the remaining approximately $127,000 shortfall in the
School Department operating budget. Mr. Scollins stated that the School Department will be meeting on April 8 and
will most likely vote the target budget recommended by the Finance Committee.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Wong Aye Mr. Cole Aye
Mr. Theodore Aye Mr. Clough Aye
Ms. Schutt Aye Ms. Thomas Aye
Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. McKenna Aye
The motion passed 8-0-0.
FINCOM 20210407 Minutes.docx Page 2 of 5 4/11/21Source page 3
A motion made by Mr. Mauro to recommend an FY22 Municipal Departments’ Operating Budget of $23,618,027 was seconded by Mr. Wong. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Wong Aye Mr. Cole Aye Mr. Theodore Aye Mr. Clough Aye Ms. Schutt Aye Ms. Thomas Aye Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. McKenna Aye The motion passed 8-0-0. A motion made by Mr. Mauro to recommend an FY22 Fixed Costs Budget of $32,161,949 was seconded by Ms. Thomas. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Wong Aye Mr. Cole Aye Mr. Theodore Aye Mr. Clough Aye Ms. Schutt Aye Ms. Thomas Aye Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. McKenna Aye The motion passed 8-0-0. A motion made by Mr. Mauro to recommend an FY22 Rink Enterprise Budget of $390,620 was seconded by Ms. Thomas. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Wong Aye Mr. Cole Aye Mr. Theodore Aye Mr. Clough Aye Ms. Schutt Aye Ms. Thomas Aye Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. McKenna Aye The motion passed 8-0-0. A motion made by Mr. Mauro to recommend an FY22 Sewer Enterprise Budget of $6,650,517 was seconded by Mr. Wong. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Wong Aye Mr. Cole Aye Mr. Theodore Aye Mr. Clough Aye Ms. Schutt Aye Ms. Thomas Aye Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. McKenna Aye The motion passed 8-0-0. A motion made by Mr. Mauro to recommend an FY22 Water Enterprise Budget of $7,885,870 was seconded by Mr. Wong. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Wong Aye Mr. Cole Aye Mr. Theodore Aye Mr. Clough Aye Ms. Schutt Aye Ms. Thomas Aye Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. McKenna Aye The motion passed 8-0-0. Other Business Chair McKenna suggested to the Committee members to send the Article discussions to the Finance Committee Secretary by the end of the day on Sunday, April 11. Mr. Scollins will distribute the Finance Committee Report in the next week or two. Mr. Scollins stated that Mr. Clough had raised some excellent points regarding the Special Tax Agreement with Emergent BioSolutions under Article 28 and that a discussion should be continued with Mr. Manning. The Finance Committee Secretary would invite Mr. Manning to the next Finance Committee meeting on April 14. FINCOM 20210407 Minutes.docx Page 3 of 5 4/11/21
Source page 4
Mr. Cole requested Mr. Scollins update the Revenue Forecast. Mr. Scollins did not have any new information to report on stimulus funds. Approval of Minutes – There were no minutes approved at the meeting. Next Meeting Date – The next Finance Committee meeting will take place via remote on April 14, 2021. Adjournment - A motion made by Mr. Wong to adjourn the meeting at 8:18 p.m. was seconded by Mr. Cole. Roll Call Vote: Mr. McKenna Aye Mr. Mauro Aye Ms. Thomas Aye Ms. Schutt Aye Mr. Clough Aye Mr. Theodore Aye Mr. Cole Aye Mr. Wong Aye The motion passed 8-0-0. Minutes reviewed by: Dave Clough Respectfully submitted, Timothy McKenna Chair, Canton Finance Committee FINCOM 20210407 Minutes.docx Page 4 of 5 4/11/21
Source page 5
Canton Finance Committee Meeting
April 7, 2021
Please note: Some meeting documents may be found on the Town’s website under the Posted Minutes
section (Laser Fiche).
Agenda for April 7, 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
Operating Budget by Voting Category (2 pages).
FINCOM 20210407 Minutes.docx Page 5 of 5 4/11/21Source page 6
Minutes Voted on: 4/14/21
Canton Finance Committee Vote: 7-0-1
801 Washington Street
Canton, MA 02021
Meeting Minutes
April 7, 2021
Finance Committee Members Present: David Clough, Dan Cole, Emilio Mauro, Tim McKenna, Reuki Schutt, Tom
Theodore, Cindy Thomas and Wai Wong.
Finance Committee Members Absent: Rob Barker.
Guests Present:
Ellen Jones, Finance Committee Secretary
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
Article 7 Motion 1 – Set Salary of Town Clerk - Discussion
A motion made by Ms. Thomas to recommend an FY22 annual salary of $97,749 for the Town Clerk was
seconded by Mr. Mauro. The 2% salary increase for this position is being budgeted in Department #910 which is
reserved for contract increases. The electorate or Town Meeting sets the salary for elected officials.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Wong Aye Mr. Cole Aye
Mr. Theodore Aye Mr. Clough Aye
Ms. Schutt Aye Ms. Thomas Aye
Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. McKenna Aye
The motion passed 8-0-0.
Article 7 Motion 2 –Set Salaries of Elected Officials - Discussion
There are no salary increases being recommended for the Board of Assessors, Board of Health and Select Board.
Elected Officials that receive compensation are eligible to be on the Town’s insurances . Ms. Thomas commented
that Town Counsel had advised them in the past that these salaries could not be grandfathered out.
Ms. Schutt stated that for now the Finance Committee could approve these salaries but that a request to the Select
Board to appoint a committee to review and investigate historical rationale and equity among these elected officials’
stipends is recommended for further discussion at ATM 2022.
A motion made by Ms. Schutt to recommend FY22 annual salaries for all part-time elected officials as
follows:
Board of Assessors $2,400.00, for each member
Board of Health $600.00, for each member
Select Board $1,400.00, for each member, with an additional
$200.00 to chairperson
Planning Board $0.00
School Committee $0.00
Library Trustees $0.00
was seconded by Ms. Thomas. Ms. Schutt volunteered to take on the review over the next few months of the random
and arbitrary salaries of these elected officials. Ms. Thomas agreed that this should be studied and perhaps a different
approach in next year’s budget. Town Counsel would be contacted to see if the elected officials with zero salaries
could be removed from the motion.
FINCOM 20210407 Minutes.docx Page 1 of 5 4/11/21Source page 7
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Wong Aye Mr. Cole Aye
Mr. Theodore Aye Mr. Clough Aye
Ms. Schutt Aye Ms. Thomas Aye
Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. McKenna Aye
The motion passed 8-0-0.
Article 4 – Consent Agenda – Discussion – The Consent Agenda was to be discussed at the Pre-ATM Planning
Meeting on April 8. Chair McKenna and Ms. Thomas will attend the virtual meeting. Chair McKenna explained that
the Moderator has a say in which articles will be included in the Consent Agenda.
The reason within the Consent Agenda for Article 24 (Removal of Weeds & Nuisance Vegetation at Old Shephard’s
Pond) would be changed from “Not needed at this time” to “Alternate Funding Available”. Mr. Scollins explained that
the Conservation Commission has a fund that is allowed by law to be segregated from General Fund receipts. This
fund has an approximate balance of $40,000 of which $25,000 would be used to purchase a vehicle for the
Conservation Agent. Some of the remaining balance will be available for weed removal.
Chair McKenna recommended that the Finance Committee hold off on taking a vote on Article 4 Consent Agenda
until the next meeting on April 14.
Article 42 Motion - Transfers Available Funds
A motion made by Mr. Mauro recommend for FY22 the transfer of $2,871,011 funds from various sources to
fund the general operating budget was seconded by Mr. Clough.
Vote to Transfer Available Funds
WITH A VOTE THAT $2,871,011 BE TRANSFERRED AS FOLLOWS:
TRANSFER FROM AMOUNT PURPOSE
AMBULANCE SERVICE $1,000,000 FIRE DEPARTMENT
WATER ENTERPRISE FUND 660,999 FIXED COSTS
SEWER ENTERPRISE FUND 402,613 FIXED COSTS
SOLAR FACILITY 374,659 TOWN-WIDE ELECTRICITY
AMBULANCE SERVICE 258,530 DEBT SERVICE
DENTAL INSURANCE TRUST 100,000 DENTAL INSURANCE COSTS
GREENLODGE STREET PARKING FEES 35,000 EXECUTIVE OFFICE
RINK ENTERPRISE FUND 14,829 FIXED COSTS
SALE OF LOTS/GRAVES 10,000 CEMETERY MAINTENANCE
BOND PREMIUM FUND 9,381 DEBT SERVICE
CEMETERY PERPETUAL CARE (EXPENDABLE) 5,000 CEMETERY MAINTENANCE
SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE 0
TOTAL $2,871,011
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Wong Aye Mr. Cole Aye
Mr. Theodore Aye Mr. Clough Aye
Ms. Schutt Aye Ms. Thomas Aye
Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. McKenna Aye
The motion passed 8-0-0.
Article 42 Motion 2 – FY22 Operating Budgets
A motion made by Mr. Mauro to recommend an FY22 School Department Operating Budget of $47,792,662
was seconded by Ms. Thomas. Mr. Wong inquired about the remaining approximately $127,000 shortfall in the
School Department operating budget. Mr. Scollins stated that the School Department will be meeting on April 8 and
will most likely vote the target budget recommended by the Finance Committee.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Wong Aye Mr. Cole Aye
Mr. Theodore Aye Mr. Clough Aye
Ms. Schutt Aye Ms. Thomas Aye
Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. McKenna Aye
The motion passed 8-0-0.
FINCOM 20210407 Minutes.docx Page 2 of 5 4/11/21Source page 8
A motion made by Mr. Mauro to recommend an FY22 Municipal Departments’ Operating Budget of $23,618,027 was seconded by Mr. Wong. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Wong Aye Mr. Cole Aye Mr. Theodore Aye Mr. Clough Aye Ms. Schutt Aye Ms. Thomas Aye Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. McKenna Aye The motion passed 8-0-0. A motion made by Mr. Mauro to recommend an FY22 Fixed Costs Budget of $32,161,949 was seconded by Ms. Thomas. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Wong Aye Mr. Cole Aye Mr. Theodore Aye Mr. Clough Aye Ms. Schutt Aye Ms. Thomas Aye Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. McKenna Aye The motion passed 8-0-0. A motion made by Mr. Mauro to recommend an FY22 Rink Enterprise Budget of $390,620 was seconded by Ms. Thomas. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Wong Aye Mr. Cole Aye Mr. Theodore Aye Mr. Clough Aye Ms. Schutt Aye Ms. Thomas Aye Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. McKenna Aye The motion passed 8-0-0. A motion made by Mr. Mauro to recommend an FY22 Sewer Enterprise Budget of $6,650,517 was seconded by Mr. Wong. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Wong Aye Mr. Cole Aye Mr. Theodore Aye Mr. Clough Aye Ms. Schutt Aye Ms. Thomas Aye Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. McKenna Aye The motion passed 8-0-0. A motion made by Mr. Mauro to recommend an FY22 Water Enterprise Budget of $7,885,870 was seconded by Mr. Wong. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Wong Aye Mr. Cole Aye Mr. Theodore Aye Mr. Clough Aye Ms. Schutt Aye Ms. Thomas Aye Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. McKenna Aye The motion passed 8-0-0. Other Business Chair McKenna suggested to the Committee members to send the Article discussions to the Finance Committee Secretary by the end of the day on Sunday, April 11. Mr. Scollins will distribute the Finance Committee Report in the next week or two. Mr. Scollins stated that Mr. Clough had raised some excellent points regarding the Special Tax Agreement with Emergent BioSolutions under Article 28 and that a discussion should be continued with Mr. Manning. The Finance Committee Secretary would invite Mr. Manning to the next Finance Committee meeting on April 14. FINCOM 20210407 Minutes.docx Page 3 of 5 4/11/21
Source page 9
Mr. Cole requested Mr. Scollins update the Revenue Forecast. Mr. Scollins did not have any new information to report on stimulus funds. Approval of Minutes – There were no minutes approved at the meeting. Next Meeting Date – The next Finance Committee meeting will take place via remote on April 14, 2021. Adjournment - A motion made by Mr. Wong to adjourn the meeting at 8:18 p.m. was seconded by Mr. Cole. Roll Call Vote: Mr. McKenna Aye Mr. Mauro Aye Ms. Thomas Aye Ms. Schutt Aye Mr. Clough Aye Mr. Theodore Aye Mr. Cole Aye Mr. Wong Aye The motion passed 8-0-0. Minutes reviewed by: Dave Clough Respectfully submitted, Timothy McKenna Chair, Canton Finance Committee FINCOM 20210407 Minutes.docx Page 4 of 5 4/11/21
Source page 10
Canton Finance Committee Meeting
April 7, 2021
Please note: Some meeting documents may be found on the Town’s website under the Posted Minutes
section (Laser Fiche).
Agenda for April 7, 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
Operating Budget by Voting Category (2 pages).
FINCOM 20210407 Minutes.docx Page 5 of 5 4/11/21