Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text
Canton Annual Town Report — 2024
Saved text from 144 source pages. Transcription and OCR may contain errors; verify figures and wording against the original. Retrieved 2026-10-18.
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it right. The more we practice, the more muscle memory we develop. The safety of the youth in our schools and that of people in other
spaces, is one of the most important missions of the Canton Police Department. Trainings like this are incredibly useful tools that we
are committed to continuing at a different venue/school on a yearly basis.
Additionally, on November 18th, the audit of the Canton Police Department, as voted by Town Meeting in November of 2023, began.
The company, Five Stones Intelligence, was chosen by the audit committee that was selected in March of 2024. The committee
compiled an extensive scope for the audit and since it has begun, much time has been dedicated to working with the professionals
contracted to ensure they have access to everything they need to complete this task by the April 1, 2025 deadline. As I stated
repetitively in both 2023 and 2024, the men and women of the Canton Police Department have welcomed the scrutiny of the audit. We
embrace the opportunity to enact any positive transformations that may come about. Ultimately, we are confident that this audit will
help to restore fractured trust for those residents who have lost faith in their police department and underscore what other residents
have believed all along, Canton has a great police department.
We were reaccredited (this occurs every three years) as an organization in June of 2024. In October, we successfully completed our
annual evidence audit. Deputy Chief Sherrill received grant funding for traffic enforcement ($25,530) and the continuation of the
mental health program ($150,000), which funds our clinician. I sought out additional grant funding and was awarded $100,000 toward
the purchase of our body worn cameras and another $212,000 to offset shift coverage and training costs.
The trial of Commonwealth vs. Read began April 16th in Dedham Superior Court. Read is charged with 2nd degree murder in the
death of her Boston Police boyfriend, John O’Keefe. The trial lasted over two months ending in a mistrial in July of 2024. In February
2025 the department received word from the US Attorney’s Office that “ALL ASPECTS of the federal investigation, initiated by her
(Leah Foley’s) predecessor and related to the death of John O’Keefe, have been completed. The investigation is no longer active and
will be closed.” The new trial is slated to begin in April of 2025.
Rod Matthews was awarded parole in the fall of 2024 Mr. Matthews was responsible for the 1986 baseball bat killing of his 14-yr. old
classmate, Shaun Ouillette in November of that year. He was the first juvenile charged as an adult in Massachusetts. After 37 years of
incarceration and 4 previous parole attempts, he is slated to be back out in public this coming year.
Crime Information
Beyond the well-being checks and mental health responses, traffic stops, mandated training, community group discussions, school
presence and plethora of other roles that come with this profession, the women and men of the Canton Police Department handled
8928 calls for service to include weapons violations, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, response to domestic violence (one
of the deadliest calls for officers), drug offenses, breaking and entering in progress, illegal firearm possession, illicit drug
investigations-some involving deadly fentanyl and many cases of intense and appalling witness intimidation, borne from the Comm.
vs. Read case.
The Year Ahead
It is my third year in the role as your Chief of Police. To say it has been a unique experience thus far, would be an understatement. I
have come to truly appreciate the wisdom I have gained over my years in law enforcement and those in this profession who have
imparted such important lessons. Both have helped me to navigate and lead our officers and many in our community, over this bumpy
road we have travelled the last couple of years. I think it can be fairly stated, that unless you put this uniform on day after day and
make it your career, you cannot truly speak to the phrase “best practices.” Policing is such a unique profession and every
incident/encounter is distinct in its presentation. We deal with people at the worst, saddest, most vulnerable times of their life and
there is no “one size fits all” response that works for everyone and everything. It is the years of being in the profession that guide us
in determining the best direction for each specific case. As the saying goes, “knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. wisdom is
knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.”
These past two years have given us examples of the worst of humanity. Please remember to use some of the 1440 minutes you have
each day to offset that fact and make a positive difference in someone’s life. Deposit into their ATM-giving them your Attention and
Time to let them know they Matter. Be the example we want our children to emulate!
In closing, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to all the residents, partners, business owners, town officials and the incomparable
members of our department, for all your support and commitment over the past couple of years. There is no doubt that together we
have faced challenges, celebrated successes, and continued to make our community a safer, stronger place. As we look ahead, the
officers of this department remain committed to serving our community with the Courage, Professionalism and Dedication (CPD)
they have always exhibited.
“Life’s storms will come, but resilience is not just about enduring them-it’s about rising above, shining through, and guiding others.
Don’t just weather the storm; be the beacon. The real test is not how well you survive the chaos, but how you lead, inspire and
illuminate the path for others when the skies are darkest.”
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In Service, Helena Rafferty, Police Chief
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Report of theSource page 42
In Service, Helena Rafferty, Police Chief
Report of the
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Michael Trotta, Superintendent of Public Works 801 Washington St.
William Walsh, Operations Manager Canton, MA 02021
Alfons Koka, Town Engineer Administrative Office & Engineering Division
Larry Bogue, Highway Supervisor Lower Level – 781-821-5023
Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
dpwdeptheads@town.canton.ma.us
Chris Sykes, Water & Sewer Supervisor Water Division Administration
Michael Jerrier, Water & Sewer Billing Coordinator Second Floor – 781-821-5017
Hours: 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM
It is the mission of the Public Works Department to ensure the value of and maintenance of the existing infrastructure of the Town of
Canton as well as to promote an investment in its future, thereby providing for the health and well being of its Citizens.
The Public Works Department, acting through the Superintendent and Managers, will provide these services in a cost effective,
responsive, and accountable manner, according to generally accepted municipal standards. The services will be provided with a
commitment to constant improvement.
ADMINISTRATION DIVISION
The Administration Division provides centralized administrative and management support for Public Works. Its activities include
managing customer service requests, business accounts, payroll, and information processing.
The Administration Division handled 6,241 phone inquiries; issued 1,875 Yard Waste Stickers, processed 6,240 invoices, created 976
service requests, issued 247 mattress / box spring receipts.
HIGHWAY & MAINTENANCE DIVISION
The Highway & Maintenance Division is responsible for the upkeep of Town roads, sidewalks, trees, drains, the Canton Corner
Cemetery, and the maintenance of all equipment. Its activities include sweeping streets, repairing or reconstructing roads and
sidewalks, providing winter maintenance, cleaning catch basins on all public streets, and repairing both Public Works and other Town
owned vehicles and equipment.
The Highway & Maintenance Division coordinated surface improvements on 5.6 miles of streets including, but not limited to
Washington St., through Canton Center, Church St., and Dedham St.
The Division also completed rehabilitation of Downtown Crosswalks, installation of the Serenity Garden at the Armando Center, and
construction of Handicap Parking at St. Gerard voting station.
The Division closed out 2,754 work orders generated from scheduled maintenance and customer service requests.
All streets were swept five times. 36 Catch basins were repaired, 131 were cleaned.
Streets were sanded or plowed 9 times. Winter storms totaled 11.5 inches. The largest snow fall was 5-inches falling January 5,2024.
ENGINEERING DIVISION
The Engineering Division provides technical support and project co-ordination for the Department as well as for other Town Boards
and agencies. The Division manages funds received through the State’s Chapter 90 Program, also inspects and approves contract and
private work that add to the infrastructure of the Town.
During the year the Engineering Division completed several major efforts including the design and installation of traffic calming
islands on Dedham St., obtained professional design services and awarded the winning bid for the construction of traffic lights at the
intersection of Randolph and York Sts., designed and awarded the bid for the replacement of the Elm St. Culvert and retaining wall,
worked with MassDOT on the design and permitting of Revere Ct. Bridge, aided the Federal Rail Administration and MBTA with the
traffic study at Washington St. MBTA Station. Explored design concepts for the Old Randolph and Randolph St. intersection.
The Division issued 46 water permits, 45 sewer permits, 190 trench
40permits, 107 street excavation permits, processed $1,730,000 in
roadway improvements.
WATER SEWER DIVISION
The Water Sewer Division is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Town’s water and sanitary sewer systems. The
Division provides safe clean drinking water from eight Town wells and the MWRA. Sanitary waste is removed through the sewer
system and transferred to the MWRA interceptor and then to Deer Island treatment facility.
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The Division processed 30,244 water sewer bills, handled 1,613 water, 156
sewer service requests, completed 135 water meter installation and water meter service calls. Repaired 33 water breaks.Source page 43
The Division issued 46 water permits, 45 sewer permits, 190 trench permits, 107 street excavation permits, processed $1,730,000 in
roadway improvements.
WATER SEWER DIVISION
The Water Sewer Division is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Town’s water and sanitary sewer systems. The
Division provides safe clean drinking water from eight Town wells and the MWRA. Sanitary waste is removed through the sewer
system and transferred to the MWRA interceptor and then to Deer Island treatment facility.
The Division processed 30,244 water sewer bills, handled 1,613 water, 156
sewer service requests, completed 135 water meter installation and water meter service calls. Repaired 33 water breaks.
Water Sewer Division produced 368 MG from the Moran and Sullivan Treatment Facilities and bought 538 MG from the MWRA for
calendar year 2024.
Through D & C Construction the Division completed the Granular Activated Charcoal Addition to the Moran WTP at Pecunit St.
Under Contract No. 3 C. Naughton installed 3,382 l.f. of water main and 1,830 l.f. of service pipe. Work was begun on the Federal
and State required Lead Service Inventory.
On the sewer side 19,090 l.f. of sewer main was lined by Insituform Corp. This work was undertaken to reduce extraneous ground
water flow into sewer mains.
Reflection
Public Works congratulates Gary Armando for 30 years, James Marshall, Charles Lenhart, Dave McDonald, Dan Ouzounian, Toby
Cibotti for 25 years, Josh Gittings for 5 years of service. Our success is built upon their commitment and effort.
We welcomed 6 new employees to the Public Works roster: Mary Kjelgaard, Manuel Morales, Michael O’Brien, Brooke Cleathero,
Charles Sayers, James Sullivan.
The Department congratulates and thanks Pat Cawley and Richard Conor on their retirement.
Respectfully Submitted, Michael Trotta, Superintendent of Public Works
Report of the
NORFOLK COUNTY REGISTRY OF DEEDS
William P. O’Donnell, Register 649 High Street, Dedham, MA 02026
This past year saw some enhancements to the resources available to the public at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds as well as
some significant Registry milestones. In the spring and summer of 2024, we were pleased to bring the Registry of Deeds office hours
and talks as part of our Community Outreach Program to nearly every Norfolk County community. Also, in June 2024 The Registry
opened its new Genealogy Research and Resource Center. This center is open and available to the public at the Registry of Deeds
Building located at 649 High Street in Dedham. There are research tools including Ancestry.com available for those interested in
genealogical research.
The Registry office hours were held in various town halls in communities throughout Norfolk County, bringing the Registry of Deeds
directly to the residents. My outreach team and I assisted residents in locating their property records and provided them with certified
copies of land documents, such as deeds and mortgage discharges. We were also able to take documents that needed to be recorded
back to the Registry of Deeds in Dedham, saving many individuals a trip to our main office. Our most common comment from
residents was how convenient it is for them to get Registry of Deeds services without needing to travel outside of town. One of our
missions is to bring the Registry records and services to the communities of Norfolk County.
Under the Registry of Deeds’ “History Comes Alive” program, the Genealogy Research and Resource Center was created, a new
resource offering a dedicated bank of computers available for free genealogical use to the public. The genealogical workstations at the
Registry contain the popular databases Ancestry.com and American Ancestors. These databases are accessible to help residents
discover their roots by gaining access to records across the world, wherever their families may originate. The information available
includes census records, marriage records, draft cards, and prison records.
The Registry of Deeds is the principal office for real property records in Norfolk County. The Registry receives and records hundreds
of thousands of documents annually. It houses more than 13.1 million land documents dating back to 1793. These land documents and
the integrated Registry indexes to these land documents, are available to the public for on-line research at www.norfolkdeeds.org. The
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Registry is a primary and indispensable resource for title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipal officials, homeowners, title
examiners, real estate attorneys, genealogists, and others with a need for land record information.
The Registry operates under my supervision and management as the elected Register. I have held the position since 2002. In
continuous operation dating back to President George Washington’s administration, the Registry’s mission has remained the same: to
maintain and provide for accurate, reliable, and accessible land records to all residents and businesses of Norfolk County. The
modernization initiatives implemented during my administration have created a sound business operation oriented toward quality
customer service at the Norfolk Registry of Deeds.
2024 Norfolk County Registry of Deeds Achievements
• The Registry of Deeds Customer Service and Copy Center continues to provide residents and businesses with quality service.
These requests included the filing of Homesteads, accessing deeds, verifying recorded property documents and assisting
those in need of obtaining a mortgage discharge notice. Customers can contact the Customer Service and Copy Center at 781-
461-6101, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:30AM to 4:30PM. Folks in need of services from our Customer
Service Center can also come by the Registry of Deeds Building located at 649 High Street in downtown Dedham across
from the gold domed Norfolk Superior Court.
• In calendar year 2024, the Registry collected approximately 54.3 million dollars in revenue. Out of that money, more than
$48.5 million was apportioned to the Commonwealth and more than $5.7 million was disbursed to Norfolk County
in the form of deeds excise taxes and recording fees and surcharges. Of that money in accordance with M.G.L. Ch. 64D Sect.
12(a) not less than 40 percent shall be disbursed and expended for the automation, modernization and operation of the
registries of deeds. There was collected $4,934,850 pursuant to the Community Preservation Act (CPA).
• The Registry of Deeds continues to address legislative issues to benefit consumers. In 2025, we will continue to advocate for
filed legislation that accomplishes mortgage transparency by requiring mortgage assignments be recorded at the appropriate
Registry of Deeds in a timely manner.
• This year saw a record number of electronic recording filers, approximately 2,906. The Registry recorded more than 67,600
documents electronically, accounting for nearly 80% of all recorded land records.
• Norfolk Registry of Deeds was the first registry in Massachusetts to electronically record registered land documents. This
started in the Land Court section of the Registry of Deeds in 2017. Electronic recording was crucial in remaining operational
during the coronavirus pandemic. Initially, the percentage of registered land documents recorded electronically was 15%. The
percentage of registered land documents recorded via electronic recording has now grown to 70%. This technology alone
brought in more than $47 million.
• In 2024, we shelved Registry of Deeds Book 42162 At the end of 2024, we were processing the documents for Book 42189.
These books house land records dating back to 1793 and are available for public research. For the sake of security and
redundancy, we store our documents in three different ways: hard copy, electronically, and by microfiche. There is a state law
mandating that recorded documents be microfilmed.
• In calendar year 2024, the Registry processed more than 10,000 Homestead applications. The law, Mass General Law
Chapter 188, provides limited protection of one’s primary residence against unsecured creditor claims.
• The internet library of images, accessible to the public through the Registry of Deeds’ online research system at
www.norfolkdeeds.org continues to expand. Today, all documents dating back to the first ones recorded in 1793 are available
for viewing.
• Our website includes a genealogy page and a section highlighting land records of notable people – United States Presidents,
military heroes, noted authors, and leaders in their fields of education, the environment, and the law.
• The Registry’s website www.norfolkdeeds.org routinely updates the public on such news as real estate statistics, answers to
frequently asked questions, along with detailing of our consumer programs. Additionally, we also write a monthly column for
various Norfolk County newspapers and their online websites. We also distribute a weekly information release to alert
residents of the latest happenings as well as to remind them of our consumer services.
• The Registry’s free Consumer Notification Service allows any county resident to opt in to this free notification service and be
alerted when any land document – fraudulent or otherwise – is recorded against their name. Over 2,100 Norfolk County
residents have signed up for this free service. For more information, please see our website at: www.norfolkdeeds.org.
• In 2024 we continued our partnerships with, among others, Interfaith Social Services of Quincy, Father Bill’s & MainSpring
of Quincy, the Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System Voluntary Service Program, Needham Community Council,
Circle of Hope in Needham, United Parish’s Thrifty Threads, St. Vincent de Paul in Plainville, St. Francis House in Boston,
Suits and Smiles in Jamaica Plain, InnerCity Weightlifting, New Life Furniture Bank of Massachusetts in Walpole, The
Office of Youth Employment and Opportunity of Boston, and Mass Hire South West. The mission of “Suits for Success” is
to collect donations of suitable clothing to be distributed to individuals and nonprofit organizations who are in need of
appropriate attire and clothing.
• Our Annual Holiday Food Drive continues to support several food pantries in Norfolk County and our Christmas Toys for
Tots campaign in partnership with the United States Marine Corps was again a success.
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Canton Real Estate Activity Report
January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024
During 2024, Canton real estate activity saw a decrease in the total number of deeds recorded, but an increase in the number of
mortgages recorded.
There was a decrease in the number of documents recorded at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds for Canton in 2024; a decrease
of 264 documents from 3,706 to 3,442.
The total number of deeds recorded for properties in Canton in 2024, which reflects both commercial and residential real estate sales
and transfers, was 573, down 7% from the previous year.
The total volume of real estate sales in Canton during 2024 was $566,520,480, up 52% from 2023. The average sale price of homes
and commercial property increased 6% in Canton. The average sale price was $1,099,444. The average sale price includes both
commercial property, and residential property averages may be lower.
The number of mortgages recorded (589) on Canton properties in 2024 was up 1% from the previous year. Also, total mortgage
indebtedness increased 66% to $606,643,330 during the same period.
There was 3 foreclosure deed filed in Canton during 2024, 3 more than the number recorded the previous year. The total number of
notices to foreclose was 15, up 2 from the total recorded in 2023.
Homestead activity decreased by 9% in Canton during 2024, with 386 homesteads filed compared to 426 in 2023.
Finally, our objective at the Registry will always be to maintain, secure, accurate, and accessible land records for the residents and
businesses of Norfolk County. It is a privilege to serve you.
Respectfully submitted by,
William P. O’Donnell
Norfolk County Register of Deeds
Report of the
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Kendall O’Halloran, Chair 960 Washington St.
Kimberly McCourt, Vice Chair, Vice-Chairman Canton, MA 02021
Kristian Darigan Merenda, Clerk, Secretary Telephone 781-821-5060
Maureen Moran, Member, Member Fax 781-575-6500
Sonja Grauds, Member www.cantonma.org
Laura Arboleda, Vice Chair to September 2024
Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Throughout 2024, the Canton Public Schools (CPS), in collaboration with educators, staff, families, the community, our School
Committee and town officials, enjoyed another successful year of incredible achievement, learning and growth.
The most noteworthy milestone was the official approval of the new Galvin Middle School, which will serve grades 5-8. The $241
million school building received tremendous support at the November 18 Special Town Meeting and the December 10 ballot vote. The
Canton community, from town boards and committees to families and local groups, rallied around this generational and
transformational project. The School Building Committee will continue to oversee the work to its completion.
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Report of the
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Kendall O’Halloran, Chair 960 Washington St.
Kimberly McCourt, Vice Chair, Vice-Chairman Canton, MA 02021
Kristian Darigan Merenda, Clerk, Secretary Telephone 781-821-5060
Maureen Moran, Member, Member Fax 781-575-6500
Sonja Grauds, Member www.cantonma.org
Laura Arboleda, Vice Chair to September 2024
Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Throughout 2024, the Canton Public Schools (CPS), in collaboration with educators, staff, families, the community, our School
Committee and town officials, enjoyed another successful year of incredible achievement, learning and growth.
The most noteworthy milestone was the official approval of the new Galvin Middle School, which will serve grades 5-8. The $241
million school building received tremendous support at the November 18 Special Town Meeting and the December 10 ballot vote. The
Canton community, from town boards and committees to families and local groups, rallied around this generational and
transformational project. The School Building Committee will continue to oversee the work to its completion.
The two key town votes, signifying the official acceptance of the schematic design and the funding phase, served as a community
celebration after a two-year process with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) and the project partners -- LeftField
(Owner's Project Manager), Ai3 (Architectural Design Firm) and Consigli Construction. Between community forums and events, town
meetings, educational visioning sessions and working group meetings, the GMS Project Team held 145 meetings.
The new GMS will feature a 7/8th grade wing, a 5/6th grade wing, academic neighborhoods, a full library, an 800-seat auditorium,
two full basketball courts, artificial turf fields and lights, geothermal wells, and a net-zero-ready infrastructure for sustainability and
efficiency. Now the hard work begins.
Some preliminary site work -- two auxiliary parking lots and an access road -- will be completed in the summer of 2025. Full building
construction will take place from June 2026-June 2028. The new GMS is scheduled to open in September of 2028, with the exterior
grounds and fields completed in 2029.
While the GMS building project is amazing, our focus is always on our students. We closed out June 2024 celebrating our students
who engaged in a number of incredible learning and extracurricular experiences that were both transformational and fulfilling on
many levels. In September, CPS welcomed over 3,200 students for the 2024-25 school year, and the students, staff and families
cherished the relationships, the opportunities, achievement and joy that happened in the classrooms, schools and beyond.
We set forth several bold District Goals in 2023-2024, and we achieved these goals once again. We earned “significant progress”
status -- as defined by DESE -- on our District accountability reports and MCAS scores. In particular, we exceeded our student
achievement goal by posting over 3 percent gains for our student growth percentile (SGP) for our selected population in the lowest-
performing quartile group. Our students also recorded the highest ever level of performance and participation on the Advanced
Placement exams, with 81 percent scoring 3 or better. We love seeing our students thrive in academic, personal and extracurricular
pursuits.
Throughout 2023-24, CPS engaged in program reviews for Wellness and Visual arts, and many hours of curriculum work and job-
embedded professional development for continued implementation of the math curriculum and writing goals. In July 2024, we started
the Science program review. We also are proud of our continued professional learning for restorative practices, educational equity,
multi-tiered systems of support, and high quality teaching, learning and leading.
Building on that, a great deal of learning involved PowerSchool. After a comprehensive process, the District selected PowerSchool as
our new Student Information System (SIS). Director of Technology and Data Analytics Josh Fogel had the monumental task of
spearheading the training sessions in the Spring 2024, and then leading the full integration and implementation of PowerSchool for the
2024-25 school year. Mr. Fogel and members of his team did exemplary work with data migration, training, scheduling and, most
importantly, communication. PowerSchool is still a work in progress, but the new SIS is a significant improvement for Canton Public
Schools.
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Finally, Canton Public Schools continues to follow its 5-year Strategic Plan, which includes an update to its Mission, Vision and Core
Values -- (REACH) Respectful and Collaborative Relationships, Educational Equity, Academic and Personal Excellence, Community
Engagement, and High Quality Teaching, Learning and Leading. This document will serve as a guidepost for continuous
improvement, rigorous and equitable experiences, and innovative thinking.
Above all, the District remains extremely proud of its schools and the school community and looks forward to a joyous and successful
second half of the school year, beginning January 2025.
FINANCE
The School Department operating budget for the 2024-2025 school year is distributed as follows:
Salaries $45,698,958
Expenses $10,339,640
Total $56,038,598
The above figure represents a 4.76% increase above the 2023-2024 budget.
The operating budget of $56,038,598 is supplemented with revenue offsets projected at $4,321,640 from revolving (fee-based)
accounts and reserve fund accounts and $1,594,010 in federal, state and private grants.
Revolving Accounts/Reserve Funds
Athletic User Fees $150,000
Pre-School Revolving $100,000
Other Revolving Accounts $350,000
Special Education Circuit Breaker Revolving $3,304,268
Special Education Reserve $1,000,000
TOTAL $4,904,268
Federal/ State/Private Grants
SPECIAL EDUCATION 94-142 $975,082
SPECIAL EDUCATION Early Childhood $32,930
QUALITY ENHANCEMENTS IN AFTER-SCHOOL AND OUT-OF-SCHOOL $74,000
TIME
FY25 TITLE I $156,211
FY25 TITLE II $52,350
FY25 TITLE III $22,596
FY25 TITLE IV $22,317
COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICES $80,000
TOTAL $1,415,486
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The District’s FY25 budget, approved at the Annual Town Meeting in May 2023, totaled $56,038,598. This 4.76% increase from the
previous year’s budget supports the District’s efforts to effectively meet the needs of all our students from grades PreK-12.
The District’s FY25 Cash Capital Budget totaled $1,056,000. The District used the cash capital funds to address the following:
Building/Grounds Repairs and Improvements
● Exterior Door Replacement - Luce
● Auditorium Painting – CHS
● Staircase Tile & Paint - Rodman
● Sidewalk Repair - Luce
● Landscaping & Grounds Improvement (Year 2)
Technology
● K-2 iPads - District
● WiFi Printers – District
● Art Laptops – CHS
● Replacement of Staff Laptops – District
● Chromebooks Replacement Cycle – District
● World Language Lab - CHS
● ESXI Server Upgrades
Program Improvements
● Veterans Memorial Field Lighting - CHS
● Gym Scoreboard Replacement – CHS
● Robotics Upgrades - CHS
● Classroom based instruments - District
● Orbital Scrubbers - Hansen and Rodman
● Stander Mower - Luce
Furniture & Fixtures
● Kiln Replacement - CHS
● Elementary Library Furniture Enhancement (Year 2)
Debt Capital
● Core Infrastructure - Switch - Trainsreceivers - Cabling
● Roof Top Unit –CHS
STUDENT ENROLLMENT
The following are enrollment figures for the pre-school, elementary, middle and high schools for October 2023 (school year 2023-
2024) and October 2024 (school year 2024-25):
2023-2024 2024-2025 Difference
Oct. 1, 2023 Oct. 1, 2024
Pre-school 134 134 0
Elementary 1470 1503 +33
Middle School 742 712 -30
High School 931 972 +41
Out-of-District 59 58 -1
Total 3336 3379 +55
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Demographics 2023 and 2024
The charts below show the race/ethnicity percentages and other subgroups of the Canton Public Schools student population in 2023
(total enrollment 3,277) and 2024 (total enrollment 3,321, not including out-of-district students).
Race/Ethnicity
% in 2023 % in 2024 Difference
African American/Black 12 12.8 +0.8
Asian 10.8 10.6 -0.2
Hispanic 7.3 7.6 +0.3
Native American 0.1 0.1 0
White 62.6 59.9 -2.7
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Island 0.2 0.1 -0.1
Multi-race Non-Hispanic 7 6.7 -0.3
Total Enrollment 3277 3,321 +44
Other Student Sub-Groups
% in 2023 % in 2024 Difference
Limited English Proficient 4.1 4.6 +0.5
Students with Disabilities 16.9 18.3 +1.4
Economically Disadvantaged 20.9 23.9 +3.0
OPERATIONS
Transportation
CPS provides yellow bus transportation for approximately 1,833 CPS students, in addition to roughly 30 students who attend St. John
School. In addition to yellow bus transportation, CPS provides van transportation for roughly 145 in-district students and 65 out of
district students. Van transportation is provided by Vanpool, Raz and ARTS.
In 2022, the District solicited bids for yellow bus transportation. First Student was awarded a three-year contract with two option
years; the cost of the three-year contract is $4,221,968.40. CPS owns and operates one of the twenty buses used to complete 98 daily
routes for morning and afternoon runs. CPS also owns and operates three additional buses which are used on a daily basis for field
trips and club/team transportation.
Food Service
CPS manages and operates its food service program in-house. On average, our Food Service department provides more than 2,500
meals each school day. The District employs 29 hourly staff members across five buildings, one administrative assistant, and one
director. Procurement of food and supplies is primarily achieved through a purchasing collaborative with TEC (The Education
Collaborative). School meals continue to be provided free of charge to students under Universal Free School Meals in Massachusetts.
Our Food Service program is self-sufficient, relying on local receipts, state reimbursement, and federal reimbursement to cover
expenditures.
Facilities
The CPS Facilities department consists of 21 full-time custodians, five full-time maintenance staff, and one director. In coordination
with other town departments and outside vendors, the facilities team completed multiple projects throughout the year, including
sidewalk repair at Luce, renovations to the stairs in the Rodman, HVAC unit replacement in the Luce Library, paving of the lot at the
maintenance building, door hardware upgrades, and basketball hoop replacement in the JFK Gym.
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RETIREMENTS
The following staff members retired in 2024. Congratulations and a heartfelt thank you to all our retirees for their decades of service
to the Canton Public Schools.
Employee Position Years of Service
Cheryl Cunningham Teacher 15
Kimberley Eardley HR Administrative Assistant 11
Jasminka Friedman Teacher 18
Julie Gelerman Teacher 15
Theresa Grogan Teacher 16
Martha Lawless Director of Food Services 20
Linda Leoni Teacher 22
Lareine Olsen Food Services 21
Rogelio Triana Custodian 15
STUDENT HONORS, AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
Each year, CHS holds both a Scholastic Honors Night and a Scholarship Night. We extend our most sincere thanks and appreciation to
our community partners whose generosity awarded the class of 2024 $230,000 in scholarship money. All of the 2024 awards are too
numerous to list here. Below are just a few of the notable achievements:
"Spirit of 76" Scholarship Dan Hall, Kelsey Delello
American Association of University Women (AAUW)
Scholarship Diana Zahaiko, Vanessa Crowley
B'nai Tikvah Scholarship Harrison Feldman
Balsamo Family Memorial Charitable Foundation
Scholarship Regan McDonough, Charlie Smith
Beth Spence Cann Memorial Scholarship Lam, Jaden
Bud Herzog Theater Arts Scholarship Gavin Demanche
Business Network Internationa (BNI) Scholarship Fund Mohith Arugollu
Don Smith Memorial Award Brendan Tourgee
Haywood C. Sullivan Memorial Scholarship Lianna Camille
Honey Dew Donuts Corporate Scholarship Paul Grabert
Amelia Chien, Margaret Dervan, Olivia Hickey, Abby
James and Beatrice Salah Family Foundation Qiu, Anika Valluri
Jeanette Winthrop Scholarship Kaitlin Bigham
John Langwith Scholarship Aya Kayali
Mellisa Rose Kradin Foundation Danika Seto
Michael J. Gunning Memorial Nicholas Gillis
Robert (Bob) DeYeso Memorial Scholarship Derrick Last
The Friends of Virginia Merchant Scholarship Kelsey DeLello
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John and Abigail Adams Scholarship
The John and Abigail Adams Scholarship is a merit-based program that provides credit toward tuition for up to eight semesters of
undergraduate education at a Massachusetts state college or university. For this scholarship, merit is based on student scores on the
10th-grade Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) test. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must
● Score in the Advanced category on one of three high school state assessment tests in English Language Arts, Mathematics, or
STE (Biology, Chemistry, Introductory Physics or Technology/Engineering)
● Score Proficient or Advanced on the remaining two high school state assessment tests
● Have a combined MCAS score on these assessments that ranks in the top 25% in their district.
Congratulations to the following students who received the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship in 2024.
Brianna Abend Bilal Ahmed Maksim Alves Mohith Arugollu
Nerisa Barrington-Haber Benjamin Bubis Daniel Bui Lianna Camille
Kion Camillo Imad Chekrallah Trisha Cherukuri Amelia Chien
Mekhala Costello Vanessa Crowley isabella Crugnale Julia Cummings
Gavin Demanche Aadya Deshumkh Gayatri Dixit Annika Falcucci
Aideen Feeney Harrison Feldman John Flaherty Tara Geoghan
James Gibbs Patrick Gong-Harjula William Gong-Harjula Rosalyn Grady
Dominic Gray Joshua Harris Jonathan He Hannah Isaac
Aya Kayali Patrick King Mercia Kolikithas Maria Kozlov
Dan Krasylnykov Max Kupferman Jaden Lam Brian Le-Nguyen
Jamie Luk Derek Mar Olivia McCloskey Disha Nayak
Tyler Ngo Aaron Nieh Katherine Oliver Anna Papoulis
Bradley Perlman Samantha Pham Rachel Pirrera Abby Qiu
Jared Radovsky Sophia Santos Danica Seto Charles Smith
Anika Valluri Benjamin Wilkins Jessica Wright Diana Zahaiko
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DEPARTMENT HIGHLIGHTS
World Languages
Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy
In June of 2024, Canton High School students participated in the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy for the fourth year. The
following fifteen students in the class of 2024 were awarded the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy for proficiency in English and
the languages below:
Lianna Camille (Spanish) Aadya Deshmukh Dan Krasylnykov Bradley Pearlman
(Spanish) (Russian) (Spanish)
Kion Camillo (Spanish) Tara Geoghan (Spanish) Lucas Massih (Spanish) Sofia Santos (Spanish)
Joemaelle Celestin (Haitian Dominic Gray (French) Panayiota Michaelidis Fatima Sidibay
Creole) (Spanish) (Spanish)
Amelia Chien (French) Aya Kayali (Spanish) Disha Nayak (Spanish)
The following six students in the class of 2024 earned the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction in English and the
languages below:
Hennessy Castillo López Gavin Demanche (Spanish) Hannah Isaac (Spanish)
(Spanish)
Julia Cummings (French) Annika Falcucci (Spanish) Mercia Kolokithas
(Spanish)
Higher Education Partnerships
The CPS World Languages Department continued to collaborate with the Goethe-Institut/Boston and UMASS-Boston to expand its
German programming to students in the elementary and middle grades. The eight-week SPARK for German virtual German language
and cultural program allowed students in grades K-8 to experience German language and culture firsthand. The innovative program,
which is fully sponsored by the German government and the American Association of Teachers of German, has provided German
language instruction to Canton elementary and middle school students for the last four years.
Community Partnership
Canton High School continued its Italian Language and Culture Cohort offerings. This was made possible again thanks to a
community partnership that the District formed with CIAO, a non-profit educational organization led by Canton resident Paul Sergi,
MD, and Domenic Amara, PhD., the former Academic Superintendent of Schools for Boston and President of the Pirandello Lyceum.
Assisted by several other Italian cultural organizations in Massachusetts, including the Italian American Alliance (IAA of Boston,
MA), the Pirandello Lyceum (PL), and the Italian American Cultural Organization (IACO of the South Shore), CIAO provided seed
funds to expand the world languages offerings at Canton High School for the second year in a row. CIAO plans to continue
collaborating with the District to support and build its new Italian Language and Culture Cohort.
Visual Arts
● The Visual Arts Department completed a program review which will drive the curriculum, instructional practices, and
professional learning for the upcoming years.
● CHS senior Jaden Lam had her digital artwork, “Resilience”, selected for UMASS Dartmouth’s Emerging Young Artists +
Designers juried online exhibition.
● 7 CHS students had artwork selected for the Massachusetts Art Education Recognitions online exhibition, and senior
Hannah Issac received an award for her digital artwork, “Time After Time”.
● An exhibit to celebrate Youth Art Month was held in March at the Canton Public Library. 60 CHS students had work on
display in this show.
● 21 CHS students had work included in the Massachusetts Art Education Association's online exhibit for Youth Art Month
in March.
● CHS freshman Amelia Chambon’s digital self-portrait received a Youth Art Month President’s Choice Selected Works
Award. Her artwork was displayed in a national Youth Art Month exhibit at the National Art Education Association’s
national convention in Minneapolis.
● CHS Visual Arts teacher, Stephen Gaul, had a dragonfly watercolor painting selected for The Art of Education
University’s inaugural exhibit, Palette Perspectives, which was part of the National Art Education Association’s national
convention in Minneapolis.
● Four CHS students received Scholastic Art Awards, and three CHS students received Scholastic Writing Awards.
● CHS students Joe Noone and Ceylin Ursal Post received awards at the Hockomock Film Festival for their PSA about safe
driving.
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Performing Arts
Below is a list of 2024 Performing Arts events.
● Jan 5/6- Senior Districts Festival
● Jan 12- CHS Talent Show
● Jan 16 - Hansen, JFK concert
● Jan 17 - Luce concert
● Jan 17/18 - GMS Concert
● Jan 26/27 - JFK performs The Lion King Jr
● Jan 30 -CHS Winter Concert
● Feb 1- Elizabeth Anderson Strings Night
● Feb 9/10 - Luce performs Finding Nemo Jr
● March 2/3 - GMS Performs Matilda
● March 15/16 - CHS performs Legally Blonde
● April 2 - CHS concert
● April 10-14 CHS Travels and performs in Disney
● April 23- Encore Private Lesson Recital
● May 3/4- Hansen performs Shrek Jr
● May 10 - CHS cabaret
● May 17 - CHS pops concert
● May 24 - GMS/CHS Orchestra performs at the State House and Brayton School
● May 27- CHS Band marches in the Memorial Day Parade
● June 3- GMS Spring Concert
● June 4 - Grade 4-8 Strings Night
● June 5 - Elementary Band Concert
● August 12-16 - Music Camp
● August 19-23 - Theater Camp
● Nov 2 - Cantonstock
● Nov 15-16 CHS performs Puffs
● Dec 7-8 - GMS performs Trap
● Dec 14- CHS performs One Act Plays
● Dec 17 - CHS concert
● Dec 18- CHS Chorus performs at Cornerstone and Brightview
● Dec 19- CHS Chorus members perform at the Brayton School
Athletics
2024 was yet another Championship Year for the Bulldogs of Canton High School. Many teams advanced deep into the MIAA
tournament, highlighted by the Field Hockey team advancing to the State Final Four and the Girls Cross Country team placing 5th at
the All-State meet -- by far the best finish of the century for the team and quite possibly in school history. The Hockomock League
title was also claimed by the following teams -- Field Hockey, Volleyball, Boys Hockey, Girls Hockey, and Girls Swimming. Also of
note, more than 65% of the school’s population participated in the athletic program.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
2024 MCAS Results
CPS students continue to perform well across multiple measures, including state and national standardized assessments. For more
details about Canton students’ achievement, visit the Canton Public Schools District profile on the Department of Elementary and
Secondary Education (DESE) website (profiles.doe.mass.edu). The information is also linked here.
In 2024, students in grades 3-8 and in grades 9-10 took the conventional Next Generation online spring MCAS exams. Each student
completed two sessions of a grade-level exam in English language arts (ELA) and math. Students in grades 5, 8, and 9 completed two
sessions of science, technology and engineering.
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The chart below details the percentage of students who met or exceeded expectations on the MCAS Achievement tests in spring 2024.
For each grade and each test – ELA, math, or science – Canton students, on average, outperformed students from across the
Commonwealth.
MCAS 2024 Results: Percentage of Students Scoring at
Meeting or Exceeding Expectations
ELA Math Science
Grade Canton State Canton State Canton State
3-8 56 39 61 41 49 42
HS 64 57 62 48 70 49
CHS students performed well on these assessments, increasing their performance to 81%% from 68.4% of scores of 3 or above.
Advanced Placement Test Score Results: 2024
Number of AP Courses Number of AP Tests Taken % AP Tests with
offered at CHS Scores of 3 or Above
20 694 81%
CHS CLASS OF 2024 – Colleges and Universities
The list below shows the attending colleges and universities for the graduating class of 2024. Canton’s ongoing support creates a high-
quality school District that serves the children of Canton well.
Post-graduation plans for the Class of 2024
• 90% attended higher education
• 85% attended a 4-year college
• 5% attended a 2-year college
• 8% joined the workforce
• 2% joined a trade, military or continuing post-grad
University of
McGill University High Point University The New School
Massachusetts-Amherst
Massachusetts Maritime
Northeastern University Loyola University Chicago Suffolk University
Academy
Framingham State
Bentley University Salve Regina University Cornell University
University
University of New
Massasoit University of Florida Lasell University
Hampshire-Main Campus
West Virginia University University of Delaware Colby College Tufts University
Massasoit Community
Binghamton University Westfield State University Fordham University
College
Emerson College Amherst College University of Miami Towson University
Endicott College Boston College East Carolina University Hampshire College
University of South University of Colorado
University of Connecticut Quinnipiac University
Carolina-Columbia Boulder
Ohio State University-Main University of Wisconsin-
Clark University University of North Texas
Campus Madison
Bridgewater State
Sacred Heart University Babson College University of Mississippi
University
University of California-Los Bunker Hill Community
Gonzaga University Roger Williams University
Angeles College
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University of
College of the Holy Cross University of Rhode Island Stonehill College
Massachusetts- Boston
Massachusetts Bay
Bryant University Elon University Northeastern University
Community College
University of
Vassar College University of Connecticut Merrimack College
Massachusetts-Dartmouth
North Carolina State University of Maryland-
Syracuse University Amherst College
University at Raleigh College Park
Curry College Saint Anselm College Morgan State University Emmanuel College
Providence College Elon University Wellesley College University of Maine
Mount Wachusett Massasoit Community
Berklee College of Music Dean College
Community College College - Canton
Wentworth Institute of Tulane University of
Fairfield University Hampshire College
Technology Louisiana
WPI Saint Joseph's University Florida Memorial University Pace University
Indiana University-
Bloomington
The full District Report Card can be viewed here.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE UPDATE
Calendar year 2024 was another busy year for the Canton School Committee. The Town of Canton election in April resulted in
Kendall O’Halloran earning a second 3-year term. At the next meeting following the election, the Committee reorganization was voted
by the members to be the following: Chair, Kendall O’Halloran; Vice Chair, Laura Arboleda; Clerk, Kristian Merenda.
In the summertime, Laura Arboleda announced that due to work and other commitments, she would be unable to complete the
remainder of her term. She served in her role through the end of September, and in October, at a joint meeting of the School
Committee and Canton Select Board—four candidates interviewed for the open School Committee seat. Sonja Grauds was voted in to
fulfill the remainder of Laura’s term (through April 7, 2025).
At the following School Committee meeting, another reorganization took place, and Kim McCourt was named as the Vice Chair. The
Chair and Clerk appointments remained the same.
Throughout the year the Committee continued its regular work under the four pillars of the Canton Public Schools Strategic
Framework: 1) Achieving Educational Excellence & Ensuring Equity; 2) Cultivating School Climate & Culture; 3) Transforming
Teaching & Learning; and 4) Achieving District Excellence.
Following the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s “Model Evaluation Process for Superintendents”, the School
Committee conducted Superintendent Folan’s Formative and Summative Evaluations in February and June, respectively.
2024 was a very challenging year financially, as Canton and all towns/cities in Massachusetts were levied a unilateral 14% increase in
both Special Education out of district placement costs and Special Education transportation costs. This was a huge jump that greatly
affected the bottom line in Canton and across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In late 2024 the School Committee voted to hire
Open Architects to provide a financial review and identify possible opportunities as school districts enter tighter financial times.
Due to a promotion to Superintendent for Cohasset Public Schools, Assistant Superintendent Sarah Shannon departed Canton Public
Schools at the end of the 2023-2024 school year. A one-year hold was put on this position (with other administrators overworking
their roles to make up for this deficit). This was a financial decision to partially assist with skyrocketing special education costs. We
plan for this role to return in the 2025-2026 school year. The District also placed a hold on the K-5 Assistant Director of Student
Services position, after Sarah Shaw left this role to become the Director of Student Services.
In late spring 2024, Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operation Stephen Marshall left CPS. Brian Lynch was hired as the next
Assistant Superintendent of Finance & Operations and started in June 2024. The District also hired Food Service Director Maura
Crowley, after Martha Lawless retired after 20 years in CPS.
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Much of 2024 involved ongoing MSBA work for the School Committee, School Building Committee, and the administrative team.
We continued having public/open meetings and forums, and working groups; the meeting count increased to over 145 since the Galvin
MSBA project began – more than 90 of those being public meetings.
Aside from committee and subcommittee meetings, School Committee members are in regular contact with the public through in
person meetings, virtual meetings, emails and phone calls. Throughout the year, School Committee members attended multiple public
events to liaise with the community in general and also specifically about the MSBA Project. To name a few weekend events at which
School Committee members hosted a community table: Heritage Festival, multiple Canton Farmers Market days, Cantonstock, Canton
Youth Soccer event and Canton Halloween Parade. We also appreciate the regular coverage that The Canton Citizen has provided to
our community throughout the MSBA project.
We are thrilled to announce that after a nearly unanimous vote at the November 18, 2024 Canton Special Town Meeting, a town
special election was validated to take place on December 10, 2024. The Canton Special Town Election on December 10, 2024 yielded
a remarkable show of support for the new Galvin Middle School build, with over 74% of the community supporting it with an
affirmative vote. This vote moves forward the building of a new Galvin Middle School utilizing the Construction Manager at Risk
construction method and accepts $74 million from the MSBA funding to go towards the cost—accounting for approximately a third of
the overall cost of the project.
After this vote, our work continued right away with LeftField (OPM), Ai3 (architectural firm), and Consigli (construction company).
Test drilling began later in December. Weekly planning meetings continue and will escalate as we approach the site prep commencing
in June 2025 (when school is out for the summer).
Throughout all this work, the School Committee kept focus on furthering the Strategic Plan. The four key areas of priorities and
strategies within the 2023-2028 Canton Public Schools Strategic Action Plan are the following: 1) Teaching, Learning, and Leading
for All; 2) Management and Operations; 3) Communication and Community Engagement; and 4) Safe, Inclusive and Equitable
Environments.
Under the School Committee umbrella are subcommittees and task forces in which members are assigned; including Budget and
Finance, Policy, and Communications. The School Committee also reviews the CPS financial warrants.
Additionally, members serve as liaisons to parent volunteer and educational leadership groups, including the Canton Association of
Parents and Teachers (CAPT), The Education Cooperative (TEC), and the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC).
Community involvement for the School Committee includes participation/appointments to many local boards and groups including the
Master Plan Implementation Committee (MPIC), Canton Community Preservation Committee (CCPC), Building Renovation
Committee (BRC), Canton Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee (CDEI), Canton Alliance Against Substance Abuse (CAASA),
and the CPS Student Wellness Advisory Committee (SWAC). Leading up to the Annual Town Meeting each year, the School
Committee presents to the Select Board, Finance Committee, and Capital Planning Committee.
In the fall of 2024, new three-year contracts were agreed upon with AFSCME Custodian/Maintenance unit, the Administrative
Assistants unit, and the Food Service unit. As we round out 2024 and into 2025, negotiations begin with the Canton Educators
Association, Units A and E.
CLOSING
The Canton Public Schools have a true commitment to achieving academic excellence and ensuring equity for every student, as well
as cultivating welcoming and supportive learning environments via effective teaching, learning, and leading, and by smartly managing
our resources. We are deeply proud of our schools and grateful for every member of our student body, faculty, volunteer groups,
families, and town citizenry who play a role in our success.
With this continued support and unwavering commitment to accomplishing our bold, student-centric goals, the Canton Public Schools
are positioned for continued growth - ever-improving how we prepare our next generation for their futures. It is an honor to be
stewards of this important work.
Respectfully submitted,
Kendall O’Halloran, Chair, Canton School Committee; Derek Folan, Superintendent of Schools
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Report of the
TOWN CLERK
Tracy K. Kenney, Town Clerk 801 Washington St.
Gale M. McHugo, Assistant Town Clerk Canton, MA 02021
Patrice Wesner, Senior Clerk Telephone 781-821-5013
Fax 781-821-5016
tkenney@town.canton.ma.us
Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Tuesday 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Friday 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
In January 2024 the Annual Town Census was mailed to 11,991 households in Canton. I would like to remind residents of the
importance of returning the Annual Town Census. Many of the funds allocated to the Town of Canton are dependent on our reported
population. The information obtained from the Town Census is also used to predict future student enrollment, proof of residence and
voter lists. If you are a registered voter, responding to the census also insures that your voter status will remain active. By law, failure
to respond to the census shall result in removal from the active voting list and may result in removal from the voter registration rolls.
The Presidential Primary was held on March 5, 2024. A total of 5,387 ballots were cast as follows: 2,777 Democratic ballots, 2,576
Republican ballots and 34 Libertarian ballots.
The Annual Town Election was held in April. A total of 6,106 ballots were cast. The ballot contained five contested offices, including
the Select Board, Board of Assessors, School Committee, Planning Board and Trustees of the Public Library.
The Annual Town Meeting was held in Morse Auditorium at Canton High School on May 13th with 447 voters in attendance.
The State Primary was held on September 3, 2024. A total of 3,788 ballots were cast as follows: 2,841 Democratic ballots, 933
Republican ballots and 14 Libertarian ballots.
The Presidential Election was held in November. A total of 14,198 ballots were cast.
A Special Town Meeting was called in November and voters approved the construction of a new William H. Galvin Middle School.
Following the Special Town Meeting, a Special Election was held in December at which voters approved a Proposition 2 ½ override to
pay for the bonds issued in order to construct a new William H. Galvin Middle School.
I would like to express my appreciation to the administration and staff at the Department of Elder and Human Services,
the Canton Public Schools and Blue Hills Regional Technical School for, once again, allowing us to utilize their facilities for voting
on election day.
According to Canton’s Annual Town Census, our population is 22,845. The number of registered voters in Canton totals 18,763, as
follows.
Precinct Democrat Republican Unenrolled Other Registered
Voters
1 656 204 1,622 31 2,513
2 849 248 1,848 .27 2,972
3 650 201 1,545 22 2,418
4 625 298 1,716 23 2,662
5 603 241 1,782 17 2,643
6 746 220 1,714 24 2,704
7 780 246 1,800 25 2,851
Totals 4,909 1,658 12,027 169 18,763
In 2024 the Town Clerk’s Office recorded 229 births, 116 marriages and 245 deaths.
I invite you to explore the Town Clerk’s webpage for information regarding our services at www.town.canton.ma.us. Click on
“Government”, next “Departments” and then “Town Clerk”.
In conclusion I would like to express my sincere appreciation to my fellow town employees, our election workers and to the citizens
of Canton for their many kindnesses and cooperation during the year. I would also like to thank Assistant Town Clerk Gale McHugo
and Senior Clerk Patrice Wesner for their support and friendship.
55
Respectfully submitted, Tracy K. Kenney, Town Clerk
55Source page 58
ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION April 2, 2024 Three year terms ISELECTBOARD, | Ct | 2 | CT S| TOTAL | |PATRICIAM.BOYDEN | 376 (| 607_ | 338 | 450 | 531422 | 993223 | [THOMAS W. THEODORE | 350 | 530 | as7_ | 404493 297 | 360 | 2621 | [Others 8 ts 3 BLANKS. 73 145 74 112 98 105 93 700 Three year term [TOWNCLERK CT a CT 2 TC Toran | [TRACY K. KENNEY |G | 94a | 885 | 79] 883 | 642 | 75 | 4904 | [**Others 8 [roraly, Tazo | 523 | 899 | soso | 76s | 906 | 6106 | Three year term lassessors | tT 2 TB Borat | [**Others a a tt [roman E53 Tt 523 | a99 | oso [765 | 906 | e106 _| Three year term BOARD OF HEALTH 1 2 Ss} 4 5 6 7 TOTAL JALAN RAPOPORT | 582 | 905 | 3a0 Toa | 808 | 609 677 | ac09 | [Others a [oral 53 80 523 | 899 | oso. | 765 | 906 | e106 | Three year term SCHOOL COMMITTEE [1 | JENNIFER M. O'DONNELL 270 KENDALL N. O'HALLORAN 422 1 3 [Others TT BLANKS 6 56
Source page 59
ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION
April 2, 202
Five year term
[PLANNINGBOARD [| tT 2
[rOthers
4
N
5
Oo
a
Two year term (to fill a vacancy)
[PLANNINGBOARD [| 2 OT 2] Ts
[Robert Maffie jn | 122 ts 59
[Others
BLANKS OT tes 283 123 |
Three year terms
fupraRYTRusTeES ——+[ a [2 | 3
Frothes SCT od] 8 Cd
felanks | esa] s0a_| 495 _
Five Year Term
1080
765
[as] L_7_ [Tora |
[353 _| 2380
[a0 574] [s10_[_3387_|
[s29_| 3378 |
Pa | u [ e [| 5 | 45 _|
pleluly
Blwm]w] oo
NJolale
HOUSING AUTHORITY
LISA R. LOPEZ
*** Nicholas Corkery a a
TOTAL
= 4023
Puee | noes J
**Others
ean KS
prota 953 ss
Winners appear in yellow
** denotes write in
57
aSource page 60
MARCH 5, 2024 PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY DEMOCRATIC PARTY PRESIDENTIALPREFERENCE 1. 2. 38. 4... 5 6-7 | TOTAL DEAN PHILLIPS JOSEPH R. BIDEN MARIANNE WILLIAMSON NO PREFERENCE **Donald J. Trump **Gavin Newsom **Robert Kennedy **Pete Buttigieg ** Nikki Haley BLANKS TOTAL ETE eS oe ae ee BILL BOWLES 234 | 360 142 263 294 292 315 1900 | ** David B. Cannata 4 | : 0 1 g 0 0 2 STATECOMMITTEEWOMAN 1... 2... 3 4 5 6 7%. TOTAL [ELLEN L. PARKER 58
Source page 61
MARCH 5, 2024 PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY DEMOCRATIC PARTY TOWN COMMITTEE 1 2. 3 4 5 6 7 TOTAL ALLEN M. KARON 183 277 98 208 241 214 221 PATRICIA M. BOYDEN 194 304 133 224 263 | 226 254 1598 EMILY G. PRIGOT 195 303 112 219 244 220 228 1521 GREGORY RYAN DODD 178 271 99 198 229 201 219 1395 CHRISTINE M. SMITH 194 | 301 108 220 261_| 218 | 248 1550 _| [JENNIFER J. TRETHEWEY 198 303 106 217 260 217 238 1539 ANN E. RUGNETTA 179 272 103 206 232 206 | 220 1418 PERRY TYRONE JENKINS 184 273 104 204 231 209 219 1424 ENNIFER S, WEXLER 186 289 112 222 251 214 235 1509 [JOAN MARIE NORDGREN 183 281 106 217 254 215 224 1480 LIZA COLBURN 183 289 113 213 247 220 233 1498 |SEAN COLBURN 182 280 103 206 247 211 224 1453 TARA TALBOT SHUMAN 211 330 114 246 290 239 267 1697 ANNE M. LANG 178 274 107 207 238 204 227 1435 JOHN J. TALBOT, JR. 183 275 100 206 238 201 223 1426 ANREA J. COMEAU 190 297 113 226 270 221 242 1559 PATRICIA ANN McDERMOTT 188 307 113 217 260 1551 STEVEN ALFRED MILLER 175 270 98 203 229 1394 LISA R. LOPEZ 157 273 | 338 276 303 1953 MITCHELL STEWART BLAUSTEIN 99 202 234 205 224 1415 HOLLIE SUSAN BLAUSTEIN 176 277 104 203 234 211 232 1437 ELLEN MARY MEAGHER 178 267 103 203 230 205 217 1403 MARILYN CURRAN 193 295 108 229 262 220 227 1534 ALAN J. PRANSKY 184 274 100 204 227 209 [others 3 7 4 3 5 6 [| 9 | 37 BLANKS 7591 | 12508 | 5013 8264 | 9070 3660 | 9999 | 61105 TOTAL 12075 | 19495 | 7630 | 13440 | 15085 | 13860 | 15610 | 97195 ** Denotes Write in 59
Source page 62
MARCH 5, 2024
PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY
REPUBLICAN PARTY
PRESIDENIAL PREFERENCE 1 2a A 4 5 6 7 TOTAL |
curischrise TTT a
RYAN BINKLEY a) |
rr
JASAHUTCHINSON ff 0 0 1 0
224
3 3 2 2 5 20
116 176 99 174
3 3 3 Q
"Joseph R. Biden 0 1 0 a ee) ee)
**Robert Kennedy | |
**Others
BLANKS | id
=|
g
>
-
.
f=}
STATECOMMITTEE WOMAN = 1._—S™ 2 Stead 5 Pena woe TOTAL |
60Source page 63
MARCH 5, 2024
PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY
REPUBLICAN PARTY
TOWN COMMITTEE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 TOTAL |
LAWRENCE ARTHUR. OVERLAN 103 174 156 135
SHERYL A. OVERLAN 107 18298] 75} 152 | 157 132
J. DANEENE PATE 91 156 92 145 137 149 124
157 92 144 138 151 122
BRIAN WILLIAM O'MALLEY 157 157 135
CAROL GOMES 104 173 98 154 157 143
DONALD S. JOHNSTONE 88 154 97 145 129
ALFRED G. HANSEN 90 164 95 160 148 142 128
PAULINE M. O'LEARY [| 96] ~—tes] =~ 8G 155 143 153 133 941
JEANNE MARY HAYMAN-STEEN 148 143 140
EDWARD STEEN 86 153 94 140 139 137 124 873
JOHN S. MARINI 134 208 120 182 195 162 162 1150
JOSEPH P. THORNTON, JR 94 150 146 135 973
JACQUELINE A. HANSEN ——— 149 132 960
ROBIN B, O'CONNELL-McCARTHY -— a: ee) eee) 143 149 128 910
JAMES J. McCARTHY, JR | _160]__so]__a4a 141 143 127 895
KAREN P. HAWKINS /-—8 147 150 138 948
JOSEPH C. WALSH 96 [ies sel 148 156 132 945
155 131 980
CAROLYN D. ELKORT 164 148 1061
JAMES M. WALSH ssl sl 139 951
MARIE M. NALLI | 5) 129 940
CHERYL ANN FREEDMAN === 939
ROBERT J. DAILEY ga] aso] a5] tag] az] 30] 923
ALAN M. HINES 111 1032
[others Tt ft at tt 87
TOTAL 10500] 15645] 94s] = t4560[ 14490] 12215 90160
** Denotes write in
61Source page 64
PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY LIBERTARIAN PARTY MARCH 5, 2024 PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 TOTAL JACOB GEORGE HORNBERGER MICHAEL D. RETENWALD CHASE RUSSELL OLIVER MICHAEL TER MAAT LARS DAMIAN MAPSTEAD NO PREFERENCE ** Joseph R. Biden **Nikki Haley **Other RIOSOIMNIOSO;RFPIO!O BLANKS 0 2 TOTAL 4 4 STATE COMMITTEE MAN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 TOTAL **Bill Bowles 0 0 o. | 0 2 0 oO 2 BLANKS [TOTAL STATE COMMITTEE WOMAN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 TOTAL **Ellen Parker **Others BLANKS TOTAL TOWN COMMITTEE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 TOTAL **Others TOTAL 70 40 40 40 40 30 80 340 ** Denotes write in 62
Source page 65
SEPTEMBER 3, 2024 STATE PRIMARY DEMOCRATIC PARTY SENATOR IN CONGRESS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 TOTAL ELIZABETH ANN WARREN 285 509 180 363 391 360 377 2465 OTHERS [2 2 2 5 3 1 2 v7 BLANKS 52 56 33 60 45 55 58 359 TOTAL 339 567 215 428 439 416 437 2841 REP IN CONGRESS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 TOTAL STEPHEN F. LYNCH 301 525 194 378 405 | 387 386 2576 OTHERS il 3 1 0 1 1 1 8 BLANKS 37 39 20 50 33 28 50 257 TOTAL 339 567 215 428 439 416 437 2841 COUNCILLOR 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 TOTAL TAMISHA L. CIVIL 178 278 137 206 236 235 194 1464 MURIEL ELAINE KRAMER 36 74 12 66 38 37 45 308 SEAN MURPHY 57 7B 31 57 66 51 83 423 DAVID S. RESERVITZ 17 75 a 30 45 53 57 298 [OTHERS 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 2 BLANKS 51 62 13 69 53 40 58 346 TOTAL 339 567 215 428 | 439 416 437 2844 SENATOR INGENCOURT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 TOTAL PAUL R. FEENEY 271 462 175 350 367 361 355 2341 OTHERS 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 3 BLANKS 68 104 39 78 72 54 82 497 TOTAL 339 567 215 428 439 416 437 2844 REP IN GEN COURT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 TOTAL. WILLIAM C. GALVIN 287 509 135 | 361 390 370 392 2494 OTHERS 0 0 3 | 2 1 a 0 7 BLANKS 52 58 27 65 48 45 45 340 TOTAL 339 567 215 428 439 416 437 2841 CLERK OF COURTS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 TOTAL ROBERT L. JUBINVILLE 125 208 63 | 152 160 171 173 1052 WALTER F. TIMILTY 178 288 134 226 238 209 230 1503 OTHERS 0 0 0 1 0 0 oO 1 BLANKS 36 71 18 49 a1 36 34 285 TOTAL 339 567 215 428 439 416 437 2841 REGISTER OF DEEDS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 TOTAL WILLIAM PATRICK O'DONNELL 243 365 142 297 307 284 294 1929 NOEL T. DiBONA 57 133 55 85 86 95 100 611 OTHERS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 BLANKS 39 69 18 46 46 37 46 301 TOTAL 339 567 215 428 439 416 437 2841 COUNTY COMMISSIONER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 TOTAL JOSEPH P. SHEA 182 292 119 235 236 221 235 1520 RICHARD R. STAIT! 237 425 149 307 331 324 324 2097 OTHERS 0 0 i 0 3 0 1 5 BLANKS 259 417 161 314 308 287 314 2060 TOTAL 678 1134 430 856 878 832 874 5682 63
Source page 66
SEPTEMBER 3, 2024 STATE PRIMARY REPUBLICAN PARTY SENATOR IN CONGRESS 1 2 3 4 5 6 a TOTAL ROBERT J. ANTONELLIS 31 34 22, | 38 35 28 21 209 IAN CAIN 11 15 12 27 15 16 15 111 JOHN DEATON 73 86 44 93 102 84 105 587 OTHERS 0) ty) 0 0 0) 0 0 0 BLANKS 2 3 3 3 6 5 4 26 TOTAL 117 138 81 161 158 133 145 933 REP IN CONGRESS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 TOTAL ROBERT G. BURKE 43 52 29 79 45 48 66 362 JAMES M. GOVATSOS 49 57 35 54 85 58 56 394 DANIEL KELLY 18 18 7 19 12 19 11 104 OTHERS 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 3 BLANKS 6 11 10 8 16 8 11 70 TOTAL 117 138 81 161 158 133 145 933 COUNCILLOR 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 TOTAL FRANCIS T. CRIMMINS, JR. 89 106 61 122 116 105 114 713 OTHERS. 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 BLANKS 27 32 20 39 42 28 31 219 TOTAL 117 138 81 161 158 133 145 933 SENATOR IN GEN COURT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 TOTAL OTHERS 3 A 0 3 3 4 2 16 BLANKS 114 137 81 158 155 129 143 917 TOTAL 117 138 81 161 158 133 145 933 REP IN GEN COURT 1 2 3 4 5 6 Z TOTAL OTHERS 2 2 2 5 2 4 2 19 BLANKS 115 136 79 156 156 129 143 914 TOTAL 117 138 81 161 158 133 145 933 CLERK OF COURTS 1 2 3 4 5 6 if TOTAL OTHERS 2 i; 0 7 2 4 2 18 BLANKS 115 137 81 154 156 129 143 915 TOTAL 117 138 81 161 | 158 133 145 933 REGISTER OF DEEDS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 TOTAL OTHERS 3 3 2 5 6 3 3 25 BLANKS 114 135 79 156 152 130 142 908 TOTAL 117 138 81 161 158 133 145 933 COUNTY COMMISSIONER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 TOTAL OTHERS 6 2 a4 [8 12 6 5 42 BLANKS 229 274 158 314 304 260 285 1824 TOTAL 234 276 162 322 316 266 290 1866 64
Source page 67
s9 82 © ot z TWLOL| 4 ° x + OT + ° + SINVIG SYAHLO} WLOL YANOISSIWNINOD ALNNOO vT ° TWLOL ° SINVId SYSHLO WLOL $d33d AO yaLsioay vt WLOL SINVIG SYAHLO} WLOL SLYNOOS AO MYA19 vt WLOL| SINVIa SYAHLO) WLOL 1IYNOD N35 NI daw vt TWLOL SINV1d SY3HLO WLOL LYNOD NAD NI YOLVNAS vT TWLOL oT st ° SINV1d a a SYAHLO: TWLOL YOTIISNNODS 3 WLOL SINV1d SYAHLO: WLOL SSAYONOO NI daw vr TWLOL| SINV1d SHAHLO TWLOL ALuvd NVvIVvlaaal AUVIATYd ALWLS pzoz ‘€ HagINALdaS SSHYONOO NI YOLVNAS
Source page 68
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
November 5, 2024
TOTALS BY PRECINCT
PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT - Vote for One
Pct1 Pct2 Pct3 Pct4 Pct 5 Pct 6 Pct 7 TOTAL
| 17 [| 10 | 12 | 16 |
| i f[ o [ 3 7 5 |
| 17 [| 19 [ to | 6 [ 69 |
|_26 | 16 | 11 | 11 |
| sis [| 840 | 68
| o | o |
| o | oO |
[| o | o [4 1
| o | 14 | i 2
WRITEINS Tt TT fT to 67
BLANKS 6 8 Ts 85 28
| o | o | 0 |
| o f o [ o f o fo |
| 1 | o | o f o f 4 |
| oo f 1 | ol fT oO hf 2
Ce ae
| 27 |
16
5
11
840
| o f Oo |
14
27
TOTAL 1862 | 2364 | 1654 | 2083 2129 | 1966 | 2140 14198
SENATOR IN CONGRESS - Vote for One
Pcti Pct2 Pct3 Pct4 Pct5 Pct6 _Pct7 TOTAL
ELIZABETH ANN WARREN 1054 | 1343 1056 1102 1125 1174 7762
JOHNDEATON 756 | 940 | 683 | 955 | 959 | 778 | 900 |
WRITEINS a 8 ot a
IBLANKS dT 78 | 80 7 ft
[TOTAL 1862 T2364 J 1654 J 2083 | 2129 | 1966_] 2140 |
REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS - Vote for One
Peti Pct2 Pct3 Pct4 PctS Pct6 Pct? TOTAL
[ROBERTG.BURKE | 563 | 652 | 518 | 601 | 696 | 585 | 6t7 | 4322 |
WRITEINS Tt tt oT
IBLANKS | 89122 | 9123 4 95 to 736
TOTAL 1862 | 2364 | 1654 | 2083 2129 1966 2140 14198
t2 Pct3 Pct4 PctS Pct6 Pct? _—‘ TOTAL
2
946
Poo f o f 2; o fT 1 fT 3
194
14198
SENATOR IN GENERAL COURT - Vote for One
Pct1 Pct2 Pct3 Pct4 Pct Pct6 Pct 7 TOTAL
PAUL R. FEENEY 1181 | 1557 | 1030 | 1279 | 1339 1422
LAURA L. SAYLOR 2494
WRITE INS
BLANKS 2504
TOTAL 1862 | 2304 | 1654 | 2083 | 2129 | 1966 | 2140 14198
TOTALS BY PRECINCT 1of4
66Source page 69
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
November 5, 2024
TOTALS BY PRECINCT
REPRESENTATIVE IN GENERAL COURT - Vote for One
Pct1 Pct2 Pct3 Pct 4 Pct 5 Pct 6 Pet 7 TOTAL
WRITE INS Po fiz | 6 | 2 fo it | 13 | 13
BLANKS 3174
TOTAL 1862 | 2364 [ 1654 | 2083 | 2129 | 1960 | 2140 [ 14198
CLERK OF COURTS - Vote for One
Pct1 Pct2 Pct3 Pct 4 Pct 5 Pct 6 Pct 7 TOTAL
WALTER F. TIMILTY is 1782 | 1220 | 1610 | 1554 | 1464 | 1612 [ 10555
i
WRITE INS | 15 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 6 | | 60
BLANKS [ 439 | 567 [| 430 [| 567 [ 567 | 496 [| 517 [ 3583
1862 | 2364 | 1654 | 2083 | 2129 | 1966 | 14198
REGISTER OF DEEDS - Vote for One
Pct1 Pct2 Pct3 Pct4 Pct 5 Pct 6 Pct 7 TOTAL
Le | tf 4s | Cs
COUNTY COMMISSIONER - Vote for not more than TWO
Pet1 Pct2 Pct3 Pct 4 Pct 5 Pct 6 Pct 7 TOTAL
[JOSEPHP.SHEA C*dS;«C986'B_—[|_ 1199 | 865 | 1024 | 1042 | 1042 | 1044 |
wees fo fe fs fe fo fe Pc ee
WILLIAM PATRICK O'DONNELL
WRITE INS
BLANKS
sor 3724 | 4728 | | 3308 | el 66 | 4258 | 3932
REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE - Vote for not more than ONE
AVON Pct1 Pct2 Pct3 Pct4 Pct5 Pct 6 Pct 7 TOTAL
CARL S. WALKER 1203 | 1475 | 1096 | 1305 | 1348 | 1206 | 1383
WRITE INS P 7 {at fi foo fT 4 fT a
BLANKS | 652 _[ 878 [ 557 | 778 | 777 | 966 [755 _| 5068
TOTAL 1862 | 2364 | 1654 | 2083 1966 | 2140 14198
REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE - Vote for not more than ONE
HOLBROOK Pct1 Pct2 Pct3 Pct4 PctS Pct6 Pct7 TOTAL
TARYN M. MOHAN 1158 | 1445 | 1058 | 1270 | 1301 1268 | 1346
| 2 [| 5 | 30 |
WRITE INS | 6 {| 47 | 1 | o J 5 |
BLANKS | 698 | 908 | 505 | 813 | 823 | 606 | 7a0 J 5322 |
TOTAL 1862 1654 | 2083 | 2129 | 1966 “| 14198 |
TOTALS BY PRECINCT 20f 4
67Source page 70
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION November 5, 2024 TOTALS BY PRECINCT REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE - Vote for not more than ONE MILTON Pct1 Pct2 Pct3 Pct4 Pct5 Pct6 Pct7 TOTAL pwRITE INS tt et to | Sf REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE - Vote for not more than ONE NORWOOD Pct1 Pct2 Pct3 Pct4 Pct5 Pct6 Pct7 TOTAL WRITEINS. —Ss=<C~ssSi | 8 | ct | lo | lcé | v1 | 6 | Ur BLANKS ™™—~—“‘;‘*SC*d:CSGSGS_—C[|_ 893. - | 507_—-[ 817 | 782 [| 670 | 762 | 5174 | REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE Vote for not more than ONE RANDOLPH Poti Pct2 Pct3 Pct4 Pct5 Pct6 Pct7 TOTAL WRITEINS CT SCT CUE tT CT 4 88 Toth 1862 | 2364 2083 | 2129 | 1966 0 | 14108 | REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE Vote for not more than ONE 1654 WESTWOOD Pett Pct2 Pct3 Pct4 PetS Pct6 Pct7 | TOTAL WRENS et | 4 | 6 [ 29 | 2364 [1654 | 2083 TOTALS BY PRECINCT 3 0f 4 68
Source page 71
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION November 5, 2024 QUESTION 1 TOTALS BY PRECINCT Pct1 Pct2 Pct3 Pct4 Pct5 Pct6 Pct7 TOTAL 1257 | 1517 | 1141 | 1425 | 1425 1348 | 472 | 472 BLANKS TOTAL 7862 | 2364 [| 1654 | 2083 | 2129 | 1906 | 2140 14198 QUESTION 2 Pcti Pct2 Pct3 Pct 4 Pct § Pct 6 Pct 7 TOTAL [ 56 | too | 62 [ 54 | 63 | 6 [ 61 | YES TOTAL QUESTION 3 Pct1 Pct2 Pct3 Pct4 Pct 5 Pct 6 Pct 7 TOTAL [ sso [| 1112 | 763 | 882 [| 880 _[ 931 | 980 | | 969 | QUESTION 4 Poti Pct2 Pct3 Pct4 Pct5 Pct6 Pct7 TOTAL BLANKS 108 | is | 98 [106 [122 [103 [110 [| 795 | QUESTION 5 Pet1 Pct2 Pct3 Pct4 PctS Pct6 Pct7 TOTAL [Yes 8 57 | 548 | e4a [551 | 650 | 596 [4201 | [BLANKS 80132 [84s 105 =| 8s 87 4 TOTALS BY PRECINCT 4 of 4 69
Source page 72
SPECIAL TOWN ELECTION
CANTON, MASSACHUSETTS
DECEMBER 10, 2024
TOTALS BY PRECINCT
Shall the Town of Canton be allowed to exempt from the provisions of Proposition two-and one-
half, so called, the amounts required to pay for the bonds issued in order to construct a new
William H. Galvin Middle School located at 55 Pecunit Street, Canton, MA 02021 with an agreed
upon design enrollment of 1,020 students in grades 5-8, including the payment of all costs
incidental or related thereto?
Pct1 Pct 2 Pct 3 Pet 4 Pct 5 Pet 6 Pct7 TOTAL
2924
1019
INOW ee
TOTAL 3943
TOTALS BY PRECINCT loft
70Source page 73
Report of
TOWN COUNSEL
Paul R. DeRensis, Esq. 260 Franklin Street, Suite 700
Brooks & DeRensis Boston, MA 02110
Telephone 857-259-5200
pderensis@bdboston.com
This year was a very active and successful year:
1. Advice & Legal Documents. This year numerous advisory opinions were rendered to various Town officials and Boards
relating to a wide variety of issues and subjects. Frequent and ongoing attention was given to the legal issues arising from open
meeting law issues; public records issues; conflict of interest issues under the State Ethics Act; bylaw enforcement issues; license
process issues for a variety of types of licenses, including alcohol, common victuallar, and auto dealer licenses; the warrant and
motions for the Annual Town Meeting and two Special Town Meetings; continuing issues relating to the Paul Revere Heritage Site
and the ongoing work at the Plymouth Rubber Site; reviewing and/or drafting Bylaws including the MBTA Communities zoning
bylaw; procurement documents including procurement questions for the Police Audit Committee, contract documents and agreements
including energy contracts; easements and deeds; assistance to Town regulatory boards (Planning Board, Conservation Commission,
Board of Health, Board of Appeals), zoning covenants and performance bonds, and ANR issues; subdivisions including subdivision
performance guarantees, special permits and assistance for site plan review; assistance to the Board of Health regarding rules and
regulations and health code enforcement issues; Building Department code enforcement issues; Public Library regarding various legal
issues; Conservation Commission regarding wetland, conservation, and property issues; sustainability and climate change issues, and
other legal issues.
2. Projects. We assisted the town regarding reconstruction of the Galvin Middle School, consolidation of the DPW and Property
Maintenance Department, the Massachusetts Highway Department Route 138 project impacting town owned land in Stoughton, water
supply issues including wellhead protection issues and PFAS contamination issues, the acquisition of land for a parking lot, creation
of publicly available dog parks, and other real estate transactions. We also assisted with various road layout issues, including
acceptances of private roads as public ways, various public road documents; economic development questions and issues, including
Tax Incentive Financing Agreements; and ongoing issues relating to the Paul Revere Heritage Park Site and adjacent housing
developments; and conservation restrictions.
3. Administrative Agencies. We pursued the interests of the Town with the Office of the Attorney General, Secretary of State
Superintendent of Public Records, and consulted with the State Ethics Commission, regarding various town issues.
4. Litigation & Labor Arbitrations. As of December 11, 2024, there were 11 matters pending in the courts or administrative
agencies, involving the Town, as follows:
8 matters involving the Select Board
• Vertex Tower Assets LLC v. Town of Canton and Town of Canton Zoning Board of Appeals; Norfolk Superior Court Docket
No. 2382CV00188 and United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts Civil Action No. 1:23-cv-10476;
• Meredith O’Neil, et al. v. Town of Canton and Canton Police Department, et al., United States District Court for the District
of Massachusetts Civil Action No. 1:23-cv-12685;
• In re: Municipal Opioid cases, Suffolk Superior Court, Business Litigation Session Nos.: 1884CV02860-BLS2 and
1984CV01733-BLS2;
• Town of Canton v. 3M Company (a//k/a Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co. )._ et al, United States District Court for
the District of South Carolina, Civil Action No. 2:22-cv-00864-RMG;
• Town of Canton and Town of Canton Zoning Enforcement Officer v. Jeffrey Farrington and Farrington Power Equipment,
Inc. d/b/a F&F Power Equipment, Norfolk Superior Court Docket No. 2482CV00890;
• In the Matter of Town of Canton, Massachusetts Land Court, Docket No.: 23 SBQ 08413 09 – 001;
• In the Matter of Town of Canton, Massachusetts Land Court, Docket No.: 23 SBQ 09533 09 – 001;
• In the Matter of Town of Canton, Massachusetts Land Court, Docket No.: 23 SBQ 18555 09 – 001.
1 matter involving the Health Department
• Town of Canton Health Department v. Linda Francescon, Peter Francescon, and Richard Francescon, Metro South Housing
Court Docket Nos. 23H82PC00015, 24H82CR00003 and70 24H82CV00160
1 matter involving the Water Department
• Mahmoud Hijazi v. Town of Canton (Water Department),71
Norfolk Superior Court, Civil Action 2382CV01085.
1 claim, not yet a lawsuit, involving the Planning BoardSource page 74
• Town of Canton Health Department v. Linda Francescon, Peter Francescon, and Richard Francescon, Metro South Housing
Court Docket Nos. 23H82PC00015, 24H82CR00003 and 24H82CV00160
1 matter involving the Water Department
• Mahmoud Hijazi v. Town of Canton (Water Department), Norfolk Superior Court, Civil Action 2382CV01085.
1 claim, not yet a lawsuit, involving the Planning Board
• Beaver Meadows resident v. Town of Canton (Planning Board).
Each of the above efforts required the participation of numerous Town officials and private citizen volunteers all working together
towards a better Canton.
Thanks to the Select Board and all other Town officials and citizens for their cooperation and assistance towards a successful year.
Respectfully submitted, Paul R. DeRensis, TOWN COUNSEL
Report of the
TOWN PLANNER
Taylor (TJ) Torres, Town Planner 801 Washington St.
ttorres@town.canton.ma.us Canton, MA 02021
www.town.canton.ma.us/334/Planning Telephone 781-575-6575
www.facebook.com/CantonPlanningBoard/ Fax 781-821-5043
Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Tuesday 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM, Friday 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
MISSION
The Town Planner is responsible for working towards town-wide goals with regard to zoning, land use, housing, economic
development, transportation, sustainability, and other areas specified in the Canton Master Plan. The Town Planner also works to help
procure grants and accomplish other special projects to reach town goals.
The Town Planner supports the Planning Board by providing technical assistance when necessary, facilitating Master Plan
implementation, and preparing zoning articles for Town Meeting.
The Town Planner serves as the representative to the Metropolitan Area Planning Council and the Neponset Valley Transportation
Management Association; the Planner also serves on the Permit Advisory Committee, Canton Affordable Housing Trust, and staffs
the Master Plan Implementation Committee, Economic Development Committee, Sustainability and Climate Action Plan Committee,
and the Planning Board. The Town Planner organizes and facilitates project-based working groups as necessary.
ZONING AND LAND USE
This year brought an unprecedented challenge to Planners statewide, as the deadline for compliance with the Commonwealth’s 3A
MBTA Communities Law rapidly approached, affecting half of all municipalities in Massachusetts. As a Commuter Rail Community,
Canton had to comply by December 2024. The voters at Annual Town Meeting this past May approved the creation of the Canton
Junction Overlay District, which meets the requirements of the state law in a way that also aligns with the Town’s goals of
incentivizing transit-oriented housing and revitalizing the Canton Junction area. The new overlay district allows for a streamlined
approval process for multifamily housing within this zone that conforms to certain development standards and dimensional
limitations.
Other zoning changes approved at Annual Town Meeting included updates to the Table of Use Regulations, Table of Dimensional
Requirements, and the Zoning Map. Many of these changes stemmed from recommendations of MAPC’s recent corridor study of
Canton Center. By separating the Central Business District from the rest of the Business District, the Town can better tailor its zoning
and use regulations to fit the downtown area, which is fundamentally different in form and function from other commercial areas in
Canton.
In August, the Massachusetts Legislature passed the Affordable Homes Act. This Act, among other things, changed the way a
municipality can regulate Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), also known as “in-law apartments”. At Special Town Meeting in
November 2024, the voters unanimously approved a series of by-law amendments that brought Canton’s ADU regulations into
alignment with the new state law. ADUs up to a certain size can now be built as-of-right in all residential zoning districts, provided
dimensional and design controls can be satisfied.
71
The Planning Department has authored and submitted a series of zoning articles for Annual Town Meeting 2025, revolving around
two central themes. The first is updating floodplain regulations based on new FEMA standards, and the latter is a package of
recommendations from a 2023 study to improve the form, design, and viability of mixed-use development in Canton Center.
HOUSING
72
The Town Planner works closely with the Town’s Housing Coordinator, and also serves as Vice Chair of the Canton Affordable
Housing Trust (AHT). The zoning changes passed this year aim to encourage smart-growth and sustainable housing at both the large
scale (MBTA zoning) and the small scale (ADUs). The AHT hired JM Goldson this year to complete the Housing Production PlanSource page 75
two central themes. The first is updating floodplain regulations based on new FEMA standards, and the latter is a package of
recommendations from a 2023 study to improve the form, design, and viability of mixed-use development in Canton Center.
HOUSING
The Town Planner works closely with the Town’s Housing Coordinator, and also serves as Vice Chair of the Canton Affordable
Housing Trust (AHT). The zoning changes passed this year aim to encourage smart-growth and sustainable housing at both the large
scale (MBTA zoning) and the small scale (ADUs). The AHT hired JM Goldson this year to complete the Housing Production Plan
that was initiated by the same firm in 2021, but had lapsed prior to completion. JM Goldson completed the plan and it was adopted
favorably by the Planning Board and Select Board. Lastly, the Planning Department secured a grant from the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts for $50,000 to have a study done on the former Gridley School. This study will assess the feasibility of converting the
property to housing. The results will be used by the Town to entice developers to purchase and redevelop the property.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
In Canton the Town Planner is the default economic development point person and provides staff to the Economic Development
Committee (EDC). The Town Planner assists with providing an organizational backbone to the EDC, which this year included
designing a small business grant program for reallocation of ARPA funds. This program was awarded $96,918.33 from Norfolk
County’s ARPA funds and will be administered by the Neponset River Regional Chamber in 2025 for qualifying Canton businesses.
The Town Planner also works with the EDC to meet with prospective developers and commercial property owners who are inquiring
about the permitting process and available local incentives.
TRANSPORTATION
The Town Planner plays a coordinating role when it comes to transportation planning, serving as a liaison between various
overlapping transportation entities including the Canton Public Works Department, MassDOT, the Boston Region Metropolitan
Planning Organization (MPO), the Canton Walk, Bike, and Hike Committee, and the Neponset Valley Transportation Management
Association. The Town Planner also serves as co-chair of the Suburban Mobility Working Group, a regional collaboration of public
and private organizations. Finding common goals, aligning them with sources of funding, and ensuring all stakeholders are at the table
comprise the Planner’s main mission in this domain. This year’s initiatives included collaborating on grant applications for expanding
microtransit, assisting with trails grants, allocating rideshare revenue to the Council on Aging’s transportation services, and being a
part of the regional discussion on the I-93/I-95 future interchange improvements.
SUSTAINABILITY
There are many different climate resilience efforts at the state, federal, and local levels. The Town of Canton has committees in place
for energy aggregation, sustainability, and climate action planning. The Town Planner aims to be a resource in connecting the
volunteer committees at the Town level with the government resources available to address issues as well as be an administrative
backbone to help these committees move toward their goals. Last year the Town received a grant to have a Climate Action Plan
completed, and the Town Planner is staffing the Interim Steering Committee that has been appointed to oversee this undertaking. The
Plan will be complete in the spring of 2025 and will help the Town prioritize sustainability action items going forward.
STRATEGIC PLANNING
In addition to the previously mentioned roles and responsibilities, the Town Planner also facilitates various internal strategic planning
initiatives, which this year included:
• Oversaw development of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan done, building off the 2016 ADA Self-
Assessment. The plan includes a comprehensive inventory of all barriers to accessibility at public facilities as well as policy
and procedural recommendations.
• Managed stormwater working group to identify inconsistencies and overlaps in policy and procedures with the goal of
consolidating, aligning, and optimizing the process of stormwater review for new development.
• Procured a consultant for the next phase of the former St. Gerard’s property reuse planning, which will include an
architectural assessment of the current buildings and potential reuse scenarios based on the findings.
• Managed procurement of consultants for the Wentworth Master Plan and Trail Feasibility Study and the Wardwell
Conservation Area Master Plan.
Respectfully submitted, Taylor (TJ) Torres, AICP, Town Planner
72
73Source page 76
Report of the
VETERANS SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Arafat M. Knight, Department of Veterans Services Director and Veteran’s Agent 660 Washington St.
Cynthia Maddestra, Town of Canton Veterans Agent Administrator
Canton, MA 02021
Telephone 781-821-5005
aknight@town.canton.ma.us
Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8:30-4:30 Tuesday 830-7pm Friday 8:30-1:00
2024 VETERANS OUTREACH, BENEFITS AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS
• Coffee Social, Department of Elder and Human Services, 1st Thursday of every month.
o Update Veteran Spotlight, print and hand out at every meeting
o Arrange guest speakers
o Work with THE DOEHS to ensure set up is completed
• Brightview Cookie Social, last Monday of every month.
o Both socials have been a success. Coffee Social at DOEHS has up to 30 veterans now!
• Hospital/Home visits to Veterans, well visit, rehab or in hospice care.
• Help Veterans with Computer, Phone, Resumes, Banking issues.
• Liaison between local news paper The Canton Citizen and Veterans, help tell their stories and share activities within the Veteran
community. Send them photos!
• Organize with Home Depot for sweaters, hats, gloves distribution to Veterans in the town – November 2024
• Hosted Memory Café at the DOEHS, last event was paint day! Veterans Department brought supplies.
• Update of social media to keep Veterans and community up to date with Veteran news and upcoming events.
• Recertifications of Chapter 115 Veterans.
• Send Thank you to those who donate.
• File Claims, Aid and Attendance, disability.
• Help Veterans with Veteran ID cards.
• Formed a relationship with local attorney to help with Veterans needs regarding law. (wills, beneficiaries)
• Banners – a HUGE success. Over 200 and placing another order of 50 plus for the spring. Set up meeting with client, design
the banner for approval, keep copies and order. Review for print, deliver banner to DPW.
• Open door policy – veterans come in whenever, and as needed.
• Maintain calendar, screen calls.
• Organize rides for veterans to bank, doctors, food pantry
• Arrange for deep clean, junk removal and new home for Veterans in need, find the best quote.
• Contact Honor Guard to attend funerals, in all weather.
• Help family members when loved one passes, working with medical staff, funeral homes to help with the burial process and
benefits.
2024 CEREMONIES AND EVENTS
• Movie Night at the Legion, decorate, offer popcorn, candy, soda Top Gun Feb 22, 2024
• Supported other VSOs and Veterans by attending 1st luncheon in Braintree, and get ideas to benefit our Veterans March 6, 2024
• “Opening Day Red Sox Game” at the Legion, decorate, cook up sausage, pepper, onions, hot dogs, popcorn, soda April 9,
2024
• Hosted SMVSOA conference at the American Legion. Collaborated speakers, lunch, vendors March 13, 2024
• Organized a rolling rally for Al Benjamins 100 birthday March 30, 2014
• Organized and chose 5 Vietnam Veterans to be pinned at Gillette with Robert Kraft March 29, 2024
• Arrange for 20 Veterans to attend the Museum at Heritage Park April 11, 2014
• Arrange for 14 Veterans to the 1st Corp Cadets Museum in Boston
• Ordered Memorial Day Flags, gathered volunteers and planted 1600 on graves on May 18, 2024
• Reached out to local clubs, sport teams, politicians to participate in the Memorial Day Parade, invited Veterans to march along,
ordered a tractor to transport those who cannot walk. Set up American Legion for lunch. May 27, 2023
• 14 Veterans to visit Ancient and Honorable Artillery company May 2, 2024
• Organized golf tournament, order food, balls, trophies, collect gift donations for raffles, seek out hole sponsors, have signs
made, mail out invites, keep track of players and payment for Annual ALP golf tournament. – June 17, 2024 Profit @$4000
• June 16 – gather volunteers to help fill goody bags, put up signs throughout the course for the tournament
• Worked with Home Depot, to redesign the American Legion Members Lounge, gather volunteers, painted, decorated – all in a
timely manner.
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• Held a soft opening for members and politicians of the American Legion September 2024.
• Organized our Annual golf tournament, order food, ball, trophies, collected gift donations for raffles, mailed out invites, seek
hole sponsors, have signs made, kept track of players and payment for the Veterans Annual Golf Tournament August 12,
2024 Profit $ @11,000
• August 11 – head a group to meet and fill goody bags, and place signs
• Worked together with Kevin Michaels to bring live the Uniforms of our Heroes for the month of May upstairs of Northern
Spy. Collect uniforms, set up display, interviewed the Veterans, write ups, decorated and designed layout. Hosted opening
Day kick off celebration May 11, 2024
• Training 6/3-6/7 Conference – Cape Cod
• Together with Barry Schneider and the American Legion retired (burning of) 100s of flags on July 22, 2024
• Attend Conference Leominster October 2024
• Retiring of the Colors ceremony at Knollwood Cemetery, November 10, 2024
• Veterans Day Assemblies at The Dean S Luce and Kenney Elementary Schools – Thursday prior
• Collaborated with Clarks School for the hearing impair to Honor Veterans Day, organized 5 local Veterans in uniform to visit
and read books with the children. They were beyond excited to meet “Soldiers”. Nov 9, 2024
o Together with Julie, from the American Legion we asked for the children’s wish list. Ordered everything they asked
for. Wrapped each one. Veterans delivered gifts to the students and decorated cookies with them! December 19, 2024
• Veterans Day Luncheon Town Club, offer lunch (BBQ), entertainment, deserts. Order decorations, and with NCL made the
centerpieces. Mailed 600 invitations and kept a spreadsheet of guest who planned on attending. Reached out to find guest
speakers, entertainment. Delegated jobs to the volunteers at the luncheon - pinning of Veterans, reading of poems, etc.
• Partnered up with Home Depot, once again to place wreaths, and mini Alberta’s for graves of veterans for Christmas.
• Working with DOEHS to ensure veterans have access to food pantry, vouchers availability. Also the Veterans Department
donates hats, gloves, coats, wheel chairs, canes etc to members of the community in need from our donation closet.
• Door to Door Project – a good working relationship with the Norfolk Country Sheriff Department, to benefit our Veterans.
HONOR GUARD FUNERALS
Our all-volunteer Honor Guard was privileged to offer Military Honors as a show of respect at the funerals of 15 local veterans in 2024.
Since 2002, we have been honored to offer this tribute to over 900 veterans.
Honor Guard, Arafat and Cynthia visits veterans in nursing come and assisted living during veteran’s day week.
DONATIONS RECEIVED
In 2024, the not-for-profit Canton Veterans’ Fund received numerous donations, bringing the total donations received since 2002 to
more than $600,000. Using this fund, the Department is able to offer programs and services to honor, serve, remember and assist our
local veterans who fall between governmental support programs. Thank you to all who have donated.
BENEFIT CLAIMS PROCESSES
In 2024 There were 50 VA claims processed
RETURN OF VETERAN’S BENEFITS
In 2024, more than $100,000.00 was reimbursed to the Town by the state for benefits paid out through the MA Ch. 115 assistance
program to qualifying Canton Veterans and their surviving dependents.
VETERANS SERVICES OFFICER CERTIFICATION
Our Veterans Services Director and Administrator, Arafat M. Knight, and Cynthia Maddestra has been certified by the state and attended
over 14 different meeting monthly and quarterly located in different sections of Mass, and via zoom as required.
***************************************************************************************
PAST PROGRAMS, CEREMOIES AND EVENTS
• Relocation of town monuments to create Veteran’s Memorial Park;
• Creation and Dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bench honoring Canton Veterans who survived the war but died
later from illnesses connected to Agent Orange exposure;
• “Fallen Heroes” Street Sign Program, 2001;
• Commencement Exercises for WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War Veterans;
• The Wall that Heals, Traveling Vietnam Memorial, 2005
• “Before You Go” WWII Honor and Remembrance Ceremony, 2007;
• Korean War Era Veterans Honor and Remembrance Ceremony, 2009;
• Vietnam Veterans “Welcome Home” Honor and Remembrance Ceremony, 2011;
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• Rededication of the restored WWI Monument, 2013;
• Rededication of the restored Civil War Soldier statue 2014;
• Dedication of a Headstone for Sgt. Rudolph E. Araujo, killed in action in Vietnam, 2014;
• Dedication and Raising of the six new Branch Flags at the American Legion Walk of Honor, Veterans Memorial Park, 2015;
• Ceremony to Commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War in conjunction with the Brookhaven Hospice We Honor
Veterans Program, 2017;
• In 2019 the Town of Canton dedicated the entrance road to Veteran’s Memorial Park as Andreotti’s Way in the name of Tony
Andreotti.
• In 2021 we moved the Veterans Day service from a breakfast to luncheon.
VIDEO TAPING VETERANS (ONGOING PROGRAM)
Interviews of veterans to preserve their war experiences for generations to come. To date, 29 videos have been produced with Canton
Community Television to be sent to the Library of Congress as part of the Veterans History Project.
The Department of Veterans continues to make an impact in the lives of our local Veterans and their families. The events are always a
huge success, and the coffee social is becoming larger and larger month after month. The Department involves the community with the
Veterans and will continue to do so. We have an open-door policy and will listen, guide, help and be there for ANY veteran who comes
in. We will continue to seek donations to take them on fieldtrips, ie museums, Woosox games. We will strive to make Memorial Day
bigger and bigger involving the entire community, we will work to make the golf tournament a larger success to bring in a huge donation,
and hope more and more Veterans come out and celebrate their day on November 11th.
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Canton Roll of Honor
Honoring Those Who Died
In Service to Their Country
World War I: Edward J. Beatty, Patrick J. Cronin, Ettore DelVecchio, Allan W. Douglass, Josiah Fuller, Pietro Gallo, Albert H,
Gavigan, Leo V. Gray, Helen Homans, George H. Horton, William P. Monahan, John Shaw, Arthur W. Thomas, George St. George;
World War II: Walter G. Berteletti, Albert M. Callahan, Michael J. Callanan, William J. Casey, Robert G. Dallahan, Parker B. Dodge,
Donald J. Galligan, John J. Gately, Robert E. Gelpke, Donald J. Graham, John F. Griffin, Dana F. Igo, Michael J. Julian, John A. Lawrie,
Louis P. Mendes, Carlyle W. Packard, Frederick W. Powers, Dietrich F. E. Rasetzki, William F. Roach, Harold P. Rolfe, Gerald W.
Scully, Arthur A. Smith, Arthur W. Thomas, Harris P. Tracy, Andrew R. Wood, Jr.;
Korean War: Ferdinand Berteletti, Ernest Carrara, Paul J. Hannon;
Vietnam War: Rudolph E. Araujo, Antonio Falco, Peter H. Hansen, Bruce J. Matta;
Iraq War: Shayne M. Cabino;
Post-Vietnam (Agent Orange-Related Deaths): Robert J. Barrette, Richard D. Buck, Thomas F. Doherty, David L. Farrow, Robert F.
Femino, William J. Hogan, Kevin J. Kelly, Kevin F. LaCivita, Lance D. LeFever, Richard A. MacPhail, Robert W. Redmond, David A.
Schnopp, Anthony D. Uliano, Paul E. Weiderhold, William J. Weiderhold.
Report of the
WATER AND SEWER RATE POLICY COMMITTEE
William R. Scollins III, Chairman 801 Washington St.
rscollins@town.canton.ma.us 781-575-6612 Canton, MA 02021
Fax 781-575-6608
COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Gerald Carmichael / Joseph Ridge
Patricia Cawley / Michael Jerrier
Dan Cole
C. David Emhardt
Walter Spiegel
Chris Sykes
Mike Trotta
Meetings of the committee are called as needed. The committee met in 2024 to develop recommendations on water and sewer rates.
After reviewing and discussing a detailed analysis of water & sewer rate drivers the committee developed a rate recommendation for
the Select Board, which they voted to adopt. The unanimous recommendation and vote of the Committee was to leave rates
unchanged in fiscal 2025, but to implement a 5% water rate increase and a 5% sewer rate increase, effective July 1, 2025. The rates
adopted are consistent with the goals established during the previous years’ review of the needs of the Water and Sewer Enterprise
funds.
The major factors necessitating this action are the following:
• A trend of declining water consumption, and revenue, has continued over the previous two years due to wet summers, continuing and
tightening water conservation requirements by the State, and increased water conservation efforts by residents and businesses;
• Increased MWRA assessments, which are 27% of Water Enterprise expenses. Assessments have increased 35% or by $717K over the
past two years. This is in addition to a $515K, or 34% increase in fiscal 2023. These levels of assessment increases are primarily the
result of increased reliance on MWRA for water during maintenance of the Town’s two water treatment plants, which require the
plants to be offline during maintenance. A planned significant replacement of the filtration system at the Neponset Water Treatment
facility in 2025;
• Increased debt service costs, which are 35% of Water Enterprise expenses. The Town continues to invest responsibly in its water
infrastructure in efforts to provide dependably clean water to the community - $18.7MM over the last four years and $4.2MM planned
for FY25. However the fund has been unable to develop a balance that would allow for less reliance on debt for these projects;
• The Town has only increased water rates five times over the previous eleven years.
• All of these factors have combined to deplete the Water Enterprise fund balance, which needs to be restored.
Conversely, the Sewer Enterprise fund has been able to maintain a strong financial position, even with only three rate increases over
the last 11 years. However with planned increased investment in Sewer
76 infrastructure modest rate increases will be required to
maintain financial sufficiency.
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Report of theSource page 80
maintain financial sufficiency.
Report of the
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
Gregory L. Pando, Chairman 801 Washington St.
Michael Khoury, Member
Brian C. Black, Member Canton, MA 02021
Matthew Carleton, Alternate Telephone 781-575-6589
Barbara Saint Andre, Alternate Fax 781-575-6574
zba@town.canton.ma.us
Tamra Stock and Ingrid Hartfiel, Administrative Assistants and Recording Secretaries
Office Hours: Monday 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM, Tuesday 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM, Wednesday and Thursday 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM, and
Friday 7:30 AM-1:00 PM.
2024 was a busy year for the Zoning Board of Appeals. The Zoning Board of Appeals conducted 56 formal hearings. There were 16
informal hearings consisting mainly of applications for signs/banners, request for extensions to prior decisions, and minor
modifications to site plans and previously approved decisions. We anticipate that zoning changes to State Law, enacted during the
2024 State Legislative Session will create an increase in demand for zoning hearings in 2025 with respect to both the creation of an
MBTA (Section 3a) Multi-Family Zone and the addition of Accessory Dwelling Units to all single family residential districts.
The Board wishes to express its appreciation to their support staff, including Building Commissioner Ed Walsh, Administrative
Assistants and Recording Secretaries, Tamra Stock and Ingrid Hartfiel, Town Counsel, Brooks & DeRensis, Town Planner, TJ Torres,
and Housing Coordinator Kevin Shea, all who provided the Board with the assistance necessary to make 2024 meaningful and
constructive for the Residents of the Town of Canton.
The Board would also like to thank the Selectboard, Town Administrator Charles Doody, the Planning Board, the Engineering
Department, the Conservation Commission and the Board of Assessors for all of their assistance and support during the year.
Finally, I would personally like to thank my colleagues on the Board: Michael Khoury, Brian Black, Matthew Carleton, and Barbara
Saint Andre for another great year. Their knowledge, experience, dedication, and hard work are the qualities that have contributed to
the Zoning Board of Appeals significant accomplishments in the year 2024.
Respectfully Submitted, Gregory L. Pando, Chairman
Town of Canton
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING #1
MONDAY, THE EIGHTEENTH DAY
OF NOVEMBER 2024
In accordance with the warrant the Special Town Meeting was convened on November 18TH, 2024 at Morse Auditorium, on the
grounds of the Canton High School, 900 Washington Street, and called to order by Town Moderator, Richard R. Staiti at 7:03pm with
1,022 voters present.
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