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October 25, 2023, Finance Committee Meeting. Minutes

Finance Committee · Record date 2023-10-25 · Record 52fcb169c14b6b01e8

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Canton Finance Committee                   Minutes Voted on: 12/4/2023
                                               801 Washington Street                    Vote: 6-0-0
                                                 Canton, MA 02021




                                                   Meeting Minutes
                                                   October 25, 2023


Finance Committee Members Present: Dan Cole, Dave Clough, Karen Foley, Emilio Mauro, Kristin Mirliani, Reuki
Schutt and Cindy Thomas.

Finance Committee Members Absent: Tim McKenna and Maureen Menconi.

Guests Present:
Richard Collette, Election Warden for Precinct 5, John F. Kennedy School
Ellen Jones, Finance Committee Recording Secretary
Tracy Kenney, Town Clerk
Lisa Lopez, Article 7 Proponent, Moving Annual Municipal Elections to November
Randy Scollins, Finance Director/Treasurer/Collector
Jen Wexler, Article 7 Petitioner, Moving Annual Municipal Elections to November

Call Meeting to Order: Ms. Thomas called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Comments from Finance Committee Chair Thomas

Ms. Thomas stated that Mr. Scollins will speak on the Special Town Meeting (STM) timelines and the impact of those
timelines on setting the tax rate. Because of the tight deadlines that could have a significant impact and financial
implications for the Town she wanted to make sure the Committee members and the public are aware of those
implications. Ms. Thomas further stated that some of the STM articles are very different from articles that the Committee
has deliberated on in the past with some of the issues complex and divisive. Ms. Thomas has observed and listened
to many residents. The consensus is that residents want to be safe, want to be heard and they want to know that they
have good governance. She further stated that it is important that the Committee members keep in mind the intents of
the voters and citizens and as a Committee it is their charge to act in the best interests of the Town. The Committee
may act on motions as they exist, propose substitute motions or that the articles may not be appropriate for the Finance
Committee to vote on and leave it to the voters.

Ms. Thomas encouraged viewers to let neighbors and others know to attend STM and despite what the Committee
may vote on the articles it will be up to voters of the Town of Canton.

Ms. Thomas became aware of an additional article that was not anticipated prior to the meeting. The Select Board
added to the warrant an article having to do with adopting the rules to govern Special Town Meeting which would be
addressed at the November 1st meeting.

Discussion regarding Special Town Meeting Timeline - Mr. Scollins

Mr. Scollins reviewed the STM timeline. Because the STM was called for by a citizen’s petition there is a very specific
timeline that by law has to be followed. Once the petition was filed with the Town Clerk’s office and the signatures
certified, the Town has 45 days from that date to hold the STM. Petition was filed on October 10th. The latest the STM
could be held would be November 25th. Mr. Scollins reviewed some of the key dates on the STM timeline (see meeting
document for the timeline). STM Warrant will close on Friday, October 27 at 10:00 a.m. The Select Board will meet
at 11:00 a.m. on October 27th to approve the STM and to vote their positions on the articles. Finance Committee
Draft motions will be sent to Town Counsel November 2. Mr. Scollins stated that it will be helpful for the Committee
members to have the discussions ready by November 2 to be sent with the draft motions for Town Counsel review.
Final Finance Committee report sent to the printer on November 6 for delivery to the voters the week of
November 13th.




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Discussion regarding Setting of the Town’s Tax Rate - Mr. Scollins

Mr. Scollins reported that in every year in every municipality the Select Board holds a classification hearing (a process
dictated by state law) at which time it is determined how to split the tax rate among residential, industrial, personal
property and commercial property. The Department of Revenue (DOR) does not allow the setting of a tax rate, i.e. the
holding of a classification hearing if there is a scheduled town meeting that has yet to be dissolved. This does not
mean continued but means concluded because there could be business that comes before the town meeting that could
impact appropriations that would be allocated to the taxpayers. Typically the Town would hold the classification hearing
on the 1st, 2nd or in the worst case scenario the 3rd Tuesday of November. The classification hearing for Canton is
scheduled for November 21st which is the day after Special Town Meeting. The hope is to have STM concluded on
November 20th so the classification hearing can be held on November 21st. The Board of Assessors will present their
tax rate recommendation to the Select Board (SB) at which time the SB makes their decision and votes on the tax rate.
The process does not end there in that the Finance Department forwards the financial information on the Tax Recap
(Tax Recapitulation Form) to the Town’s representative at the DOR to vet the information to make sure the Town is in
compliance. The DOR then formally notifies the Town that the tax rate has been certified.

Given the timing of November 20th and November 21st falling within Thanksgiving week it is not expected that the DOR
will certify the tax rate within a week’s time, especially given that hundreds of communities will have applied for their
tax rates to be certified at around the same time. Once the tax rate is certified there are internal processes within the
Town Hall (Assessors Office, Collector’s Office, Town Clerk’s Office, Finance Director’s Office, Accounting and IT) to
finalize the tax bills, proof the tax bills, liens assessed (manual additions to the tax bills) with the file sent to the printing
company and final proofing done by the Town. The goal is to have the tax bills sent out to property owners by December
31st at the latest. If the Fiscal Year 3rd and 4th quarter bills are not mailed out by December 31st by law the 3rd quarter
payment due on February 1st would not be due until May 1st with no interest accruing. If the bills are not mailed about
by December 31st this will result in a cash flow problem for the Town. The 3rd quarter tax bill is associated with
approximately $23.5 million of revenue. The Town would have to fund the $23.5 million through borrowing at current
rates of approximately 4½ to 5% interest rates or through its reserves to pay expenses of the Town. This would cost
the Town approximately $250,000 in lost interest on the $23.5 million out of the Town’s money market funds.

In response to Mr. Clough’s question if the Town could email or text the tax bills to residents to speed up the tax bill
deliverly process prior to 12/31, Mr. Scollins stated that the Town has not yet opted into that method. Mr. Clough also
inquired about the SB and Board of Assessors having a pre-meeting (in the School Cafeteria) to have a classification
hearing prior to Town Meeting to vote on the tax rates. Mr. Scollins was unsure if that would be this approach would
be allowable because independent bodies are supposed to be independent bodies acting on and making
recommendations. Also various financial scenarios would have to be run in order for the Board of Assessors to make
their recommendation to be brought forth to the SB.

Mr. Scollins inquired with the Town’s financial advisor that if the tax bills are not mailed out on time would this be
considered by the Rating Agencies. It would not be a material consideration but it would have to be explained to the
Rating Agencies that it was as a result of the democratic process and that the Town worked around it and leveraged
its reserves to minimize the costs to the Town. Mr. Scollins recommendation is that if the STM cannot be dissolved in
one night that it be dissolved the next night on Tuesday with the classification hearing on Wednesday, November 23rd
. If the STM were to continue to a second night such as the week after, then the classification hearing could not be
held on November 21st because the STM would not have been dissolved. Mr. Clough questionied whether using the
$23.5M in free cash will have any impact on our 15% free cash target. Mr. Clough stated that depleting free cash
would look negative to the rating agencies if we did not have the free cash at the time of the S&P Bond Rating Review.
But given that the funds would be replenished when taxes were paid by May 1, Mr. Scollins indicated that this would
not be the case Mr. Scollins discussed this scenario with the town’s financial advisor, and this will not be a material
consideration for the rating agencies, but it would have to be explained.

Ms. Thomas stated that the Finance Committee needed a plan B for STM because of all the logistical issues and that
the Committee will not vote on that at this meeting and will address it at their next meeting on November 1st.

Discussion regarding the Town’s Bond Rating - Mr. Scollins

Mr. Scollins is not on social media but is aware third hand of concerns raised and statements being made that if an
elected official or member or members of the Select Board were for example bankrupt (as an extreme example), this
would that impact the Town’s Bond Rating. He stated that unequivocally the answer is no. The Town’s bond rating is
its credit rating and is a reflection of the Town’s ability to pay its debt service. If an elected official or an employee is
insolvent for whatever reason, this would not affect the Town’s financial stability and its ability to make its debt service
payments. In response to Mr. Clough’s comment that in the 2022 credit rating report that the “Town’s financial team
has remained very stable” and his concern that the direction the management team is moving along with any potential
cover ups has potentially created a cract in the “very stable” comment, Mr. Scollins stated that when taxpayers do not
pay their taxes timely the Town will place liens on properties at the Registry of Deeds and eventually the Town will
receive payment along with 16% interest because the Town is the first lienholder. In the case of rental property the
property owner is responsible for the payment of taxes. The Town historically has a 99%+ collections. Mr. Clough noted



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that he was specifically concerned about meals tax. Mr. Clough asked about the $24K that Chris Albert is withholding
from local receipts availability on the budget he’s overseeing. Mr. Scollins stated a well-managed town would place a
lien on the property. Mr. Scollin’s corrected his comments at the end of the meeting to say that local receipt liens would
be placed on the Business Permit and not the property holder. Given the conclusion that the financial condition of an
elected official does not have any effect on the Town’s bond rating Ms. Thomas suggested the Committee move on to
the next topic.

Mr. Mauro commented that the Town is its own corporate entity and the personal financial stability of individuals do not
reflect on the Town because that is the purpose of a corporation. Mr. Scollins reported that if the Town were to not
issue 3rd quarter bills on time and was forced to use reserves this would not be a reportable event to the rating agencies.
The Treasurer is granted very broad authority and flexibility over fungible funds of the Town, not funds in trust accounts
but cash, in order to pay bills within the fiscal year.

STM Article 7 – Move Annual Municipal Elections to November

Ms. Thomas introduced the guests that would be speaking on Article 7: Town Clerk Tracy Kenney and Jen Wexler
and Lisa Lopez representing the petitioners for Article 7. Ms. Schutt volunteered to provide the discussion for Article
7.

Ms. Wexler and Ms. Lopez spoke in support of Article 7 and gave reasons why the annual municipal elections should
be moved to November. Some of the highlights from their PowerPoint presentation (see meeting documents) are as
follows:
     •   If adopted at STM the article would be sent to the state for consideration as a Home Rule Petition.
     •   Ms. Wexler read the Article: To see if the Town will direct the Select Board to file, within ninety (90) days of a
         favorable vote by Special Town Meeting, a petition with the General Court for special legislation allowing
         Canton to hold annual municipal elections on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, or to take
         any action related thereto.
     •   The exact language was presented and approved and vetted by Town Counsel in a Town Meeting article in
         2014, but the Home Rule Petition was not acted upon by the legislature.
     •   November elections would help to increase voter turnout and promote civic engagement. Canton has
         approximately 18,000 registered voters.
     •   Data was presented for the number of voters who voted as compared to the total number of registered voters.
         Ms. Wexler noted that there were “stark” differences in voter turnout for Town elections versus Statewide
         elections versus Presidential elections. It was noted by a Finance Committee member that the data for the
         number of voters for Town elections included years (e.g. 2020 local election 280 voters) in which there was
         very low voter turnout due to uncontested races.
     •   There would be no change for the Town Clerk’s office to administer the local elections in the odd-numbered
         election years.
     •   In even-numbered election years the Town Clerk’s office would administer the local, state and presidential
         elections. Two ballots would be required. Canton would be the first town in Massachusetts to hold all three
         elections in the fall.
     •   There would be a cost savings by eliminating the annual spring election.
     •   The impact to moving the annual municipal elections to November would be overwhelmingly positive.
     •   Ms. Lopez had reached out to the Town Clerks of both Agawam (Mayor and City Council) and Wellesley
         (Board of Selectmen). Both cities have successfully run dual elections along with absentee/mail-in voting.
         While there may have been no material cost savings or expense it did require additional planning by the Town
         Clerks. She quoted the Agawam Town Clerk “Once you do it and go through it the checklist is now in my
         head.” Wellesley will invest in a high-speed tabulator.
     •   Ms. Lopez complimented the Canton Town Clerk and her staff for skillfully planning and executing a recount
         in the middle of COVID. There was a great deal of organization and planning on short notice but they skillfully
         executed the recount. This was part of the democratic process that gave everyone in the community
         satisfaction that the election was sound.
     •   Ms. Lopez stated that fundamentally this is a policy decision on whether or not there can be tangible steps to
         make it easier for more people to participate in elections.




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Ms. Kenny, Town Clerk was joined by Richard Collette, Election Warden for the precinct located at the Kennedy School
provided compelling reasons of why Canton should not move the annual municipal elections to November. The
following are some of the highlights of the discussion:

    •    In 2014 Annual Town Meeting passed the recommendation to move the spring annual municipal elections by
         three votes. The Home Rule Petition was not acted upon by the state legislature.
    •    The state is not eager to combine local elections with state elections.
    •    Ms. Kenny supports the possible benefit of voter turnout, however, in her perspective of 36 years of
         administering the elections and seeking information from approximately 20 other Town Clerks in
         Massachusetts who have held dual elections, everyone communicated to her that they would never
         recommend combining presidential elections with local elections and that it would be a disaster if it were to
         occur.
    •    Canton has 7 precincts in 4 polling locations. The state does not allow local elections placed on the same
         ballots as state elections. Dual elections would require separate elections simultaneously with separate
         ballots. Voters would have to check in at separate check-in tables for separate ballots.
    •    2 additional poll workers per precinct would be necessary for a total of 14 new election workers needed. In
         the past several years the Town Clerk has never even received 14 applicants to become elections workers.
    •    For the past 5 years the Town has been operating on a skeleton crew for elections. The Town Clerk used to
         carry 8 election workers per precinct. Now she struggles to keep 5 at each polling location.
    •    The majority of the Town’s election workers are retirees. The average age of an election worker in Canton is
         69 years old. Ages run from 37 to 87. For a state election poll workers arrive at 6 in the morning. Polls are
         open to 8 p.m. On many days some of the poll workers have been there for 18 hours. After the polls close at
         8 p.m. that is when the poll workers need to be alert and sharp during the reconciliation process of counting
         and examining ballots.
    •    At the last presidential election Canton had approximately 14,000 voters. If there had been a local election at
         the same time there could be a potential 29,000 ballots to count at the end of the night. A tremendous amount
         of stress is being placed on the poll workers.
    •    As evidenced by many news reports elections are being highly scrutinized. Ms. Kenney’s office has been
         inundated with public records requests having to do with elections.
    •    Ms. Kenney has found that in other communities it has been quite confusing for the voters dealing with 2
         ballots for a dual elections.
    •    The popularity of vote by mail has put additional strain and burden on the Town Clerk’s office having to mail
         both local and state election ballots because most mail-in voters will check boxes indicating to receive both
         ballots. These ballots are supposed to be in their respective envelopes. There have been issues in other
         communities where voters have placed ballots in incorrect envelopes. If a ballot is returned in the wrong
         envelope that ballot is voided and cannot be counted. Issues with voters returning both ballots in one envelope
         causes both votes to be voided and not counted.
    •    By not having a spring election there could be cost savings in not having to pay police details and janitorial
         staff at each of the schools. Ms. Kenny stated that other Town Clerks have indicated to her that they have
         not seen significant savings moving spring elections to the fall. Savings in one area might generate more
         expenses in the area of ballot printing.
    •    For dual elections Ms. Kenny would have to order 16,000 ballots for one election and 16,000 for the additional
         election.
    •    Volume is the biggest concern for Ms. Kenney for the presidential elections in even-numbered years.
    •    Laws differ for various elections which causes some confusion for voters. If voters move out of the area and
         it is within six months of having moved away voters can return to their former community to vote for state or
         presidential elections. This is not the case for a town election. Once a voter moves out of the Town they
         cannot return to that town to vote.

Ms. Kenney is fully aware that moving the local elections to the fall may appear very beneficial but in her opinion “looks
can be deceiving”. She remains very concerned about maintaining the voters current faith in the election process and
those that administer the election process. Ms. Kenney is very worried about combining the local elections with the
presidential elections. The fact that Canton would be the very first at implementing this new dual election process is
concerning to her. She stated that no other Town Clerks want to implement dual elections.

Ms. Kenney introduced Richard Collette, who is the Warden for Precinct 5 at the John F. Kennedy School. He has
been working elections for over a decade and has been working the “trenches” on election day. He stated that no one
can argue with wanting to increase voter participation in elections but the problem is immense in how you can implement
this. In his opinion when votes are cast, handled properly and recorded properly the results are accurate. Will the
Town be able to preserve the accuracy and the timeliness of the voting process if these changes were to be made?
Poll workers in his precinct with the average age of 77 are being asked to work 15-16 hours days to make the process
work. If 2 elections are run at the same time the Town will be taking a system that is already stressed but working and
overload it. The answer would be to hire 14 more poll workers, but unfortunately there are not 14 more people you
could find to hire. Offering more money would not be a solution as poll workers do not do the job for more money. Poll




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workers are becoming physically unable to do the work. Poll workers are not required to work full days. They are
allowed to work split shifts.

Mr. Mauro acknowledged that the November election date would likely lead to more turnout for the local election than
April simply due to voters being drawn to the state and federal elections in those years. He acknowledged the capacity
issues that this change would pose to the Town Clerk's Office and election staff and he asked Ms. Lopez and Ms.
Wexler if a home rule petition could include a specific start date in the future to allow preparations to occur.


STM Vote Article 7 – Move Annual Municipal Elections to November

Ms. Thomas read Article 7 as follows: Article 7 To see if the Town will direct the Select Board to file, within ninety (90)
days of a favorable vote by Special Town Meeting, a petition with the General Court for special legislation allowing
Canton to hold annual municipal elections on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, or to take any action
related thereto.
Elizabeth-Jo Rohr and 148 others

Ms. Schutt spoke in favor of Article 7 but suggested the article be amended by adding language that the change
would not start in a presidential election year.

A motion made by Ms. Schutt that the Select Board file within ninety (90) days of a favorable vote by Special
Town Meeting, a petition with the General Court for special legislation allowing Canton to hold annual
municipal elections on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November with the first annual municipal
election to start in a non-presidential election year was seconded by Mr. Mauro.

Vote: 7-0-0. Ms. Schutt volunteered to provide the discussion for Article 7.

STM Article 1 – Adopt the Rules to Govern Special Town Meeting

Article 1 is an article sponsored by the Select Board. Ms. Thomas explained that this article would set the conduct and
rules for the Special Town Meeting and that there could be 2 motions. The Committee did not take a vote on Article 1
and would address Article 1 at its November 1st meeting.

STM Article 2 – Adopt the Rules to Govern Special Town Meeting

Ms. Thomas stated that Article 2 was a citizen’s petition article that would have the Special Town Meeting meet on
Saturday mornings. Out of respect for residents who worship on Saturday or Sundays the Town would not hold the
STM on the weekend. As well the Canton High School auditorium was unavailable on Saturday, November 18.

Mr. Clough asked about the 306 signatures and that some of them may have been forgeries. Ms. Thomas stated that
only 200 signatures were needed by the petitioner and that she has heard there was only one allegation of signature
fraud and that the matter has been forwarded to the Attorney General. Ms. Schutt suggested the Finance Committee
postpone indefinitely Article 2. Mr. Clough suggested that the Finance Committee members could move the motion by
a vote to abstain.

A motion made by Mr. Clough that the Finance Committee recommend Article 2 as written in the STM warrant
was seconded by Mr. Mauro.

Vote: 0-7-0. The article was not supported by the Finance Committee. Mr. Mauro volunteered to provide the
discussion for Article 2.

STM Article 3 – Elect a Moderator

Ms. Thomas read Article 2 as follows: To elect a Moderator to preside at this Town Meeting to serve until the
commencement of the Annual Town Meeting in 2024; or to take any other action related thereto.

Ms. Thomas explained that this citizen’s petition article was not legal as it did not follow the Town’s By-Laws according
to the section that addressed Elections of a Moderator. The Moderator chosen to preside over the 2023 Annual Town
Meeting will serve until the 2024 Annual Town Meeting.

Ms. Foley volunteered to write the discussion for Article 3.

A motion made by Ms. Schutt that the Finance Committee recommend that the subject matter of Article 3 be
indefinitely postponed was seconded by Mr. Mauro.

Vote: 7-0-0.



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STM Article 4 – Accountability of Select Board and Police Department

Mr. Cole volunteered to provide the discussion for Article 4. Article 4 was a citizen’s petition article sponsored by
Kathleen Howley and 306 others. Ms. Thomas read Article 4 as follows: To have the five Select Board members and
the senior management of the Canton Police Department, including the chief of police and s enior leadership,
respond to concerns from registered Canton voters; or to take any other action related thereto.

Ms. Thomas stated that Article 4 is a complicated issue in that there is an active investigation and criminal case that
could be impacted and potentially places restrictions on the Committee, the Police and the Select Board on what they
could discuss on the matter at STM. She further explained that a discussion on this complex a topic would be
challenging to discuss in the context of the STM. There has been a suggestion that a substitute motion could include
requiring a community forum to be held at a time to be determined at the conclusion of the trial and that would be an
alternate proposal, not to discount the need for dialogue.

Mr. Mauro expressed his concerns with regard to this article. There are no clear guidelines established in the article
as to how the concerns of the petitioner’s would be satisfied. The Town could spend days on discussing how to address
and plan out the vague concerns of the petitioners. The Article does not specify the specific concerns being addressed.
Mr. Mauro stated that if a substitute article was created to meet the “spirit” of the transparency of the petitioners are
requesting within the guidelines of what Town officials are legally able to discuss pending the conclusion of the trial.
He suggested that STM could defer this article so that there could be a guarantee that there would be something that
would satisfy but would not leave the STM in such a vague way.

Mr. Scollins interpretation of Article 4 was there was no clear motion so the Finance Committee would put forth the
motion.

Ms. Schutt questioned what would happen with the Finance Committee or if Article 4 was even a Finance Committee
question to respond to. Ms. Thomas stated the article does not have financial implications and the challenge is that it
is an open ended article not clearly defining the petitioner’s concerns. Mr. Scollins stated that not every article within
a Town meeting is a financial article and that there are other articles for the Finance Committee to consider that may
indirectly have financial implications.

Mr. Cole inquired if the citizens will be presenting their concerns and asking for the Select Board to respond to those
concerns. It will be difficult for them to respond given the ongoing investigations.

Ms. Thomas believes this article may have been “triggered” by the period of time in which dialogue and public comment
were restricted and this article may be a part of wanting to be heard. This article could be a vehicle for not having those
conversations “shut down”.

Mr. Clough stated that there have been witness intimidation charges filed by a Select Board member against a certain
person for asking questions and that witness intemidation charges could happen to residents if they ask Chris Albert a
question. Ms. Schutt thought this was inaccurate information and that the Committee does not know who the witnesses
are. As well, the criminal charges filed were instead harassment charges filed and not witness intimidation charges
filed.

Ms. Thomas believes that there is a difference between asking a question in a public meeting and harassment and
intimidation. Ms. Thomas spoke in support of Mr. Mauro’s comments. The article does not contain guidelines and
parameters or what the discussion would be and how it would be concluded at the STM.

Mr. Scollins shared with the Committee that the Moderator, Mr. Hines, has complete control over the proceedings of
the Special Town Meeting and that the Moderator can lay out the parameters by which points that want to be made by
the petitioners could be addressed. Mr. Hines could put structure to the article including what the petitioners are trying
to accomplish.

Ms. Thomas stated that she would follow up with the Moderator and that the Finance Committee could consider a
motion with parameters that are based on the Moderator’s suggestions to bring forth a forum in which citizens could
engage in conversation not only at the STM but at a time in the near future. The Finance Committee would discuss
Article 4 at their meeting on November 1st.




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STM Article 5 – Whether the Town Will Proceed with Votes of No Confidence

Ms. Thomas read Article 5 with the two motions. Ms. Thomas volunteered to provide the discussion for Article 5. Mr.
Mauro stated that he was concerned with the Finance Committee personally taking a position on Article 5 because as
a town body if the Finance Committee recommends or not recommends something their position could be conceived
as a political statement. He is unsure if the Finance Committee should take a position on Article 5.

A motion made by Ms. Schutt that the Finance Committee recommend that the subject matter of Article 5 be
deferred to the voters of Special Town Meeting was seconded by Ms. Foley.

Mr. Cole stated that it would have been beneficial to have had the results of an investigation as addressed in Article 6
to even consider a no confidence vote and that it is important on getting all the facts. He also questioned if this was a
Finance Committee question to answer.

Ms. Schutt stated that she was concerned and questioned about the manner in which people attending STM would be
able to vote with the fear of intimidation. She inquired if there would be a ballot vote for some of the articles. Ms.
Thomas stated that the Moderator’s plan is to use the voter yellow cards and voice votes.

Mr. Scollins stated that Town Counsel had his team look at any precedent in other communities to take a vote such as
a no confidence vote. One case they found was in 2003 in the Town of Uxbridge in which there was an article at a
Town Meeting for a vote of no confidence in their Superintendent of Public Schools. The motion was made and
seconded not to vote on the petition article of no confidence. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Thomas spoke in
support of deferring to the voters for Article 5.

Vote: 7-0-0.

STM Article 6 – Independent Investigations into its Select Board and Police Department

The Finance Committee will discuss Article 6 at their meeting on November 1st. The Finance discussions will be needed
in the Finance Department by November 2nd . The discussions for Articles already discussed and voted on should be
sent to the Finance Committee Secretary by October 30th.

Mr. Clough suggested the town appoint a special counsel in accordance with the Town By-Laws to assist in the
investigation. Mr. Clough will email the reference to the By-Law to ms. Thomas in which an independent counsel should
be used if a conflict of interest were to occur.

Mr. Scollins stated that Town Counsel’s opinion that the premise of Motion 3 under Article 6 for the citizens to manage
the procurement of hiring an investigatory body is not compliant with state law. Mr. Scollins as the Chief Procurement
Officer of the Town is required to manage these procurements. Per Town Counsel Motion 3 being proposed is an
illegal motion.

Ms. Schutt inquired if the recent statement made by the Select Board to investigate the Police Department circumvented
all of this. Ms. Mirliani would obtain a copy of the Select Board’s statement.

Approval of Minutes - A motion made by Mr. Mauro to approve the July 12, 2023 minutes as written was
seconded by Ms. Foley.

Vote: 7-0-0. The July 12, 2023 minutes were approved.

Next Meeting Date: The next Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at 7:00
p.m. at the Armando Recreation Center. The Committee will be completing its review of recommendations on the
remaining Special Town Meeting warrant articles and reviewing their recommendations Report.

A motion made by Ms. Schutt to adjourn the meeting at 9:22 p.m. was seconded by Mr. Mauro.

Vote: 7-0-0. The meeting adjourned.

Minutes reviewed by: Kristin Mirliani
Respectfully submitted,



Cindy Thomas
Chair, Canton Finance Committee and
Sub-Committee to Review Compensation of Elected Officials



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Finance Committee
                                             Meeting Documents
                                              October 25, 2023

Please note: Some meeting documents may be found on the Town’s website under the Posted Minutes
section (Laser Fiche).


Agenda for October 25, 2023.

Special Town Meeting 2023 – Time-Line, November 20, 2023, dated 10//11/23 (1 page).

Draft Recommendations of the Finance Committee to the Voters of Canton, Massachusetts – Special Town Meeting,
Monday, November 20, 2023 at 7:00 pm., Articles 1-7 (7 pages).

Presentation to Canton Finance Committee Regarding STM Local Elections Article, PowerPoint presentation,
provided by Jen Wexler on behalf of article committee, dated October 25, 2023 (8 pages).

Summary regarding moving the annual municipal elections to November, provided by Jen Wexler (2 pages).




FINCOM 20231025 WRS KM DC CST minutes final.docx   Page 8 of 8                                 10/29/23