Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text
March 31, 2021, Finance Committee Meeting - Virtual Meeting. Minutes
Saved text from 9 source pages. Transcription and OCR may contain errors; verify figures and wording against the original. Retrieved 2026-10-15.
Source page 1
Minutes Voted on: 4/21/21
Canton Finance Committee Vote: 7-0-0
801 Washington Street
Canton, MA 02021
Meeting Minutes
March 31, 2021
Finance Committee Members Present: David Clough, Dan Cole, Emilio Mauro, Tim McKenna, Reuki Schutt, Tom
Theodore, Cindy Thomas and Wai Wong.
Finance Committee Members Absent: Rob Barker.
Guests Present:
Charlie Aspinwall, Town Administrator
John Connolly, Chair, Select Board
Jen Fischer-Mueller, Superintendent, Canton Public Schools
Derek Folan, Assistant Superintendent, Canton Public Schools
Ellen Jones, Finance Committee Recording Secretary
Lisa Lopez, Select Board Member
David McCarthy, Chair, Planning Board
Barry Nectow, School Business Administrator
Randy Scollins, Finance Director
Laura Smead, Town Planner
Christine Smith, Chair, Sustainability Committee
Jeff Sullivan, Resident
Jen Wexler, Resident
Opening: Chair McKenna called the virtual meeting via Zoom to order at 7:00 p.m.
Approval of Agenda: Chair McKenna reviewed the agenda.
New Business
Discussion of FY22 Municipal and Enterprise Operating Budgets
Mr. Scollins presented the operating budget recommendations in a 11-page PowerPoint presentation (see meeting
documents) which included the Milestone Calendar, the General Fund operating budget requests of $24,247,313 or a
5.78% increase for FY22. The Finance Committee had set a Municipal budget target of $23,663,041 which was a
$931,000 increase over the FY21 budget. The Town Administrator balanced the budget by reducing a net of
$584,272 to meet the target, which the Select Board approved.
The largest budget increase is $569,900 for contractual increases which is 61% of the total budget increase.
Mr. Scollins reviewed all of the various department budget increase requests. The following are a few highlights.
The Police Department is seeking a request of $111,800 for a fourth Police Lieutenant and $80,000 for Police
Reform Related Training Backfill.
The Health Department request of $27,300 to increase the Assistant Public Health Nurse position from 19 to 35 hours
was not supported with the hope that funding will come from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Also not
supported is the approximately $602,000 stormwater related requests for the Department of Public
Works/Stormwater. The plan is to utilize a currently open and funded Operations Manager position in the DPW
budget to hire someone that might lead the effort in determining appropriate plans and funding strategies to be
brought to the next Town Meeting budget cycle.
An increase of $25,000 in the Veterans budget is being sought to fund support and maintenance costs for the
American Legion Post 24 which will be considered separately in Article 26. The $25,000 has been included within the
municipal operating budget because the intent is for the $25,000 to carry forward in future years and become a
permanent part of the Veterans budget. This is not a Free Cash request. If Article 26 is voted down and someone
makes a request, the funds could be used in another department’s budget, otherwise, it would be unappropriated
funds.
FINCOM 20210331 Minutes.docx Page 1 of 9 4/17/21Source page 2
Discussion of Water, Sewer and Rink Enterprise Operating Budget Requests The Water Enterprise operating budget request for FY22 is $499,200 or an increase of 6.7% for a total budget request of $7,885,870. The Sewer Enterprise operating budget request for FY22 is $31,500 less than ½ percent for a total budget request of $6,650,517. The Rink Enterprise proposed budget request for FY22 is an increase of $152,00 for a total budget request of $390,620 with increases in every category moving from a partial year to a full year. Mr. Jeff Sullivan, a resident of Canton, inquired as to why Article 24 for the weed removal at Old Shephard Pond was postponed indefinitely and if the Committee would reconsider the article. Mr. Scollins stated that after conferring with the Conservation Agent, Regen Milani, the department would be able to handle the cost of the weed control project within their budget. Discussion of Town Meeting Articles – Charlie Aspinwall, Town Administrator and John Connolly, Chair, Select Board Article 3 – Hear Reports of Committees Appointed at Prior Town Meetings – Charlie Aspinwall stated that Gene Manning would provide a report for the Economic Development Committee under the Article for the Special Tax Agreement and Stacey Gorman would do a report under the CPA Article. Mr. McKenna stated that he thought the Finance Committee did not review the reports prior to Town Meeting and that a report given by the various committees at Town Meeting would be sufficient. Ms. Thomas agreed that typically the Committee does not hear the reports until Town Meeting. Sustainability Committee – Christine Smith stated that the $1,000 budget request for FY22 was to mainly assist with education, outreach and other related matters. Article 20 – Appropriate $11,924 Proceeds from the TNC Ride Receipts - The $11,924 are funds that have been received by the Town and the recommendation from the Town Planner is to paint sharrows on Washington Street and post signage for Warner trail. Article 21 - Home Rule Petition Relative to Retired Police Officers – This article was postponed from last year’s Town Meeting. Mr. Aspinwall reported that this article would allow the Police Department to use not only Canton retired police officers but also retired police officers from other towns to expand the workforce available for private details. Mr. Mauro inquired if the retired police officers were subject to the new training mandates. Mr. Aspinwall would get back to Mr. Mauro, but he doubted that they were subject to the new training Article 27 – Transfer Ownership of Hats to American Legion Post 24 – Hats that were purchased by the Veterans Department in 2020 would be repurposed to the American Legion Post 24. Article 29 – Accept Gift of Land from Topgolf – This article would allow the Select Board to accept three parcels of land, two of which would be for conservation purposes and one would be used to relocate a traffic signal. Prior to acceptance of the land the Conservation Commission will have to place a conservation restriction on the two parcels. The third parcel would not have a restriction placed on it. Mr. Connolly reported to the Committee that he and Mr. Aspinwall met with representatives from the Topgolf organization who have been aggravated with the progress of Mass Highway, which highway project was supposed to have taken three years, which is now into its fifth year. Topgolf hopes to break ground in late spring or summer and spend $30-40 million to renovate the property. The business is supposed to generate $700,000 plus in new tax revenue and 600 new jobs. Article 30 – Municipal Energy Aggregation – Christine Smith reported that Article 30 is sponsored by the Select Board and supported by the Sustainability Committee. Ms. Smith provided a detailed PowerPoint presentation (see meeting documents). She explained that aggregation is a form of group purchasing in which a municipality arranges for electricity supply on behalf of its citizens. The electricity is combined and given to the same electricity supplier for obtaining the best price through joint purchasing. If the Town were to proceed with the plan current Eversource customers in Canton would automatically be enrolled. Residents could opt out at any time. The difference being the current system of obtaining energy and energy aggregation is the source from which the energy company obtains the energy. Currently the main source of energy is through fossil fuels that are sold to the utility company. Under a municipal aggregation plan also known as Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) the plan can dictate the source, so you have the option to increase renewable energy with the electricity being suppled by green sources but the delivery and the customer experience are the same Eversource would still be delivering the electricity and answering the questions. The Supplier line on the monthly bill would change. Eversource would continue to deliver electricity, address power outages and bill residents. FINCOM 20210331 Minutes.docx Page 2 of 9 4/17/21
Source page 3
The goal of Municipal Energy Aggregation cannot be guaranteed but the savings goal is for the aggregation to beat the average of Eversource’s varying prices over the length of the electricity supply contract. Over 160 Massachusetts towns use Municipal Aggregation. Town Meeting would need to approve Article 30 before the process could be started to pursue an Aggregation plan. If no plans or energy prices are acceptable to the Town, there is no obligation for the Town to proceed. The bids for a contractor would be subject to the normal procurement and bid process. The broker/contractor would be selected by the Town and would work on commission once the plan goes through. There would be no out-of- pocket cost to the Town. Ms. Smith stated this energy program was part of the Town’s Master Plan. She also stated that it would ultimately be the Select Board that would oversee this program. Some towns have set up a subcommittee made up of members from the Select Board, Planning Department , Sustainability Committee etc. The Select Board has voted to support Article 30. Article 31 – Appropriation for the Construction of Bathroom, Storage and Snack Shack Facilities at the John F. Kennedy Elementary School - Mr. Clough inquired about the Select Board’s consideration for the use of Mitigation Funds for the JFK Snack Shack. Mr. Connolly stated that the Select Board would support any overages on the project. He also stated that he was concerned that the Finance Committee had slashed the request of $600,000 in half to $300,000 and was looking for the Select Board to come up with $300,000 from their Mitigation Funds. The Select Board voted 5-0 to recommend $600,000 of Free Cash for the project but no use of Mitigation Funds. Chair McKenna stated that there were concerns about the amount of Free Cash and the Committee was willing to commit to a certain portion of that with the idea that the Select Board would identify an alternative funding source for the remainder of the funds. Mr. Connolly stated that there were no other projects in Town that were dependent upon funding from the Select Board’s Mitigation Funds. Mr. Connolly was somewhat disappointed with the Finance Committee’s viewpoint on this project. Chair McKenna stated that the Finance Committee was concerned at the amount of $600,000 of Free Cash being used for this project and the other competing needs for Free Cash. Mr. Theodore expressed his concern if the lack of the $300,000 might have adverse effects on the project moving forward. He is confident that if there are any overages because of the current bid being over a year old the Select Board would step up to the plate. Chair McKenna stated that when the Finance Committee had taken their vote on Article 31 at a prior meeting the Select Board had not yet voted on the article. A motion made by Mr. Clough to approve Article 31 as written in the warrant was not seconded. A motion made by Ms. Thomas to reconsider the previous vote taken by the Finance Committee to recommend $300,000 from Free Cash for Article 31 was seconded by Mr. Theodore. Mr. Mauro stated that there was a concern that if the project was underfunded and another year was to go by, the project cost could rise. Also of concern to him was the matter of a contingency cost. Mr. Scollins stated that he reviewed the documents with the School Business Administrator and that there was a 5% contingency cost built into the architectural and engineering work as well as a cost escalator for one year. Ms. Schutt also expressed concern about the competing interests for the use of Free Cash. Roll Call Vote to reconsider Article 31: Mr. Wong Aye Mr. Cole Aye Mr. Theodore Aye Mr. Clough Aye Ms. Schutt Aye Ms. Thomas Aye Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. McKenna Aye The motion passed 8-0-0. Ms. Thomas summarized on how the Finance Committee came to reconsider Article 31 again. There was no clear determination and there were many ideas and conversations that took place with regard to any commitments that were made. Some of the information that the Finance Committee received from the Little League were inconsistent. They informed the Finance Committee that there was no contingency and that the quote was from 2019. Further investigation has revealed that the bid is better than it appeared to the Finance Committee when they were making their first consideration of the request. Ms. Thomas noted that rarely does the Town have a project that has come through the path that this project has come through. The Community Preservation Committee has allocated money on two separate occasions for this project that was initially going to be a privately funded project with a small amount of money to a project that is now being asked to be publicly funded. Ms. Thomas stated that the Committee was hearing from the Finance Director that the Town does have the money in Free Cash to fund this project. The Finance Committee is responsible for taking the “long view” on the Town’s finances and not just the “today view” and that the Town may have a challenging course ahead of it for subsequent years in terms of the replenishment of Free Cash. Therefore, the Finance Committee took a conservative approach to this project in trying to determine if there was a creative or better way to putting the project together with a way that preserves Free Cash. She commended Mr. Scollins for the great job he has done putting together an outline of the projects being requested along with the various sources of funding. FINCOM 20210331 Minutes.docx Page 3 of 9 4/17/21
Source page 4
Mr. Scollins provided the recommended uses of Free Cash for FY22 totaling $2,175,494 including the use of $600,000 for Article 31. The amount that the Finance Committee needed to be mindful of to not exceed when spending Free Cash was the available Free Cash funds of $2,672,182 (see meeting documents). If this were spent it would bring the Town’s reserves ratio down to 15% at the close of Town meeting. If $496,688 were not spent from the total available funds the Town would exceed the 15%. He anticipates a reserve percentage ratio above 16.31% for the next fiscal year (see meeting documents). Mr. Scollins commended the Town of Canton for establishing its target of 15% and the use of any reserves overage above that amount and reinvesting it back into the community, instead of building the reserves up to 18-20%. Mr. Scollins reported that the ARPA funds contain language that the funds that are allocated are supposed to be available for revenue replacement which the CARES Act funds were not able to be used for. Some of these ARPA funds could be dedicated to reserves. A motion made by Mr. Theodore to recommended $600,000 instead of the $300,000 originally recommended for Article 31 was seconded by Mr. Wong. Mr. Mauro inquired if the Finance Committee were to approve $600,000 for the project if that would be the last of the Finance Committee’s commitment to that project and that Mitigation Funds could be used to cover any overage above and beyond the $600,000 so the Town would not be utilizing any additional use of Free Cash. Mr. Connolly reiterated what he had stated at the previous Finance Committee meeting that he could not definitely commit for the five-member board, but they have always done what is right for the Town. Mr. Connolly emphasized that this project was not a Select Board’s project and that they put this article on the warrant to help out the Canton Little League. The Building Renovation Committee will be overseeing the project Roll Call Vote: Mr. Wong Aye Mr. Cole Aye Mr. Theodore Aye Mr. Clough Aye Ms. Schutt Aye Ms. Thomas Aye Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. McKenna Aye The motion passed 8-0-0. Articles 32, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 and 41 – Discussion with Laura Smead, Town Planner Article 32 – Municipal Housing Trust – Ms. Smead shared with the Committee a FAQ on the Municipal Housing Trust. The Trust is supported by Select Board, Planning Board, Community Preservation Committee and the Canton Housing Authority. The concept is in the Master Plan and should allow the Town to build its capacity with respect to housing goals and will help to ensure that the Town has over 10% of its housing stock deemed as affordable. The proponents had requested $100,000 from the Community Preservation Committee but was approved for $50,000. The proponents will be looking for additional funding in the future. The Trust has not yet been formed so it is a challenge at this time to determine its objectives. In its first year the Trust will refine its priorities, set a budget and establish an action plan. Each community will be able to identify its goals for affordable housing. Each trust is unique but they all have the same goal of creating and preserving affordable housing. How it is accomplished varies from community to community. Ms. Smead stated that the rest of the articles are all zoning articles that had been postponed from last year’s Town Meeting. Article 35 – Amend Zoning By-Law Section 10.7 Canton Center Design Review – This by-law change will shift the review responsibility from the Canton Center Design Review Committee to the Planning Board which will make the process more efficient and effective. Article 36 – Amend Zoning By-Law Section 3.1.4 Table of Use Definitions, Section J Accessory Uses Related to the Keeping of Overnight Motor Vehicles – The purpose of this amendment is to fix a typo by removing the word “not” from the by-law. Article 37 and Article 38 – Short-Term Rentals – These two articles are related to AirBnBs. Canton does not have many AirBnBs. These articles clarify the zoning allowing them by right in the residential zones and prohibiting them in the non-residential zones but making it clear that they would be subject to any town and state regulations, inspections requirements etc. Article 39 – Amend Zoning By-Law Section 4.1.4 Table of Dimension Requirements – Residence Districts Accessory structures currently have fairly lenient setbacks from the property but there is an additional requirement that they be 100-200 feet back from the road. For the smaller lots in Canton this requirement could not be met. This by-law would allow more flexibility to structures located in the rear of the house. FINCOM 20210331 Minutes.docx Page 4 of 9 4/17/21
Source page 5
Article 40 – Add Zoning By-Law Section 4.2.9 Retaining Walls Along Scenic Ways - This by-law would expand design requirements for retaining walls to include those installed facing scenic ways. Article 41 – Amend Zoning By-Law Section 7.9 to Remove the Expired Temporary Moratorium on the Sale and Distribution of Recreational Marijuana – This amendment is housekeeping to clean up the by-law. There was a zoning moratorium put in place back in 2018 when the Town was considering to allow or not allow for recreational marijuana. In 2019 the sale and distribution of recreational marijuana was prohibited in Canton and it passed at the ballot. There is no need to have a moratorium in the by-law any further because it has expired. School Operating Budget – FY22 – Budget Gap – Dr. Fischer-Mueller thanked the Finance Committee for having them return to continue discussion of the operating budget, a few items in the operating budget and then specifically the Special Education Reserve Fund. Dr. Fischer-Mueller stated that at their first meeting with the Finance Committee she spoke of a $750,000 budget gap and that one of their priorities was the Special Education Therapeutic Program at the Galvin Middle School. When the School Department returned for a second time before the Finance Committee the Therapeutic program had been cut from their budget. Instead the School Department was requesting a Health Teacher, K-5 Humanities Coordinator along with other additional items. The program did not remain on their list because the School Department needed those funds in order to bring the program to the School. In the absence of those funds the students’ needs would still be met from the program that they would remain in out of district. The School Department remained passionate about keeping the program in Canton which led them to a discussion about the Special Education Reserve Fund. The remaining funds to bridge the gap for the numbers that were brought to the Finance Committee at the prior meeting have been re-examined and the School Department was now looking at a budget gap of $120,000. Mr. Nectow stated that they wanted to discuss the use of Free Cash for the Therapeutic Program. He further stated that the idea was brought forth by Ms. Schutt and Ms. Thomas. The School Department is typically not comfortable using cash or one-time money for recurring expenses. Mr. Nectow stated that in this case it would make sense. To start the Therapeutic Program the School Department thinks they are able to do it with $125,000 for an Adjustment Counselor and a Special Education Teacher. They found a reduction of an Educational Assistant for $25,000. The total cost for the two positions is $150,000 but they only need $125,000 because of the reduction. The reason they would advocate using cash is if they used cash to pay for the positions in the first year, the School Department would not have to recognize any savings of tuition to pay for the program because they would be using cash. They would focus on the second year of the program of Fiscal 2023 when the funds would go away and still have program costs. At that time they would need special education tuition and transportation reductions in the operating budget. If there are reductions in year one it would give the School Department a full year and a few months to look further at the program and work with the families and students to see if the program is a good fit for everyone. The reduction of the Special Education Reserve Fund from $660,000 minus $125,000 to $535,000 would work. Mr. Nectow will project out over a two-year period to have sufficient savings to cover both of the positions in the operating budget. Article 16 – Appropriation to Increase Special Education Reserve Account (Schools) Article 16 would appropriate $660,000 to the Special Education Reserve Account but $125,000 of the $660,000 would go directly to the school operating budget. This would be a one-time transfer. Mr. Nectow compared this to the year in which the Town went to free full-day kindergarten. The next year the former Finance Director, Mr. Murgia, took the amount right off the operating budget at the starting point for the next fiscal year. Mr. Scollins stated that by deducting the $125,000 it would be fair to maintain equity. Mr. Scollins had another suggestion. Initiatives directed towards new students needs, if that is the case, he does not know if Article 16 needed to be revised because the effort for that funding could come directly from this article. Ms. Thomas stated that given the funds are to be used specifically for special education that this would be a one-time infusion in order to support the program. Ms. Thomas further stated that the Town should be transparent and also be clear as to the intent of the use of the funds. Chair McKenna suggested that this could be addressed in the discussion narrative. Article 17 – Appropriation to Increase the FY22 School Department Budget Article 17 is not related to the Therapeutic Program or Special Education Reserve Fund. Article 17 would appropriate $500,000 to the School Department budget. These are COVID-related expenses. Of the $500,000 $360,000 would be a transfer from Free Cash and $140,000 would be funded from General Fund revenues. Mr. Scollins stated that Article 17 was relative to a discussion last year in trying to help the School Department with their COVID19 related needs. He further explained that this source of funding was identified for the School Department to use existing balances in the existing revolving funds that the Finance Committee would consider the replenishment of the School revolving funds. Mr. Scollins explained that the manner in which Article 17 FINCOM 20210331 Minutes.docx Page 5 of 9 4/17/21
Source page 6
is presented may not seem clear on the face of it. He is labeling it as School Revolving Accounts Replenishment Related to COVID 19 Needs. Mr. Scollins has received information from Town Counsel that you cannot appropriate directly into revolving accounts but you can appropriate to the School Department and in essence because the revolving funds are somewhat fungible between those accounts and the School budget, by adding this back into the school funding for next year it accomplishes the relief that the School Department is seeking to replenish funds pulled out of these accounts. School Operating Budget for FY 2022 – Mr. Nectow reported that the school operating budget for FY22 as compared to the Finance Committee FY22 budget target number had a difference of $262,000. The School Committee met and have found $140,000 in savings: one position at the JFK Elementary School and a calculation mistake by Mr. Nectow in preparing the budget of $65,000 which was favorable. The total budget gap is approximately $140,000 they will continue to review the budget the next week and are hoping to find additional savings. The total difference between the Finance Committee target number and the School Committee’s budget number is $121,000. In response to Mr. Mauro’s inquiry about the balance in the Special Education Reserve Fund Mr. Nectow reported that the current balance is either $200,000 or $300,000. If money is taken out for the two Galvin Middle School positions would there be funds still available to meet any other special educations expenses that have come up. Mr. Nectow referred the members to the document he presented at a prior Finance Committee meeting that looked at three major special education budget lines: the two tuition lines and the transportation line. Mr. Nectow has projected out for three years and he believes funds would be drawn down for this year and the following year but the year after that funds would not be drawn down. Mr. Nectow reported that he and Mr. Murgia started analyzing special education funds three years ago and it was determined that there would be a three to five year period of time for the expenses to stabilize. Mr. Nectow is confident that they would have sufficient funds between the Stabilization Fund and the circuit breaker to offset operating expenses. Mr. Wong inquired if there was savings in the school operating budget with regard to expenses related to hockey ice time now that the new rink is open. Mr. Nectow explained that this year was not a great year to view as a normal program year for the hockey program. They have seen some savings because the season was not a full-year program and they were purchasing less ice time hours. The cost of the ice time per hour is less than the rink they had been renting ice time from. Article 8 – Pay Prior Year Bills - $70,072.28 – Mr. Scollins presented eight different invoices totaling $70,072,28 from prior fiscal years. The more significant invoices from Cabot Risk Strategies required further explanation. Mr. Scollins stated that the Town uses Cabot Risk Strategies as the insurance broker for public safety and workers compensation costs, also known as 111F. The Town is on a premium basis with Cabot Risk which he believes is a new arrangement for the Town. The Town has a $45,000 annual deductible based on claims. Cabot is supposed to bill the Town as timely as they can for the deductibles. Cabot had not been billing the Town in a timely manner. These injuries go beyond the fiscal year in which they were incurred but the insurance coverage is year specific. The Town could still be receiving invoices for a claim that happened a few years ago. For Fiscal 2020 Cabot paid out more than the $45,000 deductible, therefore, the Town owes the $45,000. The Town never received a bill for this deductible. For Fiscal 2019 the Town incurred $20,164.72 in claims against that policy for which the Town is subject to a deductible. Mr. Scollins provided detailed backup information for these prior year bills (see meeting documents). If there was no expense against this budget the funds dropped off to Free Cash. When deductibles come after the budget year has closed, the better process that the Town will move to is at the end of the fiscal year the Town will encumber the entirety of the balance of the deductible for that fiscal year. When invoices come in for prior years the encumbered funds will be available to pay these invoices. Starting with Fiscal 2021 the Finance Director, the Human Resource Director and the Town Accountant will be changing the accounting practice and they will encumber whatever remaining balance there is in the $45,000 account. Some of the unpaid invoices of prior years include invoices for various retirees that had health claims for which the Town is still obligated to pay. The other five items are for miscellaneous invoices that lagged the fiscal year. Article 9 – Adjust FY ’21 Accounts - $200,000 for Snow and Ice Deficit – The Snow and Ice budget has exceeded its FY 2021 budget. Article 9 will transfer $200,000 out of unappropriated local receipts to cover the deficit. Article 10 – Motions 1 and 2 – Authorize Certain Revolving Funds – Motion 1 will change the name of the spending authority (not changing the name of the fund) for Account #152 from Paul Revere Heritage Committee to Revere & Son Heritage Trust Corporation. Motion 2 will establish the spending limits for the various revolving accounts. Mr. Scollins shared with the Committee a summary of the spending activity for each of the revolving funds (see meeting documents). FINCOM 20210331 Minutes.docx Page 6 of 9 4/17/21
Source page 7
Voting on various Town Meeting Articles - A motion made by Mr. Mauro to recommend to Town Meeting the following articles as written in the warrant: Article 2 Motion 1 (time Town Meeting adjourns at 7:00 p.m.), Article 3 Hear Reports of Committees, Article 8 (Pay Bills of Prior Fiscal Years - $70,072.28), Article 9 (Adjust Fiscal ’21 Accounts - $200,000 for Snow and Ice), Article 10 Motion 1 (change name of spending authority to Revere & Son Heritage Trust Corporation), Article 10 Motion 2 (establish spending limits for revolving funds), Article 16 (increase SPED Reserve Account - $660,000), Article 17 (increase Fiscal 2022 School Department budget - $500,000 split from 2 sources), Article 20 (appropriate proceeds from TNC ride - $11,924), Article 21 (Home Rule Petition regarding Retired Police Officers), Article 27 (Transfer Hats to American Legion Post), Article 29 (Accept Gift of Land from Topgolf), Article 30 (Municipal Energy Aggregation Program), Article 32 (Establish Municipal Affordable Housing Trust General By-Law), Article 35 (Amend Zoning By-Law 10.7 Canton Center Design Review), Article 36 (Amend Zoning By-Law Section 3.1.4 Table of Use Definitions, Section J, Accessory Uses related to the Keeping of Overnight Motor Vehicles), Article 37 (Amend Zoning By-Law Section 3.1.4 Table of Use Regulations related to Short-Term Rentals), Article 38 (Amend Zoning By-Law Section 11.0 Definitions Relating to Short Term Rentals), Article 39 (Amend Zoning By-Law Section 4.1.4 Table of Dimensional Requirements – Residence Districts), Article 40 (Add Zoning By-Law Section 4.2.9 Retaining Walls along Scenic Ways) and Article 41 (Amend Zoning By-Law Section 7.8 to Remove Expired Moratorium on Sale & Distribution of Recreational Marijuana) was seconded by Mr. Wong. A suggestion was made by Mr. Scollins to include articles that related to the various funding sources on his chart entitled Recommended Funding for FY22 Special Appropriations, Snow and Ice Deficit and Memorial Hall Exterior Renovation. A motion made by Mr. Mauro to amend his original motion to include Mr. Scollins chart dated 3/12/21 which included funding for the following articles: Article 20 (TNC Ride Assessment Local Use - $11,924 from TNC Receipts,) Article 23 (Land Taking off Pleasant Street - $15,000 from Free Cash), Article 26 (American Legion Operating Expenses - $25,000 Municipal Operating Budget), Article 17 (School Revolving Account - Replenishment $500,000 - $360,000 from Free Cash and $140,000 Unappropriated Local Receipts), Article 31 (Little League Snack Shack & Bathrooms - $600,000 from Free Cash), Article 16 (SPED Stabilization Reserve - $660,000 from Unappropriated Local Receipts), Article 9 (FY21 – Snow and Ice $200,000 from Unappropriated Local Receipts) As written in the Recommended Funding for FY22 Special Appropriations, Snow and Ice Deficit and Memorial Hall Exterior Renovation document dated 3/12/21 as presented at the meeting in the total amount of $2,011,924. Mr. Clough pointed out a scribner’s error in Article 25 that should read Select Board instead of Board of Selectmen. Mr. Scollins suggested changing appearances of Board of Selectmen in the document with Select Board. Mr. Mauro further amended his motion to include the replacement of Board of Selectmen with Select Board in articles where Board of Selectmen appears was seconded by Mr. Wong. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Wong Aye Mr. Cole Aye Mr. Theodore Aye Mr. Clough Aye Ms. Schutt Aye Ms. Thomas Aye Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. McKenna Aye The motion passed 8-0-0. Next Meeting Date – The next Finance Committee meeting will take place via remote on April 7, 2021. As of March 31st there are no guests planned for the meeting. Articles that will need to be addressed at this meeting include Article 7 (salaries of elected officers), Article 42 (Budget) and Article 4 (Consent Agenda) as well as any motions and discussions that require final review. FINCOM 20210331 Minutes.docx Page 7 of 9 4/17/21
Source page 8
Approval of Minutes – There were no minutes approved at the meeting. Ms. Thomas acknowledged that two of the Finance Committee members are running for the Select Board. Mr. Theodore stated that he would attend the next scheduled Finance Committee meeting after first checking with Town Counsel. Adjournment - A motion made by Mr. Clough to adjourn the meeting at 9:28 p.m. was seconded by Mr. Wong. Roll Call Vote: Mr. McKenna Aye Mr. Mauro Aye Ms. Thomas Aye Ms. Schutt Aye Mr. Clough Aye Mr. Theodore Aye Mr. Cole Aye Mr. Wong Aye The motion passed 8-0-0. Minutes reviewed by: Wai Wong and David Clough Respectfully submitted, Timothy McKenna Chair, Canton Finance Committee FINCOM 20210331 Minutes.docx Page 8 of 9 4/17/21
Source page 9
Canton Finance Committee Meeting
March 31, 2021
Please note: Some meeting documents may be found on the Town’s website under the Posted Minutes
section (Laser Fiche).
Agenda for March 31, 2021 (1 page).
See the below link for detailed information regarding the FY22 budget requests discussed during the meeting.
https://www.town.canton.ma.us/DocumentCenter/View/7526/FY22-Municipal-Budget---Dept-Requests---Jan-2021
FY 2022 Municipal & Enterprise Operating Budget Recommendations prepared by Mr. Scollins for the Canton
Finance Committee, dated March 31, 2021 (11 pages).
Municipal Energy Aggregation, sponsored by the Select Board (10 pages).
Recommended Funding for FY 2022 Special Appropriations, Snow & Ice Deficit and Memorial Hall Exterior
Renovations, provided by Mr. Scollins, dated 3/12/21 (1 page).
Cash Reserves Balances, provided by Mr. Scollins, dated 3/12/21 (1 page).
Article 10 - Revolving Funds Authorized by ATM 2021, provided by Mr. Scollins (1 page).
Article 29 – Information regarding Donation of Topgolf Land to the Town of Canton (3 pages).
Article 8 – Pay Bills of Prior Fiscal Year (14 pages).
Article 9 – Adjust Fiscal ’21 Accounts, Year to Date Budget Report, Snow & Ice Removal, dated 3/24/21, (1 page).
FINCOM 20210331 Minutes.docx Page 9 of 9 4/17/21