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March 09, 2015, Finance Committee Meeting. Minutes
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Town of Canton Finance Committee Minutes Voted on: 3/16/15
Meeting Minutes Vote: 6-0-5
Monday, March 9, 2015
Members Present:
Rob Barker, Sepp Bergschneider, Jim Casamento, Jerry Dorfman, Nichola Gallagher, Dianne Gustafson,
Mark Porter and Jim Sims.
Members Absent:
Stephanie Leach, Tim McKenna, Barbara Saint Andre, and Diane Wolff.
Guests Present:
Ken Berkowitz, Police Chief
Tony Braconi, Article 34 sponsor
Dr. Adrienne Macki Braconi
Charlie Doody, Fire Chief
Jim Murgia, Finance Director
Ellen Jones, Finance Committee Secretary
Opening:
A meeting of the Canton Finance Committee was called to order at 7:05 p.m. on Monday, March 9, 2015
in the Salah Meeting Room of Town Hall.
A. Approval of Agenda
Sepp Bergschneider reviewed the items on the agenda.
B. Announcements
There were no announcements made at the meeting.
C. New Business
Article 34 — Full-Time Kindergarten — Mr. Braconi and his spouse, Dr. Macki Braconi, gave a
PowerPoint presentation advocating for a full-day kindergarten (FDK) program. Mr. Braconi is the
sponsor of Article 34. Some of the highlights of Mr. Braconi's presentation included but were not limited
to the following:
• A desire to end the "lottery" system currently in place.
• Identify funds to alleviate the present tuition of up to $3,500.
• Mr. Braconi would provide an updated PowerPoint document once he receives enrollment
numbers from the School Department.
• The FDK program received mixed reviews from the School Committee (SC), as the SC was
focusing on other requests at the upcoming Annual Town Meeting such as an eight classroom
addition to the Hansen Elementary School.
• Relieve stress for parents. Mr. Braconi told the Committee about his recent experience of going
through the lottery system for his daughter, for which she was not chosen for the FDK program.
• Registration took place two weeks ago. Mr. Braconi expressed an interest in returning with
updated numbers based on these registration numbers.
• Mr. Braconi reported that 91% of communities offer FDK and that 71% of those offer free FDK.
Ms. Gustafson expressed concern as to how the fixed costs budget may be affected by the expansion of
the kindergarten program. Mr. Braconi stated that his current model included the hiring of Ito 11/2 FTEs
(approximately $80,000). Mr. Braconi said that he would be open to suggestions and ideas on how to
identify funding for this program.
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Ms. Gallagher spoke in support of the program, after having just won a spot in the FDK program through
the lottery system for her dependent. Ms. Gallagher offered the proposal of implementing a fee for year
one of the program and then perhaps offer a free program in the following year.
Mr. Braconi's presentation concluded at approximately 7:42 p.m.
Police Department & Animal Control — FY16 Budget Requests Chief Berkowitz presented the Police
—
Department's and Animal Control's FY16 budget requests as follows:
• $87,493 increase to the Lieutenant's salary line item. Chief Berkowitz explained that when Helena
Rafferty was promoted to Deputy Chief, the 31d lieutenant's spot was left unfilled. By filling the
lieutenant's position in FY16, the Chief would be able to restore the level of supervision needed
within the department.
• $69,507 decrease to the Sergeant's salary line item.
• $20,500 increase to Shift Overtime.
• $30,761 increase to Overtime Replacement. This increase would be used to cover officers that
are covering for other officers that are absent by using compensatory time.
• $69,247 — Total net increase being requested to salaries.
• $4,337 increase requested for telephone/communications.
• $1,750 increase requested for operational supplies.
• $4,558 increase requested for uniforms.
• $79,892 Total increase being requested for the FY16 Police Department budget.
Chief Berkowitz stated that the Animal Control Officer, Stacey Nee, was not requesting a budget increase
for FY16 for the Animal Control budget. Chief Berkowitz praised Ms. Nee's outstanding job as the Animal
Control Officer and that he had received great reviews for the work she has been doing.
Police Department — FY16 Capital Requests Chief Berkowitz reviewed for the Committee his capital
—
requests as follows:
• $120,000 for cruisers.
• $7,000 for tasers.
• $14,000 bullet resistant vests.
• $36,000 dashboard cameras. Chief Berkowitz spoke in favor of body cameras but explained that
he had withdrawn his original request for body cameras because there were legality issues that
still had to be worked out with the legislature. Currently, body cameras if worn in a house raid or
arrest were permissible; however, any evidence obtained through the cameras in a house arrest
would be inadmissible in court.
Forfeiture and Seizures Fund Chief Berkowitz reported that the Forfeiture Fund is used for purchases
—
related to fighting crime, for example purchasing a detective car, firearms, motorcycles or a canine for the
canine unit. The current Fund has a balance of approximately $895,000.
Chairman Porter, who had been attending a Candidates' night at the Canton Public Library, arrived at the
Finance Committee meeting at 7:50 p.m.
Chief Berkowitz concluded his discussion at approximately 7:58 p.m.
Fire Department — FY16 Budget Requests — Chief Doody presented the Fire Department FY16 budget
requests as follows:
• $27,000 increase to Overtime. This request is to keep pace with the last contract increase of 2%
for each year for the past three years.
• $11,000 increase to Holiday pay.
• $6,000 increase to Vacation Buyback.
• $15,000 increase to Repair/Maintenance Motor Vehicles.
• $10,000 increase for Uniforms.
• $3,000 increase to Turnout gear for outfitting two new hires to fill 2 existing vacancies.
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AT last year's Town Meeting $139,000 was approved for the combined repairs of the Police Station and
Fire Station 2. Because the Community Preservation Committee approved to partially fund the Chief's
request to restore the monument at Fire Station 2 leaving a $15,000 shortfall, the Fire Chief would be
asking Town Meeting to expand the scope of the combined Police Station/Fire Station project to include
the monument restoration.
Fire Alarm — FY16 Budget Requests — Chief Doody is requesting a one-time $10,750 increase (for one
year only) to the Fire Alarm Overtime budget to cover the next phase of removing existing street boxes
that are currently on the telephone poles. The vendor will be purchasing the fire alarm boxes back from
the Town.
Ambulance — FY16 Budget Requests —
• $27,000 combined increase to the Overtime budget and the Paramedic Training Overtime budget
for the Ambulance.
• $4,000 increase to the ALS Physician Support budget. Dr. Geller from Norwood is retiring and
there will be an increase for the fee paid to Norwood Hospital for the oversight of the Advance
Life Support program.
The Ambulance Fund receives revenue of approximately $800,000 to $900,000 per year. The year to
date balance is approximately $900,000. A new ambulance is being requested through the capital
request process. This ambulance will be purchased at a cost of approximately $260,000 to be paid out of
the Ambulance Fund.
Emergency Management — FY16 Budget Requests — Chief Doody is requesting a combined increase
of $6,000 for the Emergency Management FY16 budget. This increase will be used to implement, train
and outfit with IDs and shirts the new Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). The CERT is in
addition to the Medical Response Core program run by the Board of Health.
,
Holbrook Regional Dispatch Center — Update — Chief Doody stated that the Regional Dispatch was still
a viable project for FY17 and that Holbrook was working on the cost structure for having Canton join the
Regional Dispatch Center. Holbrook is concerned with the personnel costs associated with having
Canton become a member in that it could drive up the membership fee for existing members. Holbrook is
doing its due diligence on the fee structure for member communities based on call volume and size of the
community. Chief Doody met with the Holbrook Fire Chief and the Communications Director who are still
very interested in expanding the center. Governor Baker recently approved an increase from $0.75 to
$1.25 for the Next Generation 911 technology costs acquired through phone bills. The 911 grants had
been cut from the Governor's budget but would now be available for cities and towns. Chief Doody
reaffirmed his commitment and support for joining the regional dispatch.
Fire Department — FY16 Capital Requests — Of the four cash/debt capital requests that Chief Doody
had requested for FY16, the BOS has approved $156,000 of debt for turnout gear. The 2009 ambulance
will be replaced using the Ambulance Fund. A chest compression system will be requested through the
Ambulance Fund. This will replace the current one that is broken. Additionally, defibrillators ($20,000)
and a Lifepak 15 V2 Defibrillator ($32,000) for the ambulance will be purchased out of the Ambulance
receipts. A total of $326,000 purchases from the Ambulance Fund will leave a balance of approximately
$1 million at the end of fiscal 2016.
FY16 Local Aid Proposals — Mr. Murgia presented FY16 local aid estimates. The Governor is proposing
$7.4 million in local aid to Canton which represents an approximately $200,000 increase over the FY15
Cherry Sheet estimates. State and County Assessments decreased approximately $9,000 from $950,713
in FY15 to $941,157 for FY16. Mr. Murgia reported that the Revenue Forecasting Committee did not
have the local aid information available when they met on February 20. A sub-committee of the Revenue
Forecasting Committee would be meeting again on Friday, March 13 to readdress the revenue estimates
for FY16. Mr. Murgia would provide an update on the FY16 revenue to the Finance Committee in the
future.
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Mr. Murgia provided a comparison of the Governor's state aid amounts to the final cherry sheet numbers for the past eight years. While the eight-year average showed a decrease of $88,000 from the Governor's estimates as compared to the final cherry sheet figures, Chairman Porter pointed out that the median was not all that significant. Rink Roof Collapse Update — The Sub-Committee of the Revenue Forecasting Committee will be discussing at the March 13 meeting how to address the lack of the usual rink revenue transfer to the general fund for FY16. Mr. Murgia reported that currently there are two rink employees whose salaries are charged 50% to the Rink budget and 50% to the Recreation budget. This may cause a budget issue for FY15. The Finance Committee must also decide whether to ask Annual Town Meeting to set a budget for the Rink for FY16. March 2015 Borrowing - $3.7 million Bonds & $800,000 BANs — Mr. Murgia provided to the Committee a detailed listing of the projects that will be borrowed for in the March 2015 borrowing of $3.7 million in bonds and $800,000 in BAN's (Bond Anticipation Notes). These bonds will be borrowed for 13 years. The Board of Selectmen will be asked to approve this borrowing at the BOS meeting on March 10. D. Old Business/Open Issues Liaison Reports — Recreation/Rink — Chairman Porter reported to the Committee that he would be meeting with the Recreation Director, Janet Maguire, on Friday, March 13 for an update on the Recreation budget and the Metropolis Rink roof collapse. E. Approval of Minutes A motion made by Sepp Bergschneider to approve the March 3, 2015 meeting minutes as written was seconded by Jim Casamento. Vote: 7-0-1. Mr. Sims abstained as he was not at the March 3rd meeting. F. Next Meeting Date: The next meeting would be held on Thursday, March 9, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in the Upper Meeting Room of the William J. Armando Recreation Center. Adjournment: A motion made by Rob Barker to adjourn the meeting at 8:52 p.m. was seconded by Nichola Gallagher. Vote: 8-0-0. Minutes reviewed by: Jerry Dorfman Respectf Mark- o er /-Cha ran, Canton Finance Committee F1NCOM 03092015 MINUTES.doe Page 4 of 5 03/11/2015
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Town of Canton
Finance Committee Meeting — March 9, 2015
List of Meeting Handouts
Agenda (1 page).
Article 34 — Vote to Approve Full-Time Kindergarten — copy of warrant article (2 pages).
Copy of Memorandum regarding Article 34 from Tony Braconi to Ellen Jones, dated March 4, 2015
(2 pages).
FY16 Police Department and Animal Control Budget Worksheets, dated 1/5/15 (3 pages).
FY16 Fire Department, Fire Alarms, Ambulance Service Unmanned Ambulance & Emergency
Management Budget Worksheets, dated 1/7/15 (6 pages).
Comparison of Governor's State Aid Amounts provided by Jim Murgia, Finance Director, dated 3/5/15
(1 page).
FY16 Local Aid Estimates & FY16 Local Aid Assessments, dated 1/4/15 (3 pages).
March 2015 Borrowing — 3.7 million Bonds GO and $800,000 BANs provided by Jim Murgia, Finance
Director, dated 3/6/15 (1 page).
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