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March 09, 2016, Finance Committee Meeting. Minutes
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Source page 1
Town of Canton Finance Committee Minutes Voted on: 3/30/16
Meeting Minutes Vote: 9-0-0
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Members Present:
Rob Barker, Sepp Bergschneider, Jim Casamento, Gerald Dorfman, Nichola Gallagher, Dianne
Gustafson, Stephanie Leach, Tim McKenna, Barbara Saint Andre and Jim Sims.
Members Absent:
All members were present at the meeting.
Guests Present:
Pat Johnson, Member, Capital Planning Committee
Gene Manning, Chair, Capital Planning Committee and Economic Development Committee
Bob Panico, Member, Capital Planning Committee
Pau Price, Member, Capital Planning Committee
Tim Richard, Town Planner
Jim Murgia, Finance Director
Ellen Jones, Finance Committee Secretary
Opening: A meeting of the Canton Finance Committee was called to order by Chair Saint Andre at
7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 in the Salah Meeting Room of Town Hall.
A. Approval of Agenda
Chair Saint Andre reviewed the items on the agenda.
B. Announcements
There were no announcements.
C. New Business
Zoning Articles 33-41 —Discussion with Tim Richard representing the Planning Board
M r. Richard stated that over the past six months he has been working with a member of the Planning
Board, the Building Commissioner, and a Zoning Board member to propose Zoning By-Law changes
before Town Meeting.
M r. Richard provided a summary of the articles for Town Meeting as follows:
Article 33 —Amend Zoning By-Laws — CCEOD Density — Mr. Richard stated that the purpose of Article
33 was to reduce density in CCEOD area C (Paul Revere Site). Mr. Richard was unsure how many lots
this by-law change would affect. This by-law would affect an old manufacturing building (off of
Washington Street) for which the owner would be allowed to build 50 units under the current by-law. If
the zoning by-law change under Article 33 is passed at Town Meeting, the impact would be that the
owner would lose 10 units. This by-law change would not affect in-law apartments.
Article 34 —Amend Zoning By-Laws —Size of Accessory Structures — Mr. Richard explained that
u nder the current by-law there is no limit as to the size of accessory structures. This by-law change
would limit the size to 800 square feet of floor space. The purpose of this by-law change would be to
keep neighborhoods in scale. Four car garages would not be allowed. Three car garages would be
allowed and reasonable under this by-law. A Finance Committee member expressed concern that if
accessory structures were added to already existing buildings and lots that were large or oversize in
nature, the accessory structures would not appear to scale with the existing structures.
Article 35 —Amend Zoning By-Laws —Lot Dimension Definitions — Mr. Richard stated that the
amendment to the Zoning By-Laws under Article 35 would help to reduce pork chop lots. He also stated
that applicants could always apply for variances if this by-law were to be adopted.
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~~~~icle 36 ~ emend Zoning By-Laws ~ Site Plan Review —Article 36 would assure that what is required
u nder the ~o~ing By-Laws is included within the site plan review.
~~G~~~~~ ~7 — Arne~~e~ Zoning ~~~~~vv~ ~ fU1anufacturinq an~~ Lo~ht Manufact~~°uo~~ ~efiniti~n~
M r. Richard explained that the goal of Article 37 was to updafie the outdated definitions and prohibit uses
that could be obnoxious. The drafting of this by-law change was based on the language that other towns
were using and to define more clearly what is allowed.
Article ~~ ~ Amend ~~~~o~~ ~~~~aws ~ ~ennel~ uU~ ~9 District — Mr. Richard stated that this amendment
would allow kennels in limited industrial districts such in areas along Rt. 138, Rt. 95 on Dedham Street
and along Washington Street in the Cobb Corner area.
Article 39 —Amend ~~r~u~ By-Laws —Table of D`oU~ensions — Mr. Richard stated that this Zoning
By-Law amendment would eliminate extraneous text in the existing by-law and instead would add
footnotes to the table. The dissenting votes on the Planning Board were not in favor of the changes to
the lot frontage to 100'. This by-law would only impact new lots.
Article 40 e Amend Zo~u~~ By-Lav~r~ ~ ~/arehouse Defini~~~r~~ — Mr. Richard informed the Finance
Committee that the Planning Board vofed 3-2 that Article 40 be indefinitely postponed.
Article ~~~ m Amend Zoning Map —Change Designation from Indu~~~o~9 to Gen~~~G Residence —
Mr. Richard stated that this article was a citizens' petition submitted by Attorney Paul Schneiders. The
article has since been withdrawn by Attorney Schneiders. Mr. Richard would check with Town Counsel
on the wording for the motion.
M r. Richard's presentation of the Zoning articles ended at approximately 7:30 p.m.
Article '9~ ~ "Omnibus" Capital Outlay Progra~ ~ ~iscus~i~~ wi~~a ~~a~e M~nns~~, Chan, capital
Planning ~~~umittee(CPC)
M r. Manning introduced the other members of the Capital Planning Committee: Pat Johnson, Bob Panico
and Paul Price. Mr. Manning thanked the Finance Committee's liaisons to the Capital Planning
Committee: Jerry Dorfman and Dianne Gustafson.
M r. Manning reviewed the Municipal and School FY17 cash capital request, debt requests, cash
reserves requests and other sources requests as follows:
FY17 Munici~~0 capital Requests — (see meeting handout) Mr. Manning informed the Finance
Committee that the Capital Planning Committee unanimously approved the following:
Various Cash Capital Requests - $600,000
Debt request - $700,000 to replace Fire Engine E-7
Capital Requests to be paid out of Free Cash - $828,000
A capital request to be paid out of ADA funds and Conservation Revolving Fund - $100,000
M r. Manning explained a few of the requests as follows:
• The Conservation Commission is requesting $100,000 for the redesign of the Pequitside Farm
parking lot. This will be paid for out of ADA funds ($58, 200) and from the Conservation's
Revolving Fund ($41,800). Conservation received quotes from two engineering companies.
They submitted a copy of the $100,000 quote to CPC.
s Council on Aging is requesting $142,000 for Senior Center Parking Lot repairs. Mr. Trotta had
indicated to CPC that they would be using Town resources to complete this project and that one
of the high costs associated with the project would be for police details. The Building
Renovations Committee would be managing the project. A Finance Committee member
requested that DPW check on the drainage of the parking lot to avoid run off to abutting
properties.
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Mr. Casamento inquired about how the decision was made to use Free Cash for funding capital projects.
M r. Manning explained that it was the Board of Selectmen's decision and that it was up to the Finance
Committee to decide on this.
I n response to Mr. Casamento's inquiry as to the percentage of cash capital being spent, Mr. Manning
responded that not including Free Cash the total spending would be 4.9%, lower than the usual 6%. In
order to bring the total spending to 6%, the Town would have to spend $1 million to supplement capital
spending. One member inquired about funding out of the levy.
I n response to Mr. Sims' inquiry as to whether the CPC discussed with the BOS about using mitigation
funds as a source of funds for capital projects, Mr. Manning responded that they had not discussed the
use of mitigation funds with the BOS.
M r. Sims requested an update from Mr. Murgia of the free cash balance along with a list of the projects
and other items such as Articles that are being earmarked for use of free cash. Mr. Sims requested this
list for the next Finance Committee meeting.
M r. Bergschneider commented that capital requests have never been presented this way —with using
other sources for funding. Mr. Manning stated that the use of other fund sources was a change for the
BOS this year.
• The Finance Department is requesting four items for various hardware and software items
totaling $113,000.
• The Fire Department is requesting $700,000 for the replacement of Fire Engine E-7 which would
be paid for through borrowing. The Fire Chief is also requesting $45,000 for the replacement of
his car. The present car would then be used by Emergency Response as a back-up vehicle.
• The Library is requesting $7,000 to water seal the building and is also requesting $30,000 for an
audio visual presentation system for the Community Meeting Room.
• The Police Department is requesting $130,000 for policy vehicles and $12,000 for tasers as part
of increasing the department's trier inventory.
• Parks &Recreation is requesting $35,000 for the design of the Bolivar Pool &Bath House. They
are also requesting $7,500 for Bolivar Pond ADA improvements and $12,500 for a lawnmower.
• DPW is requesting $199,000 of cash capital items for two vehicle replacements, four reversing
snow plows, electronic control signs and a street vacuum. A Finance Committee member
suggested that there should be coordination with the Blue Ribbon Traffic Study Committee to
make sure there is no duplication of purchasing of electronic traffic control signs.
• The DPW is also requesting $220,000 for replacement of an Elm Street Culvert and $110,000 for
Bailey Street Drainage. These items would be paid for through free cash.
• The BOS is requesting $356,000 for converting streetlights to LED. This was approved by the
BOS in August as a lease/purchase arrangement but is now being recommended as a purchase.
Town Meeting will be asked to make the funds available for FY16. The contract will include the
company doing the maintenance. Mr. Murgia is estimating annual savings of $65,681.
• The Fire Chief is requesting $284,000 to replace a 2010 ambulance. If approved, this will be paid
for through borrowing.
• There are $404,500 of requests for Water Enterprise items (repair Neponset Street Water
Treatment Facility, replacement of Truck #91, the third phase of five for Integrated Water
Resources Management Program and two storage containers) to be paid out of Water Enterprise
retained earnings.
• There are also $207,500 of Sewer Enterprise requests: a Forest Avenue Sewer Pump Station
Generator and Integrated Water Resources Management Program to be paid for out of Sewer
Enterprise retained earnings.
FY17 School Capital Requests — (see meeting handout)
Mr. Manning presented the School Committee's capital requests as follows:
Building Repairs/ Improvements - $220,511
• Grounds Improvements - $0.00
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• Technology - $131,209. The CPC strongly recommended to the School Department not to
purchase warranties for Chromebooks. The School Department insisted on purchasing
$99.00 warranties for $205.00 Chromebooks. CPC has recommended to the School
Department that this be the last year for purchasing warranties.
• Program Improvements - $116,867
• Furniture and Fixtures - $71,693. The School Department does not want to purchase the
convection oven out of the Cafeteria Revolving Fund, but instead wanted this purchase to be
funded out of the $600,000 of cash capital allotted to the School Department.
• Vehicle Replacement - $39,770
• Extraordinary Maintenance - $19,950
Total school cash capital requests: $600,000.
The School Department is requesting $868,388 of debt requests as follows:
• Replacement of the Turf Field and Track at Memorial Field - $610,000. When the CPC inquired
of the School Department about their preference for a grass field or a turf field, they preferred
replacement of the field with turf.
• Replacement of telephone and Voicemail System - $258,388. The $258,388 does not account
for wiring infrastructure. It was recommended by a CPC member that when the replacement of
the telephone bid is put out to bid that the scope of the work include assessment of the telephone
lines. CPC will assist Louis Jutras of the Town's MIS Department and Mike Wentland of the
School's MIS Department.
I n response to a Finance Committee member's inquiry about the use of $828,000 of free cash for
m unicipal capital requests and not for the School capital requests, Mr. Murgia responded that the School
Committee would be seeking use of free cash for the full day tuition free kindergarten program.
M r. Murgia stated that this year there would be approximately $2 million of additional revenue due to new
growth and additional excise tax collections. Free cash was certified at the end of 6/30/15 at $3.8 million.
Article 3 —Hear Reports of Committees Appointed at Prior Town Meetings —Gene Manning, Chair,
Economic Development Committee —Report to Town Meeting (see meeting handout)
M r. Manning gave a report to the Finance Committee with regard to Economic Development with the
following highlights:
• Businesses contributed 38% of Canton's revenue or over $24 million in taxes in FY16.
• Fresenius Kabi purchased 20 Dan Road and is working with the BOS on a TIF agreement(Tax
I ncrement Financing agreement). This TIF will be presented at Annual Town meeting in 2017. It
is projected that they may generate $3 million in annual taxes in a five year period and that there
will be an approximately $200,000 to $300,000 TIF.
• There are no 43D (local expedited permitting) projects this year for Town Meeting.
Mr. Manning's presentation of the FY17 capital requests and Economic Development Committee report
ended at approximately 9:32 p.m.
Vote -Article 33 —Amend Zoning By-Laws — CCEOD Density
A motion made by Mr. Bergschneider that the Finance Corr~~r~oS~~ee recommends that the motion
presented by the Planning Board to Town Meeting for Article 33 as written in the warrant be
adopted was seconded by Mr. Barker. Vote: 9-0-1. Ms. Gustafson abstained.
Vote -Article 34 —Amend Zoning By-Laws —Size of Accessory Structures
A motion made by Mr. Bergschneider that the Finance Committee recommends that the motion
presented by the Planning Board to Town Meeting for Article 34 as written in the warrant be
adopted was seconded by Mr. Barker.
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While some of the Finance Committee members were in agreement that it was beneficial to limit the size of accessory structures, the motion did not take into consideration any scaling of the accessory structure to the size of the original building or lot size. The motion in the warrant proposed by the Planning Board was for accessory buildings to be limited to 800 square feet as opposed to 600 square feet which was in the original ATM warrant article. Vote: 5-5-0. This motion failed. Vote -Article 35 —Amend Zoning By-Laws —Lot Dimension Definitions A motion made by Mr. Barker that the Finance Committee recommends that the motion presented by the Planning Board to Town Meeting for Article 35 as written in the warrant be adopted was seconded by Mr. McKenna. Vote: 10-0-0. Vote -Article 36 —Amend Zoning By-Laws —Site Plan Review A motion made by Mr. McKenna that the Finance Committee recommends that the motion presented by the Planning Board to Town Meeting for Article 36 as written in the warrant be adopted was seconded by Mr. Bergschneider. Vote: 9-0-1. Mr. Sims abstained. Vote -Article 37 —Amend Zoning By-Laws —Manufacturing and Light Manufacturing Definitions The Finance Committee did not vote on Article 37 because the Committee was seeking additional information from Mr. Richard regarding the specific businesses included in the two categories. Vote -Article 38 —Amend Zoning By-Laws —Kennels in LI District A motion made by Mr. Barker that the Finance Committee recommends that the motion presented by the Planning Board to Town Meeting for Article 38 as written in the warrant be adopted was seconded by Ms. Gallagher. Vote: 10-0-0. Vote -Article 39 —Amend Zoning By-Laws —Table of Dimensions A motion made by Mr. Barker that the Finance Committee recommends that the motion presented by the Planning Board to Town Meeting for Article 39 as written in the warrant be adopted was seconded by Mr. McKenna. Vote: 9-0-1. Ms. Gallagher abstained. Mr. Richard informed the Finance Committee that the two dissenting votes of the Planning Board's vote of 3-2 vote was over the frontage amount of 100'. Vote -Article 40 —Amend Zoning By-Laws —Warehouse Definitions A motion made by Mr. McKenna that the Finance Committee recommends that the motion presented by the Planning Board to Town Meeting for Article 40 as written in the warrant be adopted was seconded by Mr. Bergschneider. Vote: 10-0-0. Vote -Article 41-Amend Zoning Map —Change Designation from Industrial to General Residence The Finance Committee did not vote on Article 41 because they were seeking clarification from Mr. Richard and Town Counsel on the language for the motion given that the proponent was withdrawing Article 41 without prejudice. Reopen —Article 27 —Term Limits for Elected and Appointed Boards and Committees A motion made by Ms. Leach to reopen the vote for Article 27 was seconded by Mr. McKenna. Vote: 10-0-0. A motion made by Ms. Saint Andre that the subject matter of Article 27 as printed in the warrant be indefinitely postponed was seconded by Mr. Bergschneider. Vote: 6-4-0. Ms. Leach, Mr. Casamento, Mr. Sims and Mr. Dorfman voted in opposition to Article 27 being indefinitely postponed. 20160309 FINCOM MINUTES Page 5 of 7 03/13/16
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D. Other Business/Open Issues
Liaison Reports —There were no liaison reports given at the meeting.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes for February 29, 2016 and March 3, 2016 would be approved at a future meeting.
F. Next Meeting Date: The next meeting will take place on Monday, March 14th in the Salah
Meeting Room of Town Hall. Members of the School Committee and School Department would be
meeting with the Finance Committee.
Chair Saint Andre requested that a discussion of Free Cash Reserves be placed on the next meeting
agenda.
Adjournment: A motion made by Ms. Saint Andre to adjourn the meeting at 10:03 p.m. was
seconded by Mr. Casamento. Vote: 10-0-0.
Minutes reviewed by: Rob Barker
Respectfully submitted,
c`
B b a Saint Andre
Chair, Canton Finance Committee
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Tov~n of Can~~~
~u~~nce Committee M~~~ong ~ Wednesday, 11Jlarch 9, 2016
List of Mee~aU~~; C~~Wc~9o~~~~
Please ~~~~o u G~~~~ me~~ur~g handouts rr~a~ ~I~~ lb~ ~o~~r~c~~ ~~ ~ ~G~~ ~~~vr~'~ w~C~~a~~ ~~U~c~9~~ ~G~~ G~~~~~~9
Nlir~~a~e~ ~~~t~u~U~ Q~a~~~ ~u~~e).
Agenda (1 page).
M unicipal Capital Requests for Fiscal 2017 dated 3/9/16 (1 page).
School Capital Requests for Fiscal 2017 dated 3/9/16 (3 pages).
M unicipal Capital Requests for Fiscal 2017 thru 2021 dated 3/9/16 (2 pages).
School Capital Requests for Fiscal 2017 thru 2021 dated 3/9/16 (2 pages).
Canton Economic Development 2016 Committee Update provided by Gene Manning (9 pages).
Final Official Statement dated March 3, 2016, Standard & Poor's Services (3 pages).
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