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March 22, 2016, Finance Committee Meeting. Minutes

Finance Committee · Record date 2016-03-22 · Record 9cb0364a6a2623c7ca

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`town of Canton ~o~~~~e Committee                       Minutes voted on: 4/ 9/16
                                             Meeting Minutes                               vote: g-o-1
                                         Tuesday, March 22, 2016


 Members Present:
 Rob Barker, Sepp Bergschneider, Jim Casamento, Gerald Dorfman, Nichola Gallagher, Dianne
 Gustafson, Stephanie Leach, Tim McKenna and Jim Sims.

 Members Absent:
 Barbara Saint Andre.

 Guests Present:
 Lisa Lopez, Chair, Community Preservation Committee
 Kristen Phelps, Administrator, Communifiy Preservation Committee
 Jim Murgia, Finance Director (Arrived at the meeting at approximately 7:30 p.m.)
 Ellen Jones, Finance Committee Secretary

Opening: A meeting of the Canton Finance Committee was called to order by Vice Chair Barker at
7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 in the Community Room of the Canton Public Library.

A.       Approval of Agenda

Vice Chairman Barker reviewed the items on the agenda. Vice Chairman Barker was filling in for Chair
Saint Andre in her absence. Mr. Murgia attended the Board of Selectmen's meeting and joined the
Finance Committee later in the evening.

B.      ~4nnouncements

There were no announcements made at the meeting.

C.       New Business

Article 24 —Recommendations of the Co~~unity Preservation Committee(CCPC)

Ms. Lopez gave a summary of the applications the CCPC had reviewed for FY17. There were five
projects totaling approximately $386,000 in the three categories of open space, historic resources and
community housing. If these projects are approved at Annual Town Meeting, there will be a balance of
approximately $629,000 in the undesignated fund balance reserved for the Community Preservation Act.

Some of the applications the CCPC received were worthy projects but were not quite ready for "prime
time". A trails project proposed by the Town Planner was an example of a project of that nature. Some
projects the CCPC reviewed should be scaled back for a future application. Some projects were not
eligible under the CPA guidelines. A future project that would be considered is a project around Forge
Pond and Bolivar Pond based on an Olmstead design.

Ms. Lopez explained the five projects being proposed for Annual Town Meeting as follows:

$18,900 —Restoration and Preserva~oc~~ of the Cr~n~'s Guards I~lllo~o~~o~ ~0~~ — (see meeting handout)
The Canton Historical Society, a private organization, submitted an application ~~o the CCPC for $21,000
of funding to restore and preserve the second oldest militia flag in the Commonwealth. The flag is
currently in the possession of the Historical Society, will eventually be displayed so that both sides of the
flag may be viewed and once restored will be on display at the Paul Revere Heritage Center. CCPC is
recommending to ATM funding for $18,900.

$36 ~~i ~ ~ ~V~ I~~glisG~ C~~ar~~u~~ ~~o~~~~ ~ Restoration and Preservation of Historic Cemetery
(see meeting handout) —The Canton I~isforical Commission submitted an application to the CCPC for
$36,915 of funding to restore and preserve the cemetery located on Washington Street near Crowell's
 Market. The estimates for the work to be done were based on similar work that had been done at the
Canton Corner Cemetery. The work will include restoration of the majority of the gravestones and
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enhancement of the pathway and signage. A bid was received from the same contractor that did the
work at the Canton Corner Cemetery. Some of the work will be coordinated with the Department of
Public Works. Ms. Lopez was uncertain as to the materials that would be used for the installation of the
new walkway as the bid not specify the materials. CCPC is recommending to ATM funding for the full
requested amount of $36,915.

$160,000 —Preservation of Receiving Tomb and Tomb Vaults at the Canton Corner Cemetery
(see meeting handout) —The Canton Historical Commission submitted an application to the CCPC for
$339,886 of funding to preserve a receiving tomb, three tomb vaults and restoration of a retaining wall.
CCPC is recommending to ATM funding for $160,000 for two components of the application: 1) the
central tomb and 2) side tombs. Funding for the retaining wall was not approved at this time. The
 Historical Commission would be waiting to see if the retaining wall deteriorates further from its present
condition. The $160,000 request includes $7,000 for a project management fee.

$120,000 —Exhaust Systems &Ground Fault Interrupter Outlets —Hagen Court Senior Housing
(see meeting handout) —The Canton Housing Authority(CHA) requested $120,000 to fund the
 replacement of exhaust systems and installation of ground fault interrupter outlets in 48 units at the
 Hagen Court Senior Housing. Department of Housing and Community Development(DHCD)funded the
same repairs in 24 units using the same contractor.

Ms. Lopez explained that under CPA the CCPC is obliged to set aside at least 10°/o of revenues each
year for community housing. Ms. Lopez respectfully asked for the Finance Committee's consideration of
these housing project requests.

I n response to Mr .Sims' inquiry about mold and mildew remediation within the housing units Ms. Lopez
responded that the CHA has been addressing this problem on an ongoing basis. Unfortunately, CPA
funds cannot be used for mold/mildew remediation. Ms. Lopez referred to the CHA capital plan
i nformation that was provided to the Finance Committee last year. Ms. Lopez read information from a
May 30, 20103 Public Housing Notice from DHCD as to what qualifies as "preservation" under CPA as
well as a list of activities that could be classified as "preservation" and funding by CPA monies. Ms.
Lopez stressed the importance of how the Canton Housing Authority units count towards the Town's total
affordable housing count. If the Town does not contribute to the upkeep of these affordable housing units
it could jeopardize its inventory of more than 10%.

Mr. Murgia arrived at the meeting at approximately 7:30 p.m.

Some of the members of the Finance Committee questioned Ms. Lopez as to how it is determined which
projects that are brought before CCPC are within the legal confines of CPA. Ms. Lopez stated that the
CCPC works with the statewide coalition, references the coalition's website of projects funded under
CPA, uses state bulletins and guidelines as references for helping define uses of CPA funds as well as
working closely with Town Counsel. Ms. Phelps stated that all five projects before CCPC for FY17 were
sent to the state coalition for review by their full-time staff. The staff are not attorneys but are full time
staff that assist municipalities with regard to CPA projects.

$50,000 —Needs Assessment &Master Plan for Outdoor Recreational Facilities — (see meeting
handouts) —The Parks &Recreation Department requested $46,000 for a Master Plan for the Town's 20
recreational sites. The CCPC voted to recommend funding for $50,000 which included an amount for
contingencies. Ms. Lopez stated that the CCPC will use the master plan as a guideline for future capital
projects and applications that are submitted by Parks &Recreation.

Mr. Barker encouraged the CCPC group to reach out to the School Department to see if there are any
needs the schools may have.

Mr. McKenna reviewed the CCPC Available Funds listing (see meeting handout). If all the projects that
CCPC is recommending are approved at ATM there will be a remaining balance of CPC funds of
$777,615.




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Discussion and Voting of Annual Town Meeting Articles —The Finance Committee voted the
following articles:

Article 3 —Hear Reports of Committees Appointed at Prior Town Meetings

A motion made by Mr. Barker that the reports of the following committees appointed at previous
Town Meetings be heard: Economic Development Committee(ATM 2004, Article 14) and
Community Preservation Committee(ATM 2011, Article 39) was seconded by Ms. Gustafson.
Vote: 9-0-0.

Article 24 —Recommendations of the Community Preservation Committee

Article 24 -Motion 1
A motion made by Mr. Bergschneider that the sum of $30,000 be appropriated from the fiscal year
2017 Community Preservation Fund revenues for the administration expenses of the Community
Preservation Committee in fiscal year 2107 was seconded by Mr. McKenna. Vote: 9-0-0.

Article 24 -Motion 2
A motion made by Mr. Bergschneider that the following fund transfers be hereby made in FISCAL
YEAR 2017 as recommended by the Community Preservation Committee:

   A.   Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000) be transferred from FISCAL YEAR 2017 receipts of the
        Community Preservation Fund into the Fund Balance Reserved for Open Space;

   B.   Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000) be transferred from FISCAL YEAR 2017 receipts of the
        Community Preservation Fund into the Fund Balance Reserved for Historic Resources;


   C.   Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000) be transferred from FISCAL YEAR 2017 receipts of the
        Community Preservation Fund into the Fund Balance Reserved for Community Housing;
        and

   D.   Three Hundred Ninety Thousand Dollars ($390,000) be transferred from FISCAL YEAR
        2017 receipts of the Community Preservation Fund into the Undesignated Fund Balance
        Reserved for Community Preservation Act.

was seconded by Mr. McKenna. Vote: 9-0-0.

Article 24 -Motion 3
A motion made by Mr. Bergschneider that the sum of $18,900 be transferred from the Fund
Balance Reserved for Historic Resources for Community Preservation Act to be spent by the
Canton Historical Society for the restoration and preservation of the Crane's Guards Militia Flag
was seconded by Mr. McKenna. Vote: 9-0-0.

Article 24 -Motion 4
A motion made by Mr. Bergschneider that the sum of $36,915 be transferred from the fund
Balance Reserved for Historic Resources for Community Preservation Act to be spent by the
Canton Historical Commission for the restoration and preservation of cemetery gravestones at the
Old English Burying Ground was seconded by Mr. McKenna. Vote: 9-0-0.

Article 24 —Motion 5
A motion made by Ms. Gallagher that the sum of $160,000 be appropriated to be spent by the
Canton Historical Commission and to fund this appropriation $4,185 be transferred from the fund
Balance Reserved for Historic Resources and $155,815 be transferred from the Undesignated
Fund Balance Reserved for Community Preservation Act for the preservation of a receiving tomb
and three tomb vaults at the Canton Corner Cemetery was seconded by Mr. McKenna.
Vote: 8-0-1.


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Mr. Bergschneider abstained from the vote because he is a member of the Canton Historical
Commission.

Article 24 -Motion 6
A motion made by Mr. Bergschneider that the sum of $120,000 be appropriated to be spent by the
Canton Housing Authority and to fund this appropriation $80,000 be transferred from the Fund
Balance Reserved for Community Housing and $40,000 be transferred from the Undesignated
Fund Balance Reserved for Community Preservation Act for the purpose of replacing exhaust
systems and installing ground fault interrupter outlets at the Hagen Court Senior Housing was
seconded by Mr. McKenna. Vote: 7-1-1.

Mr. Casamento voted in opposition to Motion 6 while Mr. Sims abstained from the vote.


A motion made by Mr. Bergschneider that the sum of $50,000 be appropriated to be spent by the
Canton Parks and Recreation Department and to fund this appropriation $50,000 be transferred
from the Fund Balance Reserved for Open Space and Recreation to be used for a needs
assessment and master plan for outdoor recreational facilities was seconded by Mr. McKenna.
Vote: 9-0-0.

D.          Other Business/Open Issues

Liaison Reports —There were no liaison reports given by any of the Committee members

Estimated Cash Reserves — (see meeting handout) Mr. Murgia provided an updated estimated cash
reserves based on the use of free cash for various Annual Town Meeting articles. The Town will maintain
the target for cash reserves of 15.4%.

As of the March 22 meeting, Mr. Nectow had met with Town Counsel to discuss a motion for Article 44 for
a school needs assessment and master plan but he had not yet provided the motion to the Finance
Committee.

Ms. Gustafson commented that under this needs assessment study the question of the Rodman
Building's use needs to be studied. Ms. Gustafson also inquired about the use of the $2 million "gift" to
the School Department as part of the DIF agreement with the Heritage site. This agreement is for capital
i mprovements to school buildings (such as the Rodman Building). A needs assessment study is not
considered a capital item.


E.          Approval of Minutes

There were no minutes approved at the meeting. The minutes for March 9, March 14 and March 16 will
be approved at a future meeting.


F.     Next Meeting Date: The next meeting will take place on Wednesday, March 23rd in the Salah
Meeting Room of Town Hall.

Adjournment: A motion made by Mr. Bergschneider to adjourn the meeting at 8:02 p.m. was
seconded by Mr. McKenna. Vote: 9-0-0.


Minutes reviewed by: Jerry Dorfman

     s ec    Ily submitted,


Barba a Saint Andre
Chair, Canton Finance Committee

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Town of Canton
                         Finance Committee Meeting —Tuesday, March 22, 2016

                                       List of Meeting Handouts


Please note: These meeting handouts may also be found on the Town's website under the Posted
Minutes section (Laser Fiche).

Agenda (1 page).

Estimated Cash Reserves, provided by Jim Murgia, dated 3/21/16 (1 page).

Article 24 —Recommendations of the Community Preservation Committee —Draft Motions(3 pages).

CCPC Available Funds, dated 3/2/16 (1 page).

Article 24 —Motion 3 -Crane's Guard Militia Flag (2 pages).

Article 24 —Motion 4 —Old English Burying Ground (1 page).

Article 24 —Motion 5 —Canton Corner Cemetery Receiving Tomb &Vaults(2 pages).

Article 24 —Motion 6 —Hagen Court Senior Housing (4 pages).

Article 24 —Motion 7 —Needs Assessment and Master Plan for Outdoor Recreational Facilities (1 page).




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