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March 16, 2022, Finance Committee Meeting - Virtual Meeting. Minutes
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Canton Finance Committee Minutes Voted on: 3/23/22
801 Washington Street Vote: 6-0-2
Canton, MA 02021
Meeting Minutes
March 16, 2022
Finance Committee Members Present: Dave Clough, Dan Cole, Karen Foley, Emilio Mauro, Tim McKenna and
Reuki Schutt.
Finance Committee Members Absent: Tom Emery and Cindy Thomas.
Guests Present:
Charlie Aspinwall, Town Administrator
Dave Emhardt, Chair, Capital Planning Committee
Ellen Jones, Finance Committee Recording Secretary
Lisa Lopez, Chair, Canton Affordable Housing Trust
Mike Loughran, Chair, Select Board
Helena Rafferty, Deputy Chief, Police Department
Randy Scollins, Finance Director
Call Meeting to Order: Chair McKenna called the virtual meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
Mr. Aspinwall and Mr. Loughran provided information regarding the following Select Board sponsored Articles.
Article 5 – Collective Bargaining Agreements under the Select Board - $178,000 – Mr. Scollins reported that the
Town had reached an agreement with the Local 1580 IAFF for unfunded EMT and Paramedic stipends. The stipend
for the 40 Paramedics will increase from $4,000 to $7,500 per year. The stipend for the 14 EMTs will increase from
$1,250 to $4,000 per year. A comparison was done with 11 surrounding Towns and Canton was below many of
those communities. The increase to the stipends will bring Canton up to the middle of the pack. The Town has not
had to sponsor the EMTs or Paramedics. The stipends are for FY22 and have been built into the budget going
forward. The stipends are paid to employees in two equal payments during the fiscal year.
Article 25 - Amend General By-Law – Add New Noise By-Law – Deputy Police Chief Rafferty
Ms. Rafferty gave background information as to the reason for this proposed by-law. The Police Department was
asked to provide a police detail for a resident that was having a party in a very dense neighborhood with a band
playing from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. The Town had nothing in the by-laws to disallow this late-night party. It is her opinion
that residents should go before the Select Board for approval of a special permit if the event is after 11:00 p.m. Mr.
Scollins did not believe Town Counsel has reviewed the language in the proposed by-law. Ms. Rafferty thinks that
the proposed by-law seems more voluminous than needed. Mr. Mauro inquired if the by-law would leave open other
identified noise issues and it appeared that there were no other current noise concerns. Ms. Rafferty added that she
does not want to insult other cultures that have traditions of late-night parties.
Mr. Loughran stated that the Town has no by-law in place for noise regulation but that the Police Department does
have the power to address noise complaints. The Select Board is in favor of this by-law.
Article 11 - Insurance Proceeds > $150,000 – Galvin Middle School Water Leak – Mr. Scollins explained that the
law requires Town Meeting to appropriate insurance proceeds greater than $150,000. He is waiting for the definitive
amount of the proceeds regarding the Galvin Middle School pipe burst that occurred on the same day that the
Massachusetts School Building Authority visited the school. Mr. Aspinwall stated that Mr. Stephen Marshall, the
School’s Director of Finance and Operations, estimates that the insurance proceeds could be upwards of $200,000.
Mr. Scollins is hopeful that the Town will have an amount by Town Meeting.
Article 13 – Vote to Reconsider – Appropriation to Supplement the Commonwealth’s Chapter 90 Program
The Finance Committee previously voted to indefinitely postpone Article 13. Since that time, there have been new
developments. There is a small parcel on the former Cumberland Farms site that must have traffic control signals
installed and it is appropriate for the Select Board to acquire the property for a fee of $1.00. Town Counsel will be
drafting the motion for Article 13. The donor, Realty Trust, is working with Top Golf.
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Article 18 – Amend General By-Law – Article 1, Section 2 – Enforcement – Mr. Aspinwall stated that there are
many sections of the General By-Laws that do not specifically state who the enforcing agents are. Article 18 was
drafted to specify who the enforcing agents should be, so that there is no misunderstanding when by-laws are being
enforced. There is no financial impact for these by-law changes. This by-law will be codifying what already exists in
the enforcement of these by-laws.
Article 19 - Authorize Disposition of 25 Neponset Street – Mr. Loughran explained that the Town owns the 5,000
square footage of the vacant property at 25 Neponset Street due to non-payment of taxes. Initially, the Select Board
wanted the property to go out to auction. However, the Select Board is now interested in acquiring an adjacent
property to combine with 25 Neponset Street creating a unique opportunity for a small parking lot that would be
convenient to the downtown area.
Mr. Scollins stated that both Article 19 and Article 20 were initially intended to do the same thing, which is to auction
off the property at 25 Neponset Street. The Select Board changed their position to dismiss or to withdraw Article 19.
The proponent for Article 20 is interested in building a home on the lot.
Mr. Clough inquired as to how many parking spaces would be created and if it is feasible for the Town to acquire the
adjacent property.
Mr. Loughran stated that the Select Board is now looking to take the adjacent property by eminent domain. He
estimates there could be 20 parking spaces if both lots are combined.
Mr. Clough inquired if the Select Board had the ability to cancel/withdraw the citizen-sponsored petitioned Article 20.
Mr. Scollins stated that Dr. Solomon, the proponent for Article 20, is aware of the Select Board’s intentions and has
been made aware of the latest developments.
A statement was made that even if the voters at the Annual Town Meeting authorize the auction of 25 Neponset
Street, it is up to the Select Board to decide whether to auction the property.
Mr. Mauro inquired whether there would be a known outcome for efforts to acquire the other property adjacent to 25
Neponset Street that is pending for sale prior to the Annual Town Meeting vote regarding the disposing of the
property at 25 Neponset Street. Mr. Loughran stated that the Town is working through the eminent domain process.
There would not be a Special Town Meeting concurrent with the Annual Town Meeting. Mr. Loughran stated that if
the Town takes the property by eminent domain the Select Board will find a way to pay for it without needing a town
meeting vote using available funds.
Article 23 – Acquire Easement – 145 Sherman Street for Drainage Infrastructure & Conveyance of Stormwater
Mr. Aspinwall provided the following information regarding Article 23 as follows:
• ATM 2021 gave the Select Board the authority to acquire an easement for this property in order to control
extreme drainage issues due to rainfall. There have been drainage issues at the site since the 1960s.
• ATM 2021 voted to remove eminent domain from the article with the hope that the Select Board could come
to an agreement with the property owner.
• The Town met with the property owner with an estimate of $16,000 for tree removal and grading for a
playing area on one side of the house. It had been determined that the tree was located in an area that was
topographically too dangerous for DPW staff to handle.
• The Select Board made an offer to the property owner but has not heard back from them.
• The Select Board is recommending that this year’s article include eminent domain language.
• An option the Town could take is to do nothing about the drainage issue, but Town Counsel advised the
Select Board that they should do something to avoid liability.
• Mr. George Comeau made the motion at last year’s ATM to remove the eminent domain language because
the Town should make a good faith effort in working with the property owner first.
• If the structure in place is without an easement and the home and/or property were to become damaged the
Town could be held liable.
Mr. Clough is hopeful that instead of the easement being taken by eminent domain the parties can work it out
between them. Mr. Aspinwall stated that it is the intention of the Town to do the utmost to reach an agreement.
Article 28 – Amend General By-Laws Article X Section 6 – Canton Affordable Housing Trust Fund
Mr. Aspinwall provided the following information regarding Article 28:
• He referred to a memorandum he sent to the Finance Director dated March 16th, which stated that
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after reviewing the Affordable Housing Trust article adopted at ATM 2021 he recommended to the
Select Board that Best Management Practices should reserve to the Select Board the authority to
award contracts instead of the Affordable Housing Trust awarding contracts. This change would
address an internal control weakness. The Affordable Housing Trust met to review Mr. Aspinwall’s
recommendation and voted 3-4 against the recommendation (vote failed). The Select Board met
on March 1st and considered the matter and voted 3-1 in favor of granting the Select Board contract
awarding authority citing best practice for concern over internal control.
• Mr. Aspinwall is of the opinion that the more entities, committees, and boards that are given the
authority to award contracts the more problems there may be. The Trust members understood
this but suggested that it be done with the next case or situation that comes up.
Ms. Lopez stated that it was awkward because there was a split vote on the Select Board. Ms. Lopez also stated that
she was appearing before the Finance Committee not as a Select Board member but as the Chair of the Affordable
Housing Trust where the majority of the Trustees voted not to support Article 28. This Article would mean that all
contracts of the Housing Trust without limitations must be approved by the Select Board. The majority of the
Trustees believe that this is unnecessary, burdensome and inconsistent with Canton and Housing Trust practices
throughout the Commonwealth.
There are approximately 125 cities and towns that have adopted Chapter 44 legislation to create housing trusts. The
purpose was to create and maintain affordable housing. Ms. Lopez noted that the reason for housing trusts is a
recognition that there needed to be a dedicated focus and subject matter competency of that group to act more
efficiently than at a Town Meeting that meets only once per year or even a Select Board that meets twice per month.
Canton adopted forming a Housing Trust at last year’s Town Meeting.
Ms. Lopez further explained that there is legislation in the Commonwealth that defines what is a housing trust and
specifically how it is governed. The model legislation includes 17 enumerated powers of the trustees but does give
cities and towns the right to vote to add and subtract from those enumerated powers. Most towns just adopt the
model legislation and all 17 powers are given to the Housing Trust. A handful of towns including Canton, which was
based on a working group to create this article that Ms. Lopez, Mr. Aspinwall and Town Counsel participated in,
identified a few powers characterized as the high-level decisions that for Canton’s Housing Trust would require Select
Board approval and those would include the decision to buy or sell property, borrow money, bring or settle litigation,
or to hire employees or lawyers. The purpose of these requirements to go to the Select Board was recognizing that
good communication and collaboration between the Housing Trust and the Select Board was to be absolutely
essential to having an aligned strategy on really key decisions. Nevertheless, it still allowed the Trustees to act
efficiently on all other operational and programmatic issues, which is why the Housing Trust was set up to begin with.
One of the enumerated powers of the Trustees today is to execute contracts on behalf of the Trust. An example of
this is the Trust recently purchased a condominium unit that was affordable, as designated on the deed restriction,
and that is being foreclosed on by the bank for failure to pay. The Housing Trust is purchasing the condominium for
resale to an eligible household. The decision to purchase the property had to be approved by the Select Board,
which is what the Town’s by-law stipulates. However, the negotiation, drafting and execution of the purchase and
sale agreement has been done by the Housing Trust in order to move the sale along efficiently.
Article 28 seeks to amend the by-law approved at ATM last May to require all contracts be approved by the Select
Board, which Mr. Aspinwall stated is an additional control, that some of the Trustees believe is not necessary,
burdensome and inconsistent with current practice. Ms. Lopez believes this change is unnecessary because the
Select Board already has the right to approve all of the major decisions. The Select Board appoints all of the
Trustees to the Trust and has a representative as one of the Housing Trustees. The Trustees also include the Town
Administrator, the Finance Director and the Town Planner who all report to the Select Board. This is the only Board
or Committee that has to have as its members both the Town Administrator and the Director of Finance who is the
Town’s Chief Procurement Officer. If one of the communicated concerns is that the Trustees follow good
procurement practices and comply with the procurement laws, the Housing Trust is better protected than any other
board or committee because of its membership.
Ms. Lopez observed that Article 28 has no dollar limit or category of contract in this amendment. A purchase order
for $100 is a contract and would need to go to the Select Board for approval. The Trustees believe this is
dangerously close to micro management. The current by-law states that the Housing Trust has the right to hire
“advisors and agents such as consultants, accountants and appraisers” but this amendment would require the actual
engagement letter to go back to the Select Board for approval. Given the usually full agendas of the Select Board
and that they only meet twice per month, a delay could have a negative effect on the execution of contracts. This
potential bureaucracy and micro-management are what the Housing Trust was expressly intended to avoid. The
majority of the Trustees believe this article has the effect of completely eliminating the hierarchy of authority that the
by-law established because what does it mean if in one paragraph it says the Housing Trust can hire a consultant
without Select Board approval and in the next paragraph it says that the contract to hire the consultant has to go to
the Select Board for approval?.
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Ms. Lopez added that if this article is approved, some individuals might question the reasoning for having a Housing Trust. Why not have a Housing Trust sub-committee that reports to the Select Board if the Select Board is going to make all of the decisions? That is not what the 2021 Annual Town Meeting approved. Some of the Trustees believe it is inconsistent with current practice. There is no current practice that all the contracts of town boards and committees are subject to Select Board approval. That includes contracts of the CCPC, Library contracts, Building Renovation Committee contracts, Parks and Recreation contracts. Conservation Commission contracts and School Committee contracts that have not come to the Select Board. If that were the practice in Town, some important work in Town might “grind to a halt” as a result of this review process. Ms. Lopez reported that according to the Massachusetts Housing Partnership, the Massachusetts organization that serves as the non-profit advisory group that serves all of the Housing Trusts, has informed the Housing Trust that none of the approximately 125 housing trusts in the Commonwealth requires all housing trust contracts be approved by the Select Board or City Council. The majority of the Housing Trustees oppose the change being proposed under Article 28 and hope that the Finance Committee would not support it and would prefer the Town trust the process and the governance that was adopted by Town Meeting last year. If there is a concern about procurement practices and compliance, then an administrative policy could be adopted by the Trust that all contracts be approved as to procurement form by the Town Administrator and the Director of Finance, who by definition of their roles will always be Trustees. This is included in the Trust. Perhaps there is some other rule that could narrowly define and address the concern rather than taking an approach that may have some unintended consequences and slow down the work that was intended to go forward. Ms. Lopez thanked the Finance Committee for allowing her to comment on Article 28. Mr. Loughran, the Select Board representative to the Housing Trust, echoed Mr. Aspinwall’s point that it did not seem that the other members did not necessarily agree with it and in fact all seemed to feel that it is best practice and a good idea but they did not want it implemented with their Trust. Mr. Loughran has been working with Ms. Lopez to try to come up with a solution so this does not have to go to Town Meeting and be discussed publicly because they cannot come to a resolution. They have talked at Select Board meetings that perhaps the Trust could start with the proposed control by the Select Board and when they find that it is hindering the Housing Trust or is not giving the Select Board any concern then the Select Board will give the control back to the Housing Trust. It is the concern of the Trust that giving this contract awarding authority control to the Select Board will preclude them from being able to regain control later. Mr. Loughran, as the Select Board representative to the Housing Trust, noted that he cannot imagine a scenario where if a contract were brought to the Select Board it would not be a “rubber stamp” for the Trust’s position. An additional concern of the Housing Trustees is a future change in the makeup of the Select Board, but the Housing Trust could change as well. With regard to Ms. Lopez’s concern about getting on the Select Board’s agenda in a timely manner, Mr. Loughran stated the Select Board can meet within 48 hours’ notice, such as regarding the Turtle Brook property, which was acted upon quickly. Mr. Loughran does not see that a month would go by with the Select Board not able to act upon a contract. Mr. Loughran agrees with the Town Administrator and the Finance Director and he asked the Finance Committee to support the Housing Trust contract authority proposed in Article 28. In response to Mr. Cole’s inquiry about classifying the contracts, Mr. Loughran stated that they did discuss this and that so far the majority of the Housing Trustees do not want to relinquish any of the control. Ms. Lopez suggested that it may make sense to narrowly tailor this proposal instead of advancing this omnibus approach to any kind of contract. The majority of the Housing Trust would not reject this, nor would Ms. Lopez agree that the majority of the Trustees believe that the Article being proposed represents a best practice. Mr. Clough requested a copy of Article X, Section 6 as mentioned in Article 28, which he could not find on the Town’s website. He agrees that a dollar amount would be a great idea if everyone could come to an agreement on a dollar amount, such as $10,000. Mr. Aspinwall addressed the concern that the amendment was being considered as bureaucratic or not. In other towns that he has worked in, this is how things were and things operated fine. There was no land lost because of it and there were lower limits established that the Trust could act on. Ms. Lopez is happy to collaborate on this and that a substitute motion could be proposed for Town Meeting. Article 29 – Vote to Transfer Pleasant St. Land from Select Board to Conservation Commission – Article 29 would transfer the designated Pleasant Street Land to the Conservation Commission. The Conservation Agent had made a presentation at a prior Finance Committee meeting. Mr. Aspinwall reported that the Select Board voted to approve this land transfer. Correspondence is being sent to those on an abutter’s list notifying them about the transfer. Article 31 – Acceptance of Revolution Way as a Town Way – Mr. Aspinwall stated that the Town Engineer’s final inspection determined that there are several items that need to be addressed. He further stated that there are certain steps the Select Board can follow. It can recommend that the ATM vote to accept the road and then the Select Board can accept the deed within 120 days from the date of the ATM vote. As part of that process, the Select FINCOM 20220316 Minutes RS EM.docx Page 4 of 9 3/19/22
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Board can determine how much leeway to give the developer on getting the remaining work done within the 120
days. Alternatively, the Select Board could postpone accepting the road until next year’s ATM. The developer is
concerned that the Town will never accept the road. The Select Board has not received a report from the Planning
Board. Mr. Aspinwall stated that there is an issue of frost expansion that has pushed up sidewalks causing a
potential liability for the Town if someone were to fall.
Article 15 – “Omnibus” Capital Outlay Program – Dave Emhardt, Chair of the Capital Planning Committee (CPC),
presented the CPC’s recommendations for capital requests for FY23. Mr. Scollins shared on the Zoom screen the
one-page summary for the Municipal requests and a one-page summary for the School requests.
The following are a few recommended changes/increases that the CPC supported:
• Fire Department – Replacement of Fire Prevention 2014 Vehicle – Increased from $56,600 to $65,600 for a
hybrid/green alternative vehicle. Part of the EMS simulation mannequin request will be paid out of
ambulance receipts ($6,888 out of the total request of $53,000).
• Library – Increase from $228,000 to $320,000 in debt capital for a rubber roof replacement due to increased
costs. The CPC felt this request was more important than the purchase of a 6-wheel dump truck for Public
Works due to the urgency of the repair needs at the library. There was also an increase from $44,647 to
$46,000 out of cash capital for a chiller compressor.
• Police Department – One of the four requested police cruisers will be a hybrid/green alternative vehicle,
which increases the overall cash capital request for 4 police cruisers from $176,000 to $180,000.
The CPC is recommending to the Finance Committee that they should have available appropriate levels of their
Finance Committee Reserve Fund for FY23 because they are of the opinion that Departments will be seeking
transfers to make up for any differences in unexpected cost increases for purchases and services.
• Parks & Recreation – CPC voted unanimously to recommend $35,800 for Athletic Field Grooming
Equipment and $11,000 for a Stand-On Leaf Blower.
• Property Maintenance – $43,000 in cash capital to replace the roof at the Animal Kennel.
• Public Works – CPC did not recommend a $312,000 request for downtown sidewalk rehabilitation which
might free up these ARPA funds. DPW will restripe the white portions of the downtown crosswalks but it did
recommend six of the eight Public Works requests.
• Revere & Son Heritage Trust – Supported $38,000 for monument signs at the Paul Revere Heritage Park.
An option of lighting will be addressed in the future.
• Water Enterprise – Recommended $3.1 million for debt capital for water distribution improvements – pipe
replacement to improve water quality, delivery and pressure. CPC recommended $80,000 to update the
Water CIP 5-year plan.
• Sewer Enterprise – CPC recommended $300,000 for Design Year 1 for Inflow & Infiltration Rehabilitation to
inspect pipes. Over time, groundwater flows into the sewer system. The Town is charged for the
wastewater volume sent to Deer Island. The Town needs to find leaks and fix pipes to reduce MWRA
charges.
Mr. Emhardt continued the discussion summarizing School Department FY23 capital requests.
• The CPC voted unanimously to support the School Department capital requests. The School Committee
approved all of the Superintendent’s capital request recommendations.
• With regard to the $16,975 Ruckus Classroom Access Points Districtwide request, the CPC recommended
removing the vendor’s name (Ruckus) to allow the School Department more flexibility for this request. The
CPC was hesitant to approve without more details and that there should be quotes from other vendors. The
CPC was concerned about the significant increase in cost for these items from the selected vendor
compared to previous years.
• The replacement of two school buses for $200,000 was reduced to one school bus for $90,651 but the CPC
is hesitant that one bus will be able to be purchased for $90,651.
• CPC approved the request for $250,000 Unit Ventilators for the John F. Kennedy Elementary School. There
is a possibility that ARPA funds might be used for this purchase.
Summary of capital recommendations:
• Municipal $965,491 in cash capital requests and $1,136,000 of debt capital requests.
• Water Enterprise $3.1 million in debt capital requests and $80,000 from cash reserves.
• Sewer Enterprise $415,000 from cash reserves.
• School $944,000 cash capital requests and $250,000 debt capital requests.
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Discussion and Vote the following Articles – Randy Scollins Article 5 – Collective Bargaining Agreements under the Select Board - $178,000 A motion made by Ms. Schutt that the Finance Committee recommend to Town Meeting the Article 5 motion for $178,000 as printed in the warrant was seconded by Mr. Mauro. Roll Call Vote: Ms. Schutt Aye Mr. Cole Aye Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. Clough Aye Ms. Foley Aye Mr. McKenna Aye The motion passed 6-0-0. Article 11 - Insurance Proceeds > $150,000 – Galvin Middle School Water Leak – The Finance Committee did not take a vote on Article 11 because the Committee did not have the amount of the insurance proceeds that had to be appropriated. Mr. Scollins stated the amount may be available the first week of April. Article 13 – Vote to Reconsider – Appropriation to Supplement the Commonwealth’s Chapter 90 Program Mr. Scollins shared on the Zoom screen a map of the former Cumberland site where Top Golf will be establishing a business. There is a sliver of real property/land that the Town will need to accept for the purpose of a traffic control intersection. Town Counsel will be preparing a deed for $1.00. The Finance Committee had previously voted to indefinitely postpone Article 13 because there was no information received that an appropriation needed to be made at ATM to supplement the Ch. 90 program. A motion made by Ms. Schutt to reconsider the Finance Committee’s previous vote to indefinitely postpone Article 13 was seconded by Mr. Mauro. Roll Call Vote: Ms. Schutt Aye Mr. Cole Aye Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. Clough Aye Ms. Foley Aye Mr. McKenna Aye The motion passed 6-0-0. Mr. Scollins stated that Town Counsel is working on a draft motion for Article 13 with the intent to draft appropriation language for $1.00 and he suggested the Finance Committee wait for the language and to take a vote at a future meeting. Article 15 – “Omnibus” Capital Outlay Program – Mr. Scollins shared on the Zoom screen the summary sheets for the Municipal and School Department cash capital and debt capital recommendations for FY23 as voted by the Capital Planning Committee (see meeting documents). A motion made by Ms. Schutt that the Finance Committee recommend to Town Meeting the Municipal and School Capital Requests for Fiscal 2023 as presented by Mr. Scollins on the Zoom screen was seconded by Mr. Mauro. Roll Call Vote: Ms. Schutt Aye Mr. Cole Aye Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. Clough Aye Ms. Foley Aye Mr. McKenna Aye The motion passed 6-0-0. Article 17 Motions 1-10 – Community Preservation Recommendations – Mr. Scollins stated that the Select Board had not taken a position on Article 17 Motion 5 (funding for the Part-Time Housing Coordinator). The Community Preservation Committee still needs to vote on the job description for this position as well. Mr. Clough raised concerns about Motions 7 and 8. A design study was planned for the Mutch Rink but not for the renovation of the Galvin outdoor basketball courts. Issues with drainage and stormwater management with the basketball courts needs to be addressed. There is a drain in the middle of the court with a large depression as defined in the master plan. Drainage will be needed on the backside of the basketball court to keep water off of the courts. Mr. Clough believes the services being provided for the two projects are almost identical and that the basketball courts have more issues that require a design plan. The basketball courts do not have parking nor any ADA parking available. Both projects should be held to the same standard to deliver first class facilities for the new middle school. Mr. Scollins suggested that the Finance Committee bring in someone from the Community Preservation Committee to further explain Motions 5, 7, and 8. Mr. Mauro stated that the Town’s Master Plan supports improvements for recreation facilities in terms of both quality and access. He also speculated that the Mutch Rink is different from the Galvin basketball courts. The basketball FINCOM 20220316 Minutes RS EM.docx Page 6 of 9 3/19/22
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courts are likely going to be part of the Galvin Middle School renovation project and thus there is only the need for a “stop gap” measure until that larger project occurs. The Mutch Rink, despite its proximity to GMS, would likely not be part of that middle school project due to MSBA restrictions on project parameters. The requested design for that rink is likely the start of a permanent project at that rink site by the Parks and Recreation Department that is requesting the CPA funding for it rather than a School Department project. A motion made by Ms. Schutt that the Finance Committee recommend to Town Meeting Article 17 Motions 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9 and 10 as written in the warrant was seconded by Mr. Mauro. Roll Call Vote: Ms. Schutt Aye Mr. Cole Aye Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. Clough Aye Ms. Foley Aye Mr. McKenna Aye The motion passed 6-0-0. Article 18 – Amend General By-Law – Article 1, Section 2 – Enforcement A motion made by Mr. Mauro that the Finance Committee recommend to Town Meeting Article 18 as written in the warrant was seconded by Ms. Schutt. Roll Call Vote: Ms. Schutt Aye Mr. Cole Aye Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. Clough Aye Ms. Foley Aye Mr. McKenna Aye The motion passed 6-0-0. Article 19 - Authorize Disposition of 25 Neponset Street – Mr. Scollins reported the Select Board voted to withdraw the subject matter of Article 19. He stated that the Select Board could not withdraw or dismiss Article 20 because this was a citizen-sponsored article. A motion made by Ms. Schutt that the Finance Committee recommend to Town Meeting that the subject matter of Article 19 be withdrawn was seconded by Mr. Mauro. Roll Call Vote: Ms. Schutt Aye Mr. Cole Aye Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. Clough Aye Ms. Foley Aye Mr. McKenna Aye The motion passed 6-0-0. Article 20 – Auction of Town-Owned Property at 25 Neponset Street (Sponsor - Dr. Gabriel Solomon) Mr. Scollins will reach out to Dr. Solomon to see if he still wants to proceed with Article 20. Article 23 – Acquire Easement – 145 Sherman Street for Drainage Infrastructure & Conveyance of Stormwater A motion made by Ms. Schutt that the Finance Committee recommend to Town Meeting Article 23 as written in the warrant was seconded by Mr. Mauro. Mr. Clough stated that an approved Stormwater Management Permit was issued by the Conservation Commission for this property and that the permit releases the Town from liability. The easement for 145 Sherman Street was never recorded at the Registry of Deeds. The permit is still active with 40-50 conditions. The owner is to work with the Conservation Commission. Mr. Aspinwall stated that the work on the property was done long before the Town got involved. Mr. Mauro stated that Article 23 will give the Select Board the “tools in its toolbox” in the process of negotiation with the owner of the property. Roll Call Vote: Ms. Schutt Aye Mr. Cole Nay Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. Clough Nay Ms. Foley Aye Mr. McKenna Aye The motion passed 4-2-0. Article 26 – Amend General By-Laws – Add New Noise By-Law – The Select Board voted to support Article 26. The Deputy Chief did not want to get involved with regard to decibels and was open to not being locked into language in the article. Mr. Scollins gave his opinion that he supports the Select Board’s vote to support Article 26. FINCOM 20220316 Minutes RS EM.docx Page 7 of 9 3/19/22
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A motion made by Ms. Schutt that the Finance Committee recommend to Town Meeting Article 26 as written in the warrant was seconded by Mr. Mauro. Roll Call Vote: Ms. Schutt Aye Mr. Cole Aye Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. Clough Aye Ms. Foley Aye Mr. McKenna Aye The motion passed 6-0-0. Article 28 – Amend General By-Laws Article X Section 6 – Canton Affordable House Trust Fund – Mr. Scollins recommended that the Finance Committee delay their vote on Article 28. He suggested that an offline discussion should take place between those parties involved with Article 28 and then the Finance Committee could invite them to another Finance Committee meeting for further discussion. Article 29 – Vote to Transfer Pleasant St. Land from Select Board to Conservation Commission A motion made by Mr. Mauro that the Finance Committee recommend to Town Meeting Article 29 as written in the warrant was seconded by Mr. Clough. Roll Call Vote: Ms. Schutt Aye Mr. Cole Aye Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. Clough Aye Ms. Foley Aye Mr. McKenna Aye The motion passed 6-0-0. Approval of Minutes A motion made by Ms. Schutt to approve the March 9, 2022, minutes as written was seconded by Mr. Mauro. Roll Call Vote: Ms. Foley Aye Mr. McKenna Aye Mr. Clough Aye Mr. Mauro Aye Ms. Schutt Aye Mr. Cole Aye The motion to approve the March 9, 2022 minutes passed 6-0-0. Next Meeting Date: The Finance Committee will meet on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, to discuss articles sponsored by the Planning Board and other items. The Planning Board has already submitted their motions and votes to Town Counsel for his review. On March 30th, the Finance Committee is scheduled to vote on the operating budgets. The Finance Committee Recommendations to ATM 2022 final document is scheduled to go to the printer on April 11. April 6th is the last meeting of the Finance Committee prior to going to print. The Finance Committee discussions will be sent to Mr. McKenna, Ms. Thomas, and Mr. Scollins for their review. The Capital Planning Committee discussions will be sent to the Finance Recording Secretary who will forward them to Mr. Mauro for his review. A motion made by Ms. Schutt to adjourn the meeting at 9:52 p.m. was seconded by Mr. Mauro. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. McKenna Aye Ms. Schutt Aye Mr. Clough Aye Mr. Cole Aye Ms. Foley Aye The motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:52 p.m. passed 6-0-0. Minutes reviewed by: Emilio Mauro Respectfully submitted, Timothy McKenna Chair, Canton Finance Committee FINCOM 20220316 Minutes RS EM.docx Page 8 of 9 3/19/22
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Canton Finance Committee Meeting
Meeting Documents
March 16, 2022
Please note: Some meeting documents may be found on the Town’s website under the Posted Minutes
section (Laser Fiche).
Information regarding the FY23 Municipal Budget may be found at the following link:
https://www.town.canton.ma.us/407/Municipal-Budget-Capital-Information
Agenda for March 16, 2022 (1 page).
Municipal Capital Requests for Fiscal 2023, dated 3/16/22 (1 page).
Ambulance (EMS) Receipts Reserved Fund, FY2013-2028, dated 3/15/22 (1 page).
School Committee Capital Requests for Fiscal 2023, dated October 29, 2021 (1 page).
Map of Cumberland Farms site (1 page).
Memorandum from Charlie Aspinwall, Town Administrator, to Randy Scollins, Finance Director dated March 16, 2022
regarding Article 28, Amend General By-Laws, Canton Affordable Housing Trust.
FINCOM 20220316 Minutes RS EM.docx Page 9 of 9 3/19/22