Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text
May 05, 2021, Pre-ATM Planning Meeting - Virtual Meeting. Minutes
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Minutes Voted on: 7/7/21 Canton Finance Committee Vote: 6-0-1 801 Washington Street Canton, MA 02021 Meeting Minutes May 5, 2021 Finance Committee Members Present: Rob Barker, David Clough, Dan Cole, Emilio Mauro, Tim McKenna, Reuki Schutt, Cindy Thomas and Wai Wong. Finance Committee Members Absent: All members were present at the meeting. Guests Present: Gene Manning, Board of Assessor and Chair of the Economic Development Committee (EDC) Ellen Jones, Finance Committee Recording Secretary Randy Scollins, Finance Director Opening: Chair McKenna called the virtual meeting via Zoom to order at 7:00 p.m. Approval of Agenda: Mr. Scollins explained that the purpose of the meeting was a planning session for the Public Informational Meeting on Wednesday, May 12, 2021at 7:00 p.m. and to discuss the logistics for the Annual Town Meeting on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 12:30 p.m. New Business Discussion to Determine if the Meeting Date and Time of the Annual Town Meeting (ATM) of 5/22/21 at 12:30 p.m. requires any further formal action The date and time of Town Meeting has been officially moved to May 22, 2021 at 12:30 p.m. There was no further discussion or action required on this matter. Review of the results of the 4/28/21 ATM Logistics Review Meeting — Mr. Scollins shared on his screen notes that he had drawn up based on the last meeting on April 28". Mr. Scollins reviewed the seating, sound, public safety, sign/check in and sanitation for the ATM. There was discussion that if the May 22.7 ATM meeting was postponed to the June 5" rain date and rain occurred on June 5", the Canton High School, gymnasium and cafeteria could be used on June 5" as an alternate meeting site. A suggestion was made by Mr. Aspinwall that the Select Board may want to discuss this at their upcoming Select Board meeting on Tuesday, May 11". Mr. Nectow stated that it would not be a burden at all for the School to be used as the alternate ATM meeting site but that it would take some logistical work with Mr. Jutras to coordinate the set up for the meeting. There would be no projection screens at the ATM. Last year there were no meeting handouts. Mr. Hines was concerned if there was no projection screen if three to four student volunteers could be made available to handout amendments or substitute motions if necessary. Dr. Fischer-Mueller would coordinate the student volunteers with Mr. Scollins. Mr. Aspinwall will contact the Board of Health staff regarding the distribution of materials at the meeting and the requirement of the wearing of masks at the ATM meeting. Article 28 — To be Withdrawn without Prejudice — Mr. Hines stated that he would not require paperwork for this motion and that he would look to the article sponsor to make the motion on the floor of Town Meeting. Article 42 - Budget — Change of #544 budget name to Revere & Son Heritage Trust Corporation — Mr. Hines stated that there would be a motion made to change the budget name for Budget #544 from Paul Revere Heritage Commission to Revere & Son Heritage Trust Corporation. FINCOM 20210505 Minutes.docx Page 1 of 4 5/5/21
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Discussion of the approach to the 5/12/21 Pre-ATM Public Informational Zoom Session Meeting The following are the highlights of that discussion: e Mr. Hines envisioned that questions could consume the entire meeting or a limited number of questions would be addressed and the rest of the time would be spent discussing articles. « Mr. Hines would be addressing the Consent Agenda at the beginning and end of the informational meeting. e Mr. Hines is looking for the Panelists to provide “one liners” that would describe the intent of the Articles. e With regard to the questions received from the public by the deadline date of May 11" by noon: questions would come in, questions would be routed to appropriate responders to provide answers back, information would be distributed to the Panelist group, a list of the questions and answers would be compiled in a Word document and posted on the Town’s website and be available for screen sharing the night of the Public Informational Meeting and the Chat on Zoom would still be open and available. e Chair McKenna would send to Randy and Ellen a list of Panelists. « Mr. Scollins would reach out to the Panelists for the “one liners” regarding the Articles by May 11", Combine these with the questions and distribute on May 12", Discuss the need for a Finance Committee meeting prior to the ATM meeting on May 22 Article 28 - Chair McKenna stated that Article 28 has been withdrawn and is, therefore, a moot point but wanted to follow up on a discussion that took place at a previous Finance Committee meeting regarding Article 28 and the minority discussion. Chair McKenna stated that he was adamant that he had a definitive understanding and at that time thought that something in the minority opinion was not accurate but then as more discussion took place regarding the article, Chair McKenna did not have a full understanding. More facts came to light and Chair McKenna apologized to Mr. Clough if he came off as an expert on the subject with his definitive opinion. He further stated that he wanted to make it clear that the process of having an opinion and a minority opinion is a good practice because it brings out all the facts on a topic. Going forward from Chair McKenna’s point of view he will try to focus on if there are more questions or facts and if the issue at hand is clear. Mr. Clough stated that he is volunteering on the Committee and is not serving to make mis-statements or factuaily inaccurate statements, or whatever they were referred to as. Mr. Clough also stated that he put a lot of time and effort into his information and cited the sources used in emails between Mr. Scollins, Mr. McKenna and Ms. Thomas. Even after citing the sources some statements were made so he was not sure if everyone had checked his information or possible everyone was busy. He further stated that it is important that minorities have an opinion and those opinions should not be controlled by the majority. Mr. Clough also stated that 99% of the time he agrees with discussions and decisions being made by the Finance Committee which is great that the Town is in a good place financially. He just wanted to bring it to people's attention of what could have been going on in the STA agreement. Mr. Clough thanked Mr. McKenna. Mr. McKenna responded to keep up the process if you have a question or a differing opinion which is all to the benefit of the voters. Mr. Mauro, a member of the Economic Development Committee, stated that Emergent withdrew their STA and has entered into an agreement with Pfizer to produce vaccine at a location elsewhere and that Emergent was still committed to redeveloping the site on Shawmut Road. He further stated that Emergent may bring forward the STA agreement for next year. Next Meeting Date - Chair McKenna suggested that a placeholder be made for a Finance Committee meeting on May 22, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. at Memorial field just prior to the start of the ATM at 12:30 p.m. Approval of Minutes — A motion made by Ms. Thomas to approve the March 10, 2021 minutes as written was seconded by Ms. Schutt. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. Cole Aye Mr. Wong Aye Ms. Thomas Aye Mr. Clough Aye Mr.McKenna Aye Ms. Schutt Aye The motion passed 7-0-0. FINCOM 20210505 Minutes.docx Page 2 of 4 6/5/21
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Adjournment - A motion made by Ms. Schutt to adjourn the meeting at 8:14 p.m. was seconded by Mr. Clough. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. Cole Aye Mr. Wong Aye Ms. Thomas Aye Mr. Clough Aye Mr.McKenna Aye Ms. Schutt Aye The motion passed 7-0-0. Minutes reviewed by: Wai Wong Res| fully submitted, Timothy MéKenna Chair, Canton Finance Committee FINCOM 20210505 Minutes.docx Page 3 of 4 5/5/24
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Canton Finance Committee Meeting May 5, 2021 Please note: Some meeting documents may be found on the Town’s website under the Posted Minutes section (Laser Fiche). Agenda for May 5, 2021 (1 page). FINCOM 20210505 Minutes.docx Page 4 of 4 5/5/21