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March 25, 2015, Finance Committee Meeting. Minutes
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Source page 1
Town of Canton Finance Committee Minutes Voted on: 4/2/15
Meeting Minutes Vote: 10-0-1
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Members Present:
Rob Barker, Sepp Bergschneider, Jim Casamento, Jerry Dorfman, Nichola Gallagher, Dianne Gustafson,
Tim McKenna, Mark Porter, Barbara Saint Andre and Jim Sims.
Members Absent:
Stephanie Leach and Diane Wolff.
Guests Present:
Jeremy Comeau, Chairman, Planning Board
Charlie Doody, Fire Chief
Paul Schneiders, Esq.
Jim Murgia, Finance Director
Ellen Jones, Finance Committee Secretary
Opening:
A meeting of the Canton Finance Committee was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25,
2015 in the Salah Meeting Room of Town Hall.
A. Approval of Agenda
Chairman Porter reviewed the items on the agenda.
B. Announcements
There were no announcements made at the meeting.
C. New Business
Fire Department - FY15 Budget Shortfall — Budget Supplement/Reserve Fund Transfer Request -
$160,000 - (see meeting handout) Chief Doody presented to the Finance Committee a very detailed
report supporting the reason why the Fire Department has a budget shortfall in FY15, measures being
taken to slow the rate of spending and the amount that he was seeking to supplement the FY15 Fire
Department budget.
Chief Doody stated that some of the contributing factors that caused the FY15 budget shortfall of
$253,506 included the following:
• Firefighters Union Settlement Agreement ($45,770) — Seventeen employees annual salary had
been calculated incorrectly when an EMT stipend was rolled into the base pay.
• Winter Storm Costs ($49,456) — The challenging winter and the unusually high emergency calls
as compared to last year caused a financial strain on the Fire Department budget.
• Line of Duty Injuries (LOD) ($109,400) - Fire Chief Doody explained that he had five firefighters
that were out on LOD injuries. The Deputy Fire Chief also sustained an injury which will cause a
domino effect in the Fire Department budget having to call up a Captain to act as Deputy Chief, a
Lieutenant to act as Captain and a firefighter to act as Lieutenant.
Chief Doody explained that he has made the following adjustments:
• Changed the way shifts are manned.
• Reduced manning to nine when firefighters are out, causing one of the ambulances to be placed
out of service if only nine firefighters are on duty.
• Discontinued recalling.
• Implemented light duty.
• Continuing to work with Kathy Butters (Town Accountant) to seek FEMA reimbursement.
• Meeting with Jim Murgia in February and March to review the Fire Department budget.
• In anticipation of retirements, Chief Doody is seeking replacements through the civil service
process, which could take as long as 2 to 2 1/2 months to complete.
2015.3.31 Minutes.doc reviewed by BS Page 1 of 10 03/28/2015Source page 2
Mr. Sims indicated that the continuing budget shortfalls year after year could mean a structural deficit within the Fire Department budget. Chairman Porter requested information on absences. A member indicated a possible long term solution would be to increase the overtime budget or to hire two additional firefighters. Ms. Gustafson indicated that IOD injuries were unpredictable and that if the Town were to hire additional firefighters the Town has the risk of more injuries. Ms. Gustafson thought that because overtime for IOD is considered as an exception, a request from the Reserve Fund was reasonable given that the purpose of the Reserve Fund was for unforeseen expenses. Mr. Dorfman requested from the Fire Chief information regarding 10 years of absences/injuries. Chief Doody thought that perhaps he could provide information for 7-8 years of the how injuries have impacted the budget. Mr. Murgia stated that the Town insurance policy had recently changed so that IOD wages paid over a deductible are not reimbursed. This was having an effect on costs out of the Town insurance policy. Mr. Murgia stated that the Fire Department was requesting an increase of $168,000 to the Fire Department budget for FY16 and that the Board of Selectmen were supporting an increase of $1347 000. A motion made by Ms. Saint Andre to approve a Reserve Fund Transfer Request of $160,000 to the Fire Department Budget for FY15 was seconded by Rob Barker. This would leave a balance of $340,000 in the Reserve Fund. The other option the Finance Committee had to consider was a Free Cash transfer at Annual Town Meeting. Chief Doody stated that he was open to either method of transfer, but that he needed to continue to operate, was concerned about the deficit spending growing and was concerned of the consequences if the Free Cash transfer were not approved at Town Meeting. Chief Doody stated that he anticipated not going back to full manning for the rest of the year and would operate at a reduced manning status. Chief Doody is confident that $160,000 would be enough to cover salaries and expenses for the remainder of the year. Mr. Sims reminded the Committee that in February 2011 the Fire Department had received a $300,000 reserve fund transfer. Approximately% of this transfer was then later transferred out of the Fire Department to cover other budget shortfalls at the end of Fiscal 2011. Vote: 9-0-1. Mr. Sims abstained from the vote. Canton Community Preservation Committee (CCPC) — This item was removed from the agenda. Ms. Lopez would be attending the Finance Committee on Monday, March 30 to discuss the CCPCs recommendation to purchase open space at the Plymouth Rubber redevelopment site. Planning Board — ATM Zoning Articles — Discussion with Jeremy Comeau, Chairman, Planning Board (PB) — Prior to the meeting the Planning Board had provided a Memorandum to the Finance Committee, dated March 13, 2015 and the Town Planner had provided PB recommendations/discussions to the Finance Committee via email (see meeting handouts). Mr. Comeau gave a review of the ATM Zoning Articles as follows: Article 21 — Flexible Residential Lot Number Determination — Mr. Comeau stated that the Planning Board was in support of Article 21. Mr. Comeau explained that this change in the by-law would change the way the Planning Board would determine the number of lots within a Flexible Subdivision. This would allow the PB to hear permits that have waivers but would not allow an increase in the number of lots within the subdivision. 2015.3.31 Minutes.doc reviewed by BS Page 2 of 10 03/28/2015
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A Finance Committee member expressed concern that by creating more open space and smaller lots that real estate taxes could be reduced. Attorney Schneiders stated that usually the real estate taxes would not decrease because the open space is usually still owned by the developer and in some cases the open space is owned by the division's homeowners association. Article 22 — Amend Zoning By-Law — Hotel Overlay District Height — Mr. Comeau stated that Article 22 was sponsored by the Planning Board, but that they had a change to the motion that had been filed. This change from "does not exceed sixty (60) feet" would be replaced with "does not exceed (52) feet" and would be the Planning Board's main motion (see meeting handout). Article 23 & 24 — Amend Zoning By-Law and Map — CCEOD — Mr. Murgia inquired as to the Planning Board's motions for Articles 23 and 24, given that both of these articles were being proposed in the Special Town Meeting (STM) warrant. It was discussed that perhaps these articles would be withdrawn without prejudice by the proponent, Atty. Schneiders. Mr. Comeau stated that he would confer with BOS Chairman Del Vecchio and Attorney Rich Hucksam, of the Town's Counsel firm as to the language for the Planning Board's motion. Article 25 — Amend Section 9.5 of the HOD By-Law — Mr. Comeau and Attorney Schneiders stated that this Article was to correct contradictions in the HOD By-law by eliminating the reference to the Royall Street/Homewood Suites location. Article 26 — Amend Zoning Map — Limited Industrial Parcels along Royal! St. and Royal! Lane within HOD — Mr. Comeau stated that the Planning Board supported Article 26 4-0 because they saw the need for an additional hotel in that area. Article 27 & 28 — Amend Section 9.5.3 of the Zoning By-Law to Permit Other Locations for HOD & Amend Zoning Map to Create an Area for HOD — Mr. Comeau informed the Committee that Attorney Staiti, the sponsor of Articles 27 and 28, would be withdrawing these articles at Annual Town Meeting. Article 29 — Amend Zoning By-Laws to Allow Restaurants in Hotel Overlay Districts (HOD) — Mr. Comeau stated that Article 29 would allow restaurants in HODs by a special permit from the Planning Board. The Planning Board voted 4-0 to support Article 29. Article 30 — Amend Zoning Map to Establish an Overlay Zoning District "Canton Large Scale Ground Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Installation Overlay District (SPOD) — Mr. Comeau stated that the Planning Board supported Article 30 and that approval would be via a special permit. At a recent meeting of the PB, one resident attended and was in favor of this project. Mr. Comeau stated that electricity would be sold to residents in the general area. Mr. Murgia clarified for the Committee that once the solar panels are installed, both the solar parcels and the land would be taxable. Article 31 — Amend Zoning Board's Table of Use Regulations (Restaurants) — Mr. Comeau stated that Article 31 would allow restaurants within a Limited Industrial District. Attorney Schneiders stated that he represents TopGolf, who would like to establish a business with a restaurant in the former Cumberland Farms site on Dedham Street. This would be through a special permit by the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). Article 32 — Amend Zoning Board's Table of Use Regulations (Motor Vehicle Repair Garage — There was no detailed discussion on this article. Article 32 is similar in nature to Article 31, but instead would allow motor vehicle repair garage in a LI district by special permit of the ZBA. Article 33 — Amend Zoning Board's Table of Use Regulations (Restaurant, Office and Commercial and Retail Uses) — The Planning Board supported Article 33 with an amendment being made to limit the size of the retail space in Item #4 so that the motion would read "no greater than 20,000 square feet". Ms. Saint Andre confirmed if this would be handled through a motion made at Town Meeting. Mr. Comeau and Attorney Schneiders were able to provide an amended motion at the Finance Committee meeting with the "no greater than 20,000 square feet" included in the motion. 2015.3.31 Minutes.doc reviewed by BS Page 3 of 10 03/28/2015
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There was some clarification made that Turnpike Street runs from Washington Street at Crowell's Market south to Stoughton. D. Other Business/Open Issues The Finance Committee voted the following Annual Town Meeting Articles: Vote — Article 3 — Hear Reports of Committees Appointed at Prior Town Meetings A motion made by Barbara Saint Andre to approve Article 3 as printed in the warrant (Economic Development Committee report, School Building Study Committee report and Community Preservation Committee report) was seconded by Sepp Bergschneider. Vote: 10-0-0. Vote — Article 12 — "Omnibus" Capital Outlay Program Article 12 Motion 1 — A motion made by Rob Barker to approve Article 12 Motion 1 as written in the warrant (authorization acquisition by Finance Director and authorizes projects to be overseen by the Building Renovation Committee) was seconded by Nichola Gallagher. Vote: 10-0-0. Article 12 Motion 2 — A motion made by Rob Barker to approve Article 12 Motion 2 as written in the warrant ($550,000 municipal cash capital) was seconded by Sepp Bergschneider. Vote: 10-0-0. Article 12 Motion 3 — A motion made by Sepp Bergschneider to approve Article 12 Motion 3 as written in the warrant ($550,000 school cash capital) was seconded by Rob Barker. Vote: 10-0-0. Article 12 Motion 4 — A motion made by Sepp Bergschneider to approve Article 12 Motion 4 as written in the warrant ($491,000 municipal debt capital) was seconded by Rob Barker. Vote: 10-0-0. Article 12 Motion 5 — A motion made by Nichola Gallagher to approve Article 12 Motion 5 as written in the warrant ($300,000 school debt capital) was seconded by Rob Barker. Vote: 10-0-0. Article 12 Motion 6 — A motion made by Sepp Bergschneider to approve Article 12 Motion 6 as written in the warrant ($326,000 ambulance receipts) was seconded by Rob Barker. Vote: 10-0-0. Article 12 Motion 7 — A motion made by Rob Barker to approve Article 12 Motion 7 as written in the warrant ($2,630,000 water main replacement/Mechanic Street from water revenues) was seconded by Nichola Gallagher. Mr. Casamento expressed his concern that this large a request ($2,630,000) was not receiving the scrutiny by the Committee that he thought it should or that other requests had been given. Mr. Casamento stated that he received follow up information from Mr. Trotta with regard to upcoming water and sewer projects. This information had not been sent out to the rest of the Committee yet. Mr. Trotta had indicated to Mr. Casamento that the Mechanic Street project would be the last water main replacement project for approximately 7-10 years. The next large water project is a $1.1 million Indian Lane water tank repair and a $1.6 million tank rehabilitation on the Randolph line. Mr. Murgia stated that the impact to the water rate payers for the $2,630,000 project would be "0" for FY16 and that it would not affect the water bills until FY17. Vote: 10-0-0. Article 12 Motion 8 — A motion made by Rob Barker to approve Article 12 Motion 8 as written in the warrant ($372,000 capital projects from water enterprise surplus - retained earnings) was seconded by Nichola Gallagher. Vote: 10-0-0. 2015.3.31 Minutes.doc reviewed by BS Page 4 of 10 03/28/2015
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Article 12 Motion 9 — A motion made by Rob Barker to approve Article 12 Motion 9 as written in the warrant ($561,000 capital projects from sewer revenues) was seconded by Sepp Bergschneider. Vote: 10-0-0. Article 12 Motion 10 — A motion made by Sepp Bergschneider to approve Article 12 Motion 10 as written in the warrant (expansion of scope for Ponkapoag Station Fire Bell under Article 11 Motion of ATM 2014) was seconded by Rob Barker. Mr. Murgia explained to the Finance Committee that there had been savings identified from the Police and Fire Station project and that he had spoken to the Chairman of the Building Renovation Committee who was in favor of using these remaining funds to supplement the restoration of the Ponkopoag Station Fire Bell. The Community Preservation Committee did not approve the full amount that had been requested by Chief Doody's in the CPA application for this project. These remaining funds would help with this project. Mr. Sims stated that the original vote under Article 11 Motion 4 for $139,000 for the Fire Station 2 repair project was approved by a 2/3 vote because of borrowing involved. Town Meeting will be voting by a simple majority for Motion 10. (Article 12 Motion 10): Vote: 9-1-0. Mr. Sims voted in opposition to Article 12 Motion 10. Vote — Article 19 — Recommendations of the Community Preservation Committee Article 19 Motion 1 — A motion made by Barbara Saint Andre to approve Article 19 Motion 1 as written in the warrant ($30,000 for administrative expenses) was seconded by Sepp Bergschneider. Vote: 10-0-0. Article 19 Motion 2 — A motion made by Barbara Saint Andre to approve Article 19 Motion 2 as written in the warrant ($60,000 for Open Space, $60,000 for Historic Resources, $60,000 for Community Housing and $390,000 for the Undesignated Fund Balance Reserved for Community Preservation Act) was seconded by Sepp Bergschneider. Vote: 10-0-0. Article 19 Motion 3 — A motion made by Barbara Saint Andre to approve Article 19 Motion 3 as written in the warrant ($11,000 for Canton Corner Cemetery Receiving Tomb and Retaining Wall) was seconded by Sepp Bergschneider. Vote: 10-0-0. Article 19 Motion 4 — A motion made by Barbara Saint Andr6 to approve Article 19 Motion 4 as written in the warrant ($15,000 for the fire bell at the Ponkapoaq Fire Station ) was seconded by Sepp Bergschneider. Vote: 10-0-0. Article 19 Motion 5 — A motion made by Barbara Saint Andre to approve Article 19 Motion 5 as written in the warrant ($414,150 for Phase One restoration of the Tilden House) was seconded by Sepp Bergschneider. Mr. Casamento expressed concern with the high price tag of $414,150 for restoration of the Tilden House with the cost for Phase 2 restoration being an undetermined amount. There also remains the open question as to the specifics for the future use of this Town-owned building. Mr. Comeau spoke in favor of this CCPC request. Vote: 7-3-0. Mr. Sims, Mr. Casamento and Mr. Dorfman voted in opposition to Article 19 Motion 5. Article 19 Motion 6 — A motion made by Barbara Saint Andre to approve Article 19 Motion 6 as written in the warrant ($10,000 for master plan to preserve historical documents at the Canton Historical Society) was seconded by Rob Barker. Vote: 10-0-0. Article 19 Motion 7 — A motion made by Barbara Saint Andre to approve Article 19 Motion 7 as written in the warrant ($5,895 for restoration of Martha Howard petticoat) was seconded by Sepp Bergschneider. Vote: 9-1-0. Mr. Sims voted in opposition to Article 19 Motion 7. 2015.3.31 Minutes.doc reviewed by BS Page 5 of 10 03/28/2015
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Article 19 Motion 8 — ($99,120 First Parish Unitarian Church steeple) — Chairman Porter stated that the Committee would delay voting on Article 19 Motion 8 until further information had been worked out with the applicant with regard to a restriction agreement for maintaining the steeple once the project has been completed. Mr. Dorfman stated that he searched the internet but could not find a 990 Tax Form filing by the Church. Article 19 Motion 9 — A motion made by Barbara Saint Andre to approve Article 19 Motion 9 as written in the warrant ($100,000 to upgrade electrical and fire alarm work in Veterans' Housing) was seconded by Sepp Bergschneider. A substitute motion made by Jim Casamento to postone indefinitely the subject matter of Article 19 Motion 9 was seconded by Jim Sims. While Mr. Casamento understood the process whereby the CCPC can recommend 10% of the CPA funds towards Community Housing, he explained that he could not support this recommendation because of other municipal priorities and a concern that this project had come before the CCPC committee last year and was approved for $93,700. Mr. Casamento shared with the Committee information he obtained regarding the Canton Housing Authority's $858,070 capital plan for 2013 through 2016 (see meeting handouts). The $848,070 did not include an amount for the Pequit Street electrical panels/smoke detectors. Chairman Porter clarified for the Committee that the CCPC does not actively seek projects for CPA funds. Mr. Dorfman spoke in support of using Community Housing funds for setting up a Housing Trust for the Town. Mr. Dorfman would continue to search the website for examples of CPA funds that had been used for housing projects. The primary reason for the Canton Housing Authority seeking additional funds of $100,000 for this project was because prevailing wages had not been taken into consideration in last year's CPA application. Mr. Murgia reminded the Committee members that the Canton Housing Authority units count towards the Town's total affordable housing 10% threshold. He also stated that the Town received $154,000 of matching CPA funds from the state, which essentially could then be used to fund the Canton Housing project. The Committee voted on the substitute motion that Article 19 Motion 9 be indefinitely postponed: Substitute Motion Vote: 3-7-0. Chairman Porter, Mr. Sims and Mr. Casamento voted in support to indefinitely postpone. The substitute motion failed. The Committee then voted on the original motion to support the CCPC's recommendation of $100,000 to upgrade electrical and fire alarm work in Veterans' Housing: Main Motion Vote: 7-3-0. Chairman Porter, Mr. Sims and Mr. Casamento voted in opposition to this original motion. Mr. Sims would be writing the minority discussion for the Finance Committee recommendations to Town Meeting. The Finance Committee voted the following Town Meeting Zoning Articles: Vote - Article 21 — Flexible Residential Lot Number Determination — A motion made by Barbara Saint Andre that the Finance Committee recommends Article 21 be adopted as printed in the warrant was seconded by Sepp Bergschneider. Vote: 10-0-0. Vote - Article 22 — Amend Zoning By-Law — Hotel Overlay District Height — A motion made by Barbara Saint Andre that the Finance Committee recommends Article 22 be adopted as printed in the substitute motion provided by the Planning Board with language that replaces "does not exceed sixty (60) feet" with "does not exceed (52) feet" was seconded by Nichola Gallagher. Vote: 10-0-0. Vote - Article 23 — Amend Zoning By-Law — CCEOD — Per Mr. Comeau, the Planning Board (PB) had not taken a vote on Articles 23 and 24 as he wanted to check with the BOS and Town Counsel on the proper language for the PB motion. 2015.3.31 Minutes.doc reviewed by BS Page 6 of 10 03/28/2015
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A motion made by Barbara Saint Andre that the subject matter of Article 23 be indefinitely postponed was seconded by Sepp Bergschneider. Vote: 10-0-0. The sponsor of Article 23 would most likely make a motion at Town Meeting that Article 23 be withdrawn without prejudice. Vote - Article 24 — Amend Zoning By-Law and Map — CCEOD — A motion made by Barbara Saint Andre that the subject matter of Article 24 be indefinitely postponed was seconded by Sepp Bergschneider. Vote: 10-0-0. The sponsor of Article 24 would most likely make a motion at Town Meeting that Article 24 be withdrawn without prejudice. Vote - Article 25 — Amend Section 9.5 of the HOD By-Law — A motion made by Barbara Saint Andre that the Finance Committee recommends Article 25 be adopted as printed in the warrant was seconded by Sepp Bergschneider. Vote: 10-0-0. Vote - Article 26 — Amend Zoning Map — Limited Industrial Parcels along Royall St. and Royal! Lane within HOD — A motion made by Barbara Saint Andre that the Finance Committee recommends Article 26 be adopted as printed in the warrant was seconded by Nichola Gallagher. Vote: 10-0-0. Vote - Article 27 — Amend Section 9.5.3 of the Zoning By-Law to Permit Other Locations for HOD — A motion made by Barbara Saint Andre that the subject matter of Article 27 be indefinitely postponed was seconded by Sepp Bergschneider. Vote: 10-0-0. The sponsor of Article 27 would most likely make a motion at Town Meeting that Article 27 be withdrawn without prejudice. Vote - Article 28 — Amend Zoning Map to Create an Area for HOD A motion made by Barbara Saint Andre that the subject matter of Article 28 be indefinitely postponed was seconded by Sepp Bergschneider. Vote: 10-0-0. The sponsor of Article 28 would most likely make a motion at Town Meeting that Article 28 be withdrawn without prejudice. Vote - Article 29 — Amend Zoning By-Laws to Allow Restaurants in Hotel Overlay Districts (HOD) A motion made by Nichola Gallagher that the Finance Committee recommends Article 29 be adopted as printed in the warrant was seconded by Barbara Saint Andre. Vote: 10-0-0. Vote - Article 30 — Amend Zoning Map to Establish an Overlay Zoning District "Canton Large Scale Ground Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Installation Overlay District (SPOD) A motion made by Barbara Saint Andre that the Finance Committee recommends Article 30 be adopted as printed in the new plan was seconded by Sepp Bergschneider. Vote: 10-0-0. Vote - Article 31 — Amend Zoning Board's Table of Use Regulations (Restaurants) A motion made by Barbara Saint Andre that the Finance Committee recommends Article 31 be adopted as printed in the warrant was seconded by Sepp Bergschneider. Vote: 10-0-0. Vote - Article 32 — Amend Zoning Board's Table of Use Regulations (Motor Vehicle Repair Garage 2015.3.31 Minutes.doc reviewed by BS Page 7 of 10 03/28/2015
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A motion made by Barbara Saint Andre that the Finance Committee recommends Article 32 be adopted with language added "by Special Permit" was seconded by Sepp Bergschneider. Vote: 10-0-0. Vote - Article 33 — Amend Zoning Board's Table of Use Regulations (Restaurant, Office and Commercial and Retail Uses) — Mr. Comeau and Mr. Attorney Schneiders provided a revised motion to the Committee that contained added language to Item # 4 of the motion "no greater than 20,000 s.f.". Mr. Sims and Mr. Bergschneider spoke in opposition of this change to the Table of Use Regulations because this change would essentially create a table with language for spot zoning. A motion made by Nichola Gallagher that the Finance Committee recommends Article 33 be adopted with the Table of Use Regulations being amended to include language of "not more than 20,000 s.f." and the specific footnote reference in the table of "BA only with respect to LI District abutting Route 138 (Turnpike St. Section) was seconded by Barbara Saint Andre. Vote: 8-2-0. Mr. Sims and Mr. Bergschneider voted in opposition to this motion. Vote - Article 35 — Improvements to the Lt. Peter M. Hansen Elementary School A motion made by Rob Barker that the Finance Committee recommends Article 35 be adopted so that $4,100,000 be appropriated and that such appropriation of $4,100,000 be contingent upon the passage of a ballot of debt exclusion referendum question to override the limitations of Proposition 2 1/2 was seconded by Nichola Gallagher. Vote: 9-1-0. If Article 35 is approved by Town Meeting voters, the Board of Selectmen would then call for a Special Election. Mr. Murgia stated that the ballot for the debt exclusion would not have a dollar amount. The only time a dollar amount would be listed on a special ballot is if it were an operational override. Article 35 would require a 2/3 vote at Town Meeting because it is a borrowing article. The ballot would pass with a simple majority at the special election. Vote: 9-1-0. Mr. Sims voted in opposition to Article 35. No Vote taken - Article 39 — Vote to Approve Title Change for Human Resources Administrator — Because Mr. Casamento still has reservations about this title change and would prefer to hear from the Board of Selectmen the reason for this title change, the Finance Committee would vote Article 39 at a future meeting. Article 4 — Act on "Consent Agenda" — Chairman Porter asked members to think about which articles they would like to include on the consent agenda. Remaining Articles to be voted on: Articles 4, 5, 6, 9, 13, 17, 18, 19, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41 and #42 (Budget). Discussions are due to the Chairman by Monday, April 6. Mr. Dorfman and Ms. Gustafson would be in contact with Mr. Manning about the discussions for the capital article. Chairman Porter stated that if Committee members had questions for the BOS for the Meeting on Monday, March 30 that they questions be forwarded to him by Friday, March 27. Liaison Reports — Ms. Gallagher provided an update with regard to waivers for the current full day kindergarten program. Ms. Gallagher informed the Finance Committee that the School Committee does grant waivers for the $350.00 application fee for full day kindergarten and that for next year the School Committee would make it known to the general public about these application fee waivers. Article 7 Motion 2 — Set Salaries of Elected Officials — Mr. Dorfman distributed a copy of a Globe Article, dated January 19, 2014 entitled, "For most on town boards, it's not for the money". This article 2015.3.31 Minutes.doc reviewed by BS Page 8 of 10 03/28/2015
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addressed salaries paid or not paid to elected officials. Chairman Porter stated that the Committee could
reopen the vote on Article 7 Motion 2 if they felt necessary. Mr. Murgia is currently surveying 12
surrounding Towns as to compensation for elected officials. Mr. Murgia will share the results of this
survey with the Committee members at the next meeting on March 26.
E. Approval of Minutes
The minutes for the March 16, 2015 meeting had been drafted but were still being reviewed by the
Committee members.
A motion made by Rob Barker to approve the March 19, 2015 meeting minutes as written was
seconded by Sepp Bergschneider. Vote: 9-0-1.
F. Next Meeting Date: The next meetings were scheduled for March 26, March 30 (with BOS),
April 2 (vote Article 17 — Increase Stabilization Fund), April 8 (review discussions) and April 9. The
meeting on April 9th may not be needed if all outstanding business is finished on April 8th•
Adjournment: A motion made by Barbara Saint Andre' to adjourn the meeting at 9:59 p.m. was
seconded by Sepp Bergschneider. Vote: 10-0-0.
Minutes reviewed by: Barbara Saint Andre
1
Respectfully su
.'
/411.1F
Mar Porte
Chairman, anton Finance Committee
2015.3.31 Minutes.doc reviewed by BS Page 9 of 10 03/28/2015Source page 10
Town of Canton
Finance Committee Meeting — March 25, 2015
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).
Canton Fire Department — FY15 Budget Supplement Request, dated March 25, 2015, provided by Chief
Charlie Doody, (22 pages).
Article 9 Motion 9 - Canton Housing Authority (CHA) Capital Plan — 3 years — 2013-2016, provided by
Jim Casamento (1 page).
Memorandum from Jeremy Comeau to Canton Finance Committee, dated March 13, 2015 regarding
Zoning Amendment Articles to Town Meeting (4 pages).
Recommendations of the Planning Board to the Finance Committee, Planning Board Motions and Votes
(4 pages).
Copy of revised Article 22, with Planning Board revision from sixty (60) feet to fifty two (52) feet,
received on March 25, 2015 (2 pages).
Copy of Boston Globe Article, entitled, "For Most on Town Boards, It's not for the Money", dated
January 19, 2014, provided by Jerry Dorfman, (7 pages).
2015.3.31 Minutes.doc reviewed by BS Page 10 of 10 03/28/2015