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May 13, 2020, Finance Committee Meeting - Virtual Meeting. Minutes
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Minutes Voted on: 7-30-20
Canton Finance Committee Vote: 6-0-1
801 Washington Street
Canton, MA 02021
Meeting Minutes
May 13, 2020
Finance Committee Members Present: Christos Arsoniadis, David Clough, Dan Cole, Emilio Mauro, Tim McKenna,
Barbara Saint André, Cindy Thomas and Wai Wong.
Finance Committee Members Absent: Rob Barker.
Guests Present:
Lisa Lopez, Vice Chair, Community Preservation Committee
Kristen Phelps, Administrator, Community Preservation Committee
Randy Scollins, Finance Director
Ellen Jones, Finance Committee Secretary
Opening: Chair McKenna called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. via Zoom virtual meeting.
Approval of Agenda: Chair McKenna reviewed the agenda.
New Business
STM Article 8 – Additional Recommendation of the Community Preservation Committee: Canton Emergency
Rental Assistance Program – Lisa Lopez, Vice Chair of the Canton Community Preservation Committee (CCPC),
provided an explanation of the draft plans for a rental assistance program that would utilize $52,000 of CPA housing
funds. Some of the highlights from Ms. Lopez’ overview (see meeting documents) are as follows:
• Recognizing the need for rental assistance in the community the CCPC voted to accept a late application for
CPA funds for a temporary rental assistance program. The Planning Board voted the following day to move
forward with the CPA application and instructed Town Planner Laura Smead to submit an application on its
behalf.
• The CCPC will meet again to make their final recommendations.
• Program is temporary and will provide full or partial rent for a period of one to three months.
• Program will be confidentially administered, for a fee (no more than approximately $5,000), by a housing
agency experienced in rental assistance such as Metro West Collaborative or MCL Housing. The Town will
be “hands off” in the handling of applicants, screening and awards.
• Eligible residents will be selected through a lottery system.
• If a home or condo is deed restricted to households earning up to 100% AMI, they may qualify for mortgage
assistance.
• While the Town does not currently have a housing trust (not required), this program will provide the Town
with experience for operating a housing trust in the future.
Ms. Lopez stated that the final recommendation for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program will be presented at
Special Town Meeting. Ms. Lopez will keep the Finance Committee Secretary apprised as to the progress so that the
Finance Committee will be able to take a vote prior to STM.
Reconsideration of ATM Article 4 Consent Agenda – Mr. Scollins stated that at a recent pre-ATM meeting held on
May 12, 2020 the Town Moderator suggested the addition of three articles to the Consent Agenda - Articles 37, 38
and 53. All three of these articles had been voted to postpone indefinitely. Articles 37 and 38 would be addressed
under Special Town Meeting Article 2 (Stormwater Management). Article 53 (43D Priority Development Sites) was
postponed indefinitely because the developer was no longer interested in the site at 300 Dan Road.
A motion made by Ms. Saint André to reopen the vote for ATM Article 4 for reconsideration was seconded by
Mr. Wong.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. McKenna Aye Mr. Cole Aye
Ms. Thomas Aye Mr. Wong Aye
Mr. Arsoniadis Aye Ms. Saint André Aye
Mr. Clough Aye Mr. Wong Aye
The motion to reopen ATM Article 4 passed 8-0-0.
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Mr. Scollins informed the Committee that he received good news that the Town Administrator had received a
Statement of Loss Recapitulation Schedule from the Town’s insurance company with regard to the Rink roof collapse
insurance claim. The insurance company would be releasing a $965,279.28 check to the Town once the Town
signed off on the Statement of Loss. Mr. Scollins suggested that Article 15 (Insurance Proceeds) be removed from
the Consent Agenda so the Town could accept the funds at ATM under Article 15.
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Ms. Thomas inquired if the Town had made any decision yet about canceling the 4 of July celebration. Because
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there had not yet been a decision by the BOS it was suggested that Article 14 (Approval of Funding for the 4 of July
Community Celebration) be pulled out of the Consent Agenda.
A motion made Ms. Saint André to approve Article 4 (Consent Agenda) as printed in the revised motion
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(Articles 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 17, 19, 20, 37, 38, 40, 41 and 53) with the removal of Article 14 (4 of July
Community Celebration) from the motion was seconded by Mr. Clough.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Wong Aye Mr. Clough Aye
Ms. Saint André Aye Mr. Arsoniadis Aye
Mr. Mauro Aye Ms. Thomas Aye
Mr. Cole Aye Mr. McKenna Aye
The amended motion for ATM Article 4 passed 8-0-0.
Reconsideration of ATM Article 32 – Appropriation for Removal of Weeds and Nuisance Vegetation at Old
Shepherd’s Pond
A motion made by Ms. Saint André to reopen the vote for ATM Article 32 for reconsideration was seconded
by Mr. Wong.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. McKenna Aye Mr. Cole Aye
Ms. Thomas Aye Mr. Wong Aye
Mr. Arsoniadis Aye Ms. Saint André Aye
Mr. Clough No Mr. Wong Aye
The motion to reopen ATM Article 32 passed 7-1-0.
Mr. Scollins referred to the different budget scenarios A-E and that the Finance Committee voted Scenario E.
Scenario E maintained the removal of the $15,000. The Finance Committee had previously voted 7-1-0 to maintain
the $15,000 funding for Article 32. He further stated that the removal of the $15,000 was voted in the scenario voted
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by the BOS. Mr. Mauro suggested that this funding be tabled for a year. Mr. Wong suggested that if the 4 of July
community celebration were cancelled then this $35,000 earmarked in free cash could be used towards the
Shepherd’s Pond weed removal. Mr. Mauro suggested that at the end of the year Finance Committee Reserve
Funds could be used to fund the weeds removal project.
Mr. Scollins stated that he has been in communication with Barry Nectow, School Business Administrator, to discuss
the financial impact if the School Department’s state aid is cut. Mr. Nectow indicated that he would be following up
further with the School Superintendent and the BOS. Mr. Scollins further stated that there would be no action taken
at ATM because there would be too much “guesswork” regarding the financial impact to the School budget.
A motion made by Ms. Saint André that the subject matter of Article 32 be indefinitely postponed was
seconded by Mr. Cole. Ms. Saint André stated that while she had originally moved the motion for approval of the
$15,000 funding she no longer sees the purpose of going forward with this funding due to the financial uncertainties
the Town is facing.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Wong Aye Mr. Clough Aye
Ms. Saint André Aye Mr. Arsoniadis Aye
Mr. Mauro Aye Ms. Thomas Aye
Mr. Cole Aye Mr. McKenna Aye
The motion to postpone indefinitely ATM Article 32 passed 8-0-0.
Vote – ATM Article 54, Motion 2 - Budgets
A motion made by Ms. Saint André that an appropriation of $46,419,604 for the School Department FY21
operating budget as printed in the budget document provided be recommended to ATM was seconded by
Mr. Mauro.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. McKenna Aye Mr. Cole Aye
Ms. Thomas Aye Mr. Mauro Aye
Mr. Arsoniadis Aye Ms. Saint André Aye
Mr. Clough Aye Mr. Wong Aye
The motion passed 8-0-0.
FINCOM 201200513 Minutes Page 2 of 6 5/17/2020Source page 3
A motion made by Ms. Saint André that an appropriation of $22,812,135 for the Municipal Department FY21 operating budget as printed in the budget document provided be recommended to ATM was seconded by Mr. Mauro. Mr. Scollins noted that the Finance Committee recommended budget for FY21 reflected a $50,000 reduction from the Board of Selectmen recommended budget of $22,862,135 for FY21. The $50,000 reduction was from the unfilled Department of Public Works Assistant to the Superintendent position. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Wong Aye Mr. Clough Aye Ms. Saint André Aye Mr. Arsoniadis Aye Mr. Mauro Aye Ms. Thomas Aye Mr. Cole Aye Mr. McKenna Aye The motion passed 8-0-0. A motion made by Ms. Saint André that an appropriation of $31,392,411 for the Fixed Costs FY21 budget as printed in the budget document provided be recommended to ATM was seconded by Mr. Mauro. Roll Call Vote: Mr. McKenna Aye Mr. Mauro Aye Ms. Thomas Aye Mr. Cole Aye Mr. Arsoniadis Aye Ms. Saint André Aye Mr. Clough Aye Mr. Wong Aye The motion passed 8-0-0. A motion made by Ms. Saint André that an appropriation of $238,660 for the Rink Enterprise Fund FY21 budget as printed in the budget document provided be recommended to ATM was seconded by Mr. Mauro. Roll Call Vote: Mr. McKenna Aye Mr. Cole Aye Ms. Thomas Aye Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. Arsoniadis Aye Ms. Saint André Aye Mr. Clough Aye Mr. Wong Aye The motion passed 8-0-0. A motion made by Ms. Saint André that an appropriation of $6,619,067 for the Sewer Enterprise Fund FY21 budget as printed in the budget document provided be recommended to ATM was seconded by Mr. Mauro. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Wong Aye Mr. Clough Aye Ms. Saint André Aye Mr. Arsoniadis Aye Mr. Mauro Aye Ms. Thomas Aye Mr. Cole Aye Mr. McKenna Aye The motion passed 8-0-0. A motion made by Ms. Saint André that an appropriation of $7,386,658 for the Water Enterprise Fund FY21 budget as printed in the budget document provided be recommended to ATM was seconded by Mr. Mauro. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Wong Aye Mr. Clough Aye Ms. Saint André Aye Mr. Arsoniadis Aye Mr. Mauro Aye Ms. Thomas Aye Mr. Cole Aye Mr. McKenna Aye The motion passed 8-0-0. Reconsideration of ATM Article 15 – Insurance Proceeds Mr. Scollins suggested that the Committee reconsider Article 15 because there would be insurance funds greater than $150,000 to appropriate at Town Meeting. A motion made by Ms. Thomas to reopen the vote for ATM Article 15 for reconsideration was seconded by Mr. Mauro. Roll Call Vote: Ms. Thomas Aye Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. Arsoniadis Aye Ms. Saint André Aye Mr. Clough Aye Mr. Wong Aye Mr. Cole Aye Mr. McKenna Aye The motion passed 8-0-0. A motion made by Ms. Saint André that $965,279.28 be appropriated in connection with insurance recovery from losses suffered by the Town and that $965,279.28 be transferred from the Insurance Reimbursement Fund #173 to the Rink Enterprise Capital Account Fund #701 was seconded by Mr. Mauro. FINCOM 201200513 Minutes Page 3 of 6 5/17/2020
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Mr. Cole inquired if this amount was consistent with the original funding schedule for the rink. Mr. Scollins stated that
he has been tracking very closely the funding for the rink. Mr. Scollins provided on the Zoom screen the Statement of
Loss Claim Recapitulation Schedule. He further stated that the insurance adjuster looked at the property and
determined the depreciated value of what they would pay out. The Town had a replacement cost for the value at the
time. If certain spending milestones are met by the Town then the insurer would release their hold back. The
$965,279.28 represents the hold back released by the insurer.
Mr. Scollins indicated that there was approximately $1,000,000 of insurance proceeds having to do with code
upgrades that still needed to be finalized by the insurance company. The bond offering that is closing on May 20,
2020 will provide $2,000,000 in bond proceeds. Once there is documentation of this permanent bonding Mr. Scollins
will submit the documentation to the state for the $2,000,000 grant.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Clough Aye Mr. Mauro Aye
Mr. Cole Aye Ms. Saint André Aye
Mr. Arsoniadis Aye Mr. Wong Aye
Ms. Thomas Aye Mr. McKenna Aye
The motion for Article 15 passed 8-0-0.
Recap of ATM and STM Discussions
• ATM Article 36 – Verbiage within the discussion for Article 36 was changed from “regulations” to “policy”.
• ATM Article 15 – Discussion would have to be tweaked based on the vote of accepting $965,279.28.
• ATM Article 32 – Mr. Mauro suggested language for the discussion regarding weed control – “while the
Finance Committee initially supported the funding for this Article, due to the restrictions of COVID 19 on the
budget, this funding was not essential …”.
• STM Article 8 – Mr. Mauro volunteered to write this discussion regarding the Emergency Rental Assistance
Program article.
Public Comments - There were no public comments.
Announcements – There were no announcements at the meeting.
Next Meeting Date: June 4, 2020. Mr. Scollins recommended the Finance Committee meet with the auditors before
Annual Town Meeting/Special Town Meeting. The auditors have been conducting audit review meetings via Zoom.
Items to be discussed at the next Finance Committee meeting included:
• Annual Audit – Discussion with Town Auditors before the Town Meeting.
• STM Article 8 – Discuss and vote.
Mr. Mauro inquired if there are plans being made for social distancing at the Annual Town Meeting. Mr. Scollins
stated it is an on-going active discussion with the COVID team. The Board of Selectmen are waiting until Governor
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Baker discusses his plans for “reopening” on May 18 . Arrangements have been made by the School Department to
have space available in the gym for an overflow crowd.
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If Town Meeting does not occur by June 30 , Mr. Scollins stated that the legislature recently passed a bill that allows
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municipalities to spend greater than 1/12 budgets on a monthly basis. Town officials would have to submit to the
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Department of Revenue for spending approval. The Town would continue with the 1/12 process until ATM is held.
Ms. Saint André left the virtual meeting.
Approval of Minutes
A motion made by Mr. Mauro to approve the minutes for March 11, 2020 as written was seconded by
Mr. Wong.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. McKenna Aye Mr. Mauro Aye
Ms. Thomas Aye Mr. Arsoniadis Aye
Mr. Clough Aye Mr. Wong Aye
Mr. Cole Aye
The motion passed 7-0-0.
FINCOM 201200513 Minutes Page 4 of 6 5/17/2020Source page 5
A motion made by Mr. Mauro to approve the minutes for April 30, 2020 as written was seconded by Mr. Wong. Roll Call Vote: Mr. McKenna Aye Mr. Cole Aye Ms. Thomas Aye Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. Arsoniadis Aye Mr. Wong Aye Mr. Clough Aye The motion passed 7-0-0. Adjournment: A motion made by Mr. Wong to adjourn the meeting at 8:51 p.m. was seconded by Mr. Mauro. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Mauro Aye Mr. Arsoniadis Aye Mr. Wong Aye Ms. Thomas Aye Mr. Cole Aye Mr. McKenna Aye Mr. Clough Aye The motion to adjourn at 8:51 p.m. passed 7-0-0. Minutes reviewed by: Committee Members Respectfully submitted, Timothy McKenna Chair, Canton Finance Committee FINCOM 201200513 Minutes Page 5 of 6 5/17/2020
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Canton Finance Committee Meeting
May 13, 2020
Please note: Some meeting documents may be found on the Town’s website under the Posted Minutes
section (Laser Fiche).
For information regarding department budget requests please follow the below link:
https://www.town.canton.ma.us/DocumentCenter/View/5658/FY21-Municipal-Budget---Dept-Requests---Jan-2020
Agenda for May 13, 2020 (1 page).
STM Article 8 – Additional Recommendation of the Community Preservation Committee: Canton Emergency
Rental Assistance Program - Overview – CPA Funding Request for an Emergency Rental Assistance Program,
provided by the Community Preservation Committee (2 pages).
Article 4 – Consent Agenda – proposed.
ATM/STM Recommendations of the Finance Committee to the Voters of Canton – as of May 15, 2020 (including
budgets).
ATM Article 15 (Insurance Proceeds) - Statement of Loss – Claim Recapitulation – $965,279.28 dated 5/13/20
(2 pages).
FINCOM 201200513 Minutes Page 6 of 6 5/17/2020