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March 08, 2017, Finance Committee Meeting. Minutes
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Town of Canton Finance Committee n~inuies voted on: 3/27/17
Meeting Minutes vote: s-o-t
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Members Present:
Jerry Dorfman, Nichols Gallagher, Dianne Gustafson, Cynthia Holcombe, Stephanie Leach, Tim
McKenna, Barbara Saint Andre and Cindy Thomas.
Members Absent:
Rob Barker.
Guests Present:
John Bonnanzio, Chair, School Committee
Kyle Bush, Resident
Jennifer Fischer-Mueller, School Superintendent
Pat Johnson, Member, Capital Planning Committee
Barry Nectow, School Business Administrator
Reuki Schutt, School Committee Member
Bob Panico, Chair, Capital Planning Committee
Emilio Mauro, Member, Capital Planning Committee
Jim Murgia, Finance Director
Ellen Jones, Finance Committee Secretary
Opening: A meeting of the Canton Finance Committee was called to order by Chair Saint Andre at
7:04 p.m. on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 in the Salah Meeting Room of Town Hall.
A. Approval of Agenda
Chair Saint Andre reviewed the items on the agenda — a discussion with the School Committee regarding
their FY18 Budget and Town Meeting Articles, a discussion with the Capital Planning Committee
regarding FY18 Capital Requests and voting on Town Meeting articles.
B. Announcements
There were no announcements.
C. New Business
Discussion reaardina FY18 School Committee Budget &Town Meeting Articles
Chair Saint Andre welcomed everyone from the School Committee. Presenting before the Finance
Committee was Reuki Schutt, John Bonnanzio, Dr. Fischer-Muller and Barry Nectow.
M r. Bonnanzio thanked Chair Saint Andre, the members of the Finance Committee and Mr. Murgia.
Mr. Bonnanzio read a prepared statement. (Mr. Nectow provided a copy of Mr. Bonnanzio's statement
the day after the meeting. This statement has been made a part of the meeting documents.)
Mr. Bonnanzio's statement included that the Canton School Committee is "not satisfied to be merely a
high-performing school district, but wants to be an even higher-performing district." He further stated that
performance has been "slipping". Mr. Bonnanzio stated that with regard to financial commitment, Canton
"trails most of its neighbors".
Mr. Bonnanzio proceeded with a PowerPoint presentation (see meeting handouts). The following were
some of the highlights of this presentation:
• Canton spends $14,170 per pupil as compared to the state average of $14,940 per pupil.
Chair Saint Andre questioned if these figures were all from the state. She also questioned if
these figures included debt payments, health insurance, unemployment insurance, worker's
compensation and building insurance. Mr. Nectow confirmed that these numbers come from
the end of year(EOY) report that he files with the state. This EOY report includes information
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which is provided by Mr. Murgia, which includes amount the Town spends for items such as
insurance for school employees.
• Mr. Bonnanzio showed a slide that was based on FY15 information in which Canton's
neighbor, Stoughton spends 2.05% per pupil more than Canton spends. Wellesley is spending
as high as 28.36% more than Canton.
• He also provided information regarding per pupil expenditures with regard to instructional
leadership, supplies and materials, professional development spending.
• The target budget that the School Committee voted for FY18 includes a 7.66% increase as
compared to 4%for other surrounding communities, with Norwood currently negotiating for a
9% increase.
• The Finance Committee target budget for FY18 is allowing fora 5.63% increase.
• Ms. Holcombe questioned when the FY16 data would be available. Mr. Nectow explained that
the deadline for him to report EOY information for FY16 was October 31, 2016. The state does
not use those numbers until all of the cities and towns have had audits of the FY16 financials.
Mr. Nectow believes that final FY16 numbers would be available over the summer of 2017.
• Ms. Gustafson inquired as to which specific areas in the Canton budget are significantly below
the state average and in which areas does the Town spend more. Is it teachers' salaries,
clerical salaries, maintenance? Dr. Fischer-Mueller stated that there are not areas that Canton
is significantly greater in, but across the board in other categories Canton is at or a bit above,
such as classroom instruction, special education, salaries, administrative assistants,
custodians and custodial equipment.
• Ms. Gustafson commented that the information provided for Canton and the surrounding
communities does not address what percentage of the spending is supported by the taxpayers
and the levy and what percentage is supported by state aid. Ms. Gustafson stated that several
of the communities that were included in their analysis receive significant amounts of state aid,
which assists these communities in providing services.
• There was some discussion with regard to the Ch. 70 aid formula being "byzantine" and faulty
and unfortunately works against Canton.
Dr. Fischer-Mueller presented information about the budget plan:
• Dr. Fischer-Mueller started with an entry plan looking at where the Canton Schools presently
were at and where it wants to be.
• She referred to her Superintendents budget message and emphasized that she has a one-
year plan based on her first four months of school with meeting all obligations including free
full-day kindergarten.
• Class size guidelines continues to be a high priority. She referred to one of the slides that was
broken down by grade and class size range. She stated that with the budget that is before the
Finance Committee, School Administrators would be able to create appropriate class sizes
within the guidelines.
• Enhanced collaboration among elementary teachers continues to be a priority. Anew
administrative position, Director of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction, is being requested
in the budget.
• The plan includes an implementation of a Pilot Middle School Team.
• She also stated that there is a need for teacher materials and supplies in order to meet the
needs of teaching science at the level they are striving for the students.
• Her plan also includes enhanced efficiency of operations of running the schools through
software, change in practices, etc.
• Ms. Gallagher questioned how teachers are measured for their effectiveness. Dr. Fischer-
Muller responded that teachers are judged through various ways such as teachers learning
from each other, principals observing teachers trying different things, seeing the effective use
of student learning data, having evidence of common practice through the three elementary
schools, increases in student achievement, hearing from parents that their children are excited
about what they did in their science class.
Chair Saint Andre asked about the slide addressing class size and that if those guidelines were the same
policy that was currently in place. Dr. Fischer-Mueller stated that these class guidelines have been in
place for several years and that Canton is very close in achieving these guidelines, with the minor
adjustment of an added classroom at the elementary level. Enrollment during the past summer was
greater than expected thereby requiring the addition of a classroom at the 4'h grade level. FTEs being
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sought at the middle and high school levels are not to reduce the classroom size but to provide for the flexibility to the principal with regard to electives and other courses, such as AP classes. Chair Saint Andre stated that last year's School budget request was related to class size and that the Finance Committee supported a budget amount higher than the revenue guideline. Dr. Fischer-Mueller stated that this did help address the class size issue, but that enrollment shifted and they were forced to add a classroom. Chair Saint Andre commented that the budget number the School Committee is looking for is $774,000 more than the guideline. If the unused levy capacity of $535,955 money available under the revenue guideline were used and the Town taxed to the max, there would still be a shortfall to meet the School's budget request. Chair Saint Andre is not in favor of funding operating budgets from free cash transfers. Funding free full day kindergarten from free cash last year was an exception. Where would the money come from? Mr. Murgia explained that the revenue sharing equates to 2/3 to the school department and 1/3 to the m unicipal departments. In order to allocate another $800,000 to the School Department budget, which is the difference between the $40,221,559 that the Revenue Committee and Finance Committee came up with for the Schools and what the School Committee is requesting for $40,995,328 there would have to be an additional $1.2 million of revenue. The only additional revenue is the unused levy capacity of $535,955. Mr. Murgia stated that the only other option is an operating override where the higher budget amount is requested at Town Meeting contingent upon an operational override at a special election with a ballot vote for an additional $800,000 for the School Department budget. School Committee Chair Bonnanzio is aware of the funding mechanism. He has lobbied with his fellow School Committee members for the higher budget number in order to not have to lay off teachers, cut programs, raise student fees etc. The last override was in 2008 which Mr. Bonnanzio stated was for restorative purposes. Chair Saint Andre stated that the 5.6°/o increase the Finance Committee is using as their guideline from the Revenue Committee covers all of the required salaries increases including steps and lanes plus an additional approximately $775,000. Chair Saint Andre requested further clarification on Mr. Bonnanzio's remarks with regard to the schools "slipping". Dr. Fischer-Mueller responded that Canton is indeed a high performing school district but at the high school level, at a very high performing level at the 95%, you do not see dramatic improvement at the high school level. With regard to the MCAS tests, improvements could be made at the 3, 4, and 5 MCAS result ranges. The middle school MCAS results have plateaued with some slippage in the progress and performance in science. Not all three elementary schools are performing at a high level. One school that has historically performed at a high level on the MCAS has dipped. At one of the elementary schools there has been an increase in performance. While one of the elementary schools that has not historically performed high, there has been growth. I n response to Chair Saint Andre's inquiry with regard to special education performance, Dr. Fischer- Muellerstated that students in the sub group categories such as black/African American, students with I EP's, students with low income or students that are economically disadvantage are performing at a lower rate than their peers. She further stated that these deficiency gaps could be addressed through targeted programs. Ms. Thomas asked for clarification on the 9.2 FTE increase but with a 6.0 FTE staff reduction. The 6.0 staff reduction is made up from "re-engineering" positions primarily with student services FTEs, speech language pathologists and board certified behavior analysts (CBAs). The 6.0 reduction also targets some FTEs that were targeted as one-year FTEs. Ms. Gustafson inquired what the FTE net increase would be if the School Committee were to be given their full budget request. Dr. Fischer-Mueller stated that the total FTEs would be 9.2 FTEs. Mr. Nectow attempted to explain the complexity of this in that some FTEs being added were full 1.0 FTEs, while others being added might be a .4 FTE that was being added to an existing .6 FTE. He further explained that it was hard to search in the job market fora .4 or a .6 individual. Increases are made to existing staff as much as possible, but eventually the need dictates the requirements of the partial hours. Mr. Nectow FINCOM 20170308 Minutes Page 3 of 13 3/11/17
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referred members to the original budget package that listed the detail of the FTE requests (see meeting
handouts).
Mr. Nectow reviewed the Superintendent's budget request.
• $495,000 (the one time use of free cash last year for free full day kindergarten) was being
returned to the Town).
• Contractual increases for FY18 totaled $1,368,853(3.59% increase).
• A transfer of $432,014 from the revolving funds for free full-day kindergarten.
• A $390,547 staff reduction of 6.0 FTE.
• A $1,318,010 (3.46%) priority level I increase of 15.2 FTEs.
• For a sub total increase of $2,728,330 or 7.16 °/o or 9.2 FTEs.
• A priority level 2 increase of $189,288.
• Total budget request of $2.9 million or 7.66% increase with 9.2. FTEs.
I n response to Ms. Thomas' inquiry about the SPED budget, Mr. Nectow stated that Ms. Bromfield is
managing these expenses by keeping students in district and providing services to avoid sending
students out of district. Circuit breaker funding has been somewhat stable making it easier to balance out
the spending for transportation services.
Ms. Thomas inquired about an $87,000 increase to the stipends budget line item. Mr. Nectow stated that
this increase was because of the restructuring of activities.
The School Committee's budget discussion ended at approximately 8:05 p.m.
The School Committee continued with discussions regarding the following School warrant articles as
follows:
• Article 9 —Adjust FY 2017 Accounts — Mr. Nectow had identified $62,986 of savings in the
FY17 School Department budget that would be transferred to the Town's health insurance
budget. This would help cover health insurance costs for new positions in FY17. Dr. Fischer-
Mueller stated that the $62,986 was funding for the free full day kindergarten that was not
needed.
Article 27, Motion 8 —Canton Little League Storage and Restroom Facilities at the Kennedy
The Finance Committee remains concerned at the multiple jurisdictions involved with this project.
There are currently more questions than answers for this project. The Finance Committee is
satisfied if the School Committee is in charge of the construction aspect of this project but
remains concerned as to who will maintain this building. Mr. Nectow explained that the SC had
received a presentation about the project in October of 2015 and that the SC had voted in favor
conceptually of the project but that the Canton Little League has since advanced the plan
considerably with a total project cost of $375,409 including a concession stand (see meeting
handouts). Mr. Bonnanzio stated that he also has many questions about the project. Mr. Nectow
further stated that a great amount of fund raising still needs to be done by the Canton Little
League. CPA (Community Preservation Act) is not allowed to pay for the concession portion of
this project, which is why the "concession" purpose is not included in the warrant motion.
Ms. Gustafson inquired about the maintenance of this building. Mr. Nectow explained that in
response to his inquiry to the Canton Little League about the maintenance of the building, they
stated that it would be a shared expense between the Little League and the other sports leagues
and that it would not be an expense of the School Department. They would hire a custodial
company to take care of the building.
Ms. Gustafson stated that unless all of these unanswered questions can be worked out soon, it
would not be ready for Town Meeting. It was discussed that most likely the School Committee
would have to appear before the ZBA (Zoning Board of Appeals) for approval since this building
would be on town-owned land. Chair Saint Andre was told that they already had ZBA approval.
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• Article 29 —Terminate and Re-Allocate Special Education Stabilization Fund —Chair Saint
Andre stated that this was a procedural motion and that $111,146 would be transferred from one
fund to a new fund. This new Special Education Stabilization Fund was the result of the
M unicipal Modernization Act.
Article 30 —Roof Replacement at Lt. Peter Hansen School — Mr. Nectow explained that he
has received approval from the MSBA. The total cost of the project of $1,740,000 would be
requested at Town Meeting. MSBA would reimburse the Town for $730,947 if contingencies
were not used or $764,641 if contingencies were used or 44.48°/o of the total project cost. The
Town's share would be between $960,000 and $975,000. Mr. Murgia explained that the Town's
share of $960,000 is part of the School's capital debt capacity.
The discussion with the School Committee ended at approximately 8.25 p.m.
Discussion regardinq FY18 Capital Plan — Mr. Panico, Chair of the Capital Planning Committee (CPC)
was accompanied by Ms. Johnson and Mr. Mauro.
Mr. Panico presented the following information regarding to the FY18 School Department capital requests
(see meeting handouts):
• The FY18 School Department capital requests totaled $700,000.
• All the votes on capital projects were 5-0-1. The one abstention vote was Mr. Dave Emhardt, a
member recently appointed to the CPC. Mr. Panico explained that Mr. Emhardt abstained from
the voting because he was not in attendance for the discussions with the School Department and
the Municipal Departments.
• A Finance Committee member asked for clarification on the request fora "document camera".
Dr. Fischer-Muller explained that it was used for projecting an actual item on to a screen, such as
a specific page in a book.
The CPC is in support of $100,000 being requested under Motion 4 of the capital article for
School Department HVAC services. This was an oversight by the School Department not to
include the $100,000 in their FY18 capital budget requests. This is typically included in their
capital requests. This year Town Meeting voters would be asked to approve a transfer of
$100,000 from Free Cash for these HVAC services. If for some reason Motion 4 does not pass at
Town Meeting, CPC has identified $100,000 of specific items under the $700,000 request that
would not be fulfilled in order to meet the HVAC request. Mr. Panico stated that Mr. Murgia was
i n support of the use of Free Cash for the $100,000 request.
• Mr. Murgia stated that this year's capital requests are approximately $250,000 short of meeting
typical 5% of revenues being used for capital requests.
• Mr. Panico stated that the capital plan this year did not include technology items or textbooks as
has been done in the past.
Mr. Panico presented the following information with regard to the FY18 Municipal Departments' capital
requests (see meeting handouts):
• The FY18 Municipal Departments' capital requests totaled $694,000 and would be funded
through general revenues of the Town.
• The Executive Office is requesting $48,000 for a Crosswalk Lighting Project that will include LED
flashing crosswalk warning signs at the following six intersections: 1) Chapman Street at Wattles
Street, 2) Washington Street at Sassamon Street, 3) Pleasant Street at Sherman Street, 4)
Washington Street at High Street, 5) Randolph Street at Washington Street and 6) Chapman
Street at Beaumont Street. If there are insufficient funds to cover all six projects, only the first five
locations would be funded.
• A $40,955.80 request from the Town Clerk for the purchase of electronic tabulators would be
partially funded by $3,000 from general revenues of the Town and the remaining balance of
$37,955.80 from two previously approved articles at prior town meetings.
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A $10,000 request from the Parks &Recreation Acting Director for the purpose of installing
playground security systems would be funded through $3,000 from general revenues of the Town
and the remaining $7,000 from one previously approved article at a prior town meeting.
Mr. Panico stated that Town Meeting will be asked to approve a $1,153,000 debt request for a
new fire engine, self-contained breathing apparatus for the Fire Department and a DPW street
sweeper. Mr. Panico stated that Fire Chief Doody has applied fora $400,000 grant for the
breathing apparatus equipment. If the $400,000 grant is not approved the Chief would apply for
an additional $181,000 at next year's Town Meeting.
Mr. Panico presented the following information with regard to the FY18 Water Enterprise requests:
• A total of $655,000 of requests would be funded through water surplus (retained earnings) also
known as the Water Enterprise Free Cash.
• With regard to the satellite well at Well 9, the amount of water drawn will be the same as the
original amount being drawn on the current well. It is allowable under the law to build/drill this
well in the same vicinity as the original well.
• The $188,000 request for the Integrated Water Resources Management Plan is year 3 of a 5-year
plan. Chair Saint Andre expressed concern at the high amount being requested for the software
and coordination of this plan. Ms. Johnson spoke in support of the $188,000 request because
this Management Plan would be used to identify areas at risk with the Town's water pipe
infrastructure. She further stated that Canton is on the forefront of implementing this plan and
that other communities are looking to Canton as an example for implementation.
• A $39,000 request is for a security system at a water treatment facility, $58,000 for a dump body
on Truck #20 and $10,000 for a tool box on Truck #9.
Mr. Panico stated that three items were being requested for Sewer Enterprise as follows:
• An $84,000 request for TV inspection equipment on truck #73.
• A $132,000 for backup power generators.
• An $188,000 for the Integrated Water Resources Management Plan. The combined total for
water and sewer for the Water Resources Management Plan over five years would be
approximately $1.8 million.
The CPC is in support of Article 30 for the $1,740,000 replacement of the roof at the Lt. Peter M. Hansen
School with 44.48% reimbursement from MSBA. The MSBA reimbursable amount would eventually be
rescinded at a future Town Meeting
The Finance Committee voted on the following Town Meeting Articles
Vote -Article 52 —Amend Zoning By-Law by Adding Section 7.8 Special Requirements for
Licensed Marijuana Establishments —Moratorium —Chair Saint Andre stated that the Planning
Board's motion to Town Meeting for Article 52 would be a one-year moratorium until June 30, 2018.
Chair Saint Andre further stated that there were approximately 22 pending bills that have been filed in the
state legislature to amend marijuana regulations.
A motion made by Mr. McKenna that the motion presented by the Planning Board to Town Meeting
for Article 52 as written in the warrant for aone-year moratorium be adopted was seconded by Ms.
Thomas. Vote: 6-0-2. Mr. Dorfman and Ms. Holcombe abstained from the vote.
Vote —Article 46 —Amend Zoning Map to Extend Groundwater Protection Overlay District
Since the last Finance Committee meeting, the Committee members received additional information from
Laura Smead, Town Planner, for expanding the Groundwater Protection Overlay District to include
additional parcels in the northwest corner of Canton. Ms. Thomas wanted to make sure residents
understand this zoning map change. Another member stated that there were very few houses in this area
of town but was hopeful that residents potentially affected by this change were properly notified.
A motion made by Mr. McKenna that the motion presented by the Planning Board to Town Meeting
for Article 46 as written in the warrant to expand the Groundwater Protection Overlay District to
include those parcels identified by the Commonwealth as Zone II Public Water Supply Well Head
Areas be adopted was seconded by Ms. Thomas. Vote: 7-0-1. Mr. Dorfman abstained from the vote.
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Vote —Article 29 —Terminate and Re-Allocate Special Education Stabilization Fund
A motion made by Ms. Thomas that the Special Education Stabilization Fund (Org. #68011)
previously established pursuant to MGL Chapter 40, Section 5B be terminated and the existing
balance of One Hundred Eleven Thousand One Hundred Forty Six Dollars ($111,146) be
transferred for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2017 to a new Special Education Reserve Account
established under the Municipal Modernization Act pursuant to Chapter 218 of the Acts of 2016,
Section 13D was seconded by Mr. McKenna.
Mr. Murgia suggested striking the phrase, "for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2017" and either replacing
it with "for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2018" or omitting it completely from the motion. Ms. Thomas
withdrew her original motion.
A motion made by Mr. McKenna to amend Ms. Thomas' original motion by deleting the reference
to "for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2017" was seconded by Ms. Thomas. Vote: 8-0-0.
Vote —Article 27, Motion 8 —Canton Little League - $173,500 —Bathroom &Storage Facility
The Finance Committee did not vote on Article 27, Motion 8 because they are still waiting for clarity with
regard to the parties that would be responsible for the daily upkeep and maintenance of the facility and if
the overall scope of the project included a concession stand.
Vote —Article 12 — "Omnibus" Capital Outlay Program — Mr. Murgia confirmed for Ms. Gallagher that
capital requests include items greater than $5,000 with a useful life of at least three years. He further
stated that the bond rating agencies look favorably on Towns that have a capital plan in place. He also
stated that some towns in the Commonwealth do not have capital plans in place and have to fund capital
purchases entirely out of free cash.
Vote —Article 12, Motion 1 — Mr. Murgia stated that due to the Modernization Act allowing bond
premiums to be used for projects or to reduce borrowings, a third paragraph (c) was added to Motion 1 as
follows:
(c) That the Town votes to supplement each prior vote of the Town that authorizes the borrowing of money to pay
costs of capital projects to provide that, in accordance with Chapter 44, Section 20 of the General Laws, the premium
received by the Town upon the sale of any bonds or notes thereunder, less any such premium applied to the payment of
the costs of issuance of such bonds or notes, may be applied to pay project costs and the amount authorized to be
borrowed for each such project shall be reduced by the amount of any such premium so applied.
A motion made by Mr. McKenna that the motion presented in the warrant with the addition of
paragraph (c) be adopted and recommended to Town Meeting was seconded by Ms. Gallagher.
Vote: 8-0-0.
Vote —Article 12, Motion 2
A motion made by Ms. Gallagher that Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars ($700,000) be
appropriated from the Fiscal Year 2018 tax levy and other general revenues of the Town,for the
Canton School Committee to expend for the purpose of purchasing certain items of property set
forth below for the School Department as follows:
AMOUNT
Buildinu Reaairs/Imarovements
Teachers Room Renovation —Galvin Middle School $ 12,500
Emergency Generator Radiator Replacement —High School 8,781
Oil Tank Removal (6 locations) 35,900
Painting —District Wide 10,000
Telco Bells/Paging Systems (Hansen,]FK &Galvin) 48,500
Grounds Improvement
Brick Wall Repairs —Luce 25,000
Technoloav
District Firewall 46,500
District Server, SAN, Virtualization Upgrade 160,000
Printer Replacement —District Wide 17,235
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Chromebook Carts for Hansen, Luce &Galvin 31,100
Elementary Computer Labs -upgrade laptop/tablets from 6,600
Thin Clients to Aspire 14 Laptop/Tablet
Cafeteria Projector System Upgrade -Galvin Middle School 18,997
Projectors and Projector Screens 6 each -High School 7,452
SPED Technology Chromebooks/Tubs and iPad Minis - Elem. 13,450
Projectors (14 Interactive) -All schools and Administration 35,000
Document Cameras(54) -All schools and Administration 5,400
Pro4ram Improvements
A merican Sign Language (ASL) Lab Equipment 8,263
(6 remaining stations) -High School
M usical Instruments - K-12 10,000
Performing Arts Technology -District Wide 6,000
Furniture &Fixtures
Front Entry Canopy -Luce & JFK 15,500
Classroom Window &Door Shades - 7FK & GMS 9,885
Tables, Chairs and Mats -Hansen 7,675
Electric Convection Steamer- High School 8,631
Mats for Front and Rear Entrances -High School 10,511
Cafeteria POS Systems -District Wide 10,000
Custodial Equipment -District Wide 17,043
Safety &Security Upgrade -Hansen, Galvin, HS &Memorial Field 62,627
Vehicle Realacement
2017 Chevy Dump Truck 3500 HD 4WD 51,450
GRAND TOTAL
was seconded by Ms. Leach. Vote: 8-0-0.
Vote -Article 12, Motion 3
A motion made by Mr. McKenna that Six Hundred Ninety Four Thousand Dollars ($694,000) be
appropriated from the Fiscal Year 2018 tax levy and other general revenues of the Town to be
spent by the Finance Director (in his capacity as Chief Procurement Officer) with the approval of
various Municipal Departments designated below and with the approval of the Board of Selectmen
for the purposes set forth below as follows:
RECOMMENDATIONS AMOUNT
Executive Office
Crosswalk Lighting Project $ 48,000
Town Clerk
Office Furniture Workstations 8,000
Finance
Anti-Virus & Firewall Upgrade 37,000
Copier Replacement 10,000
Phone System Replacement (Police, Fire &Library) 120,000
Computer System Replacements 11,000
Wireless Access Points Upgrade 11,000
Library
Reading Chairs 6,000
Parks &Recreation
Replace Kubota Tractor 52,000
Police Department
Ford Interceptor Police Cruisers (4) 130,000
Bullet Resistant Vests (11) 9,000
Proaerty Maintenance
Air Duct Cleaning 20,000
Replace Boiler at Ponkapoag Station 32,000
Heat Pump for Fire Station 1 9,000
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Armando Center Exterior Painting 6,000
Department of Public Works
Retrofit Sanding Trucks for Pre-Wet De-icing Systems 40,000
Replace Lawn Mowers 16,000
Replace Skid Steer Loader Truck #62 95,000
Traffic Control Signs 12,000
Replace Equipment Trailer 10,000
Cemetery Security System 12,000
GRAND TOTAL
was seconded by Ms. Gustafson. Vote: 8-0-0.
Vote -Article 12, Motion 4
A motion made by Ms. Gallagher that One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) be appropriated
to be spent by the School Committee for the purpose of HVAC services district wide and to meet
said appropriation One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) be transferred from Free Cash
(Undesignated Fund Balance) in the Treasury of the Town was seconded by Mr. Dorfman.
Vote: 8-0-0.
Vote —Article 12, Motion 5
A motion made by Mr. Dorfman that $1,153,000 be appropriated to be spent by the Finance
Director (in his capacity as Chief Procurement Officer) with the approval of the Department of
Public Works Superintendent, Fire Chief and Board of Selectmen to pay costs of various capital
projects and equipment as set forth below and to meet said appropriation the Town Treasurer,
with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, be authorized to borrow, pursuant to any applicable
statute or any other enabling authority as may be, the sum of $1,153,000 and furthermore, any
premium received by the Town upon the sale of any bonds or notes approved by this vote, less
any such premium applied to the payment of the costs of issuance of such bonds or notes, may
be applied to the payment of costs approved by this vote in accordance with Chapter 44, Section
20 of the General Laws, thereby reducing the amount authorized to be borrowed to pay such costs
by a like amount
RECOMMENDATIONS AMOUNT
Fire Engine E-1 Replacement $ 745,000
Replace Self Contained Breathing Apparatus 181,000
DPW —Purchase Street Sweeper 227,000
TOTAL 1.153.000
was seconded by Mr. McKenna. Vote: 8-0-0.
Vote —Article 12, Motion 6
A motion made by Ms. Gallagher that $40,955.80 be appropriated to be spent by the Finance
Director (in his capacity as Chief Procurement officer) with the approval of the Town Clerk and the
Board of Selectmen for the purpose of purchasing electronic vote tabulators and to meet said
appropriation that $13,648.84 be transferred from the appropriation voted pursuant to Article 15
Motion 2 of the 2000 Annual Town Meeting for the purpose of filing and shelving systems for the
vaults and that $24,306.96 be transferred from the appropriations voted pursuant to Article 26 of
the 2000 Annual Town Meeting for the purpose of engaging a records retention specialist and
$3,000 be raised and appropriated from the FY 2018 tax levy and other general revenues of the
Town was seconded by Mr. Dorfman. Vote: 8-0-0.
Vote —Article 12, Motion 7
A motion made that $10,000 be appropriated to be spent by the Finance Director (in his capacity
as Chief Procurement officer) with the approval of the Parks &Recreation Department and the
Board of Selectmen for the purpose of installing playground security systems and to meet said
FINCOM 20170308 Minutes Page 9 of 13 3/1 I/USource page 10
appropriation that $7,000 be transferred from the appropriation voted pursuant to Article 13
Motion 2 of the 2011 Annual Town Meeting for the purpose of Kennedy School basketball court
repair and $3,000 be raised and appropriated from the FY 2018 tax levy and other general
revenues of the Town was seconded by Mr. McKenna. Vote: 7-0-1. Ms. Saint Andre abstained from
the vote.
Vote —Article 12, Motion 8
A motion made by Ms. Gustafson that $655,000 be appropriated to be spent by the Finance
Director (in his capacity as Chief Procurement Officer) with the approval of the Department of
Public Works Superintendent and the Board of Selectmen for the purposes of various water
capital projects as set forth below and to meet said appropriation $655,000 be transferred from the
water enterprise surplus (retained earnings)
RECOMMENDATIONS AMOUNT
Satellite Well at Well 9 $360,000
Integrated Water Resources Management Plan 188,000
Security System for Water Treatment Facility 39,000
Replace Dump Body on Truck #20 58,000
Install Tool Box on Truck #9 10,000
TOTAL
was seconded by Mr. McKenna. Vote: 8-0-0.
Vote —Article 12, Motion 9
A motion made by Mr. McKenna that $404,000 be appropriated to be spent by the Finance Director
(in his capacity as Chief Procurement Officer) with the approval of the Department of Public
Works Superintendent and the Board of Selectmen for the purposes of various water capital
projects as set forth below and to meet said appropriation $404,000 be transferred from the sewer
enterprise surplus (retained earnings)
RECOMMENDATIONS AMOUNT
Replace TV Inspection Equipment on Truck #73 $ 84,000
Backup Power Generators 132,000
Integrated Water Resources Management Program 188,000
TOTAL QQ
was seconded by Mr. Dorfman. Vote: 8-0-0.
Vote —Article 30 —Vote to Approve Funds to Replace Roof at Lt. Peter M. Hansen School
A motion made by Ms. Gallagher that $1,740,000 be appropriated, to be expended by the School Committee under the
direction of the Building Renovation Committee for the replacement of 42,890 square feet of roof on the Lt. Peter M.
Hansen Elementary School, 25 Pecunit Street, Canton, Massachusetts which proposed repair project would materially
extend the useful life of the school and preserve an asset that otherwise is capable of supporting the required educational
program for which the Town may be eligible for a grant from the Massachusetts School Building Authority ("MSBA"); and
to meet said appropriation the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, be authorized to borrow,
pursuant to any applicable statute or any other enabling authority as may be, $1,740,000 and to accept any MSBA grant
therefor; and provided however, the Town acknowledges that MSBA grant program is anon-entitlement, discretionary
program based on need, as determined by the MSBA, and any project costs the Town incurs in excess of any grant
approved by and received from the MSBA shall be the sole responsibility of the Town; and provided, further, that any grant
that the Town may receive from the MSBA for the Project shall not exceed the lesser of(1)forty-four and 48/100 percent
(44.48%) of eligible, approved projects costs, as determined by the MSBA, or(2) the total maximum grant amount
determined by the MSBA. No amounts shall be borrowed or expended hereunder until the Town shall have entered into a
Project Funding Agreement for this project with the MSBA that provides for a grant to the Town. The amount authorized to
be borrowed pursuant to this vote shall be reduced to the extent of the amount of any MSBA grant set forth in the Project
Funding Agreement between the Town and the MSBA relating to this project was seconded by Mr. McKenna. Vote: 8-0-0.
FINCOM 20170308 Minutes Page 10 of 13 3/l I/17Source page 11
Vote —Article 9 — Adiust Fiscal '17 Accounts — Mr. Murgia asked the Finance Committee to delay voting on Article 9 until a future meeting at which time more information would be available. Vote —Article 4 —Act on "Consent Agenda" —The Consent Agenda will be voted at a future meeting. Chair Saint Andre has received information from the Moderator of his concern of articles being added to the Consent Agenda after the Finance Committee's Recommendations have already been printed and additional articles being added to the motion just prior to Town Meeting. He would like the final motion for the Consent Agenda to be printed in the booklet that Town Meeting voters receive in the mail. Article 17 —Increase Stabilization Fund —The Finance Committee was not ready to vote an amount to transfer from Free Cash into the Stabilization Fund. They decided to vote this at a future meeting. Article 25 —Vote to Acquire Sewer Easement at 140 Will Drive —The Finance Committee decided to wait until their meeting with the Board of Selectmen to vote on Article 25. Article 37 —Vote to Amend Article 2, Section 1 of the General By-Laws (Annual Town Election, Time of —The Finance Committee was waiting for legal opinion regarding Article 37 before taking their vote. D. Other Business/Open Issues E. Approval of Minutes The February 28, 2017 and March 2, 2017 minutes were still being reviewed by a Committee member and would be placed on the agenda for the next meeting. F. Next Meeting Date: The next meeting was scheduled to take place on Monday, March 13th, but since there were no guests scheduled for the meeting, the meeting was cancelled. The next meeting would take place on Tuesday, March 14th. This would be the last chance for the Finance Committee to vote on articles since the motions were due to Town Counsel by Friday, March 17"'. An updated mitigation report would be requested from the Town Accountant so that updated figures could be included in the Finance Committee's report for Town Meeting. The Finance Committee would email last year's Recommendations to the Committee members for preparation of the discussions. Adjournment: A motion made by Ms. Gallagher to adjourn the meeting at 9:55 p.m. was seconded by Ms. Thomas. Vote: 8-0-0. Minutes reviewed by: Dianne Gustafson R~p~ctfully submitted, ~ ;~ ~ ~Z Ba a 'Saint Andre Chair, anton Finance Committee FINCOM 20170308 Minutes Page I l of 13 3/I I/17
Source page 12
Town of Canton
Finance Committee Meeting —Wednesday, March 8, 2017
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).
Voting Checklist, dated 3/8/17(2 pages).
Draft Warrant, dated 3/8/17.
PowerPoint Presentation by John Bonnanzio, School Committee Chair and Jennifer Fischer-Mueller,
School Superintendent(17 pages).
School New Hires, email from Barry Nectow to Cindy Thomas, dated 3/6/17(2 pages).
Article 30 —Vote to Approve Funds to Replace Roof at Lt. Peter M. Hansen School
MSBA Board Action Letter, dated February 15, 2017(2 pages).
Article 30 -Information on Hansen Roof from Kaestle Boos Associates, Inc. (8 pages).
Article 30 -Total Project Budget information —Hansen Roof Project, dated 2/8/17(2 pages).
Article 12 - "Omnibus" Capital Outlay Program, memo from Jim Murgia to Bob Panico, dated 2/22/17
(1 page).
Article 12 -Municipal Capital Requests for Fiscal 2018, revised 2/21/17 (1 page).
Article 12 -Municipal Capital Requests for Fiscal 2018 thru 2022, dated 2/22/17(2 pages).
Article 12 -School Capital Requests for FY18,(4 pages).
Estimated Cash Reserves provided by Jim Murgia, Finance Director, dated 3/8/17 (1 page).
FiNCOM 20170308 Minutes Page 12 of 13 3/11/17