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Canton Town Meeting — 2005 STM
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Source page 1
Recommendations of the Finance Committee
for the Voters of Canton, Massachusetts
2005
TOWN OF CANTON
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2005 @ 7:30 p.m.
Morse Auditorium
Canton High School
900 Washington Street, Canton
Study this report and come to Special Town Meeting.
Bring this report with you.
YOUR VOTE at Town Meeting is important
because it establishes the priorities for our schools,
public works, public safety, town government and
future direction for our environment.
The Town, upon request will endeavor, to the
greatest extent possible, to make available any
and all visual and audio devices and assistance
for the disabled. For more information, please
call 781-821-5000.Source page 2
PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page #
Reports
Finance Committee Report 4
Capital Planning Committee Report 13
A Guide to Participating at Town Meeting 14
Charts and Exhibits
Figure 1 – Revenue vs. Expenditures – FY00-FY07 5
Figure 2 – Historical Summary of Expenses – FY00-FY07 6
Figure 3 – Operating Surplus (Deficit) – FY00-FY07 7
Table - Summary of Revenue and Expenditures 15
Table - Cost of Senior Center Project 28
Table - Financial Impact of the Senior Center to the Taxpayer 29
Table - Article 3 – School Personnel Contracts 62
Table - Article 4 – Municipal Collective Bargaining Agreements 63
Special Town Meeting Articles
Art. #
1 Adopt rules to govern Town Meeting 16
2 Library Revolving Fund 17
3 Collective Bargaining Agreements under the School Committee 18
4 Collective Bargaining Agreements under the Board of Selectmen 21
5 Pay bills of prior fiscal year 27
6 “Omnibus” Capital Outlay Program 27
7 Proposed permanent easement taking – Washington Street 30
8 Street Acceptances 31
9 Conveyance/Disposition of 1476 Washington Street 32
10 Proposed Plymouth Overlay District 33
11 Amend Zoning by-law by adding new subsection 2.15.2F – special permit for 40
outside storage in limited industrial district
12 Amend zoning by-law – CCEOD by-law by adding revitalization Area “C” 41
13 Amend zoning by-law – Mixed use overlay district by-law 52
14 Amend zoning by-law – Adding subsection F to section 2.15.2 54
15 Amend zoning by-law – to change designation of two parcels – 274 and 266 55
Mechanic Street
16 Authorized proposed easement(s) to access Town-owned land by Pequit 55
Development Partners, LLC off Route 138
17 Amend zoning map – proposed village housing overlay district with 56
Mitigation amendment
18 Amend zoning map – Create a village housing overlay district (VHOD) 57
19 Appropriate funds to supplement FY06 operating department budgets 58
20 Accept provisions of MGL section 4 chapter 73 – additional real estate 60
Exemptions
21 Tax Increment Financing Plan – Next Generation Printing 61
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FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
FINAL RESULTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2005
The books have been closed on Fiscal Year 2005 (FY05) and the Finance
Committee is pleased to report that the town recognized a substantially
lower operating deficit than was originally budgeted. This was due
principally to the receipt of larger than anticipated revenues from a variety
of sources. As a result, we are able to adjust upward our revenue
projections for Fiscal Years 2006 (FY06) and 2007 (FY07). This is all
unqualified good news. However, in spite of the town realizing nearly
$1.3M in revenues above and beyond budget in FY05, the regrettable fact is
that the town still ended the year with an operating deficit in excess of $1M.
In 2004, Annual Town Meeting (ATM) approved budgeted revenue for FY05
of $53,846,000 and expenses of $55,944,000, leaving a shortfall between
total budgeted revenue and expenses of $2,098,000 – a budgeted deficit
that was to be funded by use of the Town’s free cash reserve. Through the
actions of the 2005 ATM, operational expenses for FY05 were increased
above budget to account for supplemental funding requests for contract
costs (for those bargaining units who had settled prior to Town Meeting)
and other purposes. Town Meeting chose to fund some of those
supplemental requests and reject others and as a result of these actions and
additional end-of-year requests (for such things as snow and ice removal),
the town ended FY05 with expenses totaling $56,700,925 – an increase of
$757,000 over the original budget.
At the time of ATM 2005, the Town’s Finance Director projected that the
actual deficit for FY05 would be approximately $1,300,000 (exclusive of
supplemental funding requests outlined above). The final numbers for FY05
recognized a larger than anticipated increase in revenues and a smaller than
anticipated increase in expenditures, resulting in a final deficit of
$1,011,000. The improved revenue performance against budget realized in
FY05 is a result of greater than anticipated new growth in the tax levy
($126,000), lower tax abatements than the Board of Assessors predicted
($277,000), an increase in state aid ($28,000), tax title revenue ($349,000)
and additional interest income received of $308,000, which comprises the
bulk of the $530,000 increase in local receipts. The final revenue number
for FY05 ($55,689,763) represents an increase of $4,056,000 (7.9%) over
actual collections for FY04. This is by far the largest increase in revenues
we have realized since the 10.5% increase we realized from FY00 to FY01.
Once again, this is all unqualified good news on balance. However, the fact
that FY05 was the third year in a row the town operated in deficit cannot be
ignored. When this unpleasant reality is paired with the knowledge that
ATM 2005 passed a FY06 budget that was in deficit by well over $3M, it
should be obvious that the town has not yet seen the last of our fiscal
difficulties. More than $2.6M of reserves has been drained in the last three
years to support the town’s structural operating deficit and there is no end
in sight to the projected deficits in spite of our better than expected
performance last year. In addition, it must be remembered that some of the
4Source page 5
sources of our enhanced revenues last year (such as the tax title revenue
mentioned above) cannot be counted upon to be there going-forward.
With free cash being depleted and the inherently unpredictable nature of
these one-time funds sources, it may not be possible to fund end-of-year
budget supplement requests going forward. As a result, it may be
necessary to make severe cuts in the last few months of a future fiscal year
in order to end the year within budget. As such, it is of paramount
importance that Town Meeting take serious steps to close the structural
deficit sooner rather than later, to head-off such an unpleasant set of
circumstances.
SOME HISTORICAL DATA AND PROJECTIONS FOR FY06 and FY07
In Fiscal Year 2000 (FY00), the Town of Canton received revenues of
approximately $42.3M that were applied to expenses of roughly $43.5M.
(Note: in constant (FY05) dollars these figures would be approximately
$47.0M and $48.3M, respectively.) As shown in Figure 1, our revenues and
expenditures have grown steadily and substantially since FY00, a trend that
is projected to carry into FY07 and beyond.
Revenue vs. Expenditures
65,000
60,000
Revenues
Expenditures
55,000
50,000
45,000
40,000
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
(est.) (est.)
Fiscal Year
FIGURE 1
However, while expenditures have increased more than 30% from FY00 to
FY05, Figure 2 shows that the School and Municipal department budgets
have not grown as rapidly (26% for the Schools, 21% for the Municipals).
In the Warrant for ATM 2005, the Finance Committee provided an outline of
the steps taken to attempt to control the growth of School and Municipal
expenditures from FY03 to FY05. It should be noted that layoffs played no
5Source page 6
small part in these efforts as can be shown in the following summary of
position reductions over the period FY04-FY05:
School Department:
Teachers 12.8 FTEs
Guidance 3.7 FTEs
Psychology 2.0 FTEs
Secretary 1.0 FTE
Instruction Dir. 1.0 FTE
Technology 1.5 FTE
Custodian/Maintenance 4.0 FTEs
Municipal Departments:
Finance Department 1.5 FTEs
Police Lieutenant 1.0 FTE
Police Administration 0.5 FTE
DPW Laborer 1.0 FTE
DPW Administration 0.5 FTE
Town Planner 0.5 FTE
(Note: a FTE represents an equivalent Full Time Employee.)
Historical Summary of Expenses
30,000
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
School Admin.
5,000 Municipal
Fixed Costs
0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
(est.) (est.)
Fiscal Year
FIGURE 2
What is clear from Figure 2 however is that while School and Municipal
expenditures have grown moderately, Fixed Costs - principally the costs of
Health Insurance for our School and Municipal employees - have grown far
faster than the rest of the budget (nearly 60%). It is fair to say that these
increases in Fixed Costs have driven many of the decisions at the Town level
with regard to manpower reductions, which is strong evidence in support of
6Source page 7
our belief that bringing the costs of Health Insurance under control is
critical to solving our town’s financial problems.
This is not to say that the Town departments are currently staffed and
funded at a level recommended by their administrators and boards that
represent them. In fact, there are a number of expense items in the School
and Municipal budgets that the respective department heads indicate are
under funded, notably extraordinary maintenance, educational supplies and
equipment in the School Department budget, equipment in the Fire
Department budget, and library collections. Several departments have also
indicated the need to add staffing to support current levels of operations,
notably the Library Board of Trustees, the Fire Department (overtime for
injuries and training), and the Council on Aging.
In an attempt to avoid further staffing and expense cuts, both the Board of
Selectmen and the School Committee raised fees in FY04 and FY05. While
fees are appropriate in some instances, the Finance Committee continues to
share the School Committee’s concern that the levels of fees the School
Committee has imposed are inequitably burdening some families.
Given the current budget deficit and how it is projected to grow going
forward (see Figure 3), the Finance Committee views the creation of any
new programs or services for the Town, or the hiring of any additional staff
for any department, to be extremely problematic in the near term. In short,
until the budget of the Town is brought into balance and can be shown to
remain in balance for the long-term, it is our recommendation that the Town
continue to look for cost savings and efficiency increases to existing
programs rather than exploring the expansion or enhancement of existing
programs or certainly the creation of new ones.
Operating Surplus (Deficit)
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
(1,000)
(2,000)
(3,000)
(4,000)
(5,000)
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
(est.) (est.)
Fiscal Year
FIGURE 3
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STATUS OF THE TOWN’S CASH RESERVES
The Town currently has cash reserves of $5.45M, split among the following
accounts:
Free Cash Reserves $1,500,000
Stabilization $2,000,000
Assessor’s Overlay $1,950,000
It should be noted that, of these, only the Free Cash and Stabilization
accounts can be accessed by Town Meeting to fund operational expenses
(as a reminder, the Stabilization Fund can only be accessed with a 2/3-vote
of Town Meeting). The Assessor’s Overlay Reserve is accessible only by the
elected Board of Assessors.
It is extremely important for the Town to maintain a healthy level of cash
reserves. Reserves are required to allow the town to, among other things,
react quickly to unanticipated increases in operational budgets. For
example in FY05, the exceptionally harsh winter caused us to overspend our
snow and ice budget by nearly $350,000. While some of this overage was
made-up through increased state aid, the bulk of the deficit ($192,000) was
paid for using our cash reserves. If we did not have those reserves, we
would be required to cover that deficit with FY06 money, exacerbating our
budget problems in the current fiscal year.
It should be further noted that while $5.45M is a great deal of money for
most individuals, it is hardly a great sum of reserves when one considers
that it is the only “piggy bank” for the Town. To illustrate, consider that the
Finance Committee is currently projecting that the Town will expend
roughly $59.7M in FY06. Given that, our total reserves would only sustain
the town for approximately 4.5 weeks of operation at our current
expenditure rate. In fact, the reserves available to Town Meeting would
only sustain Town operations for 3 weeks.
PROPOSITION 2½ OVERRIDE OR LARGE BUDGET CUTS
MAY BE NEEDED FOR FY07
The Finance Committee currently projects that the Town’s free cash
reserves will be depleted before FY07 is complete – in other words, we are
unable to fund the entire anticipated deficit for FY07 with free cash as these
reserves will be insufficient to cover the anticipated deficit. While it is
possible that increased revenues during FY06 will lead to a smaller deficit
than anticipated, it is still entirely possible that the 2006 Annual Town
Meeting may be forced to decide whether to make large cuts to the Town
budget, with resulting cuts in services and programs, or to seek an override
of Proposition 2½ to increase tax revenues to support the operating budget.
Town government is a “people” business – nearly 74% of our budget goes
toward paying for the salaries and fringe benefits (health insurance,
pensions, etc.) of our employees. As such, the amount of the override or
budget cuts required to close our budget gap will be determined primarily
by the salary and fringe benefit costs of the contracts negotiated with all of
8Source page 9
the Town’s unions and individuals. As will be highlighted presently, these
negotiations are complete and the contracts resulting from them are
presented to this Town Meeting for approval and funding. It should be
noted that while the Finance Committee is recommending that the contracts
be approved and/or funded as appropriate, there does not appear to be
funding available for increases in contract costs for salaries or fringe
benefits beyond FY06 without one of the scenarios (cuts or tax increases)
mentioned above.
MODIFICATIONS TO THE REVENUE PROJECTION FOR FY06
Revenue projections are made initially by the Finance Director who looks at
revenue sources both inside and outside the Town. He then takes this
information and compares it with historical data. Final revenue projections
are then made by the Revenue Projection Committee made up from, and
after discussions with, representatives of Town management, the Finance
Committee, the Board of Selectman, the School Committee, the Capital
Planning Committee, the Board of Assessors and other interested parties.
After their meetings and discussion, the Revenue Projection Committee
votes on a budget revenue figure. This revenue projection is presented to
the Finance Committee, which then takes a vote to accept it. Once accepted
it is used as the funding levels available to the Town to run its operations.
The Warrant for the 2005 ATM has a thorough breakdown of our revenue
projection for FY06. At the time, we projected general fund revenues for
FY06 of $55,631,711, of which $43,129,354 (77.5%) came from property
taxes and $10,759,439 (19.3%) came from local receipts (excise tax,
license fees, etc.) and direct State Aid. The remaining $1,742,918 (3.2%)
represents transfers to the General Fund from other sources.
Given that our revenue performance in FY05 exceeded budget and that
some of those increases can be expected to carry-over into FY06, the
Finance Director believes it is reasonable to adjust upward our revenue
projection from that which was presented to the 2005 ATM. As such, the
Finance Director is projecting an increase in State Aid (based on the Cherry
Sheet as approved by the State) of $137,317. In addition, the Finance
Director is projecting that we will realize an increase in Local Receipts of
$80,708 and an additional $30,000 in funds transfers. As a result, we are
presently projecting a total of $55,879,736 in revenue for FY06. A summary
of the actual results for FY05, the original revenue projection for FY06 as
well as the new projection can be found in this Warrant.
It should be noted that, based on the final results from FY05, we expect to
exceed this modified revenue projection for FY06, but by how much cannot
be known at this time. As a result, we may not require the entire $3.3M of
Free Cash Reserves budget at the 2005 ATM to cover the FY06 deficit.
EXPENSES FOR FY06
With the settling of all collective bargaining agreements, the Finance
Committee is now able to provide the Town with an accurate projection of
the expenses for FY06 Town operations. It is important to remember that
salaries and employee benefits for current employees and retirees account
9Source page 10
for approximately 74% of the operating budget. Thus, municipal expenses
are largely driven by contract costs. For the 2005 ATM, the Finance
Committee made a budget projection for FY06 based on what was known at
the time and on reasonable assumptions for FY06 given the known financial
situation. Those assumptions were:
• Collective bargaining agreements negotiated to date for FY05
would be approved by Town Meeting, and the retroactive COLA
for FY05 would be funded from the Free Cash Reserve. The
budget for each department for FY06 would be increased for
step and lane changes, but the COLA adjustment for FY05
would be absorbed by each department in FY06, so that
salaries would be level funded at the FY05 level except for step
and lane increases.
• Fixed costs would increase for FY06 by $1,080,163. The major
increases were for health insurance ($541,285), retirement
payments ($275,097) and Blue Hills Regional ($128,205).
• No new employees would be hired, no additional expense funds
would be provided to any department.
• Contracts negotiated for FY06 would be revenue neutral - the
cost of any COLA would be offset by decreases in the cost of
other contract provisions.
Obviously, not all of these assumptions were borne out. For one thing, ATM
voted to appropriate nearly $588,000 to supplement the School Department
budget and approximately $125,000 to fund a variety of Municipal budgets.
As a result, we projected a total operating deficit of approximately $3.8M
for FY06.
As mentioned above, the Town has completed negotiations with all
bargaining units. The contract terms are summarized in two exhibits
appearing at the end of this warrant.
The Finance Committee recommends that Town Meeting approve and/or
fund these contracts as appropriate. We recommend adoption of the
contracts for several reasons:
1) The deficit includes the $1.1M transfer from Free Cash to the
Stabilization Fund which, while making our deficit seem larger
by that amount, does not represent a new expenditure but
rather a transfer from one reserve account to another.
2) As mentioned above, we expect to exceed our revenue
projections for the current fiscal year.
3) Sufficient progress has been made toward addressing the
Town’s long-term solvency issues with these contracts to
warrant their approval.
10Source page 11
4) The modernization of our employee health insurance program,
a requirement we have previously identified as being critical to
solving our structural deficit problems, is accomplished with
these contracts.
Assuming that Town Meeting accepts and funds the contracts as
recommended by the Finance Committee, we project that the Town’s
operating expenses for FY06 will total $56,838,000, an increase of
$1,800,000 (3.3%) over FY05. The breakdown for these expenses by major
function (with corresponding change from FY05 actual expenditures) is as
follows:
School Department $24,299,712 (+5.8%)
Municipal Departments $13,612,509 (+2.8%)
Fixed Costs $18,926,099 (+0.5%)
As a result, we project that 42.8% of the Town’s operating budget will be
spent by the School Department, 23.9% will be spent by all Municipal
Departments, and the remaining 33.3% will cover Fixed Costs.
Added to the operational expenditures are Cash Capital expenditures
($981,000), State and County charges ($746,000), and Miscellaneous
expenditures ($1,125,000, which includes the $1.1M transfer from Free
Cash to the Stabilization Fund approved at the 2005 ATM), bringing the total
projected Town budgeted expenditures to $59,690,047. As such, we are
currently projecting a deficit for FY06 of $3,810,311; roughly the same
deficit budgeted at 2005 ATM. We expect that this deficit will be funded
largely from transfers of Free Cash Reserve to the general fund.
CAPITAL BUDGET
Given the structural deficit, the Finance Committee and Capital Planning
Committee recommended to the 2005 ATM that the Town not budget 6% of
revenues for the capital budget, and instead recommended that 5% be
spent on capital. This recommendation was adopted by Town Meeting.
The Report of the Capital Planning Committee (Article 6) appears in this
Warrant. Please review it carefully – there are a total of 3 motions that
Town Meeting will be considering during this Town Meeting. The Finance
Committee recommends adoption of 2 of the 3 motions and recommends
that Motion 1 (Senior Center Construction) not be adopted at this time.
Summary of the Finance Committee Position Regarding the Senior Center
A majority of the Finance Committee voted to postpone action on the Senior
Center motion (Article 6, Motion 1) indefinitely, the same position we took
for 2005 ATM. At the time, we identified two principal concerns: First, we
had great reservations as to the Town’s ability to fund the operational
expenses associated with the Senior Center after it is constructed. Second,
we did not concur with the CPC plan for financing the construction of the
Center as proposed in that particular motion. While the CPC has done a
good job of making our second concern moot, the first concern persists. A
minority of the committee voted to recommend approval of the motion in
11Source page 12
spite of these concerns, but they were outvoted by a clear majority of the
Committee.
Prior to the vote of the Finance Committee on this motion, a question was
raised as to what precisely our vote would mean – for example, how should
a motion to postpone action on the CPC motion indefinitely be interpreted
by Town Meeting. The consensus formed that the adoption of a motion to
postpone would be an indication that the Finance Committee does not
support the construction of a new Senior Center at this time.
Summary of the Finance Committee Position Regarding
Certain Planning Board Articles
In articles 10, and 12, Town Meeting will be asked to consider rezoning
options for the Plymouth Rubber property off Revere Street in Canton
Center. This is a significant parcel of land that could potentially be a
‘showcase’ for the Town. Because of this, special consideration needs to be
given as to what the Town wants to see developed in this area. There is
also the potential for a significant increase in tax revenue associated with
this development. However, regardless of the outcome of these articles, it
should be noted that any increase in revenue resulting from the
redevelopment of this property will not be realized for several years.
It was our hope as a Committee that the Town would be presented with a
single option for rezoning the Plymouth Rubber property, yet at this time we
are presented with two competing options – one (Article 10) offered by the
Board of Selectmen and another (Article 12) offered by the Planning Board.
While these articles are somewhat similar there are also important
differences between them as well. The Finance Committee has voted to
recommend that the BOS article (Article 10) be postponed indefinitely,
indicating our preference that the Planning Board article (Article 12) be
adopted.
Jonathan Arata, Chairman Patrick Geraghty
Ted Powell, Vice Chairman Pat Johnson
Sepp Bergschneider Bob Lash
Bob Ciccketti Paul Weitz
John Demoy
12Source page 13
CAPITAL PLANNING COMMITTEE REPORT
We would like at this time to explain the operation of the Capital Planning
Committee (CPC). The CPC reviews all capital requests made by the Board
of Selectmen, School Committee, Library Trustees and other town agencies
and makes its recommendation to the annual town meeting for a given year.
The total sum of these requests are approximately 6% of the annual budget
for the Town. Once that amount is allocated and voted at town meeting,
there is no CPC money available for capital requests at a special town
meeting (STM). Emergency requests should be made to the Finance
Committee, not to the CPC. This year the School Committee submitted two
requests and the Board of Selectmen submitted one for the consideration of
the CPC at this STM.
Board of Selectmen:
1. Request for replacement of lights at the Crawford Field at the
Kennedy School because of a possible safety hazard. This
request was denied and referred to the Finance Committee for
favorable action.
School Committee:
1. Request to make building A gym ADA accessible for temporary
weight room. This request was denied. Suggested use of
available ADA funds for this purpose. Other items in building A
mentioned were elevator and work needed to make school
adaptable for a possible preschool facility.
2. Request for sidewalk construction and improvements to
various streets. This request was denied. The request was
referred to the DPW Master Survey of Road and Sidewalk
Needs.
For future reference the CPC which is charged with the orderly planning of
capital expenditures for the Town for the next ten (10) years, looks very
unfavorable upon requests that surface at STM when they were not even on
the immediate Five (5) Year Capital Plan. Plans can change in the short
term and the CPC will work with any board or agency to rework the five year
plan to reflect the current need, but only within the framework of the
annual CPC allocation of capital. If special requests are made to defeat the
intention of having a five year capital plan, they will continue to be denied
by the CPC.
James R. Magee, Chairman
Joseph Croce, Jr., Vice Chairman
Len Barnett
Caryn Feldman
Jan LeDonne
Gene Manning
Herb Silverman
13Source page 14
A GUIDE TO PARTICIPATING AT TOWN MEETING
If town meeting is to run smoothly a few simple rules must be followed…….
No person should speak unless standing at a microphone and then only after having been ‘recognized’ by
the moderator.
It is both impolite and contrary to the rules of procedure to shout out “Question”, or “Move the Question”
while seated, while someone else is speaking, or without being ‘recognized’.
When recognized, a voter should first state his or her name and address clearly and distinctly before
making any statement.
Voters should be brief. It is a good idea to state at the outset why you have risen to speak: e.g. I rise to
speak in favor (or against) the motion to Voters may wish to summarize at the close of their remarks: I
hope the motion now pending is (not) adopted
Rather than repeat arguments already made, consider saying: I concur with the statements made by the
previous speaker(s) and for the same reasons urge you to vote (in support of) or (against) the main motion
when it is put.
A town by-law restricts any one speaker to not more than ten minutes at any one time. The patience of
other voters is often not as long.
A town by-law restricts any one speaker from speaking more than a twice on the same matter except to
correct an error or a misstatement.
A person who is speaking on behalf of another (such as an attorney) is required to disclose that fact before
making any statement.
A motion to reconsider is quite technical in nature. A person who intends to move reconsideration should
discuss it in advance with the moderator. Generally the motion may be made at any time so long as a
sufficient interval has elapsed since the last vote on the matter was taken, and/or additional information has
become available, so as to give a reasonable basis to believe the meeting might vote differently. When the
motion to reconsider is pending debate is limited to why reconsideration should prevail and not to the
merits of the underlying motion.
When one voter is speaking every other voter should pay attention to what is being said. No person should
interrupt a speaker unless some ‘rule’ is being violated. If a voter believes a rule is being violated they
should rise in place, wait to be recognized by the moderator (For what purpose does the lady rise?) Voter: I
rise to a point of order. Moderator: State your point of Order. Voter: …The speaker is dealing in
personalities, (or) the remarks of the speaker are not germane to the subject at hand, etc.
Rather than read every warrant article the moderator may say “The chair asks unanimous consent that the
reading of the article be waived (Pause) Seeing no objection it is so ordered.”
Voters should refrain from displaying their approval or disfavor towards a speaker by applauding or by any
other means.
14Source page 15
SUMMARY OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURES
FY 2005 FY 2006 FY 2006
ACTUAL BUDGET PROPOSED
GENERAL FUND REVENUE:
TOTAL PROPERTY TAX REVENUE 41,848,206 43,129,354 43,129,354
TOTAL LOCAL RECEIPTS 5,548,358 5,097,858 5,178,566
STATE AID (GROSS) 5,403,960 5,661,581 5,798,898
TRANSFERS FROM OTHER FUNDS 2,540,132 1,742,918 1,772,918
TAX TITLE / FORECLOSURE REVENUE 349,106 0 0
TOTAL REVENUE 55,689,763 55,631,711 55,879,736
GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES:
PUBLIC SCHOOL EXPENSES 22,958,392 23,702,335 24,299,712
MUNICIPAL EXPENSES 13,245,471 13,173,861 13,612,509
FIXED COSTS 18,830,362 19,726,099 18,926,099
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES 55,034,225 56,602,295 56,838,320
CASH CAPITAL EXPENDITURES 945,933 969,000 981,000
OTHER EXPENDITURES (STABILIZATION FUND, ETC) 0 1,125,000 1,125,000
STATE & COUNTY CHARGES 720,767 745,727 745,727
TOTAL EXPENDITURES 56,700,925 59,442,022 59,690,047
OPERATING SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) - GENERAL FUND (1,011,162) (3,810,311) (3,810,311)
ONE-TIME SOURCES OF FUNDS:
FREE CASH RESERVE 2,059,682 3,310,311 3,310,311
OVERLAY SURPLUS 500,000 500,000 500,000
TOTAL NON-RECURRING SOURCES 2,559,682 3,810,311 3,810,311
TOTAL SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) - GENERAL FUND 1,548,520 0 0
ENTERPRISE FUNDS:
WATER REVENUE 3,752,852 4,333,941 4,333,941
SEWER REVENUE 4,053,398 4,294,224 4,294,224
RINK REVENUE 331,826 349,772 353,106
TOTAL ENTERPRISE FUNDS' REVENUE 8,138,076 8,977,937 8,981,271
ENTERPRISE FUNDS' SURPLUS USED 0 96,000 96,000
WATER EXPENSES 3,901,324 3,988,731 4,018,750
SEWER EXPENSES 4,059,091 4,248,418 4,259,415
RINK EXPENSES 327,302 349,772 353,106
TOTAL ENTERPRISE FUNDS EXPENSES 8,287,718 8,586,921 8,631,271
ENTERPRISE FUNDS' CAPITAL EXPENDITURES 15,168 96,000 96,000
ENTERPRISE FUNDS' SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) (164,810) 391,016 350,000
GRAND TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS 65,003,810 68,124,943 68,417,318
15Source page 16
Town of Canton
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk, ss
To the Constables of the Town of Canton,
Greetings:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are hereby required to notify and warn the
inhabitants of the Town of Canton to meet at Morse Auditorium, on the grounds of the Canton High School,
900 Washington Street in said town on;
MONDAY, THE TWENTY-FOURTH DAY
OF OCTOBER, 2005
At half past seven o'clock (7:30 P.M.) in the evening for a special town meeting at which time and place the
following articles are to be acted upon:
ARTICLE 1
ADOPT RULES TO GOVERN TOWN MEETING
Article 1 To see what procedures the town will adopt to govern the conduct of the 2005 Special
Town Meeting, or to take any other action in relation thereto.
Board of Selectmen
Article 1: The Finance Committee recommendations are as follows:
Motion #1
MOVED: That this 2005 Special Town Meeting meet on consecutive Monday and Wednesday
evenings in the Morse Auditorium, on the grounds of the Canton High School until the business of
this Special Town Meeting has been concluded, each such session to begin at 7:30 o’clock P.M. and to
adjourn at 11:00 o’clock p.m. , or as near that hour as may be feasible, according to the nature of the
business pending at the said hour.
VOTE: 9-0-0
DISCUSSION: This motion formalizes procedures that have been followed by Town meeting in the past.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
Motion #2
MOVED: That the following individuals be granted all of the rights and privileges of
participation in this Special Town Meeting, except the right to vote, under any article of this warrant
which affects matters within their jurisdiction:
Tony Andreotti, Veterans’ Services Director
16Source page 17
John Ciccotelli, Director of Public Health
Paul R. DeRensis, Town Counsel
Daniel Donahue, Town Engineer
Bernard Fallon, Superintendent of Buildings & Grounds
William T. Friel, Town Administrator
Paul Gargano, Town Accountant
Louis Jutras, Information Systems Manager
Irene Kaplan, Superintendent of Schools
Jeffrey Kaylor, Recreation Director
Mark Lague, Library Director
Kenneth Leon, Business Manager, School Department
Gayle McCracken, Human Resource Administrator
James Murgia, Finance Director
Robert Murphy, Conservation Commission Agent
Roger Nicholas, Town Planner
Kenneth M. Rocke, Supt.-Director, Blue Hills Regional Technical School
Mark Roy, Canton Housing Authority Director
Katherine Scheidler, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction
Michael Trotta, Superintendent of Public Works
Diane Tynan-Corletto, Director of Council on Aging
John Wieliczki, Director of Assessing
VOTE: 9-0-0
DISCUSSION: This motion allows non-resident key town officials to legally participate in town meeting
and formalizes procedures that have been followed by Town meeting in the past.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
Motion #3
MOVED: That whenever during discussion under any article in this warrant a motion is made
the effect of which is to increase the total amount to be appropriated beyond that which is
recommended by the Finance Committee the moderator shall not accept such motion unless said
motion also contains a corresponding decrease in another item or account, or identifies some specific
funding source from which said funds will come so that the total amount to be appropriated by the
town at this town meeting does not exceed the amount recommended by the Finance Committee.
VOTE: 9-0-0
DISCUSSION: This motion formalizes procedures that have been followed by Town Meeting in the past
to ensure that Town Meeting ends with the adoption of a budget which is in balance.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
ARTICLE 2
LIBRARY REVOLVING FUND
Article 2 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town to establish a revolving fund, pursuant
to the provisions of MGL Chapter 44, section fifty-three E1/2, to which shall be credited all fees and fines
received by the Board of Library Trustees due to the loss, damage, or late return of borrowed library
materials, and the replacement of borrower cards, or any other such fees as may be established by the
Board of Library Trustees, for the purpose of and consistent with maintaining a fair and efficient library
17Source page 18
loan system and to authorize the Board of Library Trustees, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, to
expend from such revolving fund an amount not to exceed $20,000 annually for the purpose of purchasing
books and other library materials for public loan or to take any other action in relation thereto.
Board of Selectmen for Board of Library Trustees
Article 2: The Finance Committee recommendation is as follows:
MOVED: That a Canton Public Library Fine Revolving Fund be hereby established in the
treasury of the town for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2006 that began on July 1, 2005 and continues
through June 30, 2006, pursuant to the provisions of G. L. Chapter 44, Section Fifty-Three E ½, to be
administered by the Canton Board of Library Trustees with a new revenue source not used in
computing the most recent tax levy of all fees and fines received by the Board of Library
Trustees due to the loss, damage, or late return of borrowed library materials, and the replacement
of borrower cards, or any other such fees as may be established by the Board of Library Trustees,
with the spending purpose of purchasing books and other library materials for public loan, and with
a spending limit of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000).
VOTE: 9-0-0
DISCUSSION: The library wants to establish a revolving fund to keep the fines that they charge people
for books and other materials that are returned late. In the past, these monies would go into General
Revenues. The library must meet certain state requirements to receive annual state aid which are in danger
of not being met. The Finance Committee unanimously supports this article because of the need to keep
the revenue in this department.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
ARTICLE 3
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS UNDER SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Article 3 To see if the town will vote, in accordance with the provisions of section seven of chapter
one hundred fifty E (MGL chapter 150E, §7), to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds, or
borrow pursuant to any applicable statute, a sum of money for the purpose of funding any cost items
contained in any collective bargaining agreements entered into by the School Committee, on behalf of the
town, group of employees, or, groups of employees, serving under its jurisdiction, and to raise and
appropriate, by borrowing or otherwise, such sums of money as may be necessary to fund contracts for
personal services with any individual employees, or to take any other action in relation thereto.
Board of Selectmen for the School Committee
Article 3: The Finance Committee recommendation is as follows:
Motion #1
MOVED: That the sum of Five Hundred and Ninety Seven Thousand Three Hundred and
Seventy Seven Dollars ($597,377) be added to increase the Fiscal Year 2006 School Department
budget item (#23009001-51950) as voted in the motion pursuant to Article 56 of the 2005 Annual
Town Meeting, from the original total appropriation of $23,702,335 to a new total appropriation of
$24,299,712 and to meet said increase in appropriation that the sum of Four Hundred Eighty Three
Thousand Four Hundred Ninety Eight Dollars ($483,498) be transferred from the Fiscal Year 2006
health insurance budget item (#19141-51731) and that One Hundred Thirteen Thousand Eight
Hundred and Seventy Nine Dollars ($113, 879) be raised and appropriated from the Fiscal Year
2006 Tax Levy and other general revenues of the Town.
VOTE: 9-0-0
18Source page 19
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee unanimously voted to recommend that Town Meeting approve
funding of these contracts.
Canton Teachers Association (Teachers/Nurses)
The two-year contract is effective from September 1, 2005 through August 31, 2007.
The contract provides for a new lane of MA+15 established effective September 1, 2005. This lane is
midway between the MA and the MA+30 lane. The longevity stipend shall be increased by $100 and
accelerated two years a step to the following: 15th year = $850; 20th year = $1,100; 25th year = $1,350; 30th
year = $1,850 and 35th year = $2,400.
The contract provides a 3% salary increase effective September 1, 2005 and an additional 3% salary
increase effective September 1, 2006. The salary increase is contingent on the employees not being enrolled
in either Blue Cross Master Medical or the Harvard Pilgrim HMO. Because all unions have now agreed to
move off of these two medical plans, they will no longer be offered to town employees after January 1,
2006. Effective January 1, 2006 the co-pays for the PPO and the HMO shall be increased as follows:
Prescription Drugs: $10, $20 or $35; Office Visits: $15; Emergency Room Visits: $50. The employer shall
continue to pay 75% and the employee shall pay 25% of the health insurance premiums.
The contract increases the educational enhancement fund to $500 per teacher per year with an aggregate
cap for the entire bargaining unit of $100,000 per year effective September 1, 2005.
The contract provides for compensation of $895 or three in-district credits to mentors for each protégé.
Amounts will be increased by the contractual raises of 9/1/2005 and 9/1/2006. No mentor will have more
that 2 protégés per year.
The contract provides that the nurse’s salary scale shall be the same as the teachers BA and MA scale, steps
1-12. The nurse’s longevity pay will be that in the current contract, increased by the contractual raises on
9/1/2005 and 9/1/2006.
The contact provides that members of the SAT and IST shall be compensated with either three credits of a
stipend of $500.
Individual Contracts
The 2-years contract provides a 3% salary increase effective September 1, 2005 and an additional 3%
salary increase effective September 1, 2006. Because all unions have now agreed to move off of these two
medical plans, they will no longer be offered to town employees after January 1, 2006
School Custodians (AFSCME)
The 3-year contract is effective retroactively from July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2007.
The contract provides a 2% salary increase retroactive to July 1, 2004, a 2% salary increase retroactive to
July 1, 2005, a 1% salary increase effective January 1, 2006, a 2% salary increase effective July 1, 2006
and a 1% salary increase effective January 1, 2007.
The salary increase is contingent on the employees not being enrolled in either Blue Cross Master Medical
or the Harvard Pilgrim HMO. Because all unions have now agreed to move off of these two medical plans,
they will no longer be offered to town employees after January 1, 2006. Effective January 1, 2006 the co-
pays for the PPO and the HMO shall be increased as follows: Prescription Drugs: $10, $20 or $35; Office
Visits: $15; Emergency Room Visits: $50. The employer shall continue to pay 75% and the employee shall
pay 25% of the health insurance premiums.
The contract provides that the longevity stipend shall be as follows: 5 years = $500; 10 years = $625; 15
years = $775; 20 years = $900; 25tyears = $1,050
19Source page 20
School Secretaries
The 3-year contract is effective retroactively from July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2007.
The contract provides a 1% salary increase retroactive to July 1, 2004, a 4% salary increase retroactive to
July 1, 2005, a 1.5% salary increase effective January 1, 2006, and a 1.5% salary increase effective January
1, 2007. The salary increase is contingent on the employees not being enrolled in either Blue Cross Master
Medical or the 0Harvard Pilgrim HMO. Because all unions have now agreed to move off of these two
medical plans, they will no longer be offered to town employees after January 1, 2006. Effective January
1, 2006 the co-pays for the PPO and the HMO shall be increased as follows: Prescription Drugs: $10, $20
or $35; Office Visits: $15; Emergency Room Visits: $50.
The contract provides that effective July 1, 2005, a new step 7 payable at 4% above step 6 shall be added
for employees who have completed 15 years of service
The contract provides that the longevity stipend based on the school year shall be as follows: 5 years =
$310; 10 years = $410; 15 years = $530; 20 years = $630; 25tyears = $680 and 30 years = $730.
The contract provides that the longevity stipend based on the full year shall be as follows: 5 years = $400;
10 years = $525; 15 years = $675; 20 years = $800; 25tyears = $850 and 30 years = $900.
Paraprofessional Aides Contracts
The 2-years contract provides a 3% salary increase effective September 1, 2005 and an additional 3%
salary increase effective September 1, 2006. . The salary increase is contingent on the employees not being
enrolled in either Blue Cross Master Medical or the Harvard Pilgrim HMO. Because all unions have now
agreed to move off of these two medical plans, they will no longer be offered to town employees after
January 1, 2006.
Issues the Finance Committee Considered in Evaluating all School Bargaining Agreements
The Finance Committee had requested that the Board of Selectmen and School committee negotiate
contracts that were revenue neutral. The agreement of all unions to move off of the Blue Cross Master
Medical and the Harvard Pilgrim HMO plans, along with higher co-payments for the HMO Blue plan, will
save the town $800,000 in FY06. Given the ratio of school employees to municipal employees,
approximately $500,000 can be attributed to the schools. The negotiated school contract cost increases for
FY06, which must include the retroactive costs for the now-closed FY05, are $643,334. While the
negotiated contracts are not revenue neutral, they are very close and the difference could be funded by the
slightly higher than expected state aid revenue to the town. The agreement of all unions to eliminate the
more expensive health care plans combined with the increase co-pays is a tremendous step forward in
controlling our health care costs.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
Motion #2
MOVED: That the sum of Sixteen Thousand Nine Hundred and Seventy Nine Dollars
($16,979) be appropriated to pay for increases in salaries and other cost items in a contract dated
August 25, 2005 between the Town of Canton as represented by the School Committee, and the
Canton Public Schools Cafeteria Workers Association, and to meet this appropriation the sum of
Sixteen Thousand Nine Hundred and Seventy Nine Dollars ($16,979)be paid for this purpose
from the School Lunch Revolving Account (Fund #101) established pursuant to session laws Chapter
548 of the Acts of 1948 to which fund such amount of Sixteen Thousand Nine Hundred and Seventy
Nine Dollars ($16,979) shall be hereafter added from new additional receipts generated thereto from
fees and charges in connection with operation of the School Cafeteria and School Lunch program.
VOTE: 9-0-0
20Source page 21
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee unanimously voted to recommend that Town Meeting approve
funding of the Cafeteria Workers 3-year contract, which is effective retroactively from July 1, 2004 through
June 30, 2007.
The contract provides a 2% salary increase retroactive to July 1, 2004, a 2% salary increase retroactive to
July 1, 2005, a 1% salary increase effective January 1, 2006, a 2% increase effective July 1, 2006 and a 1%
salary increase effective January 1, 2007. The salary increase is contingent on the employees not being
enrolled in either Blue Cross Master Medical or the Harvard Pilgrim HMO. Because all unions have now
agreed to move off of these two medical plans, they will no longer be offered to town employees after
January 1, 2006. Effective January 1, 2006 the co-pays for the PPO and the HMO shall be increased as
follows: Prescription Drugs: $10, $20 or $35; Office Visits: $15; Emergency Room Visits: $50.
The contract provides that the longevity as follows: 5 years = $480; 10 years = $580; 15 years = $700; 20
years = $800; and 25tyears = $900.
Issues the Finance Committee Considered in Evaluating the Bargaining Agreement
The negotiated contract cost increases for FY06, which must include the retroactive costs for the now-
closed FY05, are $16,979. It was felt that this increase would be funded by an increase in the cafeteria
revenue.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
ARTICLE 4
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS UNDER THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Article 4 To see if the town will vote, in accordance with the provisions of section seven of chapter
one hundred fifty E (MGL chapter 150E, §7) to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds, or
borrow pursuant to any applicable statute, a sum of money for the purpose of funding any cost items
contained in any collective bargaining agreements entered into by the Board of Selectmen, on behalf of the
town, with any group of employees, or, groups of employees, serving under its jurisdiction, and to raise and
appropriate, transfer from available funds, or borrow pursuant to any applicable statute, such sums of
money as may be necessary to fund contracts for personal services with any individual employee, or to take
any other action in relation thereto.
Board of Selectmen
Article 4: The Finance Committee recommendation is as follows:
Motion #1
MOVED: That the sum of One Hundred and Twenty Five Thousand Nine Hundred and
Ninety Dollars ($125,990) be added to increase the Fiscal Year 2006 Fire Department budget for
salaries (item #12201-51950) as voted in the motion adopted pursuant to Article 56 of the 2005
Annual Town Meeting, from the original total of $3,738,034 to a new appropriation of $3,864,024 in
order to fund the cost items in a contract dated September 9, 2005 between the Town of Canton, as
represented by the Board of Selectmen, and the Canton Firefighters, Local 1580 I.A.F.F. and to meet
said increase in appropriation that the sum of One Hundred and One Thousand Nine Hundred and
Seventy Two Dollars ($101,972) be transferred from the Fiscal Year 2006 Health Insurance budget
(#19141-51731) and that Twenty Four Thousand and Eighteen Dollars ($24,018) be raised and
appropriated from the Fiscal Year 2006 Tax Levy and other general revenues of the Town.
VOTE: 9-0-0
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee unanimously voted to recommend that Town Meeting approve
funding of the Firefighters 3-year contract, which is effective retroactively from July 1, 2004 through June
30, 2007.
21Source page 22
The Finance Committee had requested that the Board of Selectmen negotiate contracts that were revenue
neutral. The agreement of all unions to phase out of the Blue Cross Master Medical and the Harvard
Pilgrim HMO plans, along with higher co-payments for the HMO Blue plan, by January 1, 2006 will save
the town $800,000 in FY06. Given the ratio of school employees to municipal employees, approximately
$300,000 can be attributed to the municipal departments. The negotiated firefighter contract cost increases
for FY06, which must include the retroactive costs for the now-closed FY05, are $125,990. This
negotiated contract is not revenue neutral, but it is close and the difference could be funded by the slightly
higher than expected state aid revenue to the town. The agreement of all unions to eliminate the more
expensive health care plans combined with the increase co-pays is a tremendous step forward in controlling
our health care costs.
The contract provides a 2% salary increase retroactive to June 30, 2005, a 2% salary increase retroactive to
July 1, 2005, a 2% salary increase effective July 1, 2006, and a 2% increase effective January 1, 2007. The
salary increase is contingent on the employees not being enrolled in either Blue Cross Master Medical or
the Harvard Pilgrim HMO. Because all unions have now agreed to move off of these two medical plans,
they will no longer be offered to town employees after January 1, 2006. Effective January 1, 2006 the co-
pays for the PPO and the HMO shall be increased as follows: Prescription Drugs: $10, $20 or $35; Office
Visits: $15; Emergency Room Visits: $50.
The contract provides that the longevity as follows: 5 years = $350; 10 years = $475; 15 years = $625; 20
years = $750; and 25tyears = $850.
The contract provides that the sums payable to EMTs shall be $2,550 effective July 1, 2005 and shall be
$2,770 effective July 1, 2006. Further, the contract stipulates that non-occupational sick leave shall be as
follows: Private = $65 per day up to maximum of $13,000; Lieutenant = $75 per day up to maximum of
$15,000; Captain = $85 per day up to maximum of $17,000; Deputy Chief = $95 per day up to maximum
of $19,000.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
Motion #2
MOVED: That the sum of One Hundred and Seven Thousand Four Hundred and Twenty
Nine Dollars ($107,429) be added to increase the Fiscal Year 2006 Police Department budget for
salaries (item #12101-51950) as voted in the motion adopted pursuant to Article 56 of the 2005
Annual Town Meeting, from the original total of $3,272,424 to a new appropriation of $3,379,853 in
order to fund the cost items in a contract dated September 8, 2005 between the Town of Canton, as
represented by the Board of Selectmen, and the Canton Police Association and to meet said increase
in appropriation that the sum of Eight Six Thousand Nine Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($86,950) be
transferred from the Fiscal Year 2006 Health Insurance budget (#19141-51731) and that Twenty
Thousand Four Hundred and Seventy Nine Dollars ($20,479) be raised and appropriated from the
Fiscal Year 2006 Tax Levy and other general revenues of the Town.
VOTE: 9-0-0
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee unanimously voted to recommend that Town Meeting approve
funding of the Canton Police Association 3-year contract, which is effective retroactively from July 1, 2004
through June 30, 2007. The negotiated Police Association contract cost increases for FY06, which must
include the retroactive costs for the now-closed FY05, are $107,429. This negotiated contract is higher
than the savings the town will realize from switching off of the more expensive health care plans, but it is
close and the difference could be funded by the slightly higher than expected state aid revenue to the town.
The contract provides a 2% salary increase retroactive to June 30, 2005, a 2% salary increase retroactive to
July 1, 2005, a 2% salary increase effective July 1, 2006, and a 2% increase effective January 1, 2007. The
salary increase is contingent on the employees not being enrolled in either Blue Cross Master Medical or
22Source page 23
the Harvard Pilgrim HMO. Because all unions have now agreed to move off of these two medical plans,
they will no longer be offered to town employees after January 1, 2006. Effective January 1, 2006 the co-
pays for the PPO and the HMO shall be increased as follows: Prescription Drugs: $10, $20 or $35; Office
Visits: $15; Emergency Room Visits: $50.
The contract provides that the annual stipend for E-911 will increase to $1,450 effective July 1, 2005 and
will increase to $1,600 effective July 1, 2006.
The contract provides that the yearly compensation for the Prosecuting Officer specialty position will be
increased to $1,800 per year, and that the yearly compensation for the MIS/Computer Crimes specialty
position (formerly titled the Communications Officer) will increase to $1,200. A new specialty position,
the School Resource Officer, will receive yearly compensation of $600.
The contract provides that a Sergeants’ Differential shall be increased by 2.5% effective July 1, 2005. It
further stipulates that a new “After 20 years” step be added to the salary schedule, which will be 5% above
the ‘After 4 years’ step.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
Motion #3
MOVED: That the sum of Five Thousand Three Hundred and Fifty Five Dollars ($5,355) be
added to increase the Fiscal Year 2006 Police Department budget for salaries (item #12101-51171) as
voted in the motion adopted pursuant to Article 56 of the 2005 Annual Town Meeting, from a
previously revised total of $3,379,853 to a new appropriation of $3,385,208 in order to fund the cost
items in a contract dated September 7, 2005 between the Town of Canton, as represented by the
Board of Selectmen, and the Canton Police Superior Officers Association and to meet said increase in
appropriation that the sum of Four Thousand Three Hundred and Thirty Four Dollars ($4,334) be
transferred from the Fiscal Year 2006 Health Insurance budget (#19141-51731) and that One
Thousand and Twenty One Dollars ($1,021) be raised and appropriated from the Fiscal Year 2006
Tax Levy and other general revenues of the Town.
VOTE: 9-0-0
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee unanimously voted to recommend that Town Meeting approve
funding of the Canton Police Superior Offices 3-year contract, which is effective retroactively from July 1,
2004 through June 30, 2007. The negotiated Police Superior Officers contract cost increase for FY06,
which must include the retroactive costs for the now-closed FY05, is $5,355. This negotiated contract is
higher than the savings the town will realize from phasing out of the more expensive health care plans, but
it is close and the difference could be funded by the slightly higher than expected state aid revenue to the
town.
The contract provides a 2% salary increase retroactive to June 30, 2005, a 2% salary increase retroactive to
July 1, 2005, a 2% salary increase effective July 1, 2006, and a 2% increase effective January 1, 2007. The
salary increase is contingent on the employees not being enrolled in either Blue Cross Master Medical or
the Harvard Pilgrim HMO. Because all unions have now agreed to move off of these two medical plans,
they will no longer be offered to town employees after January 1, 2006. Effective January 1, 2006 the co-
pays for the PPO and the HMO shall be increased as follows: Prescription Drugs: $10, $20 or $35; Office
Visits: $15; Emergency Room Visits: $50.
The contract provides that the longevity as follows: 5 years = $300; 10 years = $425; 15 years = $575; 20
years = $700; and 25 years = $800. Further the contract stipulates that after 20 years of satisfactory
service, a 5% salary increase will be awarded.
The contract provides that the following specialty positions will receive a yearly compensation of $1,500
per year: Administrative Officer, Evidence Custodian Officer, Firearms Licensing Officer, Domestic
23Source page 24
Violence, Sex Offender Registry. The First Responder specialty position will be compensated $250 per
year.
The contract provides that the Development Officer, and Head Firearms Officer will receive a yearly
compensation of $1,500 per year. 911 Certification and related training will be $1,450 per year effective
July 1, 2005 and will be $1,600 per year effective July 1, 2006. EMT certification will be $1,625 per year.
The contract provides that a Rank Differential of $1,750 will be effective July 1, 2005.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
Motion #4
MOVED: That the sum of One Hundred Eleven Thousand and Forty Seven Dollars
($111,047) be added to increase the Fiscal Year 2006 Employee Contract Benefits Department budget
for salaries (item #19101-51950) as voted in the motion adopted pursuant to Article 56 of the 2005
Annual Town Meeting, from the original total of $127,000 to a new appropriation of $238,047 in
order to fund the cost items in a contract dated September 1, 2005 between the Town of Canton, as
represented by the Board of Selectmen, and AFSCME, Local 362, Canton Chapter and to meet said
increase in appropriation that the sum of Eight Nine Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventy Eight
Dollars ($89,878) be transferred from the Fiscal Year 2006 Health Insurance budget (#19141-51731)
and that Twenty One Thousand One Hundred and Sixty Nine Dollars ($21,169) be raised and
appropriated from the Fiscal Year 2006 Tax Levy and other general revenues of the Town.
VOTE: 9-0-0
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee unanimously voted to recommend that Town Meeting approve
funding of the AFSCME 3-year contract, which is effective retroactively from July 1, 2004 through June
30, 2007. The negotiated AFSCME contract cost increase for FY06, which must include the retroactive
costs for the now-closed FY05, is $111,047. This negotiated contract is higher than the savings the town
will realize from phasing out of the more expensive health care plans. The difference is expected to be
funded by the slightly higher than expected state aid revenue to the town.
The contract provides a 1% salary increase retroactive to July 1, 2004, a 1% salary increase retroactive to
January 1, 2005, a 2% salary increase retroactive to July 1, 2005, a 1% salary increase effective January 1,
2006, 2% salary increase effective July 1, 2006, and a 1% increase effective January 1, 2007. The salary
increase is contingent on the employees not being enrolled in either Blue Cross Master Medical or the
Harvard Pilgrim HMO. Because all unions have now agreed to move off of these two medical plans, they
will no longer be offered to town employees after January 1, 2006. Effective January 1, 2006 the co-pays
for the PPO and the HMO shall be increased as follows: Prescription Drugs: $10, $20 or $35; Office Visits:
$15; Emergency Room Visits: $50.
The contract provides that the longevity as follows effective July 1, 2005: 5 years = $400; 10 years = $600;
15 years = $800; 20 years = $100; 25 years = $1500; 30 years = $1750.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
Motion #5
MOVED: That the sum of Fourteen Thousand Nine Hundred and Seventy Five Dollars
($14,975) be added to increase the Fiscal Year 2006 Employee Contract Benefits Department budget
for salaries (item #19101-51950) as voted in the motion adopted pursuant to Article 56 of the 2005
Annual Town Meeting, from a previously revised total of $238,047 to a new appropriation of
$253,022 in order to fund cost items in a contract dated September 9, 2005 between the Town of
24Source page 25
Canton, as represented by the Board of Selectmen, and the Administrative Employees Association
and to meet said increase in appropriation that the sum of Twelve Thousand One Hundred and
Twenty Dollars ($12,120) be transferred from the Fiscal Year 2006 Health Insurance budget
(#19141-51731) and that Two Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty Five Dollars ($2,855) be raised and
appropriated from the Fiscal Year 2006 Tax Levy and other general revenues of the Town.
VOTE: 9-0-0
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee unanimously voted to recommend that Town Meeting approve
funding of the Administrative Employees Association (AEA) 2-year contract, which is effective
retroactively from July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2007. The negotiated AEA contract cost increase for FY06
is $14,975. This negotiated contract is higher than the savings the town will realize from phasing out the
more expensive health care plans. The difference is expected to be funded by the slightly higher than
expected state aid revenue to the town.
The contract provides a 3% salary increase effective July 1, 2005, and a 3% salary increase effective July 1,
2006. The salary increase is contingent on the employees not being enrolled in either Blue Cross Master
Medical or the Harvard Pilgrim HMO. Because all unions have now agreed to move off of these two
medical plans, they will no longer be offered to town employees after January 1, 2006. Effective January
1, 2006 the co-pays for the PPO and the HMO shall be increased as follows: Prescription Drugs: $10, $20
or $35; Office Visits: $15; Emergency Room Visits: $50.
The contract provides that the longevity as follows effective July 1, 2005: 5 years = $350; 10 years = $475;
15 years = $625; 20 years = $750; 25 years = $1500.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
Motion #6
MOVED: That the sum of Twenty Six Thousand Two Hundred and Fifty Two Dollars
($26,252) be added to increase the Fiscal Year 2006 Employee Contract Benefits Department budget
for salaries (item #19101-51950) as voted in the motion adopted pursuant to Article 56 of the 2005
Annual Town Meeting, from a previously revised total of $253,022 to a new appropriation of
$279,274 in order to fund a 3% cost of living increase for employees not covered by collective
bargaining agreements and to meet said increase in appropriation that the sum of Twenty One
Thousand Two Hundred and Forty Eight Dollars ($21,248) be transferred from the Fiscal Year 2006
Health Insurance budget (#19141-51731) and that Five Thousand and Four Dollars ($5,004) be raised
and appropriated from the Fiscal Year 2006 Tax Levy and other general revenues of the Town.
VOTE: 9-0-0
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee unanimously voted to recommend that Town Meeting approve
funding of the Personnel Board employees with the same conditions as the Administrative Employees
Association contract (see motion #5). The majority of Personnel Board employees are part-time (e.g.
school crossing guards, COA drivers, library pages, etc.) and historically they have been funded at the same
level as the AEA.
The increased cost to fund the Personnel Board employees for FY06 is $26,252. The funding for this
increase is expected to come from the savings realized by phasing out the more expensive health care plans
and by the slightly higher than expected state aid revenue to the town.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
25Source page 26
Motion #7
MOVED: That the sum of Thirty Thousand and Nineteen Dollars ($30,019) be added to
increase the Fiscal Year 2006 Water Enterprise Fund budget for salaries (item #56100-51950) as
voted in the motion adopted pursuant to Article 56 of the 2005 Annual Town Meeting, from the
original total of $3,988,731 to a new total appropriation of $4,018,750 in order to fund cost items in a
contract dated September 1, 2005 between the Town of Canton, as represented by the Board of
Selectmen, and AFSCME, Local 362, Canton Chapter and to meet said increase in appropriation
that the sum of Thirty Thousand and Nineteen Dollars ($30,019) be appropriated from Water
Enterprise Fund receipts.
VOTE: 9-0-0
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee unanimously voted to recommend that Town Meeting approve
funding of the AFSCME 3-year contract for the Water Enterprise Fund. The contract specifics are given in
this article, motion #4. The negotiated Water Enterprise Fund AFSCME contract cost increase for FY06,
which must include the retroactive costs for the now-closed FY05, is $30,019. The increased cost will be
funded from the revenue of the Water Enterprise Fund.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
Motion #8
MOVED: That the sum of Ten Thousand Nine Hundred Ninety Seven Dollars ($10,997) be
added to increase the Fiscal Year 2006 Sewer Enterprise Fund budget for salaries (item #56000-
51950) as voted in the motion adopted pursuant to Article 56 of the 2005 Annual Town Meeting,
from the original total of $4,248,418 to a new total appropriation of $4,259,415 in order to fund cost
items in a contract dated September 1, 2005 between the Town of Canton, as represented by the
Board of Selectmen, and AFSCME, Local 362, Canton Chapter and to meet said increase in
appropriation that the sum of Ten Thousand Nine Hundred and Ninety Seven Dollars ($10,997) be
appropriated from Sewer Enterprise Fund receipts.
VOTE: 9-0-0
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee unanimously voted to recommend that Town Meeting approve
funding of the AFSCME 3-year contract for the Sewer Enterprise Fund. The contract specifics are given in
this article, motion #4. The negotiated Sewer Enterprise Fund AFSCME contract cost increase for FY06,
which must include the retroactive costs for the now-closed FY05, is $10,997. The increased cost will be
funded from the revenue of the Sewer Enterprise Fund.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
Motion #9
MOVED: That the sum of Three Thousand Three Hundred and Thirty Four Dollars ($3,334)
be added to increase the Fiscal Year 2006 Skating Rink Enterprise Fund budget for salaries (item
#57000-51950) as voted in the motion adopted pursuant to Article 56 of the 2005 Annual Town
Meeting, from the original total of $349,772 to a new total appropriation of $353,016 in order to fund
cost items in a contract dated September 1, 2005 between the Town of Canton, as represented by the
Board of Selectmen, and AFSCME, Local 362, Canton Chapter and to meet said increase in
appropriation that the sum of Three Thousand Three Hundred and Thirty Four Dollars ($3,334) be
appropriated from Skating Rink Enterprise Fund receipts.
VOTE: 9-0-0
26Source page 27
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee unanimously voted to recommend that Town Meeting approve
funding of the AFSCME 3-year contract for the Rink Enterprise Fund. The contract specifics are given in
this article, motion #4. The negotiated Rink Enterprise Fund AFSCME contract cost increase for FY06,
which must include the retroactive costs for the now-closed FY05, is $3,334. The increased cost will be
funded from the revenue of the Rink Enterprise Fund.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
ARTICLE 5
PAY BILLS OF PRIOR FISCAL YEAR
Article 5 To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate or to transfer from available funds, or
to authorize the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, to borrow any sum or sums
of money to pay any unpaid bills from any prior fiscal year, or to take any other action in relation thereto.
Board of Selectmen for Planning Board
Article 5: The Finance Committee recommendation is as follows:
MOVED: That the following bills from prior fiscal years be paid as follows:
Bill Purpose Amount Source of Funds
Metropolitan Area Services rendered $5,600.00 FY 2006 Tax Levy &
Planning Council During Fiscal 2004 other general revenues
VOTE: 9-0-0
DISCUSSION: The town meeting must approve the payment of bills dated prior to June 30, 2005
because the budget for those expenses have been closed. This bill is for services rendered in conjunction
with the development of the town Master Plan. It has been reviewed by the Planning Board and the
Finance Director and should be paid. The Finance Committee unanimously supports this article.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
ARTICLE 6
“OMNIBUS” CAPITAL OUTLAY PROGRAM
Article 6 To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate, or to transfer from available funds,
or to authorize the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, to borrow (and to issue
bonds or notes therefore) any sum or sums of money, or by any combination of these methods of financing
as may be necessary or desirable, make available funds for the purpose of purchasing, leasing, re-
conditioning, improving or replacing any motor vehicles or other items of equipment or machinery or other
items of personal property for any town agency, or for the purpose of contracting for any service, or for the
design, repair, acquisition, construction, replacement or relocation or improvement to any town building or
other structure, public works facility (including highway needs and traffic safety items), any other town
owned facility or real property, or for any other purposes for which borrowing may be authorized, to
purchase, or to take by eminent domain, any land or easements necessary for any such purposes and, where
applicable, to authorize the trade-in of any presently owned motor vehicles, equipment or machinery to
reduce the purchase or acquisition cost of any item to be acquired, or to take any other action in relation
thereto.
Board of Selectmen for the Capital Planning Committee/ School Committee
Motion #1
MOVED: That the subject matter of a Senior Center be postponed indefinitely.
27Source page 28
VOTE: 6-3-0
MAJORITY DISCUSSION OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE: The Finance Committee
recommends that this motion be postponed indefinitely. The increased operational costs, associated with
the programming to take place within the new building, have not been clearly identified. Currently the
Town pays for staffing and supplies, a new and larger building will bring with it utility and maintenance
costs as well as increased staffing needs. It is unclear how these expenses will be met or if any planning
has been done regarding how to meet them. Associated with this is the increased cost of building the
structure. When the A&E funding was approved, the Town was told that $3 million was going to be
needed as the total project cost, offset by fund raising and grants of $800,000 and inside the levy debt
capacity of $900,000.
MINORITY DISCUSSION OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE: This article would authorize the
borrowing of the full amount of the 100% cost estimate less previous appropriated amounts and donations
in hand. The source of payment would be a debt exclusion override. Much time and effort by many
individuals has been spent on the planning of this project. The Minority members of the Finance
Committee feel that this project should go forward to voters for their say. We, the minority, do recognize
that there is no provision for the maintenance and utilities for this additional building, however, the Board
of Selectmen whose budget would cover these costs are committed to support the operations in future
years. There is also much community support for this project.
DISCUSSION OF THE CAPITAL PLANNING COMMITTEE:
COST OF SENIOR CENTER PROJECT
Construction Costs $3,297,245
Owner’s Costs 963,519
Senior Center Project Total $4,260,764
Available Funds 316,231
Balance Needed as Debt Authorization $3,944,533
Inside Levy Debt Capacity Set Aside $150,000
Inside Levy Debt Capacity From Sale of White House 300,000
Pledges made for Senior Center Project 150,000
Pledge made from Sale of St. John’s Property 270,000
TOTAL $870,000
2 ½ Outside Levy Debt Authorization 3,074,533
TOTAL APPROPRIATION NEEDED $3,944,533
The cost of this project has increased from $4,052,705 on November 10, 2004, to $4,260,764 on September
7, 2005, an increase of $208,059 in less than a year. The need for a senior center has not become less
urgent now than it was then. If anything there are more seniors today using the center than a year ago, and
as the population ages the numbers will grow. The need exists today and will be there until action is taken
in some form by the Town sooner or later. Procrastination has already cost money and will add more if we
wait.
28Source page 29
The Capital Planning Committee would also like to comment on two major concerns the Finance
Committee had in postponing indefinitely the CPC motion at the last annual town meeting. The first was
the operational expenses associated with the senior center after it is constructed. When did we start laying
this requirement on the financing of a project? The library was not required to do so. The Fire and Police
budgets were not questioned, nor were the selectmen asked what the renovated town hall would require in
additional spending. The Council on Aging is not a newly created department and has an operating budget
that may have to be increased. As schools were added and rebuilt their operating budgets grew. Where
does their money come from? It comes from the general fund from which budgets are funded. It may be
that we are under funding the COA in the overall operational budget. Second, the CPC plan for financing
this project is not that much different than the plan that was authorized for the library. Not all of the
$7,900,000 was in the bank when the Trustees went for the override vote. The magnitude of the library
project dwarfs the senior center in that if the state grant for $2,600,000 did not materialize, the worse case
scenario would be a lot more than the $870,000 under the current financing plan for the senior center.
In closing, we should be thankful that D. Forbes Will Center was donated to the Town and the Canton
Housing Authority has let it remain within the Hemingway Building, as it is not under the jurisdiction of
the Town. If some day they need the space, the Town would have to buy or rent space needed by the COA
for a senior center.
FINANCIAL IMPACT TO THE TAXPAYER:
The CPC requested and received Debt Projections from the Finance Director for the $3.1 million
Proposition 2 ½ Debt Service Exclusion Override, and for all other Overrides currently being
charged in the Town’s tax rate.
We are of the opinion that in order to make an informed decision about the Senior Center
taxpayers need to know impact of both amounts.
FINANCIAL IMPACT OF THE SENIOR CENTER
TO THE TAXPAYER
THE PROJECTED COST PER YEAR FOR A HOME VALUED AT $440,000
OVER A 10-YEAR TIME SPAN FOLLOWS:
ALL PRESENT SENIOR
FISCAL YEAR DEBT EXCLUSIONS CENTER
2006 $399 $0
2007 $391 $5
2008 $322 $11
2009 $312 $32
2010 $282 $31
2011 $274 $30
2012 $267 $29
2013 $259 $29
2014 $251 $28
2015 $242 $27
AVERAGE COST PER YEAR $301 $23
29Source page 30
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
Motion #2
MOVED: That the sum of Twelve Thousand Dollars ($12,000) is hereby raised and
appropriated from the Fiscal Year 2006 tax levy and other general revenues of the Town to be spent
by the Police Chief to purchase personal protection bullet proof vests for Canton Police Officers.
VOTE: 9-0-0
DISCUSSION: This article would spend $12,000 for Kevlar vests for the Police Department. This
expense is in the capital budget for next year. It is brought up at this time because it is needed for a federal
matching grant to reduce the overall cost for this need. There are also possible state grants that might be
available to reduce this amount. The Finance Committee unanimously supports this article.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
Motion #3
MOVED: That the Police Station project appropriation previously voted pursuant to Article
50, Motion 6 of the 1999 Annual Town Meeting, and Article 15, Motion 3 of the 2000 Annual Town
Meeting, and Article 16, Motion 17 of the 2002 Annual Town Meeting and amended by Article 13,
Motion 12 of the 2004 Annual Town Meeting be increased by the sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars
($50,000) thereby increasing the current Police Station appropriation of $5,787,000 to a new total
appropriation of $5,837,000 and to meet this appropriation the sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars
($50,000) be hereby transferred from the appropriation for the Fire Station project as voted
pursuant to Article 15, Motion 3 of the 2000 Annual Town Meeting, and Article 16, Motion 17 of the
2002 Annual Town Meeting and Article 13, Motion 12 of the 2004 Annual Town Meeting thereby
reducing the current Fire Station appropriation from the current appropriation of $2,955,117 to a
new reduced total appropriation of $2,905,117.
VOTE: 9-0-0
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee unanimously supports this BRC request. Currently, the Canton
Fire Department Building Renovation Project is nearing completion and some funds may be available for
transfer to start the repairs of the Police Department Building floor. Defects have been found in the
flooring that require immediate attention. The transfer would allow the repairs to begin while an effort is
made to obtain reimbursement from the contractor(s) and/or flooring supplier.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
ARTICLE 7
PROPOSED PERMANENT EASEMENT TAKING – WASHINGTON STREET
Article 7 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire by purchase, gift,
or eminent domain an easement from Donald J. Malkin for that portion of his property located at 602-622
Washington Street, also shown on Canton Assessor's Map #26, Lot #55, which is subject to the layout
of the public sidewalk., and is more fully described on a plan dated 11/21/03 by Toomey-Munson &
Assoc., entitled “Existing Conditions Plan of Land in Canton, copies of which are available for public
review at the offices of the Planning Board, Board of Selectmen, Town Clerk, Town Engineer, at the
Canton Public Library and on the Town website, or to take any other action in relation thereto.
This acquisition is in conjunction with Article 51 which was approved at the 2005 Annual Town Meeting
authorizing a temporary construction easement on the same property in order to complete repair work to
that portion of the sidewalk.
30Source page 31
Board of Selectmen
Article 7: The Finance Committee recommendation is as follows:
MOVED: That the Board of Selectmen be hereby authorized to acquire by purchase, gift, or
eminent domain an easement for sidewalk purposes from Donald J. Malkin for that portion of his
property located at 602-622 Washington Street, also shown on Canton Assessor's Map #26, Lot #55,
which is subject to the layout of the public sidewalk, and is more fully described on a plan dated
11/21/03 by Toomey-Munson & Assoc., entitled “Existing Conditions Plan of Land in Canton" .
VOTE: 9-0-0
DISCUSSION: This Article would allow the Town to acquire, by purchase, gift or eminent domain, an
easement from the owner of record for that portion of his property consisting of the sidewalk in front of
602 – 622 Washington Street. This acquisition is in conjunction with Article 51 which was approved at the
2005 Annual Town Meeting authorizing a temporary construction easement on the same property in order
to complete repair work to that portion of the sidewalk. The Finance Committee unanimously supports this
Article as a matter of public safety.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
ARTICLE 8
STREET ACCEPTANCES
Article 8 To see if the Town will vote to accept as town ways, the layout of the following described
streets, as recommended by the Planning Board and laid out by the Board of Selectmen (M.G.L. c. 41 and
c. 82, as amended), and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire by purchase, gift, eminent domain
or otherwise, such land, slope and drainage easements or other easements as may be necessary to effect the
purpose of this Article, and to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, borrow pursuant to any
applicable statute or transfer from available funds, a sum of money for such purposes; and to take such
other action as may be appropriate thereto:
Canton Dale in its entirety from Pleasant Street running along its centerline northeasterly 345’ (feet) to its
terminus, shown as, or bound and described as on a definitive subdivision plan entitled “Street Acceptance
Plan Canton Dale,” latest revision dated February 16, 2005, prepared by Toomey-Munson & Associates,
Inc, a copy of which is on file with the Board of Selectmen’s Office, Town Clerk’s Office, Town
Engineer’s Office, the Canton Public Library, and on the Town website, or to take any other action in
relation thereto.
Board of Selectmen
Article 8: The Finance Committee recommendation is as follows:
MOVED: That the layout of the following described street , as recommended by the Planning
Board and laid out by the Board of Selectmen (pursuant to G. L. Ch. 41 and Ch. 82, as amended) be
accepted as a town public way, and that the Board of Selectmen be hereby authorized to acquire by
purchase, gift, eminent domain or otherwise, such land included in the layout by easement or in fee,
slope and drainage easements or other easements as may be necessary to effect the purpose of this
Article, and to take other such action as may be appropriate thereto:
Canton Dale in its entirety from Pleasant Street running along its centerline
northeasterly 345’ (feet) to its terminus, shown as, or bound and described as on a
31Source page 32
definitive subdivision plan entitled “Street Acceptance Plan Canton Dale,” latest
revision dated February 16, 2005, prepared by Toomey-Munson & Associates, Inc.
VOTE: 8-1-0
DISCUSSION: This article to accept the Canton Dale Street was deferred at the April, 2005 Town
Meeting as there was still work to be completed. At this time, the work has been completed and the Board
of Selectmen and the Finance Committee unanimously recommend approval.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
ARTICLE 9
CONVEYANCE/DISPOSITION OF 1476 WASHINGTON STREET
Article 9 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to declare as surplus
and then to convey, sell or otherwise lawfully dispose, including full or partial demolition, all or part of the
land and the improvements thereon shown as Lot 4, being a subdivided lot at the site of the “white house,”
located at 1476 Washington Street, and as described in the Assessor’s records as Map 046, Lot 088, and
shown on the subdivision plan dated 7/06/05 prepared by James R. Keenan, a copy of which is on file with
the Board of Selectmen’s Office, Town Clerk’s Office, Town Engineer’s Office, the Canton Public Library,
and the Town website, or to take any other actions in relation thereto.
Board of Selectmen
Article 9: The Finance Committee recommendation is as follows:
MOVED: That the subject matter of this article be postponed indefinitely.
VOTE: 5-4-0
DISCUSSION OF THE MAJORITY: The Finance Committee recommends postponing action on
this article indefinitely, thus maintaining Town ownership of the property at 1476 Washington Street. In
coming to that conclusion, the majority considered several factors as overriding the modest return that
could be realized by selling the property.
First, there is a finite amount of land in Canton and the amount of available land in town is dwindling. We
believe that the town should seize each reasonable opportunity to acquire available land (which it has
already done in this case) and should only release it once obtained if there is a compelling reason to so do.
Second, the parcel at issue is contiguous with other town owned land, which makes this parcel a good
candidate for various future town uses.
Third, the market value of this land is believed to be higher than recent offers for this property given to the
town from prospective buyers. The current offers are the same as the purchase price from three years ago
with no consideration for market increases.
Finally, we do not believe that the structure on this property possesses a level of historical significance that
should prevent the town from removing it (if desired) and using the site for any needed purpose. Neither
the structure nor the surrounding neighborhood is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
In light of these considerations, we recommend that Town Meeting postpone further action on this article.
32Source page 33
DISCUSSION OF THE MINORITY: There were three main points the minority considered when
coming to its decision. The first dealt with access to the large amount of acreage behind the house. A 2005
variance granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals allows the property to waive the side-yard restrictions
and lot size requirements, thus allowing ample access to the town property after the house is sold. The sale
of the Lucy Downes House, nicknamed the white house, would not restrict access to the town owned
property behind the Eliot School.
The second consideration was financial. The town spent $300,000 to purchase the property in 2003. The
town has listed the house for sale twice this past year, with the sale being dependent on approval at town
meeting. The selectmen have reported that several firm offers of approximately $350,000 have been made
on the house in its current condition and with the assumption that zoning variances would be applied. The
sale of the Lucy Downes House would allow the town to immediately pay off the entire debt it incurred to
buy the property.
The last consideration was the intrinsic value the Lucy Downes House adds to the surrounding
neighborhood and to the character of the town. Many neighbors, concerned citizens, and members of the
Historic Commission and Historic Society attended the Zoning Board meeting to support the zoning
variance because they want to preserve the historic streetscape in the Canton Corner area. In 1997, the
Massachusetts Historic Commission surveyed the area and stated the entire neighborhood, including the
Lucy Downes House, was so historically impressive that the area qualified for nomination into the National
Historic Register. The sale of the Lucy Downes House provides a mechanism for the neighborhood to
retain its historic streetscape and for the town to preserve its historic heritage, regardless of what is
developed behind the house.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
ARTICLE 10
PROPOSED PLYMOUTH OVERLAY DISTRICT
Article 10
5.11.1 Purpose of District
a. There is hereby established a Plymouth Overlay District (POD) Zoning By-law. The
benefits of the POD Zoning By-law shall accrue only to those parcels located entirely
within the boundary of the POD.
b. The Plymouth Overlay District is shown on a plan entitled “Plymouth Rubber Overlay
District 8-15-05_” which plan is hereby incorporated by reference in this Section 5.11.
c. The Plymouth Overlay District is established for the accomplishment of the following
purposes:
(1) To promote the economic health and stability of the Town by
encouraging development and economic investment in the
POD that will generate employment and tax revenue.
(2) To provide additional planning flexibility for projects located
in the POD, including enhancing the coordination of the
project with the environmental and natural features of the
development site.
33Source page 34
(3) To encourage mixed-use development, including but not
limited to, offices, retail shops, and multi-family housing.
(4) To permit and encourage the development of parks and open
spaces which would be available for use by the general public
in consideration of the density bonus authorized under this
Section .
(5) To permit the use of new development standards which will
promote the desired improvements on Revere Street.
(6) To provide information on the potential impacts of a proposed
development.
(7) To enable the Special Permit Granting Authority (SPGA) to
require adherence to “Site Development and Use Plans” in the
granting of a special permit.
5.11.2 Definitions of Terms
For the special purposes of this section the following words and phrases shall have the
meaning hereinafter indicated:
a. Building Height: The vertical distance from grade plane to the average height
of the highest roof surface.
b. Buildable Lot Area: A single continuous tract of land or multiple parcels
separated only by a public way or publicly owned land, located entirely within
the POD and which excludes any land defined as a wetland resource area
defined under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (MGL Chapter 131,
Section 40) or the Wetlands Regulations, 310 CMR 10.0 et seq..
c. Grade Plane: A reference plane representing the average of finished ground
level adjoining the building at all exterior walls. Where the finished ground
level slopes away from the exterior walls, the reference plane shall be
established by the lowest points with the area between the building and the lot
line or, w here the lot line is more than six feet (1829 MM) from the building,
between the building and a point six feet (1829 MM) from the building.
d. Story: The vertical distance from top to top of two successive tiers of beams or
finished floor surfaces; and, for the topmost story, from the top of the floor
finish to the top of the ceiling joists or, where there is not a ceiling, to the top of
the roof rafters.
5.11.3 Scope of Authority
The POD shall not restrict the owners rights relative to the underlying zoning districts.
However, if the owner elects to use the POD for development purposes, the development
shall conform to the requirements of the POD By-law.
5.11.4 Special Permit Granting Authority
34Source page 35
a. The Board of Appeals is hereby designated as the Special Permit Granting
Authority (SPGA) for all purposes relating to the POD. All special permit
applications shall conform to the standards and criteria of this Section and the
Board of Appeals’ Rules and Regulations governing the administration of
applications for special permits.
b. Under the POD, no building shall be constructed or externally enlarged, and no
use shall be expanded in ground area, or established in an existing building
except in conformity with a Site Development and Use Plan that bears the
endorsement of approval by the Board of Appeals. Requirements and
Procedures for approval shall be in accordance with Article III. Section 3.0 Site
Plan Approval.
c. Construction or operations under a building permit or a special permit shall
conform to any subsequent amendment of the Zoning By-law, unless the use or
construction is commenced within six months after the issuance of the permit
and such construction is continued through to completion as continuously and
expeditiously as is reasonable. Any appeal or litigation concerning the subject
development shall extend said six month period while such appeal or litigation is
pending.
5.11.5 Objectives
a. In addition to the specific criteria contained within this section, the SPGA shall
issue a special permit for development within the POD only after consideration
of the following criteria:
(1) adequacy of the site in terms of the size of the proposed use(s);
(2) adequacy of the provision of open space, its accessibility to the general
public, and/or its association with adjacent or proximate open space
areas;
(3) suitability of the site for the proposed uses(s);
(4) impact on traffic and pedestrian flow and safety;
(5) impact on the visual character of the neighborhood;
(6) adequacy of utilities, including sewage disposal, water supply and
storm water drainage;
(7) degree to which the proposed project complies with the goals of the
POD and the provisions of this section.
5.11.6 Uses Permitted
a. Within the POD, the following uses are allowed if authorized by a special permit
issued by the Board of Appeals:
(1) Apartment houses or buildings.
(2) Retail stores and offices including salesrooms and showrooms,
consumer service establishments, business and professional offices,
executive and administrative offices, banks and other institutions.
35Source page 36
(3) Restaurant and other on-premises eating and drinking establishments.
b. No building or structure shall be designed, arranged or constructed and no
building, structure or land shall be used, in whole or in part, for any purpose
other than for one or more of the uses herein set forth as permissible by special
permit.
5.11.7 Standards and Criteria
a. Minimum Lot Size
(1) The minimum lot size is 10,000 square feet of “buildable lot area”. The
lot must contain the “buildable lot area” in a single, contiguous site or
multiple sites separated only by a public way or public land within the
boundaries of the POD.
(2) No portion of a way or street, as defined by the by-law may be
included in computing the minimum required “buildable lot area”.
b. Lot Coverage
No building shall be constructed so as to cover, together with any other building
on the lot, more than fifty (50) percent of the “buildable lot area”.
c. Minimum Lot Frontage and Access
(1) Lots with 30,000 S.F. or less of “buildable lot area” shall have a
minimum frontage of __50____ feet and at least one means of
ingress/egress. Each means of ingress/egress shall have a continuous
frontage of not less than ___60__ feet.
(2) Lots with over 30,000 S.F. of “buildable lot area”
shall have a minimum frontage of fifty (50) feet and at least one means
of ingress/egress. Each means of ingress/egress shall have a continuous
frontage or not less than sixty feet.
5.11.8 Density
a. No building or structure shall be designed, arranged or constructed and
no building, structure or land shall be used, in whole or in part, which
exceeds the densities specified below for residential and non-residential
uses.
(1) One dwelling unit per 3500 S.F. of “buildable lot area”, plus
(2) Two thousand (2,000) gross square feet of non-residential floor area per
10,000 S.F. of “buildable lot area” or portion thereof.
(3) For the purpose of this section, “gross square feet of non-residential
floor area” means the total non-residential floor area contained within
exterior walls but does not include basement space used for heating and
utilities, storage or for automobile parking.
5.11.9 Setbacks and Yard Regulations for Buildings
36Source page 37
a. No building shall be constructed so as to be nearer to the line of any
street than the “required setback distance” or nearer to the side lines of
its lot than the “required side yard width” or nearer to the rear line of its
lot than the “required rear yard depth” specified below:
(1) Required Front Setback Distance 25 feet
(2) Required Side Yard Width N/A
(3) Required Rear Yard Depth 25 feet
b. The required setback distance shall be measured from the
nearest exterior line of the street in question.
c. No storage or display of goods, products, materials or
equipment, vending machines or similar commercial devices
shall be located nearer to the line of any street than the
permitted setback distance for a building on the lot.
d. No lot on which a building is located or the building itself
shall be reduced or changed in size or shape so that the
building or lot fails to comply with the “buildable lot area”,
frontage, building coverage, yard setbacks, or other
dimensional provisions of this Section.
5.11.10 Mitigation
In consideration of the increased density of population and intensity of uses
authorized by this Section 5.11, the Board may condition a special permit
granted under this Section 5.11 upon the applicant providing certain open space,
housing for persons of low or moderate income, traffic and/or pedestrian
improvements, and/or other amenities including but not limited to the
construction of offsite improvements and access to natural resources such as
bodies of water. Such open space shall have a shape, dimension, character and
location suitable to assure its use for park or open space purposes by the general
public, and fifty percent (50 %) of the land to be considered as Common Open
Land shall be contiguous or separated only by a public way or public land and
no piece of land to be included as part of the calculation of Common Open
Land, shall consist of a piece less than 200 square feet in size.
.
5.11.11 Height Regulations
No building shall be constructed to exceed forty (40) feet in height or a total of
four (4) stories (for commercial or residential use), whichever is lower.
5.11.12 PARKING REQUIREMENTS
a. In the POD, there shall be provided and maintained improved off-street
automobile parking in connection with the erection, establishment or
increase in units or dimensions of buildings, structures and uses, in the
following amounts:
(1) For dwelling units one parking space per each bedroom.
37Source page 38
(2) For restaurants and other on premises eating and drinking
establishments, not less than one (1) parking space for each six (6)
seats, subject to the discretion of the Zoning Board of Appeals to
require additional parking space. Where benches are used, not less than
one (1) parking space for each six (6) feet of bench, subject to the
discretion of the Zoning Board of Appeals to require additional parking
space.
(3) For retail stores and offices including salesrooms and
show rooms, consumer service establishments, public administration
buildings, business and professional offices, executive and
administrative offices, banks and other financial institutions one
parking space for each two hundred fifty (250) square feet of gross
floor area. For the purpose of this section, “gross floor area” means the
total floor area contained within exterior walls, but does not include
basement space used for heating and utilities, storage or for automobile
parking.
(4) Uses not listed herein under Parking Requirements, Subsections (A)
and (B) shall comply with the parking space requirements of the
Zoning By-law Section 4.0 Off-Street Parking.
(5) Below grade structured automobile parking shall be permitted within
the basements of buildings provided that such “structured basement”
automobile parking is exclusively reserved for motor vehicles of
residents or employees of the development.
Below grade structured parking may be designed to allow two cars to
park in “tandem”. In such cases, each of the two “tandem” parking
spaces shall be counted as providing a parking spaces for the purpose
of meeting the off street parking requirements of this by-law.
“Tandem” parking is defined as two parking spaces placed one behind
another in single file.
(6) In the case of mixed uses, the parking spaces required shall be the sum
of the requirement for the various individual uses, computed separately
in accordance with this section. Parking spaces for one use shall not be
considered as providing the required parking spaces for any other use
unless it can be clearly demonstrated to the Zoning Board that the need
for parking occurs at different times.
(7) A change in the use of the premises or in the configuration of the
building or lot subject to a special permit and site development and use
plan issued pursuant to this Section 5.11 shall require the special permit
holder to apply to the Board of Appeals for a modification of the
number of off street parking spaces required pursuant to such special
permit and plan if such change, alone or in combination with previous
changes, would require an increase or decrease of more than 10% in the
number of off street parking spaces required pursuant to this Section
5.11.
(8) Off-street automobile parking spaces, to the extent required in this
section, may be provided either on the same lot or premises with the
parking generator or on any lot or premises associated therewith a
substantial portion of which at least is within three hundred (300) feet
of the generator.
38Source page 39
(9) Off-street parking facilities and connecting drives between such
facilities and the street shall be designed to insure the safety and
convenience of persons traveling within or through the parking area,
and between the parking facility and the street. The provisions of
Section 4.06 Design Standards shall be considered the minimum
criteria for evaluating such design.
(10) In addition to the requirement for automobile parking spaces there shall
also be provided for each building or group of buildings sufficient off-
street loading space to insure that all loading operations take place off
the public way. Loading spaces and access drives leading to loading
spaces shall be so designed that vehicles to be loaded or unloaded are
not required to maneuver in the public way to enter or leave the
designated loading area. The provisions of Section 4.06.6 Loading
Areas shall be considered the minimum criteria for evaluating such
design.
5.11.13 Signs and Advertising Devices
The provisions of Section 4.1 Signs and Advertising devices is adopted for the regulation
and restriction of bill boards, signs and other advertising devices within the POD.
5.11.14 Certified Acoustical Barriers
No activity or use shall be allowed which causes exterior noise levels to exceed a day-
night average sound level of 65 decibels (65 L dn) at the lot line; no dwelling unit shall
be located where exterior noise levels exceed a day-night average sound level of 65
decibels (65 L dn); and no dwelling unit shall be constructed which allows interior noise
levels to exceed a day-night average sound level of 45 decibels (45 L dn). The day-night
average sound level (L dn) is the 24-hour average sound level, in decibels; resulting from
the accumulation of noise from all sources contributing to the external noise environment
of the site with 10 decibels added to sound levels occurring from 10:00AM to 7:00PM.
The day-night average sound level (L dn) shall be determined in accordance with The
Code of Federal Regulations, Title 24-Housing and Urban Development, Part 51-
Environmental Criteria and Standards (24 CFR 51).
5.11.15 Low And Moderate Income Units
At least fifteen percent (15%) of the dwelling units shall be deed restricted in perpetuity,
[except that for developments with four units or less, the Board may waive this
requirement]; for occupancy by persons earning not more than eighty percent of the area
median income as defined and regulated by the Commonwealth’s Department of Housing
and Community Development. Such affordable housing units shall be integrated into the
overall development so as to prevent the physical segregation of such units and otherwise
shall be indistinguishable from market rate units except in size and interior finishing and
appliances.
5.11.16 Preference
As a condition of approval, the Board of Appeals shall require that Canton residents be
given first preference in the purchase or renting of affordable units, to the maximum
extent allowable under applicable law. The fees for all services will be negotiated
between the Authority and the Developer, within the POD Development as provided for
in 5.66.11 and 5.66.11 A.
39Source page 40
5.11.17 Canton Housing Authority
For those dwelling units specified as affordable, the Board of Appeals shall require that,
to the maximum extent allowable under applicable law, the Canton Housing Authority be
given priority to be the agency chosen to monitor the selection process of residents.
5.11.18 Traffic Calming
Notwithstanding anything stated in the Zoning By-law to the contrary, no traffic calming
provisions shall apply to any special permit issued under this POD By-law.
Board of Selectmen
Article 10: The Finance Committee recommendation is as follows:
MOVED: That the subject matter of this article be postponed indefinitely.
VOTE: 9-0-0
FINANCE COMMITTEE DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee recommends postponement
of this article. The Board of Selectmen created this proposed change to the zoning with input from a
developer who has shown interest in re-developing the site of the Plymouth Rubber Company. However at
the time of our action, the Board of Selectmen and developer had yet to arrive at any firm agreement and
the status of negotiations is unknown. Furthermore, it was not communicated to the Finance Committee
that either the Planning Board or the abutters of the Plymouth Rubber Company property were consulted on
the details of this article.
In light of this, we believe that action on this proposed change to the town by-laws is premature. It should
be noted that the proposed zoning by-law change contemplated by this article competes with Article 12
(sponsored by the Planning Board). While there are similarities between the two articles there are
important differences as well. It remains the preference of the Finance Committee that a single article be
presented to Town Meeting on this important and historic property situated in the heart of Canton Center.
We continue to hope that the Board of Selectman and the Planning Board will be able to work out their
differences in the time leading up to town meeting and present the Town with a workable zoning by-law
that can be supported by the Town.
PLANNING BOARD DISCUSSION: The Planning Board voted 4-0 to send an unfavorable
recommendation. The Board believes this Article is not in harmony with the Canton Masterplan nor
protective of the surrounding neighborhood. Therefore, the Board voted 4-0 to send an unfavorable
recommendation.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
ARTICLE 11
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO ZONING BY-LAW BY ADDING A NEW SUBSECTION 2.15.2F –
SPECIAL PERMIT FOR OUTSIDE STORAGE IN LIMITED INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT
Article 11 To see if the Town will vote to amend the Town’s Zoning By-Law as most recently amended,
by adding a new Subsection 2.15.2F as follows or to take any other action in relation thereto:
Section 2.15.2F: In a Limited Industrial District the Board of Appeals may, in a specific case,
issue a special permit for outside storage provided that the land area for such use consist of at least four
contiguous acres, that such use is not dangerous to the vicinity through fire, explosion, emission of wastes
40