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Canton Town Meeting — 2004-ATM-WARRANT
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING ARTICLES
1 Elect a Moderator
2 Adopt rules to govern Town Meeting
3 Hear the reports of committees appointed at prior town meetings
4 “Consent Agenda”
5 Collective bargaining agreements under School Committee
6 Collective bargaining agreements under the Board of Selectmen
7 Set salaries of Elected Officers
8 Pay bills of any prior fiscal year
9 Supplement fiscal ’04 appropriations to town departments and the school department
10 Transfer unexpended prior year appropriations
11 Authorize Finance Director to execute contracts for more than three years
12 Authorize certain revolving funds under c. 44, section 53E ½
13 “Omnibus” capital article
14 Revoke c. 40, section 8A to disband Canton Development & Industrial Commission and
create Economic Development Committee
15 Accept provisions of c. 148, section 26G for sprinkler system in nonresidential buildings
16 Accept provisions of c. 148, section 26H for sprinkler system in boarding houses
17 Accept provisions of c. 148, section 26I for sprinkler system in multiple dwelling units
18 Amend Article 50, motion 10 and 11 of ATM 1999 to remove dollar amount limitations for
borrowing
19 Authorize Board of Selectmen to acquire land abutting Neponset River
20 Authorize Board of Selectmen to accept in lieu of foreclosure land on Kenney/Washington
Street
21 Establish Storm Water Enterprise Account
22 Authorize Board of Selectmen to acquire parcel on Culloden Drive
23 Authorize Board of Selectmen to acquire land or easements for Green Lodge Interceptor
Sewer
24 Amend Article 41 motion of ATM 2002 to authorize Board of Selectmen to acquire land or
easements for proposed improvements to intersections on Route 138
25 Amend general by-laws for Fees for Sealing of Weighing and Measuring Devices and Fees
for Yard Sales
26 Request Town’s general court representatives to seek special home rule legislation relative to
the appointment of retired police officers
27 Authorize Board of Selectmen to dispose of land in Stoughton and petition General Court
regarding home rule petition
28 Accept layout and definition of Hunter Lane
29 Accept provisions of St. 1989 c. 653 Mass General Laws ch. 59 section 2A(a) regarding real
estate assessment
30 Authorize Board of Selectmen to dispose of structure at 1476 Washington Street
31 Amend general by-laws of town regarding the title of the dog officer
32 Accept provisions of Chapter 64G of the Mass General Laws to establish a local hotel
occupancy tax
33 Amend general by-laws of town regarding the delivery of the Annual Town Report
34 Amend general by-laws of town regarding the title of the Executive Secretary
35 Amend Article 39 of ATM 2003 and replace current text of anti-smoking by-law
36 Amend town’s zoning map by changing designation of land abutting Ledgewood Drive and
Woodcliff Road
37 Amend town’s zoning map by changing designation of land located at 59 Walpole Street
38 Amend town’s zoning by-law for mixed used overlay district
39 Amend town’s zoning map by placing certain parcels along Royall Avenue and Davenport
Avenue into mixed use overlay district
40 Amend town’s zoning map for 140 Will Drive to limited industrial
2004 ATM WARRANT FINAL.doc 1Source page 2
41 Amend town’s zoning map by changing designation of land on Randolph Street to Single
Residence B
42 Amend town’s zoning map by inserting new section creating Turnpike Street Overlay
Business District
43 Amend town’s zoning map by placing parcels of land at 925-955 Turnpike Street in the
Turnpike Street Overlay Business District
44 Amend town’s zoning map by changing designation of 27 parcels of land along Revere and
Lincoln Streets
45 Rescind vote of Article 37 of ATM 2001regarding age limit for appointment to fire and police
departments
46 Amend town’s zoning by-law relative to signs and advertising devices
47 Amend town’s zoning map referencing designation of Canton Center Economic Opportunity
District
48 Amend town’s zoning by- law referencing parking requirements in the Canton Center
Economic Opportunity Center
49 Amend town’s zoning by-law by redefining buildable lot area with the CCEOD
50 Amend town’s zoning by law by inserting new section for affordable housing units in the
CCEOD
51 Amend town’s zoning by-law referencing common open land in the CCEOD
52 Amend town’s zoning by-law by inserting new section requiring certified acoustical barriers
in CCEOD
53 Amend town’s general by-laws referencing Town Clerk fee setting
54 Authorize Board of Selectmen to enter into Tax Increment Financing Plan for 42 Dan Road
55 Appropriate funds for acquiring additional public open space known as the Indian Council
Rock Lot
56 Appropriate insurance proceeds for Library
57 Appropriate funds for municipal override
58 Authorize Board of Selectmen to accept well-use restriction at Blue Hill Country Club
59 Amend town’s by-laws referencing dog and kennel licenses and fees
60 Authorize purchase or eminent domain taking of land located at rear of 230-250 Turnpike
Street
61 General appropriation article
62 Appropriate through transfer or borrowing sum of money to enter into a contract with the
Norfolk County Regional Fire and Rescue Dispatch Center
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FINANCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Bob Lash, Chairman Dianne Gustafson
Jonathan Arata David Hofferberth
Leonard Barnett Ted Powell
Sepp Bergschneider Joan Schottenfeld
Sarah Bunt Paul Weitz
John Friel Janet Bourikas, Secretary
A SPECIAL THANKS
Thank you to the many individuals and committees who assisted in the preparation of the warrant for the
Annual Town Meeting. The Finance Committee could not have done it without the help, cooperation, and
dedication of these people.
Mr. Jim Murgia, our finance director, has always worked in the best interest of the town, for the present and
the future. As our primary liaison between the finance committee and the town, he has worked diligently
for the common good in these particularly difficult economic times.
The Board of Selectmen, School Committee, Capital Planning Committee, the Planning Board and other
elected boards and appointed commissions of the town all participate in the preparation of the warrant for
Town Meeting. I would especially like to thank the Capital Planning Committee for their willingness to
work closely with the Finance Committee and analyze the many scenarios from many different angles to
leave no stone unturned. I would also like to thank the Superintendent of Schools, Executive Secretary,
Town Counsel, and all of the town department heads for their role in preparing the budget. It was another
particularly difficult budget to prepare, a second year of cuts in a row. We also wish to express our
appreciation to Ms. Ellen Arsenault, Ms. Susan McGowan, and Ms. Janet Bourikas for their secretarial
assistance provided to the Finance Committee this year.
Thank you to the members of the Finance Committee for their willingness to sacrifice their personal time,
especially in the winter months prior to Town Meeting. We all work well together to gather and share all
available facts to make the most informed decisions for the common good.
Sincerely
Bob Lash, Chairman
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FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT This Town Meeting will consider 62 Warrant Articles. These articles cover a variety of topics, including the annual Town operating and enterprise budgets, zoning and planning issues, and major capital project issues. The Town Meeting’s actions on these issues will have major impact on the growth and development of the Town as well as the quality of the Town’s facilities and financial stability. As in past years, this report and the reports of the Capital Planning Committee and Planning Board attempt to provide you with the background information needed to understand our recommendations. CURRENT BUDGET YEAR STATUS Fortunately, we expect to end the current fiscal year with somewhat better than expected revenue and expenditure results. We anticipate that the shortfall between budgeted revenues and expenditures will be approximately $1.5 million, an improvement over the $3.2 million shortfall projected for FY04. The improvement resulted from less drastic cuts in state aid than projected when the budget was finalized last spring, greater new growth than projected by the Board of Assessors, and fewer abatements than projected. While the somewhat better results are good news, the Town should understand clearly that we are still facing a serious shortfall between revenues and expenditures, and are using up our free cash reserves to fund the shortfall. REVENUE PROJECTION FOR FY05 The Finance Committee is projecting less growth in revenues for FY05 than in most previous years in some of our major revenue sources. State Aid The State’s financial situation has improved slightly during the past year. However the State is still grappling with its budget deficit and with many of the same expenses increases that towns across the state are facing. Based on information from the Governor’s House 1 budget and the advice of our local legislators we are projecting that State Aid will be level funded for FY05. In the past two years State Aid to the Town was cut by $1 million. New Growth The Board of Assessors has recommended that we budget growth in the tax levy from new construction at $500,000 for FY05. With the recent revaluation of real estate, the tax rate was lowered, and they project that the lower tax rate will result in somewhat lower new growth amounts for FY05. Investment Income Interest rate on investments remained low as the Federal Reserve maintained low rates in an attempt to stimulate the economy. The Town benefits from lower rates when bonding capital projects, but the lower rates have also resulted in lower investment income in FY04 than in previous years. Investment income remains flat at $250,000 in our budget projection for FY05. Auto Excise Tax We do not anticipate any large increases in other revenue sources for FY05 except for a $200,000 increase in auto excise receipts. Fees Both the School Committee and the Board of Selectmen have recommended fee increases for next year for various programs and activities. These fee increases will offset expense increases in both the School Department and Municipal Departments’ budgets. The fees were necessary to avoid even larger budget cuts than were made for FY05. However, because the fee increases were offset by expense increases, they have not improved the overall financial position of the Town. Levy Increase An increase of $928,814 in the levy is allowed by Proposition 2 ½ for FY05 and the Finance Committee recommends using the entire increase allowed. The levy will also increase by an estimated $2.1 million due to debt exclusion overrides. The Town issued bonds for the library and high school projects so principal and interest payments will begin in fiscal 2005. 2004 ATM WARRANT FINAL.doc 4
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Total Revenue Increase Projected for FY05
With the levy increase and increases in the various revenue sources outlined above the projected increase in
budgeted General Fund revenue from FY04 to FY05 is $4.6 million.
EXPENSE PROJECTION FOR FY05
Contractual Obligations for Salary Increases
No new collective bargaining agreements or Town employment contracts have been negotiated for FY05.
However, even without new contracts and any cost of living or merit increases, the contractual obligation
for FY05 is projected to be $921,662 for step, lane, longevity and other increases which are included in
current contracts and carry over into FY05.
The increases for FY05 for all Town employees are:
• Municipal $200,000
• Schools $721,662
Fixed Costs
Fixed costs are increasing in a number of areas, including health insurance, long and short term debt
service, tuition for Blue Hills Vocational Technical School, Norfolk County Retirement, Town Insurance
and Trash Collection.
Health Insurance
Health insurance costs for Town employees and retirees is projected to increase by $1 million for FY05.
This increase is of particular concern to the Finance Committee. The increase in health insurance costs
exceeds the levy increase allowed by Prop. 2 ½ and is not sustainable on a continuing basis. Large
percentage increases in health insurance are common for towns and private industry alike. The Town is
currently investigating viable alternatives to help reduce these increases. The cooperation of Town
employees and retirees will be needed to find viable alternatives.
Long and Short Term Debt Service
As planned capital projects are completed (Library, Public Safety Facility, High School) our overall debt
service both inside and outside the levy will increase. The increase in long term debt service for FY05 is
$2,610,000, which includes permanent bonding for the Library, Public Safety Facility and approximately
one half of the cost of the High School. The permanent bonding was issued in March. Also in March, the
Town refinanced the 1999 bonds with a lower interest rate, saving approximately $225,000 over the life of
the bonds.
Funding for debt service for the Library and High School projects outside the levy is provided for by levy
increases that are in addition to the annual increase allowed by Prop. 2 ½. Increases for debt service for the
Library and High School projects have not contributed to the Town’s structural deficit because the costs
have been funded by the tax increase approved by the voters. Funding for debt service for other capital
projects is within the 6% of the budget set aside for capital projects.
Total Fixed Cost Increases
With minor increases and decreases to other fixed costs, the net result is that the Town’s fixed costs are
estimated to increase by $4,240,000 in FY05.
FREE CASH TO BE USED TO BALANCE FY05 BUDGET
The amount of free cash certified for FY02 was $6.5 million. The next two fiscal years drew the balance
down to $4.6 million. We anticipate that the FY05 budget, even with all the cuts that have been made and
the fees that have been implemented will decrease the free cash reserve by almost $1.8 million. We remain
steadfast in our recommendation that the Town hold in reserve as much free cash as possible to deal with
probable budget deficits that we anticipate will occur in the next few years as a result of huge increases in
health insurance costs and stagnant state aid. It is also necessary to maintain a floor of at least 5% of
revenues for our cash reserves in order to sustain a favorable bond rating.
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BUDGET PLANNING AND FUNDING FOR FY05 The Finance Committee set a target budget amount for FY05 that was 5% less than FY04, for both the Municipal and School Departments. We then added the contractual obligation amount of $921,662 to the target. The School Committee and Board of Selectmen both met the target budget amount by a combination of budget cuts and fee increases. As a result the net budget for FY 05 for the Municipal Departments is decreased by 1.2% from FY04. The net budget for the School Department is decreased by 1.0% from FY04. The Board of Selectmen and the School Committee had to make very difficult choices to meet the target budgets. During FY04 both the Municipal and School Departments had to reduce staff. Most of the reductions were made by attrition, not filling the positions of employees who retired, or by filling the positions with part time employees rather than full time employees. For FY05 additional staff reductions have been built into the budgets, in addition to fee increases. It may not be possible for the School Department to make all of their cuts through attrition, and layoffs of school staff are a distinct possibility for FY05. Despite the fact that the operating budgets of the Municipal and School Departments have decreased from FY04, the overall Town budget will increase by 7.7%, because of the increase in fixed costs. THE CAPITAL BUDGET The Capital Planning Committee has held many meetings with Town Boards and Department heads to assess the capital needs of the Town. Their report is included in this Warrant and should be reviewed carefully, along with Article 13 which spells out the capital projects recommended for funding this year. The CPC continues to improve the planning process every year. The municipal departments and the School Department have five-year projections of their capital funding within the levy, along with projects that are needed but can not be funded without a Proposition 2-1/2 override. They have begun to carefully prioritize their needs for the next five years. The Town attempts to allocate 6% of recurring revenues to the Capital Budget each year. The Town first pays debt service on all existing debt within the levy from this amount. The remaining capital funds are then allocated for new capital projects. Certain projects are appropriated for bonding under specific guidelines from the Finance Director. The Town pays cash for capital items with a shorter useful life, such as computers or police cars. The Capital Planning Committee has released $225,000 from this usual goal to help fund the operating budget. This is a one-year change in policy. The Finance Committee has agreed with the recommendations of the Capital Planning Committee. ZONING ARTICLES We are happy to report that the Planning Board has met and voted on the zoning articles in this year’s warrant. The Finance Committee applauds their efforts of discussing these issues prior to the printing of the warrant. IN CONCLUSION… We have been and will continue to face budget constraints for the next several years. Prudent spending with fiscal restraint is necessary at these times. The Finance Committee will work with all elected and appointed Town officials in determining the best course of action for the Town. We hope that this narrative summary, the discussion provided for each Warrant article, and the report of the Capital Planning Committee are helpful to you as you prepare for Town Meeting. You, the voter, have the ultimate responsibility to make the final decisions as to what is in the best interest of the Town and all its citizens. See you at Town Meeting on April 26th. Respectfully Submitted Bob Lash Finance Committee Chairman 2004 ATM WARRANT FINAL.doc 6
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TOWN FINANCE TERMINOLOGY The terms below are frequently used in the annual Town report and at Town Meetings. In order to provide everyone with a better understanding of their meanings, the following definitions are provided: APPROPRIATE: To authorize spending. Once an appropriation for a budget or article has been made by Town Meeting, the appropriation can only be changed by another Town Meeting. There is one exception-a transfer from the Reserve Fund. CHERRY SHEET: A financial statement from the State, printed on cherry-colored paper which itemizes State disbursements due the Town, and the State and County charge to the Town, usually resulting in a net receipt of funds. It is the basis for the amounts which appear in the Finance Committee forecast of Revenue and Expenditure. ENTERPRISE RESERVE: (Retained Earnings) This fund balance represents the amount to be used, by a vote of Town Meeting, for operating cost offsets, funding capital improvements and reimbursing the General Fund for prior year funding. EXCESS LEVY CAPACITY: The difference between the “levy” and the “levy limit.” FREE CASH RESERVE: (Surplus) Certified annually by the State Bureau of Accounts. This fund may be used by a vote of the Town Meeting. LEVY LIMIT: The maximum amount of tax levy in any given year. The levy limit is based on the previous year’s levy limit plus 2 1/2% plus new growth, and not the previous year’s actual levy. LOCAL RECEIPTS: Money collected by the various Town departments (e.g. auto excise tax) and used to balance the Town’s budget. MUNICIPAL REVENUE: All town income not earmarked for a specific purpose. For Revenue and Expense projections, Municipal Revenue does not include water, sewer or rink revenue. OVERLAY: The amount raised by the Assessors in excess of appropriations, primarily for the purpose of creating a fund to cover abatements. OVERLAY RESERVE: This is the accumulated amount of the Overlay for various years not used or required to be held in the specific Overlay accounts for a given year. The Assessors control release of funds in the Overlay reserve that exceed pending tax liability. OVERRIDE: An override increases the amount of property taxes (levy) beyond the limit placed by Proposition 2 ½. An override from a debt exclusion increases the levy as long as principal and interest payments are made on a capital project. A general (operating/operational) override increases the levy by the amount stated on the ballot. Once approved, it is included in the tax rate. RAISE: To tax. The tax rate is set by the Assessors after the Annual Town Meeting and after receipt of the “Cherry Sheet.” RESERVE FUND: This fund is established by the voters at an Annual Town Meeting, and may be composed of an appropriation, money transferred from the Overlay Reserve, or both. Transfers from the Reserve Fund are within the control of the Finance Committee, and are for “extraordinary and unforeseen expenditures.” STABILIZATION FUND: The fund is established by the voters for future uses. A Town Meeting vote is required for its use towards a “borrowing article” and/or for “any lawful purpose.” TAX LEVY: (LEVY): The revenue a community can raise through real estate and personal property taxes. 2004 ATM WARRANT FINAL.doc 7
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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 in the hall 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. 2004 ATM WARRANT FINAL.doc 8
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NOTE TO ALL VOTERS CONCERNING
TOWN MEETING PROCEDURES
At the 1990 Annual Town Meeting a by-law was adopted which requires that almost all warrant articles
be acted upon in the order they are drawn by a lottery, not the order they appear in the warrant. There are
certain exceptions, however, to the lottery system. The following should help you understand how the
Town Meeting works:
Town Meeting will be opened by the Town Clerk. A Moderator will be elected (Article 1); procedures to
govern Town Meeting will be adopted (Article 2); and reports of all outstanding committees will be
received (Article 3).
After these three articles have been acted upon, all subsequent articles, except Article 61 (the FY 2005
proposed annual operating budget), will be voted on in the order in which they are drawn by the Town
Clerk. There are instances, however, where the Moderator may declare that for some legal or technical
reason a particular article or articles must be considered in some other sequence.
The proposed annual operating budget cannot be acted upon until all matters which affect it have been
acted upon, specifically, all collective bargaining agreements, proposed changes in the personnel wage and
compensation schedule and any warrant article that calls for an expenditure. This may mean that the
proposed annual operating budget will, in fact, be the last article acted upon at the Annual Town Meeting.
It is hoped that this brief explanation will be helpful to you in understanding the lottery system under
which the Town Meeting is currently operated.
2004 ATM WARRANT FINAL.doc 9Source page 10
Town Meeting Articles
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 on the Brayton School Campus, in the Atkins Auditorium of the
Massachusetts Hospital School, 3 Randolph Street in said town on
MONDAY THE TWENTY-SIXTH DAY
OF APRIL, 2004
at half past seven o'clock in the evening for the annual town meeting at which time and place the following
articles are to be acted upon:
ARTICLE 1
ELECT A MODERATOR
Article 1 To elect a Moderator to preside at this Town Meeting and to serve until the Annual Town
Meeting in 2005, or to take any other action in relation thereto.
Board of Selectmen
VOTE: 8-0-0
ARTICLE 2
ADOPT RULES TO GOVERN TOWN MEETING
Article 2 To see if the town will vote to adopt certain procedures to govern the conduct of the 2004
annual town meeting, or to take any other action in relation thereto.
2004 ATM WARRANT FINAL.doc 10Source page 11
Board of Selectmen
Article 2: The Finance Committee recommendations are as follows:
Motion #1
MOVED: That this 2004 Annual Town Meeting meet on consecutive Monday and Wednesday
evenings (but not including Monday, May 31st) in the Atkins Auditorium , Brayton School Campus until
the business of this Annual 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 nearly that hour as may be feasible, according to the
nature of the business pending at the said hour.
VOTE: 8-0-0
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 Annual Town Meeting, except the right to vote, under any article of this warrant which affects
matters within their jurisdiction:
Tony Andreotti, Veterans’ Services Director
John Ciccotelli, Director of Public Health
Paul R. DeRensis, Town Counsel
Michael Diorio, Town Accountant
Daniel Donahue, Town Engineer
Bernard Fallon, Superintendent of Buildings & Grounds
William T. Friel, Town Executive Secretary
Louis Jutras, Information Systems Manager
Irene Kaplan, Superintendent of Schools
Jeffrey Kaylor, Recreation Director
Mark Lague, Library Director
Kenneth Leon, Business Manager, School Department
Elizabeth Lewis, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, 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
Michael Trotta, Superintendent of Public Works
Diane Tynan-Corletto, Director of Council on Aging
John Wieliczki, Director of Assessing
VOTE: 8-0-0
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__________
2004 ATM WARRANT FINAL.doc 11Source page 12
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: 8-0-0
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__________
Motion #4
MOVED: That during this town meeting the procedure under each warrant article shall be as
follows:
1. The moderator shall announce the number of the warrant article which is to be taken up next and shall
announce the page of the report of the Finance Committee on which the warrant article is printed.
2. The reading of each warrant article will be waived but the moderator may, in his discretion, read or
summarize the scope of the warrant article.
3. The moderator shall (with certain exceptions) first recognize under each warrant article the chair of the
Finance Committee who (with certain exceptions) will move the recommendation of the Finance
Committee as it appears in the printed report (without reading the same aloud).
4. If a warrant article involves a zoning matter the chair of the Finance Committee will defer his report
until the report of the Planning Board has been received.
VOTE: 8-0-0
DISCUSSION: This motion formalizes procedures which have been used in the past to assure the orderly
presentation and discussion of warrant articles.
APPROVED__________DISAPPROVED__________
ARTICLE 3
HEAR REPORTS OF COMMITTEES APPOINTED AT PRIOR TOWN MEETINGS
Article 3 To hear the reports of all committees, appointed at previous town meetings which have
not yet been discharged, or to take any other action in relation thereto.
Board of Selectmen
2004 ATM WARRANT FINAL.doc 12Source page 13
Article 3: That the Finance Committee recommendation is as follows:
MOVED: That the Town meeting hear reports of all committees appointed at previous Town
Meetings which have been discharged as follows:
ADA Transition Plan Implementation Committee
ATM 1999, Article 10
Senior/Community Center Committee
ATM 2000, Article 17
Master Plan Steering Committee
ATM 2000, Article 33
Community Preservation Study Committee
ATM 2001, Article 38
Revere Barn Study Committee
ATM 2001, Article 25
Ponkapoag School Restoration Committee
ATM 2002, Article 40
Building A Use Study Committee
ATM 2003, Article 36
VOTE: 8-0-0
APPROVED__________DISAPPROVED__________
ARTICLE 4
ACT ON “CONSENT AGENDA”
Article 4 To see if the town will vote to dispose of certain articles in this warrant by a single vote,
in accordance with a, so-called, consent agenda, or to take any other action in relation thereto.
Board of Selectmen
Article 4: The Finance Committee recommendation is as follows:
MOVED: That the Finance Committee motions pursuant to Articles 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 21, 22, 25,
28, 31, 53, 58, 59 be adopted as printed.
VOTE: 11-0-0
DISCUSSION: In 2000, Town Meeting used a new approach to handling certain articles that come before
Town meeting. Routine, non-controversial articles were bundled together and acted upon by a single
motion, thus saving the time taken in the past to act on each one individually. This year, the Finance
2004 ATM WARRANT FINAL.doc 13Source page 14
Committee, in conjunction with the moderator and Board of Selectmen, has reviewed the entire warrant and
feel that the articles listed above meet the criteria.
APPROVED__________DISAPPROVED__________
ARTICLE 5
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS UNDER SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Article 5 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/School Committee
Article 5: The Finance Committee recommendation is as follows:
MOVED: That the subject matter of this article be postponed indefinitely.
VOTE: 8-0-0
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee voted unanimously to postpone this article indefinitely. The
Committee’s voted was based on the fact that the town and labor unions representing employees in the
school department have not reached an agreement on terms and conditions of their next contract as of the
deadline for posting the contract before town meeting.
APPROVED__________DISAPPROVED__________
ARTICLE 6
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS UNDER THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Article 6 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 6: The Finance Committee recommendation is as follows:
2004 ATM WARRANT FINAL.doc 14Source page 15
MOVED: That the subject matter of this article be postponed indefinitely.
VOTE: 8-0-0
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee voted unanimously to postpone this article indefinitely. The
Committee’s vote was based on the fact that the town and labor unions representing employees in the
municipal departments have not reached an agreement on terms and conditions of their next contract as of
the deadline for posting the contract before town meeting.
APPROVED__________DISAPPROVED__________
ARTICLE 7
SET SALARIES OF ELECTED OFFICERS
Article 7 To see if the town will vote, in accordance with the provisions of section one hundred
and eight of chapter forty-one (MGL chapter 41, §108) to fix the salary and compensation of all elected
officers of the town, or to take any other action in relation thereto.
Board of Selectmen
Article 7: The Finance Committee recommendation is as follows:
MOVED: That the salary and compensation for all elected officials of the town be fixed, as follows:
(full time positions)
Town Clerk $52,634.00 (an increase of $0.00)
(part time positions)
Board of Assessors $2,400.00, for each member
Board of Health $ 600.00, for each member
Board of Selectmen $1,400.00, for each member, with an additional $200.00 to chairperson
School Committee $ 0.00
Planning Board $ 0.00
VOTE: 8-0-0
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee unanimously supports this article. The Committee’s vote was
based on the need to set the salaries for the town clerk and other elected officials who otherwise would not
be compensated for their services needed by the town.
APPROVED__________DISAPPROVED__________
2004 ATM WARRANT FINAL.doc 15Source page 16
ARTICLE 8
PAY BILLS OF PRIOR FISCAL YEAR
Article 8 To see if the town will vote to appropriate from any available funds any sum or sums of
money to pay any unpaid bills of any prior fiscal year, or to take any other action in relation thereto.
Board of Selectmen
Article 8: The Finance Committee recommendation is as follows:
MOVED: That the subject matter of this article be postponed indefinitely.
VOTE: 7-0-0
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee unanimously voted to postpone indefinitely this article. At the
time of the meeting of March 18, 2004, there were no known bills to be paid.
APPROVED__________DISAPPROVED__________
ARTICLE 9
SUPPLEMENT FISCAL ‘04 ACCOUNTS
Article 9 To see if the town will vote to appropriate from any available funds, or to transfer from
one line item to another, any sum or sums of money for the purpose of supplementing appropriations made
for the fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2003 and ending on June 30, 2004 under article 38 of the warrant
for the 2003 annual town meeting, or to take any other action in relation thereto.
Board of Selectmen/School Committee
Article 9: The Finance Committee recommendation is as follows:
MOVED: That the appropriations made for the fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2003 and ending on
June 30, 2004 under article 38 of the warrant for the 2003 annual town meeting be supplemented, as
follows:
1. The sum of $120,772 be appropriated to the Fire Department’s salaries account (#12201-
51300) by transfer from the Ambulance Service account (Fund #170).
2. The sum of $18,099 be appropriated to the Street Lighting account (#14222-52101) by
transfer from the Debt Service account (#17522-59250).
3. The sum of $54,449 be appropriated to the Blue Hills Regional account (#18402-56991) by
transfer from the Debt Service account (#17522-59250).
4. The sum of $20,493 be appropriated to the Town Insurance account (#19462-57409) by
transfer from the Debt Service account (#17522-59250),.
VOTE: 7-0-0
2004 ATM WARRANT FINAL.doc 16Source page 17
Motion #1
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee unanimously supports this motion. Overtime costs due to
injuries in the line of duty and other personnel shortages are projected to exceed the present appropriation
in the FY04 budget. The Finance Committee with the Finance Director have reviewed the request with the
Chief of the Fire Department and feel it is in line due to the current situation.
Motion #2
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee unanimously supports this motion. The current expenses for
street lighting are expected to exceed the present appropriation. Further review of this expense is ongoing
and we feel that future expenses should be in line with appropriation. Fortunately, we have funds available
from Debt Service where interest rates have been lower than previously budgeted.
Motion #3
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee unanimously supports this motion. Last year, there were major
changes in the state funding process for regional technical schools which drove up the costs borne by the
local towns. Members of the Finance Committee and the Finance Director meet with representatives from
the Blue Hills Regional Vocational School as they prepare their budget. The last town meeting
appropriated the best estimate of our assessment from the regional school at that time. We support our
local vocational school, but have shared our concern about their rising assessments. Fortunately, we have
funds available from Debt Service where interest rates have been lower than previously budgeted.
Motion #4
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee unanimously supports this motion. Insurance premiums
continue to rise. Several renewal premiums have pushed the expenditure for town insurance beyond the
present appropriation in the FY04 budget. Fortunately, we have funds available from Debt Service where
interest rates have been lower than previously budgeted.
APPROVED__________DISAPPROVED__________
ARTICLE 10
TRANSFER UNEXPENDED PRIOR YEAR APPROPRIATIONS
Article 10 To see if the town will vote to transfer the unexpended balance of certain appropriations
made under various articles in the warrants for prior town meetings, or to take any other action in relation
thereto.
Board of Selectmen
Article 10: The Finance Committee recommendation is as follows:
MOVED: That the unexpended balances of certain appropriations made under various articles in the
warrant for prior town meetings be transferred to the fiscal year 2004 budget to be spent in fiscal year 2004
as follows:
1. The sum of $4,663.00 be transferred from the high school gym bleachers account (Fund #344)
to the Recreation Account (Fund #130).
2. The sum of $6,661.79 be transferred from the Chapman/Neponset Street Intersection account
(Fund #337) to the Street and Sidewalk Improvements account (Fund #337).
2004 ATM WARRANT FINAL.doc 17Source page 18
3. The sum of $62,152.37 be transferred from the Trayer Road Pumping Station (Fund #613)
and the sum of $10,001.61 be transferred from the Algonquin Road Sewers account (Fund
#620) and the sum of $86,976.62 be transferred from the Wardwell Well account (Fund #655)
to the Wardwell Gravity Sewer Project account (Fund #613) for a total of $159,130.60.
4. The sum of $9,049.07 be transferred from the Water Phase 2 account (Fund #650) and the
sum of $11,660.30 be transferred from the Water Backhoe account (Fund #656) to the Water
Surplus account (Fund #640) for a total of $20,709.37.
5. The sum of $237,672.20 be transferred from the Replace AC Pipe account (Fund #656) to the
Water System Improvements (Walpole Street) account (Fund #650).
6. The sum of $150,000 be transferred from the Retirement Buyback Trust account (Fund #864)
to the Workers’ Compensation account (Fund 863).
7. The sum of $100,000 be transferred from the Insurance Proceeds over $20,000 account (Fund
#173) to the Memorial Hall Roof Damage account (#11924-58939).
VOTE: 7-0-0
Motion #1
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee unanimously supports this motion. The high school gym
bleachers project was completed with a small balance remaining. The Finance Committee with the Finance
Director recommend that these funds should be transferred to a fund of a related nature.
Motion #2
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee unanimously supports this motion. The Chapman St. Neponset
St. project was completed with a small balance remaining. The Finance Committee with the Finance
Director recommend that these funds should be transferred to a fund of a related nature.
Motion #3
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee unanimously supports this motion. The Trayer Road pump
station project, Algonquin Road Sewer project and Wardwell Road Well project were completed with
balances remaining. The Finance Committee with the Finance Director recommend that these funds should
be transferred to a fund of a related nature. This additional funding should be sufficient to complete the
Wardwell Road Gravity Sewer project.
Motion #4
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee unanimously supports this motion. The Water Phase 2 project
and the purchase of the backhoe for the water department were completed with a small balance remaining.
The Finance Committee with the Finance Director recommend that these funds should be transferred to a
fund that is presently less than a desired level.
Motion #5
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee unanimously supports this motion. The project for replacing AC
pipe was completed with a balance remaining. The Finance Committee with the Finance Director
recommend that these funds should be transferred to a fund of a related nature.
Motion #6
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee unanimously supports this motion. The present fund balance for
retirement buybacks is considered higher than present or near future needs. The Finance Committee with
the Finance Director recommend that the current balance for Workers’ Compensation fund, a self-funded
program, is dangerously low and should be raised.
2004 ATM WARRANT FINAL.doc 18Source page 19
Motion #7
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee unanimously supports this motion. Town meeting must
authorize the Board of Selectmen to spend any insurance proceeds over $20,000. The Sherman Street
entrance overhang suffered severe damage this winter. With the approval of this motion, the town can
proceed with the repairs and pay the contractor.
APPROVED__________DISAPPROVED__________
ARTICLE 11
AUTHORIZE CONTRACTS OF MORE THAN THREE YEARS DURATION
Article 11 To see if the town will vote, in accordance with the provisions of section twelve (b) of
chapter thirty B, [MGL chapter 30B, §12(b)], to authorize the finance director (in his capacity as chief
procurement officer) to solicit and award contracts for terms of more than three years, provided in each
such instance the longer term is determined to be in the best interest of the town by a vote of the board of
selectmen, or to take any other action in relation thereto.
Board of Selectmen
Article 11: The Finance Committee recommendation is as follows:
MOVED: That, in accordance with the provisions of section twelve (b) of chapter thirty B, [MGL
chapter 30B, §12(b)], the Finance Director (in his capacity as chief procurement officer) be authorized to
solicit and award contracts for terms of more than three years, provided in each such instance the longer
term is determined to be in the best interest of the town by a vote of the Board of Selectmen.
VOTE: 8-0-0
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee unanimously supports this article. From time to time, it is the
best interest of the town to enter into contracts with a duration exceeding three years. The Finance
Director, as Chief Procurement Officer, should have the authority necessary to pursue these contracts.
APPROVED__________DISAPPROVED__________
ARTICLE 12
AUTHORIZE CERTAIN REVOLVING FUNDS
Article 12 To see what revolving funds pursuant to c. 44, section 53E ½ of the general laws the
town will authorize or reauthorize, for various boards, commissions or departments of the town, for the
fiscal year beginning July 1, 2004 and ending June 30, 2005.
2004 ATM WARRANT FINAL.doc 19Source page 20
Board of Selectmen
Article 12: The Finance Committee recommendation is as follows:
MOVED: That the following revolving funds are hereby established pursuant to the
provisions of MGL chapter 44, section 53 E ½ for the fiscal year July 1, 2004 through June 30,
2005.
Article 12
Revolving Spending Receipts to be Purpose of Funding
Fund # Name of Fund Authority Credited Expenditures Limit
Pequitside Conservation Rental of Pequitside Maintaining, improving & $20,000
Farm Rentals Commission Farm, Rental of Little renovation of property as annually
Red House, Rental of per master plan on file
Rooms in Main Building, with Town Clerk.
Rental of Rooms in
1 Tavern, Any other
portion of building or
grounds.
Conservation Conservation Permit Applications Services received from $12,500
Commission Commission engineers, hydrologists annually
2 Escrow and other experts.
School Bus School School Bus Payment of bills and $150,000
Fees Committee Transportation Fees charges in connection annually
3 with pupil transportation.
Pre-School & School Pre-School Enrollment Payment of bills and $150,000
After School Committee or After School Tuition- charges in connection annually
Tuition Based Educational with pre-school & after
4 Programs school supplementary
education programs.
Veteran's Veterans' Contributions, Providing services to $10,000
Services Services Donations, Gifts, veterans not funded annually
Donations Director Grants, & other sums of under established
money not otherwise program, including but
provided for by law. not limited to newsletter
publication, monthly
breakfasts, funeral
services, other
5 commemorative
programs and other
purposes in the opinion
of the Veterans' Director
in the best interests of
Canton Veterans.
Fire Alarm Fire Fees received by it Payment of bills and $10,000
Relocation Department from, or on behalf of charges incurred in annually
Commonwealth, any connection with
6 public utility, any other relocation of fire alarm
business entity, or any signal wires, devices &
individual person. other appurtenances.
COA Donations Council on Fees for providing Payment of bills and $10,000
Aging transportation services charges in connection annually
7 to elderly citizens. with transportation of
elderly.
2004 ATM WARRANT FINAL.doc 20Source page 21
Revolving Spending Receipts to be Purpose of Funding
Fund # Name of Fund Authority Credited Expenditures Limit
Board of Health Board of Contributions, Providing services to $15,000
Donations Health donations, gifts, grants, Canton citizens not annually
reimbursements & other otherwise funded under
sums of money not established program,
provided for by law and including but not limited
not otherwise to flu vaccinations, child
8 appropriated. and teenage health
education & development
programs and elderly
health programs.
Animal Control Animal Contributions, Providing payment for $10,000
Donations Control donations, gifts, grants, veterinary services. annually
reimbursements & other
9 sums of money not
provided for by law.
Library Building Board of Fees for rental and use Paying bills, connected $30,000
Rentals Library of Community or other with the providing of annually
Trustees assembly rooms used maintenance and supply
for meetings, programs of facilities and for the
or other events, support and safe conduct
including payments for of said programs and
use of facilities and events.
10 conveniences in
conjunction with use of
spaces, as may be
established by the
Board of Library
Trustees.
Student Parking School Fees paid by students to Payment of bills and $50,000
Fees Committee park their vehicles at charges to maintain the annually
11 Canton High School. high school parking lots
and grounds.
VOTE: 11-0-0
Revolving Fund #1
DISCUSSION: This article must be voted by Town Meeting annually to allow the Conservation
Commission to continue its revolving account. They currently have a revolving account to which all
rentals related to the use of the properties located on the premises known as Pequitside Farm are credited.
Revolving Fund # 2
DISCUSSION: This article must be voted annually by Town Meeting to allow the Conservation
Commission to continue its revolving fund. The Commission has required applicants to deposit with it a
sum of money to enable it to engage “experts” to assist it in evaluating proposals for wetlands work.
Revolving Fund #3
DISCUSSION: This article must be voted by Town Meeting for the School Committee to establish a
revolving fund to which revenues received from school bus transportation user fees may be credited. The
fund must be used for the payment of bills and charges in connection with pupil transportation.
Revolving Fund #4
DISCUSSION: This article must be voted by Town Meeting for the School Committee to establish a
revolving fund to which revenues from students enrolled in pre-school and after school tuition based
2004 ATM WARRANT FINAL.doc 21Source page 22
educational programs may be credited. The fund is for costs associated with said pre-school and after
school supplementary educational programs.
Revolving Fund #5
DISCUSSION: This article was requested by the Veterans’ Services Director to establish a revolving
fund for donations received. The fund will be used to provide services to veterans which are not otherwise
funded under any established program.
Revolving Fund #6
DISCUSSION: This article must be voted by Town Meeting for the Fire Department to establish a
revolving fund for fees received to compensate the department for relocating fire alarm services.
Revolving Fund #7
DISCUSSION: This article must be voted by Town Meeting for the Council on Aging to establish a
revolving fund to which revenues derived from the transportation supplied to the elderly citizens must be
credited. This fund must be used for the payment of bills and charges in connection with transportation for
our elderly citizens.
Revolving Fund #8
DISCUSSION: This article must be voted by Town Meeting for the Board of Health to establish a
revolving fund for donations and other reimbursement received. The fund will be used to purchase
additional flu vaccinations and offer educational programs on health-related topics not otherwise funded by
their present annual budget.
Revolving Fund #9
DISCUSSION: This article must be voted by Town Meeting for the Animal Control to establish a
revolving fund for donations received. The fund will be used to purchase veterinary services not otherwise
funded by their present annual budget.
Revolving Fund #10
DISCUSSION: This article must be voted by Town Meeting for the Board of Library Trustees to
establish a revolving fund for rental fees and other payments received. The fund will be used to support the
rental programs and other related costs.
Revolving Fund #11
DISCUSSION: This article must be voted by Town Meeting for the School Committee to establish a
revolving fund for fees paid by students to park their vehicles at Canton High School. The fund will be
used for the payments of bills and other charges to maintain the high school parking lots and grounds.
APPROVED__________DISAPPROVED__________
2004 ATM WARRANT FINAL.doc 22Source page 23
ARTICLE 13
“OMNIBUS” CAPITAL OUTLAY PROGRAM
Article 13 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 therefor) 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/Capital Planning Committee/ School Committee
Article 13: The Finance Committee recommendation is as follows:
Motion #1
MOVED:
(a) The acquisition of all vehicles and other motorized equipment that is authorized to be
purchased or otherwise acquired by any motion made under this warrant article shall be under the
responsibility of the Finance Director/Chief Procurement Officer. In addition to the procurement, the
“trade-in” or other disposition of all vehicles and other motorized equipment being replaced shall be under
the responsibility of the Finance Director/Chief Procurement Officer. In all cases where by a motion made
under this warrant article, a vehicle or other piece of motorized equipment is to be acquired by a town
agency such purchase or acquisition shall be subject to and bound by the detailed specifications regarding
such purchase or acquisition on file in the office of the Town Clerk; provided, however, the Finance
Director/Chief Procurement Officer, may, in appropriate circumstances, waive or modify the said detailed
specifications, subject to a vote of the Finance Committee, taken within ten days following a decision to
waive or to modify the foregoing provision requiring full compliance with the specifications on file.
(b) All building and/or land improvements related projects which are approved and or funded by
any motion made under this article shall be under the responsibility of the Building Renovations Committee
appointed pursuant to Canton By-law, Article X, section 4.
VOTE: 8-0-0
Motion #2
MOVED: That $371,000 is hereby appropriated for the purpose of purchasing certain items of
property for the non-school departments and offices of the town set forth below and to meet the said
appropriation the sum of $225,000 shall be transferred from the Stoughton Mitigation Fund (#158) and the
balance of $146,000 shall be raised from the Fiscal Year 2005 tax levy and other general revenues of the
Town.
CAPITAL PLANNING FINANCE
RECOMMENDATIONS COMMITTEE COMMITTEE
Police Department
Replace 2 Vehicles (with existing vehicles to be $43,000 $43,000
sold, traded in or otherwise disposed of)
2004 ATM WARRANT FINAL.doc 23Source page 24
Fire Department
Replace Hurst Extrication Equipment (Station 1) 26,000 26,000
(with existing equipment to be sold,
traded in or otherwise disposed of)
Department of Public Works
Supplement Chapter 90 Program 225,000 225,000
Finance
Computer Hardware/Software 21,000 21,000
Recreation Department
Mower – 60” Deck EZ Dump Catcher 11,000 11,000
Turf Equip. – Topdresser/Field Conditioner/Cultivator 16,000 16,000
(existing equipment to be sold, traded in or
otherwise disposed of)
Irrigation System – Devoll Field 18,000 18,000
Pequitside
Mower – 60” Deck EZ Dump Catcher (existing 11,000 11,000
mower to be sold, traded in or otherwise disposed of)
GRAND TOTAL $371,000 $371,000
The cost estimates listed above for particular acquisitions are not to be construed as individual
appropriations. The sums shown are intended to be estimates of individual items but the amount to be
appropriated is one line item in the total sum ($371,000). The Finance Director is hereby authorized to
distribute such funds in such manner as may be needed to accomplish the foregoing list of purchases;
provided, however, that each item contained in the list is procured and that the excess funds are available
because one or more items cost less than was estimated and not because an item intended to be procured is
not so procured.
VOTE: 8-0-0
MOTION #2
DISCUSSION:
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Replace 2 Patrol Cars VIN #’s 7262 and 215621 ($43,000)
The Police Department will replace two patrol vehicles during fiscal 2005 staggered over a twelve-month
period. These vehicles presently have odometer miles of 53,000 and 66,000 on them. The department’s
strategy is to replace high mileage vehicles as each nears its 75,000-mile warranty. Generally, high
mileage patrol vehicles will last about 20 months. Each replaced vehicle will be sold, traded in, or
otherwise disposed.
The Police Chief opted to forego replacing two additional vehicles in this capital budget cycle in
order to help the Board of Selectmen voluntarily forego $100,000 of Cash Capital and apply those
monies to subsidize their Operating Budget shortfall for Fiscal Year 2005.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
2004 ATM WARRANT FINAL.doc 24Source page 25
Replace Hurst Extrication Equipment ($26,000) The Fire Department will replace the current “Jaws of Life” hydraulic rescue tool that has been in service since January 1, 1989. This piece of equipment has been used infrequently over the years when a person is trapped in a vehicle or machine. However, it’s time to upgrade this equipment because when it is used it could be a lifesaver. We want our firefighters using the best equipment we can provide and afford. Existing equipment is to be sold, traded in or otherwise disposed. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Supplement Chapter 90 Program ($225, 000 from Stoughton Mitigation Fund) The Department of Public Works will utilize these monies to supplement funds received from the Mass Highway Department, which has been averaging about $390,000 annually for the past three years, down from $550,000 in years prior to when the reductions began. The DPW and Board of Selectmen determine how the monies will be expended based on the Pavement Management Program findings. The Capital Planning Committee continues to encourage the DPW to employ a “continuous improvement” approach to make sure the program effectively prioritizes which work will be done each year. FINANCE DEPARTMENT Computer Hardware and Software ($21,000) The Management Information Systems group will continue to upgrade and/or replace technology as the need arises within the municipal departments. The budget plan is to spend the preponderance of the requested monies on computer replacements. The MIS Manager also opted to forego replacing additional computers in this capital budget cycle in order to help the Board of Selectmen voluntarily forego $100,000 of Cash Capital and apply those monies to subsidize their Operating Budget shortfall for Fiscal Year 2005. The Municipal Departments have 163 computers, 21 lap top computers, 70 printers, and 6 scanners and scan converters. This equipment, which has different “useful life cycles”, will require replacement on a programmed basis. For budget purposes, the MIS department uses $1,800 as the replacement cost for a computer. Given that $21,000 has been budgeted for computers, it is fair to assume the MIS department will purchase approximately 11 replacement computers. This figure appears to be short of the desired number that should be replaced. Computers replaced will be sold, traded in or otherwise disposed of. RECREATION Mower – 60” Deck EZ Dump Catcher ($11,000) The Recreation Department will add a new piece of equipment, which will have the functionality to cut grass lower, catch the cuttings and dump them. This piece of equipment coupled with the turf equipment to be purchased in this budget along with the field irrigation project is intended to get greater wear out of our numerous field surfaces. Turf Equipment – Top Dresser/Field Conditioner/Cultivator ($16,000) The Recreation Department will add a Top Dresser, which will facilitate over-seeding and maintaining quality turf. It will also replace an athletic field conditioner/cultivator, which is 10 years old and is at the end of its useful life which equipment will be sold, traded in or otherwise disposed of. These pieces of equipment are considered part of the Irrigations System project. Irrigation System – Devoll Field ($18,000) The Recreation Department will install an irrigation system at Devoll Field as part its comprehensive field maintenance plan, which is intended to increase durability and usefulness of existing fields. This project is considered Phase 2 of a three-year plan to install irrigation throughout the town’s fields. Phase 3 2004 ATM WARRANT FINAL.doc 25
Source page 26
will irrigate the Tilden and Ponkapoag fields next year. The fiscal 2004 appropriation allowed the
Recreation Department to complete the Lower Memorial Field and Kennedy Field components of this
undertaking. It also funded relocation of the Kennedy-Ruane backstop to the Walsh field.
PEQUITSIDE FARM
Mower – 60” Deck EZ Dump Catcher ($11,000)
The Building and Grounds group will also be purchasing a mower for its operation. The present piece of
equipment is inoperable, which could be repaired at a cost of approximately $9,000. This replacement
option is the most cost effective way to deal with the matter. The existing equipment is to be sold, traded in
or otherwise disposed of.
The Building and Grounds Superintendent also opted to forego undertaking repairs to the Horse
Barn in this capital budget cycle in order to help the Board of Selectmen voluntarily forego $100K of
Cash Capital and apply those monies to subsidize their Operating Budget shortfall for Fiscal Year
2005.
Motion #3
MOVED: That $417,000 is hereby appropriated for the purpose of purchasing certain items of property set
forth below for the school department from the Fiscal Year 2005 tax levy and other general revenues of the
Town.
CAPITAL PLANNING FINANCE
RECOMMENDATIONS COMMITTEE COMMITTEE
Galvin Middle School
Elevator – Install a Fire Recall System – ADA Comp. $52,000 $52,000
Systemwide
Lease – Maintenance and Offsite Storage Facility $103,000 $103,000
Technology – Software - Educational 25,000 25,000
Technology – Computers (existing equipment to be 142,000 142,000
sold, traded in, or otherwise disposed of)
Technology – Other Peripheral Equipment (Printers, etc.) 20,000 20,000
Replace – 1993 International Bus (existing equipment 55,000 55,000
To be sold, traded in, or otherwise disposed of)
Memorial Field
Repair Concrete Footings Under Bleachers 20,000 20,000
GRAND TOTAL $417,000 $417,000
The cost estimates listed above for particular acquisitions are not to be construed as individual
appropriations. The sums shown are intended to be estimates of individual items but the amount to be
appropriated is one line item in the total sum of $417,000. The Finance Director and the Business Manager
of the School department, acting jointly, are hereby authorized to distribute such funds in such manner as
may be needed to accomplish the foregoing list of purchases; provided, however, that each item contained
in the list is procured and that the excess funds are available because one or more items cost less than was
estimated and not because an item intended to be procured is not so procured.
VOTE: 9-0-0
2004 ATM WARRANT FINAL.doc 26Source page 27
MOTION #3 DISCUSSION: GALVIN MIDDLE SCHOOL Elevator – Install a Fire Recall System – ADA Compliant ($52,000) The Galvin Middle School elevator is over 30 years old and needs to have some upgrades to bring it up to code. Specifically, it currently does not have fire recall functionality. Consequently, it doesn’t meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance requirements. Installation will also permit automatic fire recall to meet current fire code requirements. SYSTEMWIDE Lease – Maintenance and Offsite Storage Facility ($103,000) The School Department will extend its current lease at 30 B North Street, which provides space to accommodate their maintenance operation, bus parking, and offsite equipment storage needs. This will be year two of an “evergreen lease” that contains a 90-day termination notification. The School Department is working with the Executive Secretary, DPW Superintendent and Town Engineer to determine how a combined DPW/Schools facility can be built/acquired, which should optimize the economies of scale. Until such time as that plan comes to fruition the School Department will have to lease space to accommodate their needs. Educational Software ($25,000), Computers ($142,000), and Printers ($20,000) The School Department is planning hardware purchases (i.e., classroom computers and printers) totaling $162,000 to replace existing equipment. Funding totaling $25,000 will enable educational software purchases to be made, which is “generally content specific software that relates directly to the curriculum taught.” There is a formal process in place for requesting and ordering educational software. Funding the Technology budget this year will amount to $187,000, which represents 45% of the School Department’s Cash Capital budget. The School Department has 1,205 computers, 58 lap top computers, 378 printers, and 267 scanners and scan converters. This equipment, which has different “useful life cycles”, will require replacement on a programmed basis. The Technology Coordinator opted to forego replacing additional computers in this capital budget cycle in order to help the School Committee voluntarily forego $100K of Cash Capital and apply those monies to subsidize their Operating Budget shortfall for Fiscal Year 2005. For budget purposes, the school department uses $1,200 as the replacement cost for a computer. Given that $142,000 has been budgeted for computers, it is fair to assume the school department will purchase approximately 118 computers. This figure appears to be short of the desired number that should be replaced. This 5-Year Plan includes $1.267 million for technology-related expenditures, which represents 71% of the school department’s allocation of Cash Capital during the FY 2005 though FY 2009 time period. Going forward it could become difficult to stay abreast with the changing technological environment when a substantial portion of the technology budget will need to be dedicated to equipment replacements. SYSTEMWIDE VEHICLES Replace – 1993 International Bus; VIN #539051 ($55,000) The School Department will replace this bus because it is a safety issue. It has been mandated to be off the road by September 2004. The replaced vehicle will be sold, traded in, or disposed. MEMORIAL FIELD Replace Concrete Footings Under Bleachers ($20,000) 2004 ATM WARRANT FINAL.doc 27
Source page 28
The School Department will remove and replace 21 concrete footings at the rear of the home side
bleachers because they are lifting or cracking. This is a safety issue that must be rectified. The Building
Commissioner has recommended replacement of all of the rear footings.
Motion #4
MOVED: That $25,000 is hereby appropriated for the purpose of purchasing certain items of property
for the Canton Public Library from the Fiscal Year 2005 tax levy and other general revenues of the Town,
as follows.
Technology - Workstations $5,000.00
Book Collection Development 20,000.00
The cost estimates listed above for particular acquisitions are not to be construed as individual
appropriations. The sums shown are intended to be estimates of individual items but the amount to be
appropriated is one line item in the total sum ($25,000). The Finance Director and the Library Director,
acting jointly, are hereby authorized to distribute such funds in such manner as may be needed to
accomplish the foregoing list of purchases; provided, however, that each item contained in the list is
procured and that the excess funds are available because one or more items cost less than was estimated
and not because an item intended to be procured is not so procured.
VOTE: 9-0-0
Motion #4
DISCUSSION:
TECHNOLOGY
Public and Staff workstations ($5,000)
This funding will provide for additional workstations in the renovated and expanded library. This line item
was deferred when the project exceeded the initial funding limit, but was not added back when the re-bids
came in lower than planned.
BOOK COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT
Collection Development ($20,000)
This funding will provide for the purchase of additional hard cover books to increase the number of
volumes available to service the increased demands being placed on the library.
The Library Director opted to forego purchasing more hard cover books in this capital budget cycle
in order to help the Board of Library Trustees voluntarily forego $25,000 of Cash Capital and apply
those monies to subsidize their Operating Budget shortfall for Fiscal Year 2005.
APPROVED__________DISAPPROVED__________
Motion #5
MOVED: That $175,000 is hereby appropriated, by transfer from the ambulance fund reserved for
appropriation account (#170), for the purpose of replacing Ambulance #2 for the emergency medical
services division of the Fire Department, which ambulance is to sold, traded in or otherwise disposed of.
VOTE: 9-0-0
2004 ATM WARRANT FINAL.doc 28Source page 29
DISCUSSION: Ambulance #2 is a 1999 International Navistar ambulance. This vehicle responds to
medical emergencies, motor vehicle accidents and water rescues in the district 1 area as well as mutual aid
medical requests. The replaced vehicle will be traded in, or disposed.
This vehicle has the equivalent of 212,400 road miles, based on 5,310 engine hours on it. It is starting to
show its age, and maintenance costs are adding up and becoming costly.
Ambulance vehicle replacements are charged against the Ambulance Self Supported Account.
APPROVED__________DISAPPROVED__________
Motion #6
MOVED: That $150,000 is hereby appropriated, for the purpose of purchasing a new dump truck
for the Highway Department with the existing vehicles to be sold, traded in, or otherwise disposed of and to
meet said appropriation the town treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, be authorized to
borrow, pursuant to the authority of MGL chapter 44, section 7, clause 9, or any other enabling authority as
may be, the sum of the sum of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($150,000).
VOTE: 9-0-0
Motion #6
DISCUSSION: The Highway Department is in the process of implementing a directional change
regarding the size and weight of its Dump-Sander type trucks. The superintendent wants to be able to
respond more effectively and efficiently to large snowstorms by increasing the department’s ability to plow
10-12” snowstorms. The replaced vehicle will be traded in, or disposed.
APPROVED__________DISAPPROVED__________
Motion #7
MOVED: That $899,000 be appropriated for the purpose of enabling the Building Renovations
Committee to make certain improvements in school buildings, as set forth below and to meet said
appropriation the Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, be authorized to borrow,
pursuant to the authority of MGL chapter 44, section 7, clause 3A, or any other enabling authority as may
be, eight hundred and ninety-nine thousand dollars ($899,000).
HVAC – Systemwide $ 57,000
Boiler Replacement – Hansen 347,000
Roof Replacements/Repairs - Systemwide 495,000
TOTAL $899,000
The cost estimates listed above for particular acquisitions are not to be construed as individual
appropriations. The sums shown are intended to be estimates of individual items but the amount to be
appropriated is one line item the total sum ($899,000). The Finance Director and the Building Renovations
Committee, acting jointly, are hereby authorized to distribute such funds in such manner as may be needed
to accomplish the foregoing list of purchases; provided, however, that each item contained in the list is
procured and that the excess funds are available because one or more items cost less than was estimated
and not because an item intended to be procured is not so procured.
2004 ATM WARRANT FINAL.doc 29Source page 30
VOTE: 9-0-0
Motion #7
DISCUSSION:
SPECIAL NOTE:
The purpose of combining a number of school department-related projects is to provide the Building
Renovations Committee (BRC) with some flexibility to apply overages from one project to fund shortages
in other projects in order to carry out the will of the Town Meeting. The amounts authorized for these
projects are based on “budget only” estimates that can differ from the final bid-related costs.
System HVAC Replacements ($57,000)
Fiscal 2005 will be the sixth year of our ongoing 10-year HVAC replacement program This year the School
Department is allocating $18,000 to the Hansen, $7,000 to the Kennedy, $10,000 to the Luce, $17,000 to
the Galvin, and $5,000 to the high school Building A. The school department furnished the CPC with
updated 5-Year HVAC plans, which once again includes the Luce School, but eliminates Buildings B and
C due to their inclusion in the CHS renovation and expansion project. Most of the planned expenditures are
to replace, repair or maintain HVAC equipment.
Boiler Replacement ($347,000)
Funding this project for the Hansen School will result in replacing “twin H. B. Smith cast iron sectional
boilers configured to generate low pressure steam with No. 2 fuel oil.” One of the “current boilers is set up
to burn natural gas, although the oil-fired boiler is the primary unit.” It is likely replacements will be “cast
iron sectional boilers with dual fuel (gas/oil) burners, piped such that water will flow through them only
when they are actually fired.”
Roof Replacement/Repairs ($495,000)
The School Department commissioned a ROOF CONDITION SURVEY of all schools except Building B
with funds provided by the 2003 ATM. These requests are the result of that survey. The Hansen School
will require $45,000 for repairs; Kennedy School $350,000 for replacement of sections 3 through 8; Luce
School $25,000 for repairs; Galvin Middle School $25,000 for repairs; and High School $50,000 for
repairs.
APPROVED__________DISAPPROVED__________
Motion #8
MOVED: That $60,000 be appropriated by transfer from the water department surplus, reserved for
appropriation account, for the purpose of replacing the existing Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition
(SCADA) system.
VOTE: 9-0-0
Motion #8
DISCUSSION: The Water Department plans to replace the existing proprietary sole-source Supervisory
Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) system “with state-of-the-art equipment that will give the Town
the benefit of increased system capability with easy access to local support without service contracts.
Current technology capabilities are extensive.” The superintendent anticipates this matter will appear as a
recommendation coming out of the Vulnerability Study currently underway.
2004 ATM WARRANT FINAL.doc 30Source page 31
APPROVED__________DISAPPROVED__________
Motion #9
MOVED: That $195,000 be appropriated for the purpose of enabling the Town Engineer to manage
the Architectural and Engineering (A&E) effort regarding replacing water mains and that to meet said
appropriation the Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, be authorized to borrow,
pursuant to the authority of MGL Chapter 44, section 7, clause 22, or any other enabling authority as may
be, one hundred ninety five thousand dollars ($195,000).
VOTE: 9-0-0
Motion #9
DISCUSSION: Funding this request will permit the Town Engineer working with the Finance Director
to manage the Architectural and Engineering (A&E) effort regarding replacing water mains for Cotter
Street (8-inch), Lewis Street (8-inch), Wildewood Drive (8-inch), Shawmut Drive (8-inch), Indian Lane
and South Street (8-inch), and Meadows Avenue and Casey Street (8-inch).
The plan is to bring “Bids In Hand” to the 2005 ATM for Construction of these projects. The current
estimated construction cost for these streets is $866,000. The estimated total cost for Phase 1 Water
Systems Improvements is $1,061,000.
The debt service increase could add $0.068 per Hundred Cubic Feet (HCF) to water rates, during the
upcoming 5-Year Fiscal Year 2005 to Fiscal Year 2009 period.
APPROVED__________DISAPPROVED__________
Motion #10
MOVED: That $115,000 be appropriated to supplement the appropriation of $375,000 made under
Article 13 Motion 8 of the 2003 Annual Town Meeting for a new total of $490,000 for the purpose of
enabling the Town Engineer to manage the Architectural and Engineering (A&E) effort by including
MEPA mandated Environmental Impact Report (EIR) in the A&E process for the Green Lodge Sewer
lnterceptor Project and that to meet said appropriation the Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of
Selectmen, be authorized to borrow, pursuant to the authority of MGL Chapter 44, section 8, clause 15, or
any other enabling authority as may be, the additional sum of $115,000.
VOTE: 9-0-0
Motion #10
DISCUSSION: Funding this request will permit the Town Engineer working with the Finance Director
to better manage the Architectural and Engineering (A&E) effort by including this MEPA mandated
Environmental Impact Report (EIR) in the A&E process. When completed, Vollmer Associates and the
Town will have to respond to any recommendations outlined in the report.
2004 ATM WARRANT FINAL.doc 31Source page 32
Article 23 of this Town Meeting will be requested to authorize and fund the acquisition of Land or
Easements along the route of this project. The $7.6 million budget estimate contains monies for funding
this request.
The plan is to bring a “Bid In Hand” to the 2005 ATM for the Construction of the Greenlodge Interceptor
sewer. The current estimated total cost is $7,600,000. The debt service increase could add $0.562 per
Hundred Cubic Feet (HCF) to sewer rates, during the upcoming 5-Year Fiscal Year 2005 to Fiscal Year
2009 period.
APPROVED__________DISAPPROVED__________
Motion #11
MOVED: That $175,000 be appropriated for the purpose of funding engineering services to
complete the Town’s Comprehensive Water Resource Management Plan (Sewer Component) required for
Well #9 and that to meet said appropriation the Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, be
authorized to borrow, pursuant to the authority of MGL Chapter 44, section 7, clause 22, or any other
enabling authority as may be, one hundred seventy five thousand dollars ($175,000).
VOTE: 9-0-0
Motion #11
DISCUSSION: This project is required as part of the approval process for Well #9, the MA DEP and
WRC required the Town to complete a Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan. The first
phase has been completed. The general scope of work has been outlined in writing by Vollmer Associates,
our wastewater consultant.
APPROVED__________DISAPPROVED__________
Motion #12
MOVED: That $1,250,000 be appropriated to supplement an appropriation of $2,105,117 made by
Motion 3 under Article 15 for the 2000 Annual Town Meeting and by Motion 17 under Article 16 for the
2003 Annual Town Meeting for a new total for the project of $3,355,117 for the renovation of the Revere
Street Fire Station to be expended under the control of the Building Renovation Committee and that to meet
said appropriation $150,000 be transferred from the Police Station project (Fund #301) and the town
treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, be authorized to borrow, pursuant to the authority
of MGL chapter 44, section 7, clause 3A or any other enabling authority as may be, one million one
hundred thousand dollars ($1,100,000).
VOTE: 9-0-0
Motion #12
DISCUSSION: This project has been a victim of a constricted evaluation process that took place in 2000.
Not enough time was available to conduct a “due diligence” review of the information provided by the
Architect prior to bringing this project to the 2000 ATM for funding.
Consequently, as it turns out, the sum of money funded at that Town Meeting was woefully inadequate to
complete this project. The “scope of work” as outlined by the Architect was not given the attention it
deserved because the focus at that time was on the Police Safety facility, the first project “out of the box”.
• Since 2000 the CPC has instituted a TWO-PHASE process for dealing with large infrastructure-related
projects. The FIRST PHASE requests the Town Meeting to fund the Architectural and Engineering
2004 ATM WARRANT FINAL.doc 32Source page 33
(A&E) costs to complete the Design Development effort, and prepare Bid Specification Documents.
This first phase concludes when the General Contractor bids are received just prior to the Town
Meeting. The SECOND PHASE requests the Town Meeting to fund the Construction costs based on
the selected General Contractor bid that has been validated prior to the first session of said meeting.
• The Green Lodge Sewer Interceptor project was the first major infrastructure undertaking to employ
this TWO-PHASE approach. This process will apply to qualifying projects presented to this 2004
ATM, and hereafter.
However, the Fire Safety facility project was approved before this two-phase approach was implemented.
Consequently, we must deal with the shortcomings of the old process.
The project “scope of work” outlined by the Architect was limited to:
• “Renovation of Former Police Areas to accommodate expanded Fire Department Needs”
• “Facility update building, as required, for Building and Life Safety Code Issues”
• “Demolition of existing cell block and Police specific fixture and facilities”
The project “scope of work” as outlined by the Architect did not include:
• An evaluation of the needs of the Present Fire Areas
• An evaluation of building-related equipment needs
• Cost provisions for the complexity of the work to be undertaken (i.e., hidden problems), i.e., a
higher construction contingency and higher A&E fees.
• Providing prudent directional guidance to the Town regarding what types of cost elements
should be included in the Owner’s Costs going to the 2000 ATM.
Over the course of the last 24 months the “scope of work” of this project has evolved during the Design
Development phase, which resulted in an $869K increase in the Construction Costs from those estimated in
October 2001. At the same time the Owner’s Costs increased by $381K. These projected increases support
this $1,250,000 supplemental request. The Capital Planning Committee endorses the expanded “scope
of work” for this project. When this renovation is complete our Fire Department will have a fully
functional facility that should last for the next 20+ years.
The BRC provided a cost estimate developed in conjunction with Gilbane, our construction management
consultant, which we are using to recommend this funding request. We prefer to have a 100% Cost
Estimate that is based on the final Construction Bid documents, but accepted the BRC version. The GC
bids will be received on April 8, 2004, about two weeks before the 2004 ATM begins. At that time, we
will know if the $2,040,189 Construction Cost figure will be sufficient to complete this project.
The CPC advised the Fire Chief that that the $2,040,189 figure is the maximum that can be funded
without disrupting other 5-Year planned expenditures. Consequently, if the construction bid exceeds
this figure any excess will have to be funded within the $3,355,117 total project budget.
APPROVED__________DISAPPROVED__________
Motion #13
MOVED: That $200,000 be appropriated for the purpose of enabling the Building Renovation
Committee to expend for engineering and architectural services with respect to a new senior center to be
located on land at 1492 Washington Street with access to the Center to be directly from Washington Street
and to meet said appropriation the Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, be authorized to
borrow pursuant to the authority of MGL chapter 44, section 7, clause 21 and 22 or any other enabling
authority as may be, two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000).
2004 ATM WARRANT FINAL.doc 33Source page 34
VOTE: 9-2-0
Motion #13
DISCUSSION: The Board of Selectmen engaged Gannett Fleming, Inc. to conduct a Feasibility Study
regarding a Senior Center and a Community Center. The consultant’s final report was submitted to the
Board on April 28, 2003. The consultant’s report recommended that a Stand Alone Senior Center sized at
15,300 square feet, which was based on the Programmatic Requirements outlined by the Council on Aging,
should be sited on the parcel of land in close proximity to 1492 Washington Street, with access to the
parcel via Historical Way. The consultant provided a conceptual cost estimate totaling $3.7 million.
The Capital Planning Committee is of the opinion that a Senior Center project should be considered
as a town wide undertaking that needs the full support of all elected and appointed officials in order
to bring it to fruition.
The Council on Aging has been conducting outreach activities to raise sufficient funds to help pay for the
Architectural and Engineering (A&E) Design Development effort in order to bring construction of such a
facility to fruition. They have submitted a request to 2004 ATM to fund the A&E fees through the Fiscal
Year 2005 tax levy, with help coming from their fundraising activities.
The Council on Aging successfully lobbied the Board of Selectmen to fund $7,500 from funds remaining in
the Feasibility Study appropriation to engage a grant-writing consultant. They feel optimistic that such an
effort could yield a $500,000 grant.
The Board of Selectmen submitted their voted Fiscal Year 2005 capital requests to the Capital Planning
Committee, including $200,000 to fund the A&E for a Senior Center.
• The Capital Planning Committee (CPC) evaluated the $200K A&E request and conditionally approved
it. Our conditional approval is predicated on the Board and the Council reaching alignment on
the Programmatic Requirements, site location, building configuration, total square footage
required to support the program needs, and the conceptual cost estimate for such a facility, all
prior to commencement of the 2004 ATM.
• Notwithstanding the foregoing, the CPC has studied the financing of a Stand Alone Senior Center
carrying a total project cost estimated at this time to be $3.0 million. The CPC has concluded that
the Town cannot fully fund a $3.0 million facility within the Levy during the upcoming Fiscal
Year 2005-09 5-Year (Fiscal Year 2005-2009) time frame. However, we are of the opinion that
$900K in Debt Authorization could be made available within the Levy limits. If the Council can
successfully fund raise and receive grant(s) totaling $800K, the project would still fall $1.3 million
short of its $3.0 million cost. The CPC is of the opinion that the remaining $1.3 million shortfall
will have to be funded by a Proposition 2 ½ Debt Service Override.
The majority of the Finance Committee supports this motion. This will enable the Council on Aging and
the Board of Selectmen to go forward with A&E drawings for this project. With these drawings, the town
will have the best available cost information for this project to proceed toward construction. The majority
concurs with the CPC that a Proposition 2-1/2 Debt Service Override should fund the construction costs for
this project. It is important to note here that the minority views were not against spending the $200,000 for
the A&E, but more as to how it is funded. One of the minority views was that it should be funded through
a debt exclusion override, which would give the public a chance to voice their support for this project.
The second minority view had more to do with the politicizing of this project and the assumption of the
center’s location which made that member uneasy with this motion.
2004 ATM WARRANT FINAL.doc 34Source page 35
APPROVED__________DISAPPROVED__________
Motion #14
MOVED: That the matter concerning the dam at Bolivar Street be deferred to town meeting.
VOTE: 11-0-0
Motion #14
DISCUSSION: The Public Works Department is presently dealing with a serious problem at the
Bolivar Street Pond. A portion of the wall along the Bolivar Street pond has collapsed and repairs will be
necessary to the wall, dam, spillway, emergency overflow, culvert and roadway.
The design and engineering effort will be undertaken immediately and be completed by no later than June
17, 2004. Funding for this effort, which will be undertaken in fiscal 2004 will be from monies that will be
reallocated from appropriations under the control of the Public Works Department.
Reconstruction funds could be required at the next Annual or Special Town Meeting, depending upon a
decision that will be made by the State after the design and engineering plans have been submitted for their
approval. Presently, the 5-Year Plan includes $160,000 allocated to this project in fiscal 2007, which likely
could be required sooner depending upon the outcome of the state review of the Town’s design and
engineering plan.
APPROVED__________DISAPPROVED__________
2004 ATM WARRANT FINAL.doc 35Source page 36
ARTICLE 14
DISBAND CANTON DEVELOPMENT & INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION AND CREATE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Article 14 To see if the town will vote to revoke its acceptance of chapter 40, section 8A of the
General Laws regarding the Canton Development & Industrial Commission as accepted by the Town at the
December 13, 1954 Special Town Meeting, as amended in Article 15 of the 1955 Annual Town Meeting,
and further to authorize the Board of Selectmen to create an Economic Development Committee of nine
members to review the economic development opportunities available to the town and to provide
recommendations as to how the town may best take advantage of economic development opportunities.
Board of Selectmen
Article 14: The Finance Committee recommendation is as follows:
MOVED: The acceptance of chapter 40, section 8A of the General Laws regarding the Canton
Development & Industrial Commission as accepted by the Town at the December 13, 1954 Special Town
Meeting, as amended in Article 15 of the 1955 Annual Town Meeting be hereby revoked, and the Board of
Selectmen be hereby authorized to create an Economic Development Committee of nine members to
review the economic development opportunities available to the town and to provide recommendations as
to how the town may best take advantage of economic development opportunities.
VOTE: 7-0-0
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee unanimously supports this article. From time to time, the focus
of a Commission does change and should be updated to conform with present needs. The Canton
Development and Industrial Commission dates back to the 1950’s. The present business environment has
changed significantly and the scope has been broadened for this type of group.
APPROVED__________DISAPPROVED__________
ARTICLE 15
ACCEPT PROVISIONS FOR SPRINKLER SYSTEM – NONRESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
Article 15 To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of chapter 148 section 26G –
Nonresidential buildings or additions; automatic suppressant or sprinkler systems, the text of which in
relevant part is set forth below:
Section 26G - In any city or town which accepts the provisions of this section, every building of more
than seventy-five hundred gross square feet in floor area or every addition of more than seventy-five
hundred gross square feet in floor area shall be protected throughout with an adequate system of automatic
sprinklers in accordance with the provisions of the state building code; provided, however, that in the case
of said addition, such an adequate system of automatic sprinklers shall be installed in said addition only.
No such sprinkler system shall be required unless sufficient water and water pressure exists. For purposes
of this section, the gross square feet of a building or addition shall include the sum total of the floor areas
for all floor levels, basements and sub-basements, measured from outside walls, irrespective of the
existence of interior fire resistive walls, floors and ceilings. This section shall not apply to buildings used
for agricultural purposes as defined in section one A of Chapter one hundred and twenty-eight.
2004 ATM WARRANT FINAL.doc 36Source page 37
In such buildings or additions, or in certain areas of such buildings or additions, where the discharge of
water would be an actual danger in the event of fire, the head of the fire department shall permit the
installation of such other fire suppressant systems as are prescribed by the state building code in lieu of
automatic sprinklers. Automatic suppressant or sprinkler systems shall not be required in rooms or areas of
a telephone central office equipment building when such rooms or areas are protected with an automatic
fire alarm system. Sprinkler systems shall not be required in a one-story building having a fire resistance
rating as prescribed in the state building code that is used solely for offices provided the building is
protected by an automatic fire alarm system. Sprinkler systems shall not be required in open-air parking
structures, defined as: buildings, structures, or portions thereof, used for parking motor vehicles and having
not less than twenty-five percent of the total wall area open to atmosphere at each level, utilizing at least
two sides of the structure. This section shall not apply to buildings or additions used for residential
purposes. The head of the fire department shall enforce the provisions of this section.
Whoever is aggrieved by the head of the fire department’s interpretation, order, requirement, direction or
failure to act under the provisions of this section, may, within forty-five days after the service of notice
thereof, appeal from such interpretation, order, requirement, direction or failure to act to the automatic
sprinkler appeals board as provided in section two hundred and one of chapter six.
Board of Selectmen/ Fire Department
Article 15: The Finance Committee recommendation is as follows:
MOVED: That the provisions of chapter 148 section 26G of the General Laws be accepted.
VOTE: 12-0-0
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee unanimously supports this article. The intent of this article is to
better protect people in non-residential buildings. This article is meant to save lives. The provisions of the
by-law do offer other financial incentives such as reduced insurance premiums.
APPROVED__________DISAPPROVED__________
ARTICLE 16
ACCEPT PROVISIONS FOR SPRINKLER SYSTEM IN BOARDING HOUSES
Article 16 To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of chapter 148 section 26H –
Lodging or boarding houses; automatic sprinkler systems, the text of which in relevant part is set forth
below:
Section 26H - In any city or town which accepts the provisions of this section, every lodging house or
boarding house shall be protected throughout with an adequate system of automatic sprinklers in
accordance with the provisions of the state building code. No such sprinkler system shall be required
unless sufficient water and water pressure exists. In such buildings or in certain areas of such buildings,
where the discharge of water would be an actual danger in the event of a fire, the head of the fire
department shall permit the installation of such other fire suppressant systems as are prescribed by the state
building code in lieu of automatic sprinklers. The head of the fire department shall enforce the provisions
of this section.
For the purposes of this section “lodging house” or “boarding house” shall mean a house where lodgings
are let to six or more persons not within the second degree of kindred to the person conducting it, but shall
not include fraternity houses or dormitories rest homes or group residences or regulated by agencies of the
commonwealth.
2004 ATM WARRANT FINAL.doc 37Source page 38
Any lodging or boarding house subject to the provisions of this section shall be equipped with automatic
sprinklers within five years after acceptance of this act by a city or town.
Whoever is aggrieved by the head of the fire department’s interpretation, order, requirement or direction
under the provisions of this section, may within forty-five days after the service of notice thereof, appeal
from such interpretation, order or requirement to the board of appeals of the fire safety commission as
provided in section two hundred and one of chapter six.
Board of Selectmen/Fire Department
Article 16: The Finance Committee recommendation is as follows:
MOVED: That the provisions of chapter 148 section 26H – Lodging or boarding houses; automatic
sprinkler systems be hereby accepted.
VOTE: 12-0-0
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee unanimously supports this article. The intent of this article is to
protect residents of boarding houses. As in article 16 this article is meant to save lives. The by-law does
allow up to 5 years to come into compliance, therefore this expense should not overburden the property
owners.
APPROVED__________DISAPPROVED__________
ARTICLE 17
ACCEPT PROVISIONS FOR SPRINKLER SYSTEMS FOR MULTIPLE DWELLING UNITS
Article 17 To see if the town will accept the provisions of chapter 148, section 26I – Multiple
dwelling units; new construction; automatic sprinkler systems, the text of which in relevant part is set forth
below:
Section 26. In a city, town or district which accepts the provisions of this section, any building hereafter
constructed or hereafter substantially rehabilitated so as to constitute the equivalent of new construction
and occupied in whole or in part for residential purposes and containing not less than four dwelling units
including, but not limited to, lodging houses, boarding houses, fraternity houses, dormitories, apartments,
townhouses, condominiums, hotels, motels and group residences, shall be equipped with an approved
system of automatic sprinklers in accordance with the provisions of the state building code. In the event
that adequate water supply is not available, the head of the fire department shall permit the installation of
such other fire suppressant systems as are prescribed by the state building code in lieu of automatic
sprinklers. Owners of buildings with approved and properly maintained installations may be eligible for a
rate reduction on fire insurance.
Board of Selectmen/Fire Department
Article 17: The Finance Committee recommendation is as follows:
MOVED: That the provisions of General Laws chapter 148, section 26I – Multiple dwelling units;
new construction; automatic sprinkler systems be hereby accepted.
VOTE: 12-0-0
2004 ATM WARRANT FINAL.doc 38Source page 39
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee unanimously supports this article. The intent of this article is to
protect residents of multiple dwelling buildings. As in article 16 this article is meant to save lives. The
provisions of the by-law do offer other financial incentives such as reduced insurance premiums.
APPROVED__________DISAPPROVED__________
ARTICLE 18
REMOVE DOLLAR AMOUNT LIMITATIONS FOR BORROWING
Article 18 To see if the Town will vote to amend motion 10 and motion 11 of Article 50 of the 1999
Annual Town Meeting to provide additional flexibility to remove the limitation upon the amount of money
that is authorized to be borrowed in any one fiscal year and the limitation upon the annual rate of
expenditures, by deleting entirely the requirements for expenditures and borrowings to be not more than
$420,000. per year for ten years, or to establish other, different substitute time periods, or to take any other
action with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
Article 18: The Finance Committee recommendation is as follows:
MOVED: That motion 10 and motion 11 of Article 50 of the 1999 Annual Town Meeting be
amended to provide additional flexibility to remove the limitation upon the amount of money that is
authorized to be borrowed in any one fiscal year and the limitation upon the annual rate of expenditures, by
deleting entirely the requirements for expenditures and borrowings to be not more than $420,000 per year
for ten years.
VOTE: 7-0-0
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee agrees with the intent of this article. Some of the remaining
projects, either standing alone or combined with others, would exceed the present annual limit of $420,000.
This article will allow the town to combine projects and proceed with construction in the most expeditious
and cost effective means to complete the necessary repairs and building changes to bring our public
facilities into full ADA compliance.
APPROVED__________DISAPPROVED__________
ARTICLE 19
PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF LAND ABUTTING NEPONSET RIVER
Article 19 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire by purchase
or gift from Sunoco (Sun Refining and Marketing Company) a parcel of land (approx. 3.4 acres), as that
runs along the Neponset River being Canton Assessors Map 7 Lot 24 (702 Neponset St.) Norfolk County
Registry of Deeds Book 6412, Page 162, for general municipal purposes, or to take any other action with
respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
Article 19: The Finance Committee recommendation is as follows:
MOVED: That the subject matter of this article be postponed indefinitely.
VOTE: 7-0-0
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DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee voted unanimously to postpone this article indefinitely. The
Finance Committee based its vote on the lack of information on the condition of the land with regard to any
possible contamination as well as the intent of the corporation which owns the property.
APPROVED__________DISAPPROVED__________
ARTICLE 20
PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF LAND ON KENNEY/WASHINGTON STREEET
Article 20 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to accept in lieu of
foreclosure pursuant to chapter 60 section 77C of the General Laws for general municipal purposes the real
property commonly known as 50 Kenney Street (Canton Assessors Map 64, Lot 168) and 1699
Washington Street (Canton Assessor Map 64, Lot 169), and more particularly described by Deed recorded
in the Norfolk Registry of Deeds in Book 13504 at Page 78, or to take any other action with respect thereto.
Board of Selectmen
Article 20: The Finance Committee recommendation is as follows:
MOVED: That the Board of Selectmen be authorized to accept in lieu of foreclosure pursuant to
chapter 60 section 77C of the General Laws for general municipal purposes the real property commonly
known as 50 Kenney Street (Canton Assessors Map 64, Lot 168) and 1699 Washington Street (Canton
Assessor Map 64, Lot 169), and more particularly described by Deed recorded in the Norfolk Registry of
Deeds in Book 13504 at Page 78.
VOTE: 7-0-0
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee unanimously supports this article. The Finance Committee
based its vote on the acquisition of this land is very inexpensive because the back taxes unpaid approximate
$8,000 at this time. This land would remain as open space until such time as the Conservation
Commission decides on various issues, including wet land determination.
APPROVED__________DISAPPROVED__________
ARTICLE 21
ESTABLISH STORMWATER ENTERPRISE ACCOUNT
Article 21 To see if the town will vote to establish a Storm Water Enterprise Account, pursuant to
Chapter 44, Section 53F ½ of the general laws of the Commonwealth, for the Fiscal year beginning July 1,
2004, into which Enterprise Account shall be deposited all receipts, revenues and funds received by the
Canton Department of Public Works for storm water utility billings to be issued by the town, and from
which Enterprise Account all expenditures shall be under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen, in
accordance with such budgets as may be appropriated by town meeting, for the purposes of operating,
maintaining, making improvements to, and otherwise making extraordinary repairs to, the enterprise of the
town’s municipally owned storm water collection and control systems, and further to see if the Town will
vote to establish and appropriate a budget for such Storm Water Enterprise Account for the 05 Fiscal Year
beginning July 1, 2004, or take any other action in relations thereto.
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