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Canton Town Meeting — 2007 ATM
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Source page 1
Recommendations of the Finance Committee
to the Voters of Canton, Massachusetts
2007
TOWN OF CANTON
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2007 @ 7:
30 p.
m.
Morse Auditorium
Canton High School
900 Washington Street, Canton
Study this report and come to Annual Town Meeting.
Bring this report with you.
70,
000
000, plus will be appropriated by at Town
YOUR VOTE Meeting is important
Canton Town Meeting Voters for because it establishes
the priorities for our schools,
Next Year's expenditures.
public works, public safety, town government and
future direction for our environment.
The Town, upon request, will endeavor, to the
For Emergency Preparedness Information,
town. and
greatest extent possible, to make available any
log onto www. ma.
canton.
us
and all visual and audio devices and assistance for
click on "Security Task Force" or
Call 480-
1- 8
2 520
00- for a free FEMA the disabled. For more information, please call
Emergency Preparedness Handbook. 781-821-
5000.Source page 2
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Paa~
Re orts
Finance Committee Report ................................................................ 4
Charts and Exhibits
Figure 1- FY06 Summary -Revenues & Expenses ....................... 4
Figure 2- Revenues vs. Expenditures - FY99-FY08 Est ................ 4
Figure 3- Revenues, Expenses & Inflation Rate FY00-FY06 ........ 5
Figure 4 - Average Change 2000 - 2006 ........................................ 5
Figure 5- Historical Summary of Expenses -FY99-FY08 Est. 5
Figure 6- Budget Cuts - FY07 & FY08 .......................................... 6
Table 1- Municipal Personnel Reductions ................................... 6
Table 2- School Personnel Reductions ........................................ 7
Figure 7 - 2007 Reserve Funds ...................................................... 7
Figure 8 - Bonding Agency Expectation ........................................ 8
Figure 9 - Effects of Bond Rating Decrease ................................... 8
Town Finance Terminology ................................................................ 9
A Guide to Participating at Town Meeting ......................................... 9
Note to All Voters Concerning Town Meeting Procedures ................. 10
Summary of Revenue and Expenditures ............................................ 11
Votes to Transfer Available Funds .................................................... 81
Operating Budget by Voting Category FY 2008 ................................. 82
CPC 5-
Year Spending Plan for Municipal Departments ..................... 84
CPC 5-
Year Spending Plan for Self-
Supported Funds ........................ 84
CPC 5-
Year Spending Plan for Enterprise Funds ................................. 85
CPC 5-
Year Spending Plan for School Committee ............................... 86
Annual Town Meetina Articles
Art.
1 Elect a Moderator .................................................................................. 12
2 Adopt Rules to Govern Town Meeting ............................................................ 12
3 Hear Reports of Committees Appointed at Prior Town Meetings .................. 14
4 Act On "Consent Agenda" .............................................................................. 14
5 Collective Bargaining Agreements under the Board of Selectmen ................ 15
6 Collective Bargaining Agreements under the School Committee .................. 15
7 Set Salaries of Elected Officers ..................................................................... 16
2-Source page 3
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
Art. Pag^
8 Pay Bills of Prior Fiscal Year .......................................................................... 16
9 Supplement Fiscal ' 07 Accounts ................................................................... 17
10 Transfer Unexpended Prior Year Appropriations .......................................... 18
11 Authorize Contracts of More Than Three Years Duration .............................. 20
12 Authorize Certain Revolving Funds ............................................................... 20
13 Establishment of School Building Rental Revenue Revolving Account ......... 23
14 Establishment of School Dept. Revolving Account - Revenue Received
as Tuition ....................................................................................................... 24
15 Omnibus" Capital Outlay Program ............................................................... 25
16 Amendment to Town' s By- Laws By Adoption of Canton Stormwater
Management By-law ...................................................................................... 36
17 Early Retirement Initiative ............................................................................ 48
18 Adoption of G.L. Chapter 32B, Section 18 ..................................................... 52
19 Law Amendment -
By- Article XIV -Section 39 - Regulation of Pit Bulls.....52
20 Scenic Road Tree By-
Law ............................................................................... 56
21 Adoption of Chapter 43D Expedited Permitting ............................................ 59
22 Establish a Study Committee for Revitalization of Route 138
Corridor & Other Commercial Areas .............................................................. 64
23 Establish a Study Committee for Revitalization of the Downtown
Area ................................................................................................................ 65
24 Creation of a Blue Ribbon Panel to Study/Report on a Long-Term
Economic Vitality Plan - Turnpike Street Corridor ........................................ 65
25 Accept 2007 General or Session Laws Enacted by the General Court ........... 66
26 Municipal Police Officers/Firefighters - Max. Age Restriction ..................... 66
27 Expand the Personal Property Exemption Amount ....................................... 67
28 Amend Laws, Art. II,Section
By- 2 -Annual Town Meeting - Time Of ......... 67
29 Town Law for Temporary
By- Fire Watch Patrol ............................................ 68
30 Amend Zoning By-
Law, Overlay District for Retirement Housing ................ 70
31 Amend Zoning Map -Arboretum Way and Turnpike Street .......................... 75
32 Amend Zoning Map -Along Arboretum Way ................................................. 75
33 Amend Zoning By-law -Deleting Build Factor .............................................. 76
34 Amend Zoning By-law -Certain Residential Uses by Special Permit Only....77
35 Amend Zoning By-law -Section 4.
39 -Corner Lots ...................................... 78
36 Insurance Proceeds ....................................................................................... 79
37 Vote to Rescind Unused Borrowing Authorizations ....................................... 79
38 Transfer of Funds to Meet FY08 Appropriations ............................................ 80
39 Appropriate Funds to Meet Expenses for Next Fiscal Year ............................ 80
3-Source page 4
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
Finance Committee Report to the Town of Canton for ATM 2007
In this Warrant, the Finance Committee hopes to provide the voters of the Town with data and historical
perspectives necessary to make informed decisions at Town Meeting. We offer a detailed overview of the fmancial
status of the Town and attempt to explain the rationale supporting our recommendations with regard to the Budget
Article Throughout this Warrant
3 9). we have further provided our recommendations to you on a wide range of
issues and have made every effort to provide detailed discussions that explain our positions on the many issues we
face. While it is
certainly our hope that voters will give substantial weight and consideration to our
recommendations, it is ultimately up to the voters of the Town to deliberate and vote on these issues for they, as they
should, have the final word.
Final Results for Fiscal Year 2006 ( July 1,2005 through June 30, 2006)
The 2005 Town Meeting voters approved an FY06
based forecast be $ 56.5 FY06 Summary
Budget on revenues to
million and expenses to be $60.4 million. The $3.
9 in millions)
million difference was funded from $
3.3 million cash
reserves and $616,000 of assessor' s overlay surplus. 62
60.4 60.6
The actual revenue for FY06 was
higher than 60
58.1
p ro'
J ected, while the actual o
p eratin g ex
p enses of
58
56.5
60.6 million were extremel Y close to the pJ
ro'ected
56
ex
p enses
( Fi ure
g ) 1. The unex
p ected increase in
54
FY06 revenue allowed the Town to use less of the
Projected Actual
Free Cash Reserve funds leaving a small amount of
Free Cash Reserves to cover
any emergencies at the
D Revenue 0 E~
enses
end of FY07.
Figure 1
Historical Data and Current Year ( FY07; July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007) Budget Status
For the 5th year in a row, the revenues of the Town have not kept pace with its expenditures ( Figure 2).
Appropriations from free cash reserves have been used for the past 5 years to close the gap between revenues and
expenditures. Town departments have instituted several procedures to save money and many have increased fees for
services offered. Contract concessions in health care costs have resulted in yearly savings of approximately
800,000. Despite these efforts, revenues have not been able to keep pace with expenses. Early projections for FY08
continued the trend of spending beyond anticipated revenues.
Revenue vs. Expenditures ($1,
000s)
65,000
60,000
55,000
50,000
45,000
Revenue - Expenses
40,000
35,000
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
est.) ( est. )
Figure 2
Town revenues exceeded the inflation rate for years 2000 thru 2006. Expenditures showed greater fluctuation over
the same period. (Figure 3 next page) with the average expenditure rate exceeded both the inflation rate and total
revenue rate. Figure
( 4 next page) Thus the current financial difficulty cannot be blamed solely on the inflation rate.
4-Source page 5
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
Revenues, Expenses and Inflation Rate Average Change 2000 - 2006
7.04
18 8.00
Inflation 5.50
16 %
Revenue N 6.00
c~
14 %
m
EXpenSe 4.00
2.76
c
12
a 2.00
10
c 0.00
g
r
Inflation % Revenue % Expense
m 6-
a Increase Increase
4
2
0 Figure 4
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 inflation data from Consumer Price Index)
Fiscal Year
Figure 3
School system, municipal and fixed costs change annually ( Figure 5). Fixed cost include benefits for town
employees (i. e. health care, retirement, etc.)and debt service (interest expense). Fixed costs were relatively stable
from 1999 through 2002; however these costs have grown dramatically since 2003, largely due to increases in health
insurance. The Finance Committee believes that bringing the costs of health insurance under control is a critical
component in solving our town's fmancial problems. Currently, the state legislature is considering allowing towns in
the Commonwealth to join the Massachusetts Group Insurance Commission's program, which could offer
substantial savings in Health Care costs. The adoption of Article # 18 in the warrant is required for participation in
the Commonwealths health care program.
Projections for FY 2008
Historical Summary of Expenses
The Town of Canton has faced fiscal
challenges since 2003 and these
30,000 challenges will continue through FY08.
The $7.
6 million in free cash available in
2002 has been used over the past 5 years
25,000
to fill the growing gap between the
revenues collected and the town
20,000 The the
expenses. projected revenue
N town will receive in FY08 is
O
a 15,000 60,627, a 3.32% increase over
000;
58,677, the town expects to collect
000
in FY07. The vast majority of the
10,000
expected revenue will come from
Public School
property 078, 5.
taxes ($000:
46, +10%
5,
000 Municipal from FY07) with the remaining funds
Fixed Costs being generated by local receipts
0
O O ~ N c~ ~ ~ tD •-• •-•
5,
000: 701, no change from FY07),
State Aid ($000;
6, 800, 0. -05% from
o°o° o°o°o°o°o
N N N N N N N
FY07),and other sources ($ 000:
2, 048,
o°o 6. 35%from FY07).
N N
Fiscal Year
Figure 5
5-Source page 6
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
The projected expenses for FY08 were estimated to be $000 62,967, or approximately $2. 5 million more than
revenues. The areas of substantial increases in expenses continue to be fixed costs (health care, vacation time, sick
time, retirement, etc.)and salaries ( cost of living increases, automatic step increases, and lane changes from
additional courses taken and academic degrees earned).Currently, the FY07 revenues collected are running on target
with projections, which indicates that there will not be an increase in Free Cash Reserve funds in FY08.
3.95 million operational
A $ override, designed to be phased in
Budget Cuts (in millions)
42 ^
Plus Contract Increases
over
proposed to fill the projected budget deficits
3 years, was
for FY08, and the expected deficits for FY09 and FY 10;
pBudget
however, the town rej ected the override in January 2007.
40 -- 0.7 --- -----------
The failure of the operational override necessitates that
municipal and school departments cut budgets. The $700,000
38 -- --- --- --- x~;;;;; needed to meet the contractual obligations to employees (cost
of living increases, step and lane increases) was added to the
36 FY07 municipal and school budgets, bringing their
FY07 FY08 preliminary FY08 budget to approximately $40.3 million. To
bring expenses in line with revenue, the Finance Director
Figure 6 asked that all departments cut their FY08 preliminary budgets
by five percent bringing total to $38.4 million (see Figure 6)
Impact on
Municipal Departments
The starting point for the FY08 budget for municipal departments was to add step increases ($ 100,000)to the FY07
020,for a total of 000.
expenses ($000)
14, $
14,
120, Departments were then asked to cut 5% ($
665,000)from that
figure, bringing the FY08 budget to 13,455, Approximately
$
000. half of the required budget cuts were achieved by
departments increasing fees, sharing resources and cutting services. The remaining portion came from reduction in
positions and/
o r hours worked by town employees as shown in the table below.
De artment Position Action Savin s
Planning Town Planner Not filled 25,000
Information S stems Part Time osition Reduced Hours 6,
700
Public Buildings Custodian Reduced Hours 18,000
Police Crossin Guards Eliminated 89,000
Police Sergeant Not filled 58,000
Fire Department Captain Not filled 64,433
Fire De artment 3 Firefi hters Laid off 117,700
Fire Department Accounting Clerk Reduced Hours 4,
000
Fire De artment Homeland Securi Reduced Services 2,
000
Building Wire Inspector Reduced Hours 15,400
En ineerin Junior En ineer Fund from water/sewer 52,500
Tree Warden Tree Warden Not filled 9,
000
Planning Board Secretary Reduced Hours 2,
534
Veterans A ent Reduced Hours 3,
800
Library Staff Reduced Hours 24,000
Table 1: Municipal personnel reductions
Impact on School Department
The FY07 budget for the School Department ($ 000)
25, 612, had $600,000 added to it to meet step and lane
obligations for a total of 000.
$
26,212, Five percent ($1,
000) 235, was then cut from that figure, bringing the FY08
24,977, Increasing fees in athletics, bus transportation and extracurricular activities
budget to $000.
6-Source page 7
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
School Position Savin s achieved approximately 20%
Hansen 5 Teachers
250,071) of the required budget cut.
192,415
The remaining cuts came from
Kennel 5 Teachers 192,415 reductions in positions as shown in
Luce 5 Teachers 153,932 Table 2. The School Committee
Galvin Middle School 7 Teachers 269,381 expects that the majority of the 28
High School 5 Teachers 229,400 teaching positions cut will be entry-
level ($
38,483),which means that the
Hi h School 2 Aides 43,826
schools will be able to retain
System Wide 1.6 Teachers 42,968 their more experienced teachers.
System Wide 0.4 Coordinator 26,089
Table 2: School personnel reductions
Capital Budget
The established procedure for the Town is to set aside 6%
of the recurring revenues for the Capital Budget each
year. The Town first pays debt service on all existing debt within the levy from this amount. The remaining amount
is used to fund capital projects identified in the Capital Planning Committee's CPC) ( 5- year plan. For the past 4
years, the CPC has reduced its goal of 6% to help close the structural deficit for each of those years, which has
resulted in needed capital maintenance and/or repairs being postponed. Deferring maintenance and/or repairs runs
the risk oflow-cost projects growing to expensive ones in years to come.
Status of the Town' s Cash Reserves
The town currently has reserves of $1675, 251, split among Free Cash Reserves ($ 013),
1, 561, Stabilization
1,
653) 963, and the Assessor' s Overlay ($1,
501). 726, Of these accounts only the Free Cash Reserves and the
Stabilization accounts ($
3,
666) 524, can be accessed by Town Meeting to fund operational expenses. The assessor' s
Overlay Reserve is accessible only by the elected Board of Assessors.
It is extremely important for the Town to maintain this minimum level of reserves as it provides two vital functions.
First and foremost, the reserves provide a ready source of funds to deal with unforeseen emergency situations. In
FY06, $ 175,000 was appropriated from stabilization to supplement the budget of the Blue Hills Regional School.
The Finance Committee recommends that $
525,000 be transferred from Free Cash to the Stabilization Fund, which
would replace what was taken out last year and keep the levels of Free Cash Reserves and Stabilization Fund at the
minimum target of 7%
of the operating budget.
2007 Reserve Funds The second and financially important function of the
1,
in $ OOOs) reserves is to protect our current AA+bond rating.
Current reserve levels in all three funds account for
about 9%
of the FY08 budget and bond rating agencies
2,
500 $
1,
561 $ 1,
964 $ 1,
727 have stated that our reserves should be between 10 and
2,
000
to justify our excellent rating (Figure 8).
15% The Town
1,
500 has approximately $15 million that it is obligated to
1,
000 borrow in the near future to pay for construction of the
500 variouscapital projects. If our bond rating should be
0 downgraded because the amount of reserves is reduced
Free Cash Stabilization Assessor's from its current level, the interest on this $15 million
could increase from $15,000 to $37,500 every year
for 20 years ( Figure 9).
Any future borrowing
would further exacerbate the increased interest
Figure 7
payments . For example, the 5-
year Capital Plan calls
for borrowing an additional $
31 million for critically needed water and sewer system improvements, fire department
vehicle replacement and DPW drainage improvement. An increase in the Town' s interest rates on borrowing a total
of 46
$ million would cost an additional $
46,000 to $115,000 each year for 20 years.
7-Source page 8
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
Effects of BondRating Decrease
Bonding Agency Expectation
1,
in $ OOOs) on $ 15 million we must bond
5,
251 $ 5,
961
800,000
6,
000 $
5,000 $ 600,000
4,000 $
400,000
3,000
2,
000 $ 200,000
1,
000 ;; ;; 0 -
0 ~
1 6 11 16 21
Reserve Total Bonding Agency
Min.
15,
OOOlyear $ 37,
5001year
Figure 8 Figure 9
Operating Budget
The operating budget is comprised of the public schools, the municipal departments, the fixed costs, cash capital
expenses and state & county charges. The municipal departments and the Canton school department have developed
operating budgets that are in line with the projected revenues for FY08 and the Finance Committee supports these
budgets.
The Blue Hills Regional School
budget is listed in the fixed costs category. The FY08 requested budget of
1,326, is an
756 11 % increase over the $693
1,196, FY07 budget. The Finance Committee voted to support the
state-required minimum contribution of $
1,
191 038, with and additional $75,235 for debt service and capital costs
and $24,700 for School to Careers Assessment costs for a total of 1,
$ 13 8,126. This figure is a 4.9%
decrease from
the FY07 amount.
One of the state- imposed requirements for Library certification is to use money from the Library operating budget to
purchase books and materials for the library collection. Given the cuts required to meet the target FY08 budget, the
Library was $10,000 short of meeting the state requirement, which jeopardized the receipt of 20,
$ 000 in state funds.
However, the library cash capital budget had more than $10,000 set aside for the purchase of books and materials
increase. The Finance Committee recommends that $10,000 be transferred from the Library cash capital account
into the Library operating budget so that the library can meet the minimum state standards and receive $20,000 in
state funding.
Summary of the Finance Committee Position Regarding Certain Articles in the Warrant
Negotiations for contracts with the Town' s collective bargaining units (Articles 5 and 6)are ongoing. As a result
there are no contracts for consideration at this town meeting.
The Finance Committee unanimously supports supplementing FY07 budget deficits ( Article 9),transferring
unexpended balances ( Article 10) and rescinding unused borrowing authorizations ( Article 37). We also
unanimously support the establishment of revolving account school building rental fees ( Article 13) and non-
resident student tuition (Article 14) and the adoption of an Early Retirement Initiative (Article 17).The majority
voted to recommend increasing the commercial property exemption amount to $5, the mandatory
000 ( Article 27),
transfer of retirees to Medicare (Article 18) and the establishment of a by- law for a temporary fire watch patrol
Article 29)
Respectfully submitted
Canton Finance Committee
Patricia Johnson, Chairman Leo Chausse Ted Powell
John Demoy, Vice Chairman David Emhardt Alan Reese
Sepp Bergschneider Adam Mazonson Jim Sims
Kevin Caulfield Jimmy Pappas Diane Wolff
g-Source page 9
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
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 areprovided:
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.
BONDS: The money Canton borrows to pay for capital building projects such as the High School and police
station.
CAPITAL EXPENSES: Expenses associated with the purchase of long term assets, or projects. Paying for these
expenses can come from either cash ( Cash Capital) or from long term bonding.
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.
DEBT EXCLUSION: Taxes raised through a prop 2. 5 override to pay for capital projects such as building the high
school or library
ENTERPRISE SURPLUS: ( 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.
FIXED COSTS: Costs primarily associated with employee benefits, such as health insurance and retirement costs.
FREE CASH RESERVE: An accumulation of surpluses left at the end of the fiscal year. This funding is available to
be allocated at Town Meeting through a simple majority vote. It is akin to a savings account.
FY07: July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007
FY08: July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008
LEVEL FUNDING: The budget amount for this year will be identical to the budget amount last year (i.
e.,no
additional money will be available to cover increased costs in salaries or supplies.)
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 the town collects from local sources such as excise tax, licenses and permits,
investment income, and penalties
NEW GROWTH: Additional tax revenue the Town receives from new construction, such as new homes or
additions to existing buildings.
OPERATIONAL OVERRIDE: An increase above the standard 2. 5% yearly increase in taxes. This increase is
unlike a debt exclusion override, in that it is permanent.
OVERLAY: The amount raised by the Assessors 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.
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."
REVENUES: Amount of money the town receives to cover expenses. The majority of this money comes from
property taxes. The remainder comes from local receipts, State Aid and transfers from other funds.
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."
STATE AID: The amount of money that the state of Massachusetts gives to the town of Canton.
STEP AND LANE INCREASES: Automatic increases in salary for town workers, negotiated in the union contracts.
STRUCTURAL DEFICIT: Town's recurring expenses are greater than its recurring revenues.
TAX LEVY: ( LEVY): The revenue a community can raise through real estate and personal property taxes.
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.
g-Source page 10
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
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 g. I rise to speak in
risen to speak: e.
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 voter is speaking every other voter in the hall should pay attention
one 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.
NOTE TO ALL VOTERS CONCERNING
TOWN MEETING PROCEDURES
At previous Annual Town Meetings by-law was adopted which requires that almost all warrant articles be acted
a
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 next year's 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, and any warrant article that calls for an expenditure. This
may mean that the proposed annual operating budget may, 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.
10-Source page 11
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
SUMMARY OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURES
FY 2006 FY 2007 FY 2008
ACTUAL BUDGET PROPOSED
GENERAL FUND REVENUE:
TOTAL PROPERTY TAX REVENUE 43,209,
347 45,239,
117 46,077,
609
TOTAL LOCAL RECEIPTS 6,
061
610, 5,
000
410, 5,
000
701,
STATE AID ( GROSS) 5,
493
867, 6,
269
445, 6,
339
800,
TRANSFERS FROM OTHER FUNDS 2,
845
252, 2,
838
016, 2,
095
048,
TAX TITLE / FORECLOSURE REVENUE 198,779 0 0
TOTAL REVENUE 58,138,
526 59,111,
224 60,627,
043
GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES:
PUBLIC SCHOOL EXPENSES 24,448,
712 25,611,
623 24,977,
000
MUNICIPAL EXPENSES 13,947,
620 14,019,
751 13,700,
071
FIXED COSTS 19,231,
830 20,416,
160 20,672,
742
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES 57,628,
162 60,047,
534 59,349,
813
CASH CAPITAL EXPENDITURES 1,
380
112, 326,000 851,000
TRANSFER TO STABILIZATION FUND 1,
000
100, 0 525,000
STATE & COUNTY CHARGES 736,659 755,442 869,532
TOTAL EXPENDITURES 60,577,
200 61,128,
976 61,595,
345
OPERATING SURPLUSI(DEFICIT) GENERAL
- FUND 2,
674)
438, 2,
752)
017, 968,302)
ONE-TIME SOURCES OF FUNDS:
FREE CASH RESERVE 3,
311
310, 1,
752
517, 525,000
OVERLAY SURPLUS 615,000 500,000 443,302
TOTAL NON-
RECURRING SOURCES 3,
311
925, 2,
752
017, 968,302
ADJUSTED SURPLUSI(DEFICIT) GENERAL
- FUND 1,
637
486, 0 0)
ENTERPRISE FUNDS:
WATER REVENUE 4,
490
398, 4,
956
162, 4,
027
285,
SEUVER REVENUE 4,
987
521, 4,
337
753, 4,
231
956,
RINK REVENUE 368,216 368,896 374,840
TOTAL ENTERPRISE FUNDS' REVENUE 9,
693
288, 9,
189
285, 9,
098
616,
ENTERPRISE FUNDS' SURPLUS USED 0 134,000 10,000
WATER EXPENSES 4,
898
067, 4,
956
162, 4,
027
285,
SEUVER EXPENSES 4,
390
279, 4,
337
753, 4,
231
956,
RINK EXPENSES 349,379 368,896 374,840
TOTAL ENTERPRISE FUNDS EXPENSES 8,
667
696, 9,
189
285, 9,
098
616,
ENTERPRISE FUNDS' CAPITAL EXPENDITURES 62,190 134,000 10,000
ENTERPRISE FUNDS' SURPLUSI(DEFICIT) 529,836 0 0
GRAND TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS 69,336,
057 70,548,
165 71,221,
443
11-Source page 12
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
Town of Canton
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk, ss
To the Constables of the Town of Canton,
Greetings:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are hereby required to notify and warn the
inhabitants of the Town of Canton to meet at Morse Auditorium, on the grounds of the Canton High
School, 900 Washington Street in said town on;
MONDAY, THE THIRTIETH DAY
OF APRIL, 2007
At half past seven o'clock ( 7:
30 P.M.)in the evening for the annual town meeting at which time and
place the following articles are to be acted upon:
ELECT A MODERATOR
Article 1 To elect a Moderator to preside at this Town Meeting, and to serve until the
commencement of Annual Town Meeting in 2008, or to take any other action related thereto.
Board of Selectmen
MOVED: That the Town elect a Moderator to preside at this Town Meeting and to serve
until the commencement of Annual Town Meeting in 2008.
VOTE: 7-
00-
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
2007 Annual Town Meeting, or to take any other action related thereto.
Board of Selectmen
Mf1TTf1N 1
MOVED: That this 2007 Annual Town Meeting meet on consecutive Monday and
Wednesday evenings ( but not including Monday, May 28th) in the Morse Auditorium, on the
grounds of the Canton High School 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 near that hour as may be feasible, according to the nature of the business
pending at the said hour.
VOTE: 7-
00-
12-Source page 13
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
DISCUSSION: This motion formalizes procedures that have been followed by Town Meeting in
the past.
APPROVED DISAPPROVED
MOTION 2
MOVED: That the following individualsbe 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:
Joseph Ciccolo, Supt.- Director, Blue Hills Regional Technical School
John Ciccotelli, Director of Public Health
Paul R. DeRensis, Town Counsel
Alan B. Dewey, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services
Daniel Donahue, Town Engineer
Bernard Fallon, Superintendent of Buildings & Grounds
Helena Findlen, Police Department Lieutenant
William T. Friel, Town Administrator
Paul Gargano, Town Accountant
Louis Jutras, Information Systems Manager
Irene Kaplan, Superintendent of Schools
Jeffrey Kaylor, Recreation Director
Mark Lague, Library Director
Kenneth Leon, Business Manager, School Department
John McFadden, Business Manager, Blue Hills Regional Technical School
James Murgia, Finance Director
Robert Murphy, Conservation Commission Agent
Gregory Palmer, Interim Director for Curriculum, Instruction & Technology
Mark Roy, Executive Director, Canton Housing Authority
Lori Soloway, Human Resource Administrator
Michael Trotta, Superintendent of Public Works
Diane Tynan, Director of Council on Aging
John Wieliczki, Director of Assessing
VOTE: 10-0-
0
DISCUSSION: This motion allows non-resident key town officials to legally participate in
Town Meeting and formalizes procedures that have been followed by Town Meeting in the past.
APPROVED DISAPPROVED
MOTION 3
MOVED: That wheneverduring discussion under any article in this warrant during this
year's annual town meeting, irrespective of which session such discussion is reached during
the progress of the annual town meeting, 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 or which changes the method of obtaining funds to meet that
appropriation, the moderator shall not accept such motion unless said motion also contains
a corresponding decrease in another appropriation as contained in an appropriation article
on this specific warrant or a corresponding transfer from any other available funding
source, so that the total amount to be appropriated by the town, at this town meeting, and
to be expended thereafter, for all the appropriation articles contained in this warrant, shall
not in any event exceed the total dollar amount recommended by the Finance Committee as
set forth in the published Report of the Finance Committee Recommendations as may be
increased by any transfer from available funds.
VOTE: 7-
00-
13-Source page 14
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
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
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 related thereto.
Board of Selectmen
MOVED: That the Town Meeting hear reports of all committees appointed at previous
Town Meetings which have not been discharged as follows:
ADA Transition Plan Implementation Committee ( ATM 1999, Article 10)
Revere Barn Study Committee ( ATM 2001, Article 25)
Ponkapoag School Restoration Committee ( ATM 2002, Article 40)
Feasibility Study Committee for Third Fire Station ( ATM 2003, Article 23)
Economic Development Committee ( ATM 2004, Article 14)
VOTE: 7-
00-
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee unanimously supports the adoption of this motion to hear
the reports of all standing committees appointed at prior town meetings.
APPROVED DISAPPROVED
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 called, consent
a, so- agenda, or to take any other action related thereto.
Board of Selectmen
MOVED: That the following articles be
disposed of by a single vote, in accordance with
the Finance Committee motions as printed in the
report of the Finance Committee, entitled
Recommendations of the Finance Committee for the Voters of Canton, Massachusetts":
Articles 5, 6 and 36.
VOTE: 9-
00-
DISCUSSION: Every year some warrant articles are grouped together that have a
commonality. This year articles 5, 6 and 36 fit the criteria for the consent agenda. Articles 5 and 6
concern employee contracts and Article 36 concerns the use of Insurance Proceeds; all three articles
14-Source page 15
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
have nothing to bring forward to Town Meeting and the Finance Committee have voted to postpone
indefinitely.
APPROVED DISAPPROVED
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS UNDER THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Article 5 To see if the vote, in accordance
town will with the provisions of section seven of
chapter one hundred fifty E ( G. L. Ch.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 related thereto.
Board of Selectmen
MOVED: That the subject matter of this article be postponed indefinitely.
VOTE: 10-0-
0
DISCUSSION: Current contracts with municipal employees run through June 2007. The
Board of Selectmen have indicated that contract negotiations are currently underway but that no
agreements will be ready for Town Meeting. As a result, the Finance Committee voted to have this
warrant article postponed indefinitely.
APPROVED DISAPPROVED
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS UNDER SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Article 6 To see if the vote, in accordance
town will with the provisions of section seven of
chapter one hundred fifty E ( G. L. Ch. 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 related
thereto.
Board of Selectmen for the School Committee
MOVED: That the subject matter of this article be postponed indefinitely.
VOTE: 10-0-
0
15-Source page 16
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
DISCUSSION: Current contracts with School
Department employees run through June 2007.
New contracts will commenceJuly on 1, 2007 and
through June 2010. The School Committee
run
must negotiate with 5 unions. In addition, they must negotiate personal services contracts with over
30 individuals. Prior to the deadline for posting the contracts before Town Meeting, the School
Committee, their employees and their employee unions had not reached an agreement on terms and
conditions of their next contract. Thus, the Finance Committee voted to have the subject matter of
this article withdrawn from consideration and action on this warrant article postponed indefinitely.
APPROVED DISAPPROVED
SET SALARIES OF ELECTED OFFICERS
Article 7 To see if the will vote, in accordance
town with the provisions of section one hundred
and eight ofchapter forty-one ( G. L. chapter 41, ~108) to fix the salary and compensation of all
elected officers of the town, or to take any other action related thereto.
Board of Selectmen
MOVED: That the salary and compensation for all elected officials of the town be fixed,
as follows:
full time position)
Town Clerk $ 63,217
part time positions)
Board of Assessors $ 00,
2, 400. for each member
Board of Health $ 600.00,for each member
Board of Selectmen $ 1,
00,400. for each member, with an additional
200.00 to chairperson
VOTE: 9-
00-
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee supports the adoption of Article 7. There were no
increases of salaries or compensation from last year's numbers.
APPROVED DISAPPROVED
PAY BILLS OF PRIOR FISCAL YEAR
Article 8 To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds or
borrow pursuant to any applicable statute a sum or sums of money to pay any unpaid bills of any prior
fiscal year, or to take and other action related thereto.
Board of Selectmen for the Board of Selectmen and Zoning Board of Appeals
16-Source page 17
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
MOVED: That the following bills from prior fiscal years be paid as follows:
Vendor Pur ose Amount Source of Funds
Deutsch Williams Legal Services $ 310.23 Finance Committee' s
Rendered during Reserve Fund
Fiscal 2006
NSTAR Electric StreetLighting $ 4,
87
623. Finance Committee' s
Expenses from Reserve Fund
Fiscal 2006
VOTE: 10-0-
0
DISCUSSION: The unanimously supports adoption of this article. The
Finance Committee
amount owed to Town Counsel ($ 310.23) stems
a Zoning Board from
Issue ( PPS Ventures Canton LLC
v. ZBA). The amount owed to NSTAR is actually for two bills for the Town' s streetlights. The first bill
was issued in May 2006 in the amount of $25; 2, 168. the second bill issued in June 2006 in the
amount of $62
2, 455. both
( bills totaling $4,
87).623. All of these bills were remitted to the town after
the " Books" for FY 2006 were closed. The Board of Selectmen has stated that they support this
expenditure.
APPROVED DISAPPROVED
SUPPLEMENT FISCAL ' 07 ACCOUNTS
Article 9 To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds, or
borrow pursuant to any applicable statute any sum or sums of money for the purpose of
supplementing appropriations made for the fiscal year 2007 beginning on July 1, 2006 and ending on
June 30, 2007 pursuant to Article 42 of the Warrant for the 2006 Annual Town Meeting, or to take any
other action related thereto"
Board of Selectmen
MOVED: That the appropriations voted for the fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2006
and ending on June 30, 2007 pursuant to Article 42 of the warrant for the 2006 annual
town meeting be supplemented, as follows:
1. The sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,
000) be appropriated to the Fire Department
Salaries Account (#12201-51300) by transfer from the Finance Committee Reserve
Fund Account (#
11322-59600).
VOTE: 10-0-
0
MOTION 1
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee
supports this motion. The transfer will
unanimously
address the Fire
Department's projected deficit
year ending for the
on June 30, 2007. A major
component of this deficit relates to overtime costs in excess of those originally budgeted. This deficit is
the result of an ongoing structural budget problem that the Fire Department has experienced over the
past several years. It is the understanding of the Finance Committee that the Fire Department Chief is
actively working with the Board of Selectmen to address the structural budget problem.
APPROVED DISAPPROVED
17-Source page 18
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
2. The sum of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) be transferred to the Workers'
Compensation Account ( Fund #863) from the Unemployment Claims Account ( Fund
865).
VOTE: 10-0-
0
MOTION 2
DISCUSSION: The Finance supports this motion. In the past the
Committee unanimously
Town transitioned from self-insured compensation claims to premium-based
coverage for workers
coverage. Under the self-insured approach the Town was responsible for providing enough coverage
to satisfy claims as they arose. Under the premium-based approach the Town pays a premium to an
insurance company who then assumes the responsibility to satisfy new claims as they arise. The
transfer to the Workers' Compensation Fund will pay for costs relating to claims that arose when the
Town was self-insured.
APPROVED DISAPPROVED
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 from prior town meetings, or to take any
other action related thereto.
Board of Selectmen
MOTION 1
MOVED: That the Fire Engine #2 purchase appropriation previously voted pursuant to
Article 12, Motion 4 of the 2006 Annual Town Meeting be increased by the sum of Six
Thousand Seventy Five Dollars and Fifty Two Cents ($52),
6, 075. thereby increasing the
appropriation of Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($400,000) to Four Hundred Six Thousand
and Seventy Five Dollars and Fifty Two Cents ($ 406,075. and to meet this appropriation
52),
the sum of Six Thousand Seventy Five Dollars and Fifty Two Cents ($ 52)
6, 075. be
transferred from the appropriation for the Fire Tanker Truck purchase, as voted pursuant to
Article 13, Motion 6 of the 2005 Annual Town Meeting, thereby reducing the Fire Tanker
Truck appropriation from $295,000 to $ 288,924.
48.
VOTE: 10-0-
0
MOTION 1
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee unanimously supports this motion. This transfer of
funds occurred because the Fire Department' s Engine #2's cost exceeded the funds authorized at town
meeting. The shortfall will be supplemented by surplus funds in fire tanker truck replacement fund.
APPROVED DISAPPROVED
18-Source page 19
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
MOTION 2
MOVED: That the Memorial Field Turf
project appropriation previously voted pursuant
to Article 48 of the 2005 Annual Town
Meeting be increased by the sum of Nine Hundred
and Fifty Six Dollars and Seventy Six Cents ($956.76), thereby increasing the appropriation
of Three Hundred Ten Thousand Dollars ($310,000) to Three Hundred Ten Thousand Nine
Hundred and Fifty Six Dollars and Seventy Six Cents ($310,956.
76), and to meet this
appropriation the sum of Nine Hundred and Fifty Six Dollars and Seventy Six Cents
956.76) be transferred from the appropriation for the Memorial Field project, as voted
pursuant to Article 15, Motion 5 of the 2000 Annual Town Meeting and amended by Article
48 of the 2005 Annual Town Meeting, thereby reducing the Memorial Field project
appropriation from $11,000 to $ 10,
24. 043.
VOTE: 10-0-
0
MOTION 2
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee unanimously supports this motion. This transfer of
funds occurred because the Memorial Field Turf project's cost exceeded the funds authorized at town
meeting. The shortfall will be supplemented by surplus funds in Memorial Field project.
APPROVED DISAPPROVED
MOTION 3
MOVED: That the Rink Roof Repair project appropriation previously voted pursuant to
Article 50, Motion 23 of the 1999 Annual Town Meeting be reduced by the sum of Three
Thousand and Ninety Four Dollars ($3, 094),thereby decreasing the appropriation of Fifteen
Thousand Dollars ($15,000) to Eleven Thousand Nine Hundred and Six Dollars ($11,906) by
transferring the sum of Three Thousand and Ninety Four Dollars ($ 3,094) to the Rink
Enterprise surplus account.
VOTE: 10-0-
0
MOTION 3
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee
unanimously supports this motion. This transfer of
funds occurred because the Rink roof
repairs cost was less than the funds authorized at Town Meeting.
Motion made to return unspent funds ($3, 094) to the rink surplus.
APPROVED DISAPPROVED
19-Source page 20
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
AUTHORIZE CONTRACTS OF MORE THAN THREE YEARS DURATION
Article 11 To see if the vote, in accordance with the provisions of section twelve ( b)of
town will
chapter thirty 6, of the General Laws of the Commonwealth, 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, prior to the solicitation, 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
MOVED: That 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: 7-
00-
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee unanimously supports this article. From time to time,
it is in 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
AUTHORIZE CERTAIN REVOLVING FUNDS
Article 12 To see what revolving funds pursuant to c. 44, section 53E 1/z of the general laws the
town will authorize reauthorize, for various boards, commissions or departments of the town, for
or
the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2007 and ending June 30, 2008, or to take any other action related
thereto.
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 1/i for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2007 through Tune
30, 2008.
20-Source page 21
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
ARTICLE 12
FY 08
Revolving Name of Spending Spending
Fund # Revolvin Fund Authorit Revenue Sources Use of Funds Limit
Pequitside Farm Conservation Rental of Pequitside Farm, Rental of Little Maintaining, improving & renovation of property 20,000
Rentals Commission Red House, Rental of Rooms in Main as per master plan on file with Town Clerk. annually
1
Building, Rental of Rooms in Tavern, Any
other portion of building
or grounds.
Veteran's Veterans' Contributions, Donations, Gifts, Grants, & Providing services to veterans not funded 20,000
Services Special Services other sums of money not otherwise provided under established program, including but not annually
Revenues Director for by law. limited to newsletter publication, monthly
2 breakfasts, funeral services, other
commemorative programs and other purposes
in the opinion of the Veterans' Director in the
best interests of Canton Veterans.
Fire Alarm Fire Chief Fees received
by it from, or on behalf of Payment of bills and charges incurred in 10,000
3 Relocation Commonwealth, any public utility, any other connection with relocation of fire alarm signal annually
business entit , or an individual erson. wires, devices & other a urtenances.
COA Council on Fees for providing transportation services to Payment of bills and charges in connection 10,000
4 Transportation Aging elderly citizens. with transportation of elderly. annually
Fund
Board of Health Board of Contributions, donations, gifts, grants, Providing services to Canton citizens not 15,000
Special Health reimbursements & other sums of money not otherwise funded under established program, annually
Revenues provided for by law and not otherwise including but not limited to flu vaccinations,
5
appropriated. child and teenage health education &
development programs and elderly health
programs.
Animal Control Animal Control Contributions, donations, gifts, grants, Providing payment for veterinary services. 30,000
g Special Officer reimbursements & other sums of money not annually
Revenues provided for by law.
Library Building Board of Fees for rental and use of Community or Paying bills, connected with the providing of 30,000
Rentals Library other assembly rooms used for meetings, maintenance and supply of facilities and for the annually
Trustees programs or other events, including support and safe conduct of said programs and
7 payments for use of facilities and events.
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 park their vehicles Payment of bills and charges to maintain the 75,000
Fees Committee at Canton High School. high school parking lots and grounds. annually
Greenlodge Board of Fees paid by residents and non- residents to Payment of bills and charges to maintain the 50,000
g
Street Parking Selectmen park their vehicles along Greenlodge Street. program. annually
Fees
Beautification Beautification Fees received from the sale of bricks. Payment of services required to install bricks 10,000
10 Fund Committee and for other beautification projects. annually
Library Dues Board of Fees received for loss, damage or late return Payment of bills and charges for purchasing 30,000
Fund Library of borrowed materials, replacement of books and other library materials for public annually
Trustees borrower cards,or any other such fees as loan.
11 may be established by the Board of Library
Trustees, for the purpose of and consistent
with maintaining a fair and efficient library
loan s stem.
Soil Erosion and Conservation Fees received for permits and certificates of Payment of bills and charges to process 30,000
12
Sediment Control Commission compliance under Article 20 of the Town permits and certificates of compliance under annually
Fund General By- Laws. Article 20 of the Town General By- Laws.
Permit Software Finance Fees added to various licenses issued by Payment of maintenance fees for the 50,000
13 Maintenance Director multiple town departments. permitting software package. annually
Fees
VOTE: 10-0-
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.
21-Source page 22
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
Revolving Fund #2
DISCUSSION: This article was requested by the Veterans' Services Director to establish a
revolving fund for special revenues received. The fund will be used to provide services to veterans
who are not otherwise funded under any established program.
Revolving Fund #3
DISCUSSION: This article must be voted by Town Meeting for the Fire Chief to establish a
revolving fund for fees received to compensate the department for relocating fire alarm services.
Revolving Fund #4
DISCUSSION: This article must be voted by Town Meeting for the Council on Aging to
establish a revolving fund to which revenues derived from transportation supplied to the elderly
the
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 #5
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 #6
DISCUSSION: This article must be voted by Town Meeting for the Animal Control Officer 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 #7
DISCUSSION: This article must be voted by Town Meeting for the Board of Library Trustees
to establish revolving fund for building rental fees and other payments received.
a The fund will be
used to support the rental programs and other related costs.
Revolving Fund #8
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.
Revolving Fund #9
DISCUSSION: This article must be voted by Town Meeting for the Board of Selectmen to
establish a revolving fund for fees
paid by residents to park their vehicles on Greenlodge Street. The
fund will be used for the payments of bills and other charges to maintain the parking program. At
year end, any balance in this fund is transferred to the general fund.
Revolving Fund #10
DISCUSSION: This article must be voted by Town Meeting for the Beautification Committee
to establish a revolving fund for fees paid by residents to purchase commemorative bricks. The fund
will be used for the payments of bills and other charges to install bricks and for other beautification
projects.
Revolving Fund #11
DISCUSSION: This revolving fund will allow the Library to keep the fines they charge for
books and other materials that are returned late. This will help the library meet state requirements to
receive annual state aid and certifications.
Revolving Fund #12
DISCUSSION: This article must be voted by Town Meeting for the Conservation Commission
to establish a revolving fund for fees paid in accordance with the Town' s soil erosion by-law. The fund
22 _Source page 23
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
will be used for the payments of bills and othercharges to process permits and certificates of
compliance under Article XX of the Town' s General By-Laws.
Revolving Fund #13
DISCUSSION: This article must be voted by Town Meeting for the Finance Director to
establish arevolving fund for the collection of fees paid by permit applicants. The fund will be used
for the payment of maintenance fees for the permitting software package.
APPROVED DISAPPROVED
ESTABLISHMENT OF SCHOOL BUILDING RENTAL REVENUE REVOLVING ACCOUNT
Article 13 To see if the town will
accept vote to
provisions 71, s 71 E to establish a
the of G. L. Ch
school building rental revenue revolving account to be expended by the School Committee without
further appropriation for expenses incurred in making school property available for such use or to take
any other action related thereto, such statute providing as follows:
Chapter 71: Section 71 E. Appropriations for and
expenditure of receipts from adult education and
continuing education programs. In any
which accepts this section, all moneys received by
city or town
the school committee ... in connection with the use of school property under section seventy-one,
shall be deposited with the treasurer of the town or city and held as separate accounts. The receipts
held in such a separate account may be expended by said school committee without further
appropriation for the purposes of the program or programs from which the receipts held in such
account were derived or, in the case of the use of school property account, for expenses incurred in
making school property available for such use, notwithstanding the provisions of section fifty-three of
chapter forty-four of the General Laws. A city or town may appropriate funds for the conduct of any
such program or for expenses incurred in making school property available for such use, which funds
shall be expended by the school committee in addition to funds provided from other sources. Three
years from the date a city or town accepts the provisions of this paragraph, and every third year
thereafter, said city or town may act to rescind its original acceptance.
Board of Selectmen for the Canton School Committee
MOVED: That the Town accept the provisions of G. L. Ch 71, s 71 E to establish a
school building rental revenue revolving account to be expended by the School Committee
without further appropriation for expenses incurred in making school property available for
such use.
VOTE: 9-
00-
DISCUSSION: The state allows cities and towns to use revolving accounts for the collection
and expenditure by town organizations of certain types of fees. The School Committee has been
collecting and expending fees for the rental of school property during non- school hours for continuing
education and community programs, such as adult education and athletic programs. These funds are
deposited and tracked in a separate account and used by the School Committee for expenses related
making school property available for rental under M.G. L. Ch. 44, Sec. 53. However, there is a limit of
the total funds that can be administered under M.G. Ch. 44, Sec. 53E 1/z and the town needs to
L.
separately authorize transactions related to rental of school property for continuing education and
community programs. During fiscal 2007 the state pointed out that the school revolving funds
exceeded these limits and recommended that the School Committee use another G. for
L.
M. these
continuing education rental fees. Legal representation for the town suggested M.G. L. Ch. 71 E.
23-Source page 24
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
This amendment would allow the School Committee to continue to collect and expend fees in
accordance with State laws using the existing separate school property rental account.
APPROVED DISAPPROVED
ESTABLISHMENT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT REVOLVING ACCOUNT - REVENUE RECEIVED AS
TUITION
Article 14 To see if the town will vote to accept the provisions of G. L. Ch 71, s 71 F to establish a
School Department revolving account for revenue received as tuition for nonresident students and
foster care children, which revenue may be expended by the School Committee without further
appropriation for expenses incurred in providing education for such nonresident students or for such
students who are foster care children, or to take any other action related thereto, such statute
providing as follows:
Chapter 7I : Section 71 F. Nonresident or foster care students; deposit of tuition payments and state
reimbursements; expenditures and appropriations. In any city or town which accepts this section, all
monies received by the school committee as tuition payments for nonresident students and as state
reimbursements for students who are foster care children shall be deposited with the treasurer of the
town or city and held as separate accounts. The receipts held in such a separate account may be
expended by said school committee without further appropriation for expenses incurred in providing
education for such nonresident students or for such students who are foster care children,
notwithstanding the provisions of section fifty-three of chapter forty-four. A city or town may
appropriate funds for expenses incurred in providing education for such nonresident students or for
such students who are foster care children, which funds shall be expended by the school committee in
addition to funds provided from other sources.
Board of Selectmen for the Canton School Committee
MOVED: That the
Town accept the provisions of G. L. Ch 71, s 71 F to establish a
School Departmentrevolving account for revenue received as tuition for nonresident
students and foster care children, which revenue may be expended by the School
Committee without further appropriation for expenses incurred in providing education for
such nonresident students or for such students who are foster care children.
VOTE: 9-
00-
DISCUSSION: The state allows cities and towns to use revolving accounts for the collection
and expenditure by town
organizations of
types certain of fees. The School
has been Committee
collecting and expending fees for the non-resident & foster care school tuition. These funds are
deposited and tracked in a separate account and used by the School Committee for expenses related
to non-resident and foster care school programs under M.G. L. Ch. 44, Sec. 53 '/z. However, there is
a limit of the total funds that can be administered under L.M.G. Ch. 44, Sec. 53E 1/i and the town
needs to separately authorize transactions for school tuition for non-residents. During fiscal 2007 the
state pointed out that the school revolving funds exceeded these limits and recommended that school
committee adopt another L. M.G. for non-resident and foster care tuition. Legal representation for the
town suggested M.G. L. Ch. 71 s71F.
24 -Source page 25
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
This amendment would allow the School Committee to continue to collect and expend fees in
accordance with State laws using the existing separate non-resident tuition account.
APPROVED DISAPPROVED
OMNIBUS" CAPITAL OUTLAY PROGRAM
Article 15 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
of the Board of Selectmen, to borrow ( and
approval
to issue bonds or notes therefore) any sum or sums of money, or by any combination of these
methods of financing as may be necessary or desirable, make available funds for the purpose of
purchasing, leasing, re- conditioning, improving or replacing any motor vehicles or other items of
equipment or machinery or other items of personal property for any town agency, or for the purpose
of contracting for any service, or for the design, repair, acquisition, construction, replacement or
relocation or improvement to any town building or other structure, public works facility ( including
highway needs and traffic safety items), any other town owned facility or real property, or for any
other purposes for which borrowing may be authorized, to purchase, or to take by eminent domain,
any land or easements necessary for any such purposes and, where applicable, to authorize the trade-
in of any presently owned motor vehicles, equipment or machinery to reduce the purchase or
acquisition cost of any item to be acquired, or to take any other action related thereto.
Board of Selectmen for Capital P/ anninA Committee
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 30 ( thirty) 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,
except as may be provided by any specific motion made pursuant to this article.
VOTE: 9-
00-
MOTION 1
DISCUSSION: This motion authorizes the Finance Director to supervise vehicle acquisitions
and the Building Renovations Committee to oversee all building/land improvement projects.
APPROVED DISAPPROVED
25-Source page 26
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
MOTION 2
MOVED: That Four Hundred
Twenty One Thousand Dollars ($ 421,000) be
appropriated from the Fiscal Year 2008
tax levy and other general revenues of the town for
the Board of Selectmen to expend with the approval of the Department head or Board or
Commission indicated below for the purpose of purchasing certain items of property set
forth below for various Municipal Departments as follows:
CPC & FINCOM
RECOMMENDATIONS FINCOM VOTE
Police Department
Replace Four Patrol Cars 94,000 9-
00-
with existing vehicles to be sold, traded in or
otherwise disposed of)
Replace Bullet Resistant Vests 6,
000 9-
00-
Gas Masks 9,
000 9-
00-
Fire Department
Upgrade Communication Equipment - Radio System 26,000 9-
00-
Finance
Replace Computer Hardware/Software 21,000 9-
00-
Replace Police Station Server 12,000 9-
00-
Recreation
Replace 1994 Ford Pickup 30,000 9-
00-
with existing vehicle to be sold, traded in or
Otherwise disposed of)
Shade System for Pool Area 5, 000 5-
04-
Fence Repairs/Replacements 5, 000 9-
00-
Sod Replacement 18,000 6-
03-
Lib
Replace Computer Hardware 6, 000 9-
00-
Collection
Development 34,000 8-
00-
DPW
Replace 1996 Ford F350 Pickup Truck 62,000 9-
00-
with existing vehicle to be sold, traded in or
Otherwise disposed of)
Replace 1996 Ford F350 Utility Truck 56,000 9-
00-
with existing vehicle to be sold, traded in or
Otherwise disposed of)
Silk Mill Pond Dam Inspection 15,000 9-
00-
Building Department
Replace 1998 Ford Taurus 22,000 9-
00-
with existing vehicle to be sold, traded in or
Otherwise disposed of)
GRAND TOTAL
The amounts 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 appropriated is one line item in the total sum of Four Hundred Twenty One
Thousand Dollars ($421,000). The Finance Director is hereby authorized to distribute such
funds in such a manner as may be needed to accomplish the forgoing list of purchases;
provided, however, that each item contained in the list is procured and that the excess
26 -Source page 27
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
funds are available because one or more items cost less than estimated and not because an
item intended to be procured is not so procured.
MOTION 2
DISCUSSION:
Police Department
Replace Four Patrol Cars ($
94,
000)
The Canton Police utilizes its vehicles on 24 X 7 basis for the safety and security of the town. This is a
scheduled replacement for high mileage vehicles.
Replace Bullet Resistant Vests ($
6,000)
This is a scheduled replacement of bullet resistant vests for the Canton Police. This is a replacement
only of vests that have reached their five ( 5)year warranty.
Gas Masks ($9,
000)
This purchase will provide a police officer with a safe breathable supply of air in the event of safety or
security issue in our town. Currently the Police Department has no self-contained breathing apparatus
to protect them from hazardous situations.
FireDepartment
Upgrade Communication Equipment - Radio System ($ 26, 000)
The current two way radio system has not been transmitting in certain areas of town. This allocation
willreplace and upgrade the two way radio transmitter and receivers from Royall Street to the
Ponkapoag Standpipe on Washington Street.
Finance
Replace Computer Hardware/Software ($ 21, 000)
Replacement/ Upgrade to desktop computer systems for various Town Departments. Systems are
scheduled to be replaced which will bring the minimum system requirement up to Pentium 4 1.5 Ghz
system. This is part of our yearly request to replace and upgrade computer hardware.
Replace Police Station Server ($12, 000)
Replacement of computer hardware at the Police department. Server was installed in October 2001
and must be upgraded to handle the latest version of the Window' s operation system and the latest
version of the IMC dispatching/records management software. Server processes all police dept
requests.
Recreation
Replace 1994 Ford Pickup ($ 30, 000)
Current 13-year old truck has no plow. Pickup truck with plow will add to snow removal fleet as well
as perform maintenance of recreation facilities.
Shade System for Pool Area ($ 5, 000)
Currently there is no relief from full sun exposure directly near pool for swimmers and supervisors to
take break from swimming. Board of Health routinely sponsors seminars on risks of skin cancer.
Fence Repairs/Replacements ($5, 000)
Replace 30-year old fencing at CHS Walsh Field ( softball) and at other fields. Current fence is unsafe
in areas.
Sod Replacement ($18,000)
Improve surface quality and safety of natural grass through new
top-dress/ sod.
over-
seeding/ Uneven
playing surfaces pose liability to children.
Lib
Replace Computer Hardware ($6,
000)
27_Source page 28
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
Thisis to replace workstation monitors, drives, routers, modems, scanners, printers and other
components for failed equipment and parts.
Collection Development ($34, 000)
This is to provide development and replacement of core resources in the Library's print, media and on-
line collection. These funds are necessary to meet the minimum percentage requirements for state
aid certification.
DPW
Replace 1996 Ford F350 Pickup Truck ($
62,000)
Truck 3 is the equipment maintenance service truck. It is the emergency response vehicle that
services the Town' s fleet. This truck carries tools and parts needed to make road service calls on site.
The truck has 90,000 miles of use.
Replace 1996 Ford F350 Utility Truck ($56,000)
Truck 13 is the Highway Foreman' s crew and utility truck. The truck is used everyday. The truck has
over 127,000 miles of use. The utility body is missing doors and is showing much body rot.
Silk Mill Pond Dam
Inspection ($15,000)
Silk Mill Pond Dam is classified
as a significant hazard dam. Under the rules and regulations of the
Office of Dam Safety of the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation, significant hazard dams
are to be inspected every five years. Silk Mill Pond Dam inspection was done and filed in January
2002. MA DCR Office of Dam Safety has issued an order to Canton to complete the inspection.
Buildinc,~ Department
Replace 1998 Ford Taurus with F150 4x4 Pickup Truck ($22,000)
This pickup truck will allow better access to construction sites for inspection in any weather.
Significant repairs will be likely in next year to maintain current ten year old passenger car in fleet
with 93, 000 miles. Serviceable life has expired.
APPROVED DISAPPROVED
MOTION 3
MOVED: That Three Hundred Seventy Thousand
Dollars ($370,000) be appropriated
from the Fiscal Year 2008 tax levy and othergeneral revenues of the town, for the Canton
School Committee to expend for the purpose of purchasing certain items of property set
forth below for the School Department as follows:
CPC & FINCOM
RECOMMENDATIONS FINCOM VOTE
Technoloav - Svstemwide
Computers (with existing computers to be disposed of) $167,000 9-
00-
Transportation Software 20,000 7-
02-
Servers 55,000 9-
00-
Other Peripheral Equipment 24,000 9-
00-
Pro ram Improvements
Systemwide - Science 54,000 7-
02-
Galvin Middle School & High School 6, 000 9-
00-
Ground Improvements
High School Stone Wall Repairs 30,000 9-
00-
Extraordinary Maintenance
Automatic Door Opening Devices 14,000 9-
00-
GRAND TOTAL
28 _Source page 29
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
The amounts listed above for particular acquisitions are not to be construed as individual
appropriations. The sums shown are intended to be estimates
but the of individual items
amount appropriated is one line item in the total sum of Three Hundred Seventy Thousand
Dollars ($ 370,000). The Finance Director and the Business Manager of the School
Department, acting jointly, are herby authorized to distribute such funds in such a manner
as may be needed to accomplish the forgoing 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 estimated and not because an item intended to be
procured is not so procured.
MOTION 3
DISCUSSION:
TECHNOLOGY: $ 266,
000
Computers ($167,000)
Software ($ 20,000)
Servers ($55, 000)
Other Peripheral Equipment ($24,
000)
The computer request of $167,000 is for the replacement of 225 desktop computers of the nearly 600
computers classified as Type C. These computers are over six years old and are in need of
replacement to handle advanced Windows operating systems.
The software figure of $20,000 is for transportation software which would control the bus routing and
make for a more efficient operation.
Server expense of $55,000 would cover the cost of a new server to allow the system to store
information off site in backup mode for $7,
800. Five old servers would be replaced at a cost of
47,200.
The Peripheral request for $24,000 is primarily for printers which are 5-8 years old and have broken
down and no longer in service.
PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS: $ 60,
000
Systemwide - ($54,000)
The science request for $54,000 is for a new complete science program K-5 to include books and
equipment.
Galvin Middle School and High School ($6, 000)
Equipment of $6, 000 is for audio and visual aids in the Galvin Middle School and High School.
GROUND IMPROVEMENTS: $ 30,
000
The $30,000 is to repair the stone wall in front of high school from Lewis Street to the service
entrance. Stones are falling onto the sidewalk in this area creating unsafe conditions.
EXTRAORDINARY MAINTENANCE: $ 14,
000
The $14,000 is to retrofit ( 10) automatic door opening devices with strikes and locks so that the
schools can be secured during a lockdown.
APPROVED DISAPPROVED
MOTION 4
MOVED: That Eight Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($ 825,000) be
appropriated to be spent by the Board of Selectmen on purchasing certain items of property
set forth below for various Municipal Departments and to meet said appropriation the Town
Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, be authorized to borrow, pursuant
29_Source page 30
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
to any applicable statute or any other enabling authority as may be, the sum of Eight
Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($825,000).
CPC & FINCOM
RECOMMENDATIONS FINCOM VOTE
Installation of Fiber Cables 450,000 7-
02-
subsidized by Cable TV &School)
Pine Street Landfill Gas Venting 225,000 9-
00-
Dedham Street Drainage 150,000 9-
00-
TOTAL
The sums shown are intended to be estimates of individual items but the amount to be
appropriated is one line item in the total amount of Eight Hundred Twenty Five Thousand
Dollars ($825,000). The Finance Director and the Town Administrator, acting jointly, are
hereby authorized to distribute such funds in such manner as may be needed to accomplish
the foregoing list of projects; provided, however, that each project contained in the list set
forth above is undertaken and that any excess funds are available because one or more of
the listed projects cost less than was estimated and not because a project intended to be
undertaken is not so undertaken.
MOTION 4
DISCUSSION:
Installation of Fiber Cables: X450,000
The purpose for this funding is to allow the Town of Canton to install Fiber Optic Cable between
various Municipal and School Buildings. The current plan will install 12 strands of single mode fiber to
18 buildings and allow for future growth for the network.
The Fiber will accommodate data and video transmissions between the facilities and can serve as a
conduit for Public/
Educational video programming.
Currently, the Town utilizes a coax network that is provided by Comcast. This network has been
installed for over 20 years and has reached its end of life. We cannot receive sufficient transmission
rates on the coax network to support data needs and we have experienced many issues with video
quality on this medium.
The Town does not own the coax network and has no guarantee that it will be available in the future.
With this
project the Town will own the
any municipal fiber and
purpose, can utilize it for i.
e. fire
alarm, video transmission, telephone communication, remote water readings, etc. The requested
price includes licensing fees, estimated detail costs, installation, and end user equipment for all
locations. The School Department will submit this project for possible E- rate reimbursement.
Pine Street Landfill Gas Venting: $
225,
000
Gas monitoring wells along Pine Street have show that the existing venting system at the landfill is
inadequate and methane gas is migrating off site and across Pine Street. MADEP has required Canton
to take action to mitigate the gas migration. The project uses more modern techniques for vent
installation and will allow methane to vent to the air on the landfill site.
Dedham Street Drainage Project: $150,000
Water collects on Dedham Street in the low area between Elm and Shawmut. There is no drainage
outlet. Currently water is discharging onto the side slope of Dedham Street eroding the road.
Installation of the drain will convey the water through the new pipe to the storm drain located in
Shawmut Road protecting the side slope of Dedham Street.
APPROVED DISAPPROVED
30-Source page 31
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
MOTION 5
MOVED: That One Hundred
Thousand Two
Dollars ($182,000) be appropriated
Eighty
to be spent by the School Committee
purchasing certain items of property set forth
on
below for the School Department and to meet said appropriation the Town Treasurer, with
the approval of the Board of Selectmen, be authorized to borrow, pursuant to any applicable
statute or any enabling authority as may be, the sum of One Hundred Eighty Two Thousand
Dollars ($182,000).
CPC & FINCOM
RECOMMENDATIONS FINCOM VOTE
Systemwide HVAC Replacements $ 117,000 9-
00-
Systemwide Plumbing Needs 65,
000 9-
00-
TOTAL
The sums shown are intended to be estimates of individual items but the amount to be
appropriated is one line item in the total amount of One Hundred Eighty Two Thousand
Dollars ($182,000). The Finance Director and the School Business Administrator, acting
jointly, are hereby authorized to distribute such funds in such manner as may be needed to
accomplish the foregoing list of projects subject to the approval of the Building Renovations
Committee; provided, however, that each project contained in the list set forth above is
undertaken and that any excess funds are available because one or more of the listed
projects cost less than was estimated and not because a project intended to be undertaken
is not so undertaken.
MOTION 5
DISCUSSION:
HVAC Replacements ($117,000)
This is the
ongoing 8- year master plan of maintenance of all school system units to maintain efficient
operation.
Plumbing Improvements -ADA Plan ($65,000)
year plan to update existing plumbing and related ADA infrastructure needs in all
This is part of a 10-
buildings.
APPROVED DISAPPROVED
MOTION 6
MOVED: That the ADA renovations
appropriation previously voted pursuant to Article
50, Motion 11 of the 1999 Annual
Meeting amended by Article 15, Motion 3 of the
Town
2000 Annual Town Meeting and Article 22 of the 2001 Annual Town Meeting, be increased
by the sum of Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($ 350,000) for the purpose of
constructing an elevator in Canton High School Building " A"thereby increasing the ADA
renovation appropriation of $000
2, 900, to a new total of $000 3, 250, to be spent by the
Building Renovations Committee with the approval of the School Committee and to meet
this appropriation the Treasurer of the Town, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen,
be hereby authorized to borrow, pursuant to any applicable statute or any enabling
authority as may be, the sum of Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($350,000).
VOTE: 6-
03-
31-Source page 32
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
MOTION 6
Buildinc-
Marilyn Rodman Educational and Administrative Center - Elevator ($350,000)
MAJORITY DISCUSSION:
The $ 350,000, along with the $250,000 remaining from the $4. 2 million ADA authorization of 1999,
will install
amultiple-stop elevator to provide accessibility to the main and top floors of the building.
The ADA Implementation Committee voted to use the remaining $ 250,000 to supplement the
350,000 requested by the School Committee to construct this elevator. The School Committee
indicated that they will submit this project to the Massachusetts School Building Authority for potential
reimbursement.
MINORITY DISCUSSION:
This expense is
not currently required for K-12 education of Canton Public School children. The
minority against this $600,000 proposal ($250,000 from ADA funds) with the recommendation
voted
that funds should be spent on educating Canton children. The purpose for this funding is to install a
five-stop elevator in the building formally known as "Building A" at the high school. Currently the first
two floors of the building are ADA compliant having been made ADA accessible at considerable
expense. This elevator will service the third floor and thus allow CPS to rent the floor out to tenants
from out of town. At the time of this writing lease
agreement
no was available to justify the expense.
During deliberations for Canton High renovations, Building A was declared unusable for curriculum
education. If the building is ever to be used as a school then that declaration will have to be removed.
Accordingly, an ADA waiver should be sought if CPS intends to utilize the third floor just as Stoughton
High School currently functions under an ADA waiver.
APPROVED DISAPPROVED
MOTION 7
MOVED: That Eleven Million
Dollars ($000)
11, 000, be appropriated to be spent by the
Department of Public Works
Superintendent with the approval of the Board of Selectmen
for the purpose of constructing a filtration system to improve the quality of the Town' s
drinking water and to meet said appropriation the Town Treasurer with the approval of the
Board of Selectmen be authorized to borrow pursuant to any applicable statute or any other
enabling authority as may be, the sum of Eleven Million Dollars ($000). 11, 000, It is the
intent that the bonds and notes issued pursuant to this authority be general obligations of
the Town but are to be repaid from water revenues.
VOTE: 9-
00-
MOTION 7
DISCUSSION: Historically, our town wells have had detectable levels of iron and manganese.
The presence of these minerals has caused color and odor
problems within the Town' s water
distribution system. Test results show the levels to be above the Secondary Maximum Contaminant
Level of 1.0 ml/I established by the State DEP. In order for Canton to produce and supply local quality
potable water, the State DEP requires treatment. This will need to be corrected by two separate
facilities.
APPROVED DISAPPROVED
32-Source page 33
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
M(
lN
lTT( R
MOVED: That Four Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($425,000) be
appropriated
to be spent by the Department of Public Works approval of the
Superintendent with the
Board of Selectmen for the purpose of Phase 2 and Phase 3 Water System Improvements
and to meet said appropriation the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Board of
Selectmen be authorized to borrow pursuant to any applicable statute or any other enabling
authority as may be, the sum of Four Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($425,000).
It is the intent that the bonds and notes issued pursuant to this authority be general
obligations of the Town but are to be repaid from water revenues.
VOTE: 9-
00-
M(
lN
lTT( R
DISCUSSION:
This request will develop plans and specifications to improve the water distribution systems as detailed
in Phase 2 and 3 of the Water System Improvements Plan 2005 Update.
APPROVED DISAPPROVED
MOTION 9
MOVED: That Seven Million
Dollars ($000)
7, 000, be appropriated to be spent by the
Department of Public Works
Superintendent with the approval of the Board of Selectmen
for the purpose of construction of the Green Lodge interceptor sewer line and to meet said
appropriation the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Board of Selectmen be
authorized to borrow pursuant to any applicable statute or any other enabling authority as
may be, the sum of Seven Million Dollars ($000).
7, 000, It is the intent that the bonds and
notes issued pursuant to this authority be general obligations of the Town but are to be
repaid from sewer revenues.
VOTE: 9-
00-
MOTION 9
DISCUSSION: The interceptor, originally constructed in 1964, is immediately
existing 18-inch
downstream of a 30-inch diameter
pipe. Flow measurement and field observation indicate that
sewer
the existing 18-inch pipe cannot accept the sewerage flow from the 30-inch segment of the
Greenlodge Street Interceptor sewer. The 18-inch needs to be replaced with a larger pipe to
accommodate flow in a watertight system to protect the Ponkapoag Brook drainage area.
APPROVED DISAPPROVED
MOTION 10
MOVED: That Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,
000) be appropriated to be spent by the
Recreation Director with the approval of the Board of Selectmen for the purpose of
replacing Unit 2 compressor located at the MDC Ice Skating Rink and to meet said
appropriation Ten Thousand Dollars ($ 10, 000) be transferred from the rink enterprise
surplus, reserved for appropriation account.
VOTE: 9-
00-
33-Source page 34
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
MOTION 10
DISCUSSION:
Toreplace oil cooler, filter system and electrical control system will extend the useful life of
Compressor #2 approximately five years. Compressor #2 is over 30 years old.
APPROVED DISAPPROVED
MOTION 11
MOVED: That Seventy Five Thousand Dollars ($75,
000) be appropriated to be spent by
the Recreation Director with the approval of the Board of Selectmen for the purpose of
purchasing abattery-powered Zamboni brand or equivalent machine to maintain the quality
of ice surface at the MDC Ice Skating Rink and to meet said appropriation the Town
Treasurer with the approval of the Board of Selectmen
pursuant to be authorized to borrow
any applicable statute or any other enabling authority as may be, the sum of Seventy Five
Thousand Dollars ($ 75,000) and to issue bonds and notes of the Town as general
obligations of the Town with the intent that the principal and interest payments thereon are
to be paid by rink enterprise fund revenues.
VOTE: 9-
00-
MOTION 11
DISCUSSION:
This is to replace current machine that is over ten years old. Regulations require ice resurfacing
machines to be electric. Current machine requires costly maintenance.
APPROVED DISAPPROVED
MOTION 12
MOVED: That One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) be appropriated to bespent
by the Fire Chief with the
approval of the Board of Selectmen for the purpose of purchasing
an ambulance management system and to meet said
appropriation the Town Treasurer with
the approval of the Board of Selectmen
to borrow be authorized
pursuant to any applicable
statute or any other enabling authority as may be, the sum of One Hundred Thousand
Dollars ($100,000).The bonds and notes to be issued pursuant to this vote shall be general
obligations of the Town with the intent that the debt service principal and interest is to be
paid for from ambulance receipts.
VOTE: 9-
00-
MOTION 12
DISCUSSION:
This request will provide the Fire Department with a data management system to streamline
recordkeeping. It will assist in increasing ambulance collections. The mapping module will show
ambulance personnel the most direct route to emergency calls. Of the $100,000 requested, $30,000
is to purchase the required hardware and $70,000 is for the software. The plan is for the ambulance
fund to pay the annual debt service incurred.
APPROVED DISAPPROVED
34-Source page 35
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
MOTION 13
MOVED: That Seventy Thousand Dollars ($70, 000) be appropriated to be spent by the
Buildings and Property Maintenance Supervisor with the approval of the Board of Selectmen
for repairs to the Pequitside Main House and to meet this appropriation the sum of Sixty
Thousand Dollars ($60, 000) be appropriated for the Fiscal Year 2008 tax levy and other
general revenues of the Town and the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($ 10, 000) be
transferred from the appropriation voted pursuant to Article 10 Motion 7 of the 2004
Annual Town Meeting.
VOTE: 9-
00-
M(
lN
lTT( 1'~
DISCUSSION: These repairs are to prevent further water damage to the building and remove
existing lead paint. The repairs consist of replacing all soffits, fascia, gutters and downspouts.
APPROVED DISAPPROVED
MOTION 14
MOVED: That
Seventy Nine Thousand Two Hundred Thirty Dollars and Forty Three
230. be
Cents ($ 43)
79, appropriated to be spent by the Department of Public Works
Superintendent with the approval of the Board of Selectmen for the Shepard's Pond Dam
Project and to meet this appropriation the sum of One Thousand Seven Hundred Seventy
Four Dollars and Nine Cents ($09)
1, 774. be transferred from the appropriation voted
pursuant to Article 14 Motion 1 of the 1998 Annual Town Meeting, and the sum of Six
Thousand Seven Hundred Thirty Seven Dollars and Ninety Three Cents ($93) 6, 737. be
transferred from the appropriation voted pursuant to Article 16 of the 1995 Annual Town
Meeting, and the sum of Six Thousand Two Hundred Dollars ($6, 200) be transferred from
the appropriation voted pursuant to Article 15 Motion 2 of the 2000 Annual Town Meeting,
and the sum of Eight Thousand Three Hundred Eighty Three Dollars and Ninety One Cents
8,
91) 383. be transferred from the appropriation voted pursuant to Article 18 of the 2000
Annual Town Meeting, and the sum of Thirty Two Thousand Four Hundred Eleven Dollars
and Forty Eight Cents ($ 32,
48) 411. be transferred from the appropriation voted pursuant to
Article 16 Motion 7 of the 2002 Annual Town Meeting, and the sum of Twenty Three
Thousand Seven Hundred Twenty Three Dollars and Two Cents ($ 23,
02) 723. be transferred
from the appropriation voted pursuant to Article 13 Motion 6 of the 2004 Annual Town
Meeting.
VOTE: 9-
00-
MOTION 14
DISCUSSION:
There are several
unspent capital articles from prior years assigned to the Department of Public
Works. Theseprojects have been completed but funds remain. The DPW Superintendent had
requested $ 150,000 for engineering work to address the deficiencies of Shepard Pond Dam and the
outlet through the Washington Street culvert. Due to limited capital capacity this project can only be
funded on a limited basis.
APPROVED DISAPPROVED
35-Source page 36
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
AMENDMENT TO TOWN' S BY-LAWS BY ADOPTION OF CANTON STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
BY-
LAW
Article 16 To see if the Town will vote to amend the General By-laws by adding the following new
Article XXI, or to take any other action related thereto.
1.0 Introduction
A. It is hereby determined that:
1. Land development projects and other land use conversions, and their associated
changes to land cover, permanently alter the hydrologic response of local watersheds
and increase stormwater runoff rates and volumes, which in turn increase flooding,
stream channel erosion, and sediment transport and deposition, and decrease
groundwater recharge;
2. Land development projects and other land use conversions also contribute to
increased nonpoint source pollution and degradation of receiving waters;
3. The impacts of post-development stormwater runoff quantity and quality can
adversely affect public safety, public and private property, surface water drinking
water supplies, groundwater resources, drinking water supplies, recreation, aquatic
habitats, fish and other aquatic life, property values and other uses of lands and
waters;
4. These adverse impacts can be controlled and minimized through the regulation of
stormwater runoff
quantity and quality from new development and redevelopment,
by the use of both structural and nonstructural Best Management Practices;
5. Localities in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are required to comply with a
number of both State and Federal laws, regulations and permits which require a
locality to address the impacts of post- development stormwater runoff quality and
nonpoint source pollution.
B. Therefore, the Town of Canton has established this stormwater management bylaw
to provide reasonable guidance for the regulation of post- development stormwater
runoff for the purpose of protecting local water resources from degradation. This
bylaw regulates the post- construction stormwater controls for both new and re-
development projects.
C. It has been determined that it is in the public interest to regulate post-development
stormwater runoff discharges in order to control and minimize increases in
stormwater runoff rates and volumes, post- construction soil erosion and
sedimentation, stream channel erosion, and nonpoint source pollution associated
with post- development stormwater runoff.
2.0 PURPOSE
A. The purpose of this
Bylaw is to protect, maintain and enhance the public health, safety,
environment and
general welfare by establishing minimum requirements and procedures to
control the adverse effects of increased post-development stormwater runoff and nonpoint
source pollution associated with new development and redevelopment. Proper management
of post- development stormwater runoff will minimize damage to public and private property
and infrastructure, safeguard the public health, safety, environment and general welfare of the
public, protect water and aquatic resources, and promote groundwater recharge to protect
surface and groundwater drinking supplies. This Bylaw seeks to meet that purpose through
the following objectives:
36-Source page 37
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
1. Establish decision-making processes surrounding land development activities that protect the
integrity of the watershed and preserve the health of water resources;
2. Require that new development, redevelopment and all land conversion activities maintain the
after-development runoff characteristics as equal to or less than the pre- development runoff
characteristics in order to reduce flooding, stream bank erosion, siltation, nonpoint source
pollution, property damage, and to maintain the integrity of stream channels and aquatic
habitats;
3. Establish minimum post-development stormwater
management standards and design criteria
for the
regulation and control of stormwater runoff
quantity and quality; establish minimum
design criteria for the protection of properties and aquatic resources downstream from land
development and land conversion activities from damages due to increases in volume,
velocity, frequency, duration, and peak flow rate of storm water runoff; establish minimum
design criteria for measures to minimize nonpoint source pollution from stormwater runoff
which would otherwise degrade water quality;
4. Establish design and application criteria for the construction and use of structural stormwater
control facilities that can be used to meet the minimum post-development stormwater
management standards;
5. Encourage the use of nonstructural stormwater management, stormwater better site design
practices or "low-impact development practices", such as reducing impervious cover and the
preservation of greenspace and other natural areas, to the maximum extent practicable.
6. Provide for the long-term responsibility for and maintenance of structural stormwater control
facilities and nonstructural management practices to ensure that they
stormwater continue to
function as designed, are maintained, and pose no threat to public safety;
7. Ensure that there is an adequate funding mechanism, including surety, for the proper review,
inspection and long-term maintenance of stormwater facilities implemented as part of this
Bylaw;
8. Establish administrative procedures for the
submission, review, approval or disapproval of
stormwater management plans, and inspection of approved active projects, and long-
for the
term follow up; Establish certain administrative procedures and fees for the submission,
review, approval, or disapproval of stormwater plans, and the inspection of approved projects.
B. Nothing in this Bylaw is intended to replace the requirements of, the Town of Canton Flood
Plain Zoning Bylaw, the Town of Canton Wetlands Protection Bylaw, or any other Bylaw that
may be adopted by the Town of Canton. Any activity subject to the provisions of the above-
cited Bylaws must comply with the specifications of each.
3.0 DEFINITIONS
The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and implementation of this Bylaw.
Additional definitions may be adopted by separate regulation:
A. ALTER: Any activity, which will measurably change the ability of a ground surface area to
absorb or will
water change existing surface drainage patterns. Alter may be similarly
represented as " alteration of drainage characteristics," and " conducting land disturbance
activities."
B. BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE ( non-structural and managerial techniques
BMP): Structural,
that are recognized to be the practical means to prevent and/or reduce
most effective and
increases in stormwater volumes and flows, reduce point source and nonpoint source
pollution, and promote stormwater quality and protection of the environment. " Structural"
BMPs are devices that are engineered and constructed to provide temporary storage and
treatment of stormwater runoff. " Nonstructural" BMPs use natural measures to reduce
37-Source page 38
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
pollution levels, do not require extensive construction efforts, and/or promote pollutant
reduction by eliminating the pollutant source.
C. BETTER SITE DESIGN:
Site design approaches and techniques that can reduce a site's impact
on the watershed
through the use of nonstructural stormwater management practices. Better
site design includes conserving and protecting natural areas and greenspace, reducing
impervious cover, and using natural features for stormwater management.
D. GENERAL STORMWATER
MANAGEMENT PERMIT ( GSMP): A permit issued for an application
that meets a set of
pre- determined standards outlined in the Regulations to be adopted by the
stormwater Authority under Section 4 of this Bylaw. By meeting these pre- determined
standards, the proposed project will be presumed to meet the requirements and intent of this
Bylaw.
E. HOTSPOT: Land uses or activities with higher potential pollutant loadings, such as auto
salvage yards, auto fueling facilities, fleet storage yards, commercial parking lots with high
intensity use, road salt storage areas, commercial nurseries and landscaping, outdoor storage
and loading areas of hazardous substances, or marinas.
F. MASSACHUSETTS STORMWATER MANAGEMENT POLICY: The Policy issued by the Department
of Environmental Protection, and as amended, that coordinates the requirements prescribed
by state regulations promulgated under the authority of the Massachusetts Wetlands
Protection Act G.L. c. 131 § 40 and Massachusetts Clean Waters Act G.L. c. 21, §. 23-56. The
Policy addresses stormwater impacts through implementation of performance standards to
reduce or prevent pollutants from reaching water bodies and control the quantity of runoff
from a site.
G. NEW DEVELOPMENT: Any construction or land disturbance of a parcel of land that is currently
in a natural vegetated state and does not contain alteration by man-made activities.
H. NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION: Pollution from many diffuse sources caused by rainfall or
snowmelt moving over through the ground. As the runoff moves, it picks up and carries
and
away natural and human- made pollutants, finally depositing them into water resource areas.
I. PERSON: Any individual, group of individuals, association, partnership, corporation, company,
business organization, trust, estate, the Commonwealth or political subdivision thereof to the
extent subject to Town Bylaws, administrative agency, public or quasi-public corporation or
body, the Town of Canton and any other legal entity, its legal representatives, agents, or
assigns.
J. PRE-DEVELOPMENT: The conditions that exist at the time that plans for the land development
of a tract of land are submitted to the Canton Conservation Commission. Where phased
development or plan approval occurs ( preliminary grading, roads and utilities, etc.), the
existing conditions at the time prior to the first plan submission shall establish pre-
development conditions.
K. POST-DEVELOPMENT: The conditions that reasonably may be expected or anticipated to exist
after completion of the land development activity on a specific site or tract of land. Post-
development refers to the phase of a new development or redevelopment project after
completion, and does not refer to the construction phase of a project.
L. RECHARGE: The replenishment of underground water reserves.
M. REDEVELOPMENT: Any construction, alteration, or improvement exceeding land disturbance of
5, 000 square feet, where the existing land use is commercial, industrial, institutional, or multi-
family residential.
38-Source page 39
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
N. STORMWATER AUTHORITY: The Town of Canton Conservation Commission or its authorized
agent(s). The Conservation Commission is responsible for coordinating the review, approval
and permit process as defined in this Bylaw. Other Boards and/or departments participate in
the review process as defined in the Stormwater Regulations adopted by the Conservation
Commission.
0. STORMWATER CREDITS: A form of incentive for developers to promote conservation of natural
and open space areas. Projects that comply with prescribed requirements are allowed
reductions in stormwater management requirements when they use techniques to reduce
stormwater runoff at the site.
P. STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PERMIT ( SMP): A permit issued by the Conservation
Commission after review of an application, plans, calculations, and other supporting
documents, which is designed to protect the environment of the Town from the deleterious
affects of uncontrolled and untreated stormwater runoff.
Q. STORMWATER UTILITY: A
special assessment district set up to generate funding specifically
for stormwater management. Users within the district pay a stormwater fee, and the revenue
thus generated directly supports maintenance and upgrade of existing storm drain systems;
development of drainage plans, flood control measures, and water-quality programs;
administrative costs; and sometimes construction of major capital improvements.
4.0 AUTHORITY
This Bylaw is adopted under authority granted by the Home Rule Amendment of the
Massachusetts Constitution, the Home Rule statutes, and pursuant to the regulations of the
federal Clean Water Act found at 40 CFR 122.34.
5.0 ADMINISTRATION
A. The Conservation Commission shall administer, implement and enforce this Bylaw. Any
powers granted imposed upon the Commission may be delegated in writing by the
to or duties
Commission to its employees or agents.
B. Stormwater Regulations. The Conservation Commission may adopt, and periodically amend,
rules andregulations relating to the terms, conditions, definitions, enforcement, fees
including application, inspection, and/or consultant fees), procedures and administration of
this Stormwater Management Bylaw by majority vote of the Commission after conducting a
public hearing to receive comments on any proposed revisions. Such hearing dates shall be
advertised in a newspaper of general local circulation, at least seven ( 7) days prior to the
hearing date. After public notice and public hearing, the Commission may promulgate rules
and regulations to effectuate the purposes of this Bylaw. Failure by the Commission to
promulgate such rules and regulations or a legal declaration of their invalidity by a court shall
not act to suspend or invalidate the effect of this Bylaw.
C. Stormwater Management Manual. The Conservation Commission may utilize the policy,
criteria and information
including specifications and standards of the latest edition of the
Massachusetts Stormwater Management Policy for execution of the provisions of this Bylaw.
This Policy includes a list of acceptable stormwater treatment practices, including the specific
design criteria for each stormwater practice. The Policy may be updated and expanded
periodically, based on improvements in engineering, science, monitoring, and local
maintenance experience. Unless specifically altered in the Stormwater Regulations,
stormwater management practices that are designed, constructed, and maintained in
accordance with these design and sizing criteria will be presumed to be protective of
Massachusetts water quality standards.
D. General Permit. The Conservation Commission shall have the authority to develop a General
Stormwater Management Permit ( GSMP) for specific types of projects, such as, without
39-Source page 40
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING APRIL 30, 2007
limitation Construction of a Deck, Patio, Retaining Wall, Existing Driveway Expansion, Shed,
Swimming Pool, Tennis or Basketball Court. Any such General Stormwater Management
Permit Requirements shall be defined and included as part of any Stormwater Regulations
promulgated pursuant to this Bylaw.
E. Actions by the Conservation Commission. The Conservation Commission may take any of the
following actions as a result of an
application for
Managementa Stormwater Permit as more
specifically defined as part of Stormwater Regulations promulgated pursuant to this Bylaw:
Approval, Approval with Conditions, Disapproval, or Disapproval without Prejudice.
F. Appeals of Action by the Conservation Commission. A decision of the Conservation
Commission shall be final. Further relief of a decision by the Conservation Commission made
under this Bylaw shall be reviewable in any court of competent jurisdiction.
G. Stormwater Credit
System. The Canton Conservation Commission may adopt, through the
Regulations authorized
by this Stormwater Management Bylaw, a Stormwater Credit System.
This credit system will allow applicants the option, if approved by the Commission, to take
credit for the use of stormwater better site design practices to reduce some of the
requirements specified in the criteria section of the Regulations. Failure by the Commission to
promulgate such a credit system through its Regulations or a legal declaration of the invalidity
of the credit system by a court shall not act to suspend or invalidate the effect of the other
provisions of this Bylaw.
H. Stormwater Utility. The Board of Selectman
adopt, through the Regulations authorized
may
by this Stormwater
Management Bylaw, Utility pursuant to L.
a Stormwater
M.G. Chapter 83
Section 16 and Chapter 40 Section 1A. The Board of Selectman shall administer, implement
and enforce this Utility. Failure by the Canton Board of Selectman to promulgate such a
Stormwater Utility through its Regulations or a legal declaration of its invalidity by a court
shall not act to suspend or invalidate the effect of the other provisions of this Bylaw.
6.0 APPLICABILITY
A. This bylaw shall be
applicable to all new development and redevelopment, including, but
not limited plan applications, subdivision applications, grading applications, land
to, site
use conversion applications, any activity that will result in an increased amount of
stormwater runoff or pollutants flowing from a parcel of land, or any activity that will alter
the drainage characteristics of a parcel of land, unless exempt pursuant to Section 5.B of
this Bylaw. All new development and redevelopment under the jurisdiction of this Bylaw
as prescribed in this Bylaw shall be required to obtain a Stormwater Management Permit.
B. Exemptions - No person shall alter land within the Town of Canton without having
obtained a Stormwater Management Permit ( SMP) for the property with the following
exceptions:
1. Any activity that will disturb an area less than 5000 square feet or less than
of a
25% contiguous property, whichever is less. This exception may not be
applied for contiguous properties held in common ownership at the time of
adoption of this Bylaw that may have been previously subdivided and/or are
attributed to multiple separate owners;
2. Normal maintenance and improvement of land in agricultural use as defined by the
Wetlands Protection Act regulation 310 CMR 10.04 and MGL Chapter 40A Section.
3. Maintenance of existing landscaping, gardens or lawn areas associated with a single family
dwelling;
40-