Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text
Canton Town Meeting — 2020 ATM / STM
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Source page 1
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10 12 314 516 718 920 12 324 526 728 930 132 34 536 738 940 142 34 546 748 950 152 354Source page 3
ANNUALTOWNMEETING - NEWCONSENTAGENDA
ARTICLE 4
ACT ON “CONSENT AGENDA”
Article 4To see if the Town will vote to dispose of certain articles in this warrant by asingle vote, in accordance
with aso-called “consent 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: 7,8,11, 15, 18, 20, 23,
28, 29, 31, 34, 36, 39and 42:
FINCOM
ArticleDescriptionMotionVOTEReason
Set Salaries of Elected
7Adopt this Article7-0-0Non-controversial.
Officers
Pay Bills of Prior Fiscal
8Adopt this Article7-0-0Non-controversial.
year
Authorize Certain
11Adopt this Article8-0-0Non-controversial.
Revolving Funds
15Insurance ProceedsAdopt this Article8-0-0Non-controversial.
Appropriate $ 500,000 to
18Adopt this Article 8-0-0Non-controversial.
SPED Reserve Account
Community Recognition
20Adopt this Article8-0-0Non-controversial.
Supplemental Funding
Appropriate Proceeds from
23 Adopt this Article6-0-0Non-controversial.
TNC Assessment Funds
Acquire Easement Over
28Adopt this Article8-0-0Non-controversial.
293 York Street
Acquire Easement for Well 8-0-0
29Adopt this Article Non-controversial.
9A & Well 16
Appropriate $ 85,000 &
31$ 500,000 – Sherman/ Adopt this Article8-0-0Non-controversial.
Pleasant Intersection
Grant Utility Easement to
34Adopt this Article8-0-0Non-controversial.
Verizon at JFK School
Amend General By-Laws –
36Add Small Cell Wireless Adopt this Article8-0-0Non-controversial.
Communication Systems
Reimburse Transportation
39Costs for Students in Adopt this Article8-0-0Non-controversial.
Foster Care (Schools)
Amend General By-Laws –
42Adopt this Article7-0-0Non-controversial.
Selectmen to Select Board
FINANCE COMMITTEE ROLL CALL VOTE: 6-0-0Source page 4
SPECIALTOWNMEETING - CONSENTAGENDA
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: 2,3,5 and 7:
FINCOM
ArticleDescriptionMotionVOTEReason
New By-Law - Stormwater
2Adopt this Article8-0-0Non-controversial.
Management
Appropriate $ 500,000 –
3Adopt this Article8-0-0Non-controversial.
Metropolis Rink
Special Tax Agreement –
5Adopt this Article8-0-0Non-controversial.
The Phia Group
Grant Utility Easement to
7Adopt this Article8-0-0Non-controversial.
Verizon – 199 Bolivar St.
FINANCE COMMITTEE ROLL CALL VOTE: 6-0-0Source page 5
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - JUNE22,2020
TABLEOFCONTENTS
Page #
FinanceCommitteeReport……………………………………………………….………
5
AnnualTownMeeting -ChartsandExhibits
Figure1 –HistoricalSummaryofExpenses –FY11-FY20Estimated …….. 10
Figure2 –ReserveAccounts &BondRatingAgencyExpectation ……….……11
Chart -AdditionalFundSources………………………………………………………… 13
TownFinanceTerminology…………………………………………………………………. 18
AGuidetoParticipatingatTownMeeting…………………………………………….. 18
NotetoAllVotersConcerningTownMeetingProcedures……………………….. 19
SummaryofRevenueandExpenditures……………………………………………….. 20
RevolvingFunds………………………………………………………………………………… 29
VotetoTransferAvailableFunds……………………………………………………….. 99
OperatingBudgetbyVotingCategoryFY2021……………………………………… 100
OperatingBudgetbyDepartment –DetailFY2021…………..…………………… 102
Five-YearMunicipalCapitalPlanforFY2021-2025 (includes self-supporting) 110
Five-YearSchoolCommitteeCapitalPlanforFY2021-2025……………………
112
ProposedCantonBillboardZoningOverlayDistrict……………………………….
82
AnnualTownMeetingArticles
Art. Page #
1ElectaModerator…………………………………………………………………………… 21
2AdoptRulestoGovernTownMeeting…………………………………………………… 21
3HearReportsofCommitteesAppointedatPriorTownMeetings……………… 23
4Acton “ConsentAgenda”……………………………………………………………………. 24
5CollectiveBargainingAgreementsundertheBoardofSelectmen ……………25
6PersonalServiceContractsundertheBoardofSelectmen…………………….. 25
7SetSalariesofElectedOfficers……………………………………………………………. 26
8PayBillsofPriorFiscalYear……………………………………………………………….. 27
9AdjustFiscal2020Accounts……………………………………………………………. 28
10TransferUnexpendedPriorYearAppropriations…………………………………… 28
11AuthorizeCertainRevolvingFunds……………………………………………………… 29
12“ Omnibus” CapitalOutlayProgram…………………………………………………….. 30
13AcceptGeneralorSessionLawsEnactedbytheGeneralCourt………………. 44
th
14ApprovalofFundingfortheAnnual4ofJulyCommunityCelebration…… 44
15InsuranceProceeds………………………………………………………………………….. 45
16RescindUnusedBorrowingAuthorizations………………………………………….. 45
17IncreaseStabilizationFund………………………………………………………………… 46
2-Source page 6
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - JUNE22,2020
AnnualTownMeetingArticles (cont’d.)
Art. Page #
18IncreaseSpecialEducationReserveAccount (Schools)……….………………. 46
19SupplementChapter90Program……………………………………………………….. 47
20CommunityRecognitionSupplementalFunding……………………………………. 47
21IncreaseSolarStabilizationFund……………………………………………………….. 48
22RecommendationsoftheCommunityPreservationCommittee……………...49
23AppropriateProceedsfromTNCPerRideAssessmentFunds………………..… 54
24HomeRulePetitionrelativetoRetiredPoliceOfficers…………………………… 54
25ApprovalofLeaseofLandBehindPoliceStation (CellTowerSite)…….……. 56
26AmendPreservationRestrictiononFirstParishChurchSteeple………..….. 57
27AcquirePermanentEasementOver145ShermanStreetforDrainage…..…. 58
28AcquirePermanentEasementover293YorkStreetforDrainage ….…..….59
29AcquirePermanentEasementforDrinkingWaterWell9A &Well16…….. 60
30AppropriationforAcquisitionofRightofWayEasementandLandTaking
offPleasantStreetNearReservoirPond…………….……………………….……… 60
31AppropriationforTrafficSignalInstallationatPleasant/Sherman/Angela. 61
32AppropriationforRemovalofWeeds &NuisanceVegetationatOld
Shepherd’sPond……………………………………………………………………………… 62
33AppropriationforEarlNewhouseWaterfrontImprovements ………………… 62
34GrantUtilityEasementtoVerizonatJohnF.KennedyElem. School…………… 64
35AmendGeneralBy-LawsbyAddingSidewalkBettermentAssessment
By-Law…………………………………………………………………………………… 64
36AmendGeneralBy-LawsbyAddingSmallCellWirelessCommunication
SystemsBy-Law…………………………………………………………………………… 66
37AmendSoilErosionandSedimentControlBy-Law……………………………….. 74
38AmendStormwaterManagementBy-Law……………………………………………. 75
39ReimbursementofTransportationCostsforStudentsinFosterCare………. 76
40AcceptVillageGateRoadasaTownWay…………………………………………… 77
41AcceptHistoricalWayasaTownWay………………………………………………… 78
42AmendGeneralBy-Laws–Change “BoardofSelectmen” to
SelectBoard”…………………………………………………………………………………. 78
43AmendZoningBy-LawSection9.5BillboardZoningOverlayDistrict……….79
44AmendZoningBy-LawSection10.7CantonCenterDesignReview…………. 83
45AmendZoningBy-LawSection3.1.4TableofUseDefinitionsSectionJ
AccessoryUsesRelatedtotheKeepingofOvernightMotorVehicles………. 84
46AmendZoningBy-LawsSection3.1.4TableofUseRegulationsRelatedto
Short-TermRentals………………………………………………………………………….. 85
47AmendZoningBy-LawsSection11.0Definitions –ShortTermRentals…… 86
48AmendZoningBy-LawsSection4.1.4TableofDimensional…………………… 87
3-Source page 7
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - JUNE22,2020
AnnualTownMeetingArticles (cont’d.)
Art. Page #
49AddZoningBy-LawSection4.2.9RetainingWallsalongScenicWays……… 88
50AmendZoningBy-LawSection7.8toRemoveExpiredTemporary
MoratoriumontheSale &DistributionofRecreationalMarijuana……………89
51AmendZoningBy-LawSection6.3.10Non-AccessorySigns………………….. 90
52AmendZoningBy-LawSection9.1FloodPlainOverlayDistrict (FPOD)……. 92
53AmendAdditional43DPriorityDevelopmentSites………………………………. 98
54AppropriateFundstoMeetExpensesforNextFiscalYearFY21……..………99
SpecialTownMeetingArticles
Art. Page #
1Adopt RulestoGovernSpecialTownMeeting……………………………………… 114
2StormwaterManagement ………………………………………………………………… 115
3MetropolisRinkAppropriation…………………………………………………………… 122
4AmendZoningBy-Laws –Change “BoardofSelectmen” to
SelectBoard”………………………………………………………………………………… 123
5SpecialTaxAgreementwithThePhiaGroup………………………………………… 124
6BolivarPoolProjectFundsAppropriation…………………………………………… 125
7GrantofUtilityEasementtoVerizonat199BolivarStreet…………………… 125
8AdditionalRecommendationoftheCommunityPreservationCommittee:
CantonEmergencyRentalAssistanceProgram…………………………………… 126
4-Source page 8
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - JUNE22,2020
FinanceCommitteeReport
FiscalYear2021ProposedBudgetandOverview
InArticle 54 (the “budget Article”) theFinance Committee isrecommending aFiscal
Year 2021 (FY21) general fund operating budget of $100.6 million, andcombined
enterprise fund operating budgets of $14.2million. TheFY21 budget proposed bythe
Finance Committee continues Canton’s sound fiscal management that hasput usina
position toboth maintain andenhance services.
2020 Residential Tax Rate: $12.23Per Thousand
5.58School Operating and Capital
2.78MunicipalOperating andCapital
3.72 Fixed Costs
0.15State & County Charges
The $100.6millionFY21budgetrecommendedbytheFinanceCommitteeinthis
year’swarrantisexpectedtoincreaseourcurrentlevelofservices,fund
contractualincreasestoourpublicemployees, Finance Committee Budget
andaddressrisingspecialeducationcosts. Recommendations
Therecommended operating budget represents a 4.8 MillionIncrease inOperating
4.97%increase overtheFY20 budget approved at Budgets, which includes:
the2019 Annual Town Meeting (ATM). This 2.3 Million School BudgetIncrease
includes a5.2%increase intheSchool Operating 1.4 Million Increase inFixed Costs
Budget, a4.8%increase totheMunicipal 1.0 Million Municipal Budget
Operating Budget (which includes $27,500from Overlay Surplus tohelp cover costs for
thecyclical property revaluation) anda4.8%increase infixed costs. Overall, the
Finance Committee recommends thattheSchool Department receive anadditional
543,754andtheMunicipal Operating Budget anadditional $608,145toenhance
services beyond alevel service budget.
Each year, theTown’s cross functional Revenue Committee meets inlateJanuary or
early February, after therelease oftheGovernor’sproposed statebudget, toforecast
theexpected Town general fund revenues forthenext fiscal year. These revenue
sources include property taxes, state aid, andlocalreceipts such asmotor vehicle
excise taxes, hotel andmeals taxes, interest, fees andpayments inlieuoftaxes. By
intention, theRevenue Committee forecasts revenue conservatively, tomaximize the
likelihood thatactual revenue won’tfallshort ofthebudget prediction, resulting inthe
Town “living below itsmeans”. Itisfiscally responsible todothis, butdoing soalso
ensures a r“echarge” ofFree Cash reserves byreplenishing theuseofthese reserves.
TheFinance Committee usesthisrevenue forecast, aswellasinformation onfixed
costs (including health insurance,pension, debt service, trash collection andinsurance)
thatmustbepaid each year outoftheexpected revenue, toassist itinsetting targets
fortheMunicipal and School Operating Budgets.
5-Source page 9
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - JUNE22,2020
TheMunicipal andSchool Operating Budgets areessentially aligned withthetargets set
bytheFinance Committee, based ontheRevenue Committee forecast of $22,812,135
forMunicipal Departments and $46,419,604fortheSchool Department.
The FY21 budget recommended bytheFinance Committee assumes thatproperty
taxes willbeincreased close tothemaximum allowed under Proposition 2 ½80. ( 3%of
general fund revenue), andthatrevenue willbesupplemented withamodest budgeted
increase inlocal receipts (7.3%ofgeneral fund revenue) andnewproperty taxgrowth.
Anormal challenge atthistime ofyearisnothaving thefinal state aidamounts (9.4%of
general fund revenue) (e.g., Chapter 70 -education andUnrestricted General Govt.
Aid),asthey aretypically notfinalized bythelegislature andsigned intolawbythe
Governor until lateJune. However there isamuch bigger challenge thisyear related to
thecurrent, atthetime ofthiswriting, “pause” inthelocal, state, federal andworld
economies duetotheCOVID-19pandemic.
Justprior tothisvirus turning theworld upside down inmid-March wehadjustabout
finished with alltherespective board and committee reviews andvotes onbudgets.
Then when thereality oftherevenue impacts oftheeconomy shutdown presented
themselves, andinefforts torespect theTown’s formal review process, theFinance
Committee, theCapital Committee, theCommunity Preservation Committee, Board of
Selectmen, andSchool Committee allmetagain andvoted thefollowing changes to
budgets:
1)Revised local receipts estimates down and removed over $1.3MM from
anticipated receipts, ~1.27%ofGeneral Fund Revenue.
2)Inaddition weplanned for $100K less from theGovernor'sstate aidrevenue
proposal forCanton, ~1.03%ofCherry Sheet Revenue.
3)Onthespending side $250K fromCash Capital budgets was trimmed along with
50Kfrom Operating Budgets.
4)$100K wasredirected from nextyear's solar receipts totheoperating budget,
rather than ourSolar Stabilization fund.
5)Next welooked totrimback $1.019MM from useofFree Cash for "special
appropriation articles" - projects.
However there aresome important community projects impacted bythis $1.019MM
reduced useofFree Cash, sowegotcreative inengineering afiscally sound funding
plan forthetwo larger projects.
FortheEarlNewhouse Waterfront Improvements project theTown would only commit
239K ifwewillreceive agrant inapproximately thesame amount sothatultimately the
239K would come back toFree Cash. However thetiming ofthe availability ofthe
return would beinFY22, duetothefunds needing tobeappropriated initially inorder to
beeligible forthegrant. Further, CPA’s funding ofanadditional $239K forthisproject is
alsocontingent ontheawarding ofthegrant.
6-Source page 10
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - JUNE22,2020
Initially itwasproposed that $750K beappropriated fromFree Cash reserves forthe
sorely needed improvements attheintersection ofPleasant, Sherman andAngela
streets. After much reconsideration itwasultimately recommended tofully fund the
project with acreative combination offunding: $85Kfrom Free Cash reserves, $165K
from Mitigation funds and $500K inaborrowing authorization. The result ofthefunding
approaches forthisproject, andanadditional $115K deferral oftwoother smaller
projects, wasa $ 780K netreduction inuseofcommitted freecash reserves.
780K combined withthe $239K becoming available totheTown again inFY22,
allowed ustoessentially stick withtrimming $1.019MM inuseofFree Cash. Thegoal
ofthese creative funding approaches was tooffset themajority ofanticipated local
receipts loss, which normally would “recharge” Free Cash reserves, byretaining this
amount ofour reserves.
While wewereproceeding withthe "do-over" meetings, wehadbeenlearning about the
potentially bleak situation withState revenues. Mass Taxpayers Foundation iscurrently
predicting a14%reduction inState revenues year-over-year vs.their 1.7%increase
forecast earlier intheyear. TheGovernor’sinitial State budget proposed a2.8%overall
increase.
Sowewillbeevaluating possibly absorbing another ~$1MM inrevenue reductions,
10%ofCherry Sheet revenue. Ifnecessary, thiswilllikely come from acombination of
cuts tocapital andoperating budgets andsome amount ofourfreecash reserves. As
ofthiswriting, theState isstillseveral weeks away from deciding onanything concrete.
However wethink important tohave aplan ready should thestate need toreduce
municipal State Aid. Thestate isn'tmoving fastwith theirbudget revisions. They want
tounderstand whatfunding relief theFederal government willactually supply thatwill
assist withbudget issues. They also want tosee when theeconomy willlikely start to
move again.
Soweareplanning tohead intotherescheduled June Town Meeting withthefiscally
responsible reductions discussed above based onwhatweknow. It’s important notto
overreact atthistime, given thesubstantial downward reductions already
recommended, byguessing what theState willdo. When theState situation isclearer
wewilladjust, ifnecessary andifneeded, inafallspecial town meeting.
The Water Enterprise Fund operating budget increased 4.65%primarily due to
increases spread evenly across debt service, general fund overhead allocation, and
expenses related totesting, monitoringand repairs and maintenance. The
recommended budget fortheSewer Enterprise Fund was decreased 1.7%alldueto
reduced debt service costs.
The recommended budget fortheRink Enterprise Fund has been setat $238,660,
reflecting thatitisexpected therinkwillbeoperational during FY21, withalatesummer
orearly fallopening.
7-Source page 11
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - JUNE22,2020
1
Standard &Poor’s,inaveryrecentreport, againassigneditsAAAlong-term
ratingtothe2020Cantongeneralobligation (GO)municipalpurposebondsand
affirmedthesameratingonCanton’sGObondsoutstanding,reflectingthe
Town’ssolidfinancialpositionandpractices.This isthehighest bond rating
afforded tomunicipalities intheUnited States, andiseven higher than therating
assigned totheU.S.,given only toentities thatconsistently demonstrate sound fiscal
management. This rating allows theTown toborrow money forcapital projects atthe
lowest available interest rates.
Thevoters should readtheFinance Committee discussions oneach article andnote
thatavote to "postponeindefinitely"may havevaried meanings. Insome cases the
Finance Committee recommends to “postpone indefinitely” thesubject matter ofan
article duetothelackofavailable information. Inother cases, theFinanceCommittee
weighed theinformation presented andsuch avote implies that wedonotsupport the
recommendations inthearticle atthis time. Thediscussions thatfollow each motion are
intended togive insight intotheCommittee'sdecisions andtheconsiderations inherent
ineach motion.
HistoricalPerspectiveonCanton'sFinances
Astheeconomy continues tofluctuate, theFinance Committee hasattempted to
balance maintaining andenhancing services atasustainable rate, continue toaddress
ourOther Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) liability, maintain our infrastructure and
preserve funds needed forweathering economic downturns thatcome without warning
andlastforunknown durations.
Fiscal Year2019 –(7/1/2018 –6/30/2019)
Atthe2018 ATM voters approved anFY19 budget based on $94.9million inforecasted
revenue and $96.0 million inforecasted expenses. Theexpenses were budgeted higher
than revenue by $1.2 million bypaying thefollowing expenses from Free Cash: a
transfer toaspecial education reserve account ($700,000); andforcapital projects
454,000). Inaddition, atthespecial townmeeting inDecember, voters approved a
1.5 million transfer from overlay surplus tohelp rebuild theTown’s icerink.
Actual general fund revenue forFY19 was $98million andis ~$ 2 million greater than
budgeted primarily because oflocal receipts coming inahead ofbudget, which isby
design inorder toreplenish Free Cash reserves. Overall, ourcash reserves, which are
comprised ofFree Cash, Stabilization Funds, andtheAssessors Overlay Reserve,
came inat16.64%ofFY20’s budget, or1.64%better than the 15%benchmark the
credit rating agencies givetheir highest marks to.
1
StandardandPoor’sRatingsDirectreportdatedApril29,2020.
8-Source page 12
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - JUNE22,2020
Fiscal Year2020 –(7/1/2019 –6/30/2020)
Atthe2019 ATM voters approvedan FY20 budget based on $99.0 million inforecasted
revenue and $100.2 million inforecasted expenses. Theexpenses were budgeted
higher thanrevenue by $1.2 million bypaying thefollowing expenses from Free Cash:
another transfer toaspecial educationreserve account ($700,000); and for
improvements attheintersection ofRandolph and Washington streets ($500,000).
Atthe time ofthiswriting theTown’sFY20 finances appear tobeontrack even with
additional costs associated withactions taken toaddress and help stopthespread of
theCOVID-19virus. TheTown issystemically tracking these excess costs inefforts to
maximize anyfinancial relief theFederal government may provide. Weareanticipating
aslight decline inlocal receipts related toseveral areas including hotel andmeals
excise taxes, interest income, fees and other departmental revenue. However due to
the conservative approach tobudgeting forlocalreceipts weexpect wewillatleast
receive theamount oflocalreceipts budgeted tosupport theFY20 budget. Therefore
theimpact ofreduced local receipt revenue willbeareduction inthereplenishment of
FreeCash reserves. Overall weanticipate ourcash reserves tobemaintained ator
above the15%target ofFY21’sproposed budget. ItistheTown’sconservative
approach tobudgeting revenues thatisresponsible forthisexpected result. Not
knowing what thenext year willbring, orwhen thenext economic crisis willcome,
should bemajor factors influencing theTown’scontinued conservative approach to
maintaining itssolid financial footing.
Figure 1provides anhistorical view oftherelative level ofexpenses between theSchool
department, theMunicipal side ofgovernment, and fixed costs (i. e.health care,
pension, debt service, etc.). School expenses have increased 4.3%onaverage
annually since FY10 while municipal expenses have increased 3.6%.Fixed costs have
increased 3.1%.Total expenses have increased 3.8%.TheFinance Committee has
historically noted that managing health care andemployee benefit costs isacritical
component inalleviating theTown’s financial stress. Itshould also beobvious that
increasing thenumber ofTown employees has adirect impact onthefixedcost budget.
TheTown continues towork with itsmunicipal andschool employees tomitigate the
rising costofhealthcare, pension and OPEB, which nowcomprises about 19%ofour
overall budget.
9-Source page 13
ANNUALTOWNMEETING- JUNE22,2020
Theaccelerated increases intheSchool Department expenses canbeattributed toan
increase inspecial education costs andthesteps, lanes andlongevity increases built
intotheteacher contracts.Municipal andschool employee contracts include increases
foremployees forlongevity, steps (number ofyears served) andlanes (promotions or
theamount ofpost-graduate education forteachers), even when there isnocostof
living adjustment (COLA). When there isaCOLA, employees canreceive both. The
School Department contracts include more steps than themunicipal contracts, andhave
more lanes withnorestrictions onthenumber ofemployees that canreceive the
promotional increases. Asaresult, the $799,338insteps, lanes andlongevity inherent
inschool contracts forFY21 represented anaveragesalary increase of2.2%compared
tothe $155,611, or0.9%increase, insteps andlongevity increases provided to
municipal employees. With alllabor contracts settled forFY21, allemployees will
receive aCOLA forFY21 aswell.
BoththeMunicipal andSchool budgets contain “wildcards”, lineitems thatcannot be
accurately predicted inadvance. Inthecase oftheMunicipal budget, theamounts
required forSnow and Iceremoval andforpublic safety overtime areexamples. Forthe
Schools, itisthefederally-mandated costs forstudents withspecial education (SPED)
needs, particularly incases where those needs cannot bemetwithin “regular education”
classrooms andinstead must beout-placed. Itsimply isnot possible topredict when
such students willmove intooroutoftheDistrict orwhen theneeds ofexisting students
willchange, potentially causing wide variances between thebudget andtheactual
costs. Also, theincremental local costs ofmanaging through thecurrent COVID-19
health crisis isanunknown thatwillimpact both theSchool andMunicipal expenses.
10-Source page 14
ANNUALTOWNMEETING- JUNE22,2020
StatusoftheTown'sReserves
Budget variances areinevitable. TheTown's reserves protect against unexpected costs
exceeding thebudgets approved atATM. The General Fund’s operating budget
includes $700,000 ($200,000more thancustomary) fortheFinance Committee Reserve
account, which can cover extraordinary orunforeseen expenditures. Anyremaining
balance inthis fundistransferred toFreeCash asinprevious years.
The Town also maintains three sources of FreeCash-Thisisamisunderstood
permanent "reserves" (savings accounts) that termcreatedbytheDept. ofRevenue
serve aspotential sources tofund one-time or DOR). Itrepresents the
unplanned extraordinary expenses. Figure 2 UndesignatedFund Balance” inthe
displays theTown's historical reserve balances GeneralFundandshouldonlybeused
including theestimated balances asofJune 30, forone-timecostsorforextraordinary
expenses. Using "FreeCash" to
2020. Free Cash requires amajority vote attown supplement operationalbudgets
meeting tobeappropriated. The Stabilization shouldbeavoidedifatallpossible. It
Fund requires a2/rds
3vote attown meeting tobe isgenerated primarilyfromrevenues
appropriated. The Assessor’sOverlay Reserve receivedinexcessofbudgeted
Fund isincluded inFigure 2asaReserve, revenues andfromunderspent budget
appropriations. Itiscertifiedannually
although itisnotallavailable forappropriation. bytheDORandisreducedbydeficits
TheOverlay Reserve isthefund used forpaying inanytownaccountorimpacted
taxexemptions andabatements. Itcanonly be positively ornegatively bychangesin
accessed forother purposes ifanoverlay surplus taxreceivables balances.
isdeclared bytheTown’s Board ofAssessors.
This results inarelease ofmoney from theOverlay Reserve Fund intotheOverlay
Surplus account. The Town estimates potential Overlay Surplus byreducing the
Overlay Reserve forestimated exemptions andabatements. Currently, theTown’s
reserves areatapproximately 16.64%ofexpenses.
Figure 2:Reserve Accounts & Bond Rating Agency Expectation
inmillions)
20.0
18.0
16.0 2.5 2.7
14.0 3.7 3.8
4.3
12.0
3.0
10.0 8.5 8.5
2.3
8.0 0.7 1.3 7.0 7.7 15.6
6.3
6.0 5.6
0.
4$ 4.2 5.1
1.2 4.6
4.0 3.5
3.2 5.7 6.1
2.0 3.8 4.2 4.9 4.4
2.2
3.2 2.9 3.3
0.0 1.0
7/1/107/1/117/1/127/1/137/1/147/1/157/1/167/1/177/1/187/1/19Bond6/30/20
Rating( est.)
FreeCashReservesStabilization FundOverlay Reserves Agency
Target
11-Source page 15
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - JUNE22,2020
Inaddition toproviding apossible source offunding forone-time expenditures, or
unforeseen orextraordinary one-time emergency situations, thereserve funds are
Assessor’sOverlay- Thisaccount
viewed asacollateral source when rating agencies
setsasidefundsforpropertytax determine theTown's bond rating. Bond rating
exemptions andabatements. agencies look forareserve of15%ofexpenses for
However, iftheAssessors declarea AAA rated communities. Canton'sprudent fiscal
surplus, fundscanbereleasedfor management hasallowed theTown toearn the
appropriation byTownMeeting. highest long-term bond rating (Standard & Poor's
Whileweconsidertheentireoverlay
balanceasacashreserve, muchof AAA) offered tomunicipalities intheUnited States.
itmaybeneededforfuture This allows Canton toissue bonds fordebtcapital
abatements granted bytheBoardof projects atthemost favorable interest rates.
Assessors.
TheTown would incur increased borrowing costs if
adowngrade inCanton's bond rating were tooccur. Adowngrade intheTown's bond
rating results inhigher interest rates fornewborrowing. Each downgrade represents an
increase ofapproximately 25basis points or0.25%. Each year, theATM approves
between $2.0 million and $3.0million ofadditional debt forcapital projects, some years
higher, some lower. A0.25%increase ininterest rate equates toapproximately a
30,000 increase inthecosttoborrow $1million over thelifeofa20year bond.
TheFinance Committee recommended thattheTown strengthen itsreserve position
during theyears following the 2008 general property taxoverride. Figure 2above
shows thatCanton’sreserves have grown from $5.47million attheendofFY10 toan
estimated $17.4 million attheendofFY20. Reserves were used during theeconomic
downturn toreduce theimpacts tooperating budgets aswell astocovershortfalls inthe
snow andicebudget. Astheeconomy turned around, theTown took steps togrow
these reserves.
The Finance Committee adopted apolicy, inayear ofsurplus, torecommend
increasing ourreserves by1%ofexpenses)
( peryear until wereach 15%. Amounts
above this target canbereinvested intotheTown’s requirements, such asneeded
capital projects (e.g.,roads andbuildings) along withfunding ourOPEB liability. Since
asurplus isbeing projected forFY20, inaddition tomaintainingour reserves at15.0%,
theFinance Committee recommends funds beused toaddress theSchool Department
Special Education (SPED) budget issue. The Finance Committee isrecommending that
500,000ofcashreserves beused forFY21 SPED bytransferring thatsum intothe
special education reserve account. We look forward tothestate Circuit Breaker
program providing adequate funds forSPED down theroad.
Aside from SPED, theFinance Committee recommends that cashreserves beused to
fundsome FY21 budget priorities totaling $374,130asfollows: $85,000towards the
Pleasant/Sherman/Angela streets intersection improvements (Article 31), $35,000to
th
fund the4ofJuly Celebration (Article 14); $10,000 toacquire aneasement near
Pleasant street andReservoir Pond (Article 30);and $5,000toincrease thebudget for
Community Recognition (Article 20). Also, Article 33requests $239,130 be
appropriated from FreeCash towards theEarl Newhouse Waterfront Improvements
12-Source page 16
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - JUNE22,2020
project (Article 33). However werecommend inthearticle thattheTown willonly
commit the $239K intheappropriation iftheTown receives agrant inapproximately the
same amount sothatultimately the ~$239K would notbeneeded andwould then be
returned toFree Cash. Thiswilleffectively netthe $374K useofFree Cash down to
135K.
AdditionalFundSources
Inaddition toourreserves, theTown also hasseveral other sources offunds. These
funds maybecontrolled byTown Meeting, byaboard orbyacommittee. Often, the
useofthese funds isrestricted bystatelaw. Insome cases, thefunds canbespent for
any lawful purpose” iftheTown hasn’tearmarked themforcertain expenses. Finally,
duetothetiming ofinflows andoutflows fromthefund, thebalances canvary greatly
throughout theyear. Thetable below isnotanexhaustive listoffunds, andgenerally
includes funds with more than $100,000and does notinclude encumbrances -
committed uses ofthefunds.
Name of FundControlled By7/20177/20187/20193/2020Source of FundsUse of Funds
AmbulanceTM$ 1.6M$1.9M$2.0M$1.2MAmbulance ReceiptsAny related lawful purpose
Bond IssuanceFinance$ 238K$234K$257K$230KPremiums received from borrowingReduce debt service costs
Cemetery Perpetual CareTM$ 455K$477K$499K$515KPayments for cemetery perpetual careCemetery improvements
Chaisson Memorial FundLibrary$ 385K$391K$397K$ 399KBequestsLibrary needs
Circuit BreakerSchools$ 682K$245K$1.4M$905KState ReimbursementsSpecial Education Costs
Conservation Land FundConCom$ 151K$153K$155K$155KAppropriations by town meetingPurchase of conservation land
Dental Insurance Trust FundFinance$ 767K$739K$792K$891KDental insurance contributionsDental insurance claims & related costs
Health Insurance Trust FundFinance$ 3.6M$4.6M$3.6M$4.2MHealth insurance contributionsHealth insurance claims & related costs
Insurance ProceedsVarious Depts.$120K$118K$27K$67KInsurance reimbursements under $150KRepair/ replace damaged property
OPEB TrustFinance$ 2.9M$4.0M$5.0M$5.3MAppropriations by town meetingOPEB Costs
Police Detective BureauPolice Chief$165K$168K$195K$ 197KForfeituresPolice investigative work
Police Drug ForfeiturePolice Chief$436K$326K$163K$161KFederal drug forfeiture programPolice investigative work
School AthleticsSchools$ 293K$326K$318K$318KSports fees, game receiptsAthletic program costs
School DonationsSchools$ 241K$238K$212K$218KDonations to school departmentAny lawful purpose unless specified by donor
School Food ServiceSchools$ 279K$300K$310K$116KReceipts from school cafeteriasOperate school cafeterias
School RentalsSchools$ 425K$382K$316K$252KRents collected from use of school facilitiesSchool facility costs
School TuitionSchools$ 426K$425K$415K$441KFees forpre-school and extracurricular programsPayment ofprogram costs
Special Education ReserveSchools/ BOS -$ 111K -$ 700KAppropriations by town meetingSpecial Education Costs
Street & Sidewalk ImprovementsBOS$ 1.2M$818K$145K-$ 247KChapter 90 State AidRoad and sidewalk repairs
Town DonationsBOS$ 1.7M$1.8M$2.4M$2.4MDonations to municipal departmentsAny lawful purpose unless specified by donor
Unemployment ClaimsHR$ 235K$260K$256K$296KAppropriations by town meetingUnemployment costs
University StationBOS$ 725K$914K$687K$572KMitigation paymentsDefray costs associated with project
CapitalBudget
TheCapital Budget isused firsttopaydebt service onallexisting debt within thetax
levy, $3.1 million inFY21. The remaining amount isused tofund capital projects
identified intheCapital Planning Committee (CPC) 5-year plan. TheFinance Committee
recommends thatCanton continue itsresponsible practice offunding capital expenses
at ~5%ofrevenue inrecognition ofthefactthatasset depreciation isarealcost. To
meet thisgoal forFY21, oneoftherecommended capital projects isfunded from Free
Cash: $85K forcritical improvement needs atthe intersection of
Pleasant/Sherman/Angela streets. This amount isrecommended tobesupplemented
13-Source page 17
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - JUNE22,2020
with $165K from mitigation funds anda $ 500K borrowing authorization. The total
Capital Budget recommended forFY21 represents 4.9%ofexpected revenue.
Allocating the Town's limited revenue between the operating expenses needed to
maintain ourservices andthecapital expenses needed tomaintain ourbuildings and
infrastructure, isalways adifficult decision. The Finance Committee believes itis
important tocontinue toaddress capital needs tomaintain theTown’s infrastructure.
TheFinance Committee concurs withallofthereduced recommendations made bythe
CPC aspresented inArticle 12. The municipal requests include $650,000incash
capital projects,areduction from the $750K allocated, aspartoftheshared reductions.
50K was also reduced frommunicipal operating budgets. $691,000 inmunicipal
capital projects arerecommended tobefunded withdebt inthegeneral fund. $500K for
intersection improvements atPleasant/Sherman/Angela streets and $191K forthe
replacement ofaDPW truck. The replacement ofanambulance isalsorecommended
tobefunded by $430K indebt withthedebt service tobepaid outoftheAmbulance
Receipts Reserve fund.
InFY21, theSchools were allocated $750,000 forcash capital projects asinitially
recommended bythe CPC, but thiswasreduced to $600,000aspartoftheshared
spending reduction recommendations. CPC isalsorecommending that $1.18million be
borrowed fortwo school capital projects. $1million forthebleachers andpress box
replacement atMemorial Field. $180K forarooftopHVAC unitreplacement attheHigh
School.
Inaddition, theCPC recommended infrastructure capital improvement projects forthe
Water, Sewer andRink Enterprise Funds totaling $96,200tobefunded from enterprise
cash reserves. Using cash reserves where practical instead ofborrowing eliminates
interest costs theTown would incur from borrowing. Inaddition, CPC isrecommending
that $8.3 million beborrowed bytheWater Enterprise Fund topayfortwoprojects.
5.9 million for “phase 1”water main replacements onElmandGreenlodge streets.
2.4 million foracarbon filtering system atoneoftheTown’s water treatment facilities,
sothat bothwater treatment plants willhave thisfiltering capability.
CommunityPreservationAct
Community Preservation Act Surcharge
We willalso have theopportunity to
TheCPAsurcharge iscalculated as1%ofyour vote uses ofthe Community
realestatebillafteranexemptionamountis Preservation Act (CPA) funds, which
applied. Abatements areavailable fromtheBoard aregenerated bya1%surcharge on
ofAssessors forSeniorsandLowIncome ourproperty taxbills, aswell asstate
Households. matching inFY21. Article 22
addresses theadministrative costs as
wellasseven projects brought forth bytheCanton Community Preservation Committee
CCPC). Included isarecommendation tospend $450,000ofCPA funds towards
phase 2”oftheTilden House Restoration. Also included intheCPA article isa
14-Source page 18
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - JUNE22,2020
recommendation toallocate $261,790ofCPA funds topaythesecond year ofdebt
service inFY21 forthePaul Revere Heritage siteland acquisition. This isa10year
bond andtherefore willbearecurring allocation foreight additional years.
ContractObligations
Canton isfortunate tohave many dedicated employees thatwork hard toserve our
residents. TheFinance Committee continues torecommend, along withtheBoard of
Selectman andSchool Committee, thatthese employees becompensated andreceive
benefits commensurate withthatoffered byourbenchmark towns. Wealsobelieve that
ourTown employees should receive annual increases thatreflect thecurrent economic
conditions andbalanced with thespending limits mandated byProposition 21/2.
Canton residents should beaware thattherecommended budget inthis year's warrant
includes $156K forautomatic salary increases forthemunicipal departments and $799K
forautomatic salary increases fortheschool employees related tosteps, lanes and
longevity. Additionally, $271K has been set aside formunicipal cost ofliving
adjustments (COLA) and $544K forSchool COLAs.
15-Source page 19
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - JUNE22,2020
OntheHorizon
StreetAcceptances: Atthis annual town meeting there are twoarticles
addressing streets tobeaccepted aspublic ways. Atthetime thisreport was
being prepared theBoard ofSelectmen hadnotvoted toaccept these streets, as
they arenotready tobeaccepted. Therefore theFinance Committeehad tovote
toindefinitely postpone these articles.
SchoolSpaceNeeds:TheSchool Department hasstudied theschool building
needs oftheTown, including anassessment ofbuilding capacities and
educational visioning forthe Schools, anevaluation ofpresent andprojected
needed repairs, and ananalysis ofthebest solution forhousing the
administrative offices. The School Committee and theBoard ofSelectmen have
recently voted toadvance theapplication ofaStatement ofInterest tothe
Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) fortheGalvin Middle School.
This isthethird such application inaprocess competing forlimited funds. Since
these school projects across thestate arereliant onthestate sales taxasa
major component oftheprogram’sfunding, thecurrent “pause” intheeconomy
will likely result inthisround ofapplications being even more competitive for
these limited butimportant funds.
OPEB: Canton hasmade promises toitsemployees tonotonlyprovide
pensions upon retirement, butsubsidized health, dental and lifeinsurance. The
Town onlystarted setting aside money forthese Other PostEmployment
Benefits (OPEB) at2012’s Town Meeting with theestablishment oftheOPEB
Trust fund. Theunfunded liability forthese benefits iscurrently about $88million
andtheFinance Committee isrecommending placing $1,050,000million into this
fund forFY21. Atthistime, thestate hasnotmade anychanges toaddress this
financial issue faced byallgovernments. Atsome point inthefuture, thestate
may bemore successful than they have been inchanging therules around
OPEB, reducing ourliability, butatthesame time, requiring theTown tostillfully
fundtheliability. While putting aside some money now willputtheTownina
better financial situation than surrounding communities, thesubsequent annual
cost willlikely continue tobesubstantial pending anyplan design changes. At
theendofFY20, theOPEB trust balance isestimated tobemore than $5million.
16-Source page 20
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - JUNE22,2020
StormWaterManagement: The Town ofCanton hasaninvestment ofover
100,000,000 inthemunicipal separate storm water system \[MS4\]. Asowners
andoperators oftheMS4 system, theTown issubject toafiveyear permit that
ends in2022. Compliance withthepermit ispredicated onboth water quality and
hydraulic flow. The new MS4 permit isexpected torequire significant new
funding needs toachieve water quality stipulations. ForCanton, EPA estimates
theadministrative costs alone at $100,000peryear. Thenew MS4 permit will
require Canton toidentify themeans through which thestorm water management
program willbefunded onanadequate andsustainable basis. Inthefuture, this
mayrequire establishment offees andanenterprise account.
Roads: Canton, alongwith allother Massachusetts communities, has
traditionally relied onChapter 90grants (about $800,000 peryear) from thestate
inorder torepair theTown’s roadsystem. Unfortunately, thisfunding hasbeen
insufficient andtheTown’s roads havedeteriorated. TheTown’slastroad study
suggested that $24million wasneeded tobring theTown’s roads uptoagood
condition. Unless there isasignificant increase inChapter 90funding, Canton
willneed toprioritize investing Town dollars into maintaining theroadways by
inclusion within theTown’sCapital Plan.
Please attend Town Meeting asyour input andyour vote areimportant!
Respectfully submitted,
TownofCantonFinanceCommittee:
TimMcKenna, Chair
Cindy Thomas, Vice Chair
Christos Arsondiadis
Robert Barker
David Clough
Dan Cole
Emilio Mauro
Barbara J.Saint André
WaiWong
17-Source page 21
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - JUNE22,2020
TOWN FINANCE TERMINOLOGY
The terms below are frequently used in the annual Town report and at Town Meetings. Inorder to provide
everyone with abetter understanding of their meanings, the following definitions are provided:
APPROPRIATE: To authorize spending. Once an appropriation for abudget orarticle has been made by Town
Meeting, the appropriation can only bechanged by another Town Meeting.The exceptions area transfer from the
Reserve Fund or ayear end transfer authorized by the Selectmen and the Finance Committee.
BONDS: The money Canton borrows topay for capital 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: Afinancial statement from the State, printed on cherry-colored paper which itemizes State
disbursements due the Town, and the State and County chargesto the Town, usually resulting in anet receipt of
funds.
DEBT EXCLUSION: Taxes raised through aProp. 2½override 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 avote 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 ( UNDESIGNATED FUND BALANCE): An accumulation of surpluses left at the end of the
fiscal year. This funding isavailable to beallocated at Town Meeting through asimple majority vote. Itisakin toa
savings account.
INDEFINITELY POSTPONE: This isthe equivalent of anegative vote on an article.
FY20: July 1,2019through June 30, 2020
FY21: July 1,2020through June 30, 2021
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 insalaries or supplies.)
LEVY LIMIT:The maximum amount of tax levy inany given year. The levy limit isbased on the previous year’s
levy limit plus 21/2%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 asnew homes or
additions to existing buildings.
OPEB: Other Post-Employment Benefits are benefits provided to town retirees for such things as health, dental
and life insurance. Retirees are eligible for these benefits inaddition to atown pension.
OPERATIONAL OVERRIDE: An increase above the standard Prop. 2½yearly increase in taxes. This increase is
unlike adebt exclusion override, inthat itispermanent.
OVERLAY: The amount raised bythe Assessors primarily for the purpose of creating afund to cover abatements.
OVERLAY RESERVE: This isthe accumulated amount of the Overlay for various years not used or required to be
held inthe specific Overlay accounts for agiven year. The Assessors control release of funds inthe Overlay reserve
that exceed pending tax liability.
RAISE: To tax. The tax rate isset by the Assessors after the Annual Town Meeting and after receipt of the final
Cherry Sheet.”
RESERVE FUND: This fund isestablished by the voters at an Annual Town Meeting. Transfers from the Reserve
Fund are within the control of the Finance Committee, and are for “extraordinary or 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. A2/3Town Meeting vote is
required for its use.
STATE AID: The amount of money that the state of Massachusetts gives to the Town of Canton.
STEP AND LANE INCREASES: Automatic increases insalary for town workers, negotiated inthe union contracts.
STRUCTURAL DEFICIT: When Town’srecurring expenses are greater than its recurring revenues.
TAX LEVY: ( LEVY): The revenue acommunity 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 amicrophone and then only after having been ‘recognized’ by the
moderator.
18-Source page 22
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - JUNE22,2020
Itisboth impolite and contrary to the rules of procedure toshout out “Question”, or “Move the Question” while
seated, while someone else isspeaking, or without being ‘recognized’.
When recognized, avoter should first state his orher name and address clearly and distinctly before making any
statement.
Voters should be brief. Itisagood idea to state at the outset why you have risento speak: e.g.Irise to speak in
favor (or against) the motion to Voters may wish to summarize at the close of their remarks: Ihope the motion
now pending is (not) adopted
Rather than repeat arguments already made, consider saying:Iconcur 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 itisput.
Atown 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.
Atown by-law restricts any one speaker from speaking more than twice on the same matter except to correct an
error or amisstatement.
Aperson who isspeaking on behalf of another (such as an attorney) isrequired to disclose that fact before making
any statement.
Amotion to reconsider isquite technical innature. Aperson who intends to move reconsideration should discuss it
inadvance with the moderator. Generally the motion may be made at any time so long as asufficient interval has
elapsed since the last vote on the matter was taken, and/or additional information has become available, soas to
give a reasonable basis tobelieve the meeting might vote differently. When the motion to reconsider ispending
debate islimited to why reconsideration should prevail and not to the merits of the underlying motion.
When one voter isspeaking every other voter in the hall should pay attention to what isbeing said. No person
should interrupt aspeaker unless some ‘rule’ isbeing violated. Ifavoter believes arule isbeing violated they
should rise inplace, wait to be recognized bythe moderator ( For what purpose does the lady rise?) Voter: Irise to
apoint of order. Moderator: State your point of Order. Voter: …The speaker isdealing 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 itis soordered.”
Voters should refrain from displaying their approval or disfavor towards aspeaker by applauding or by any other
means.
NOTE TO ALL VOTERS CONCERNING
TOWN MEETING PROCEDURES
At aprevious Annual Town Meeting aby-law was adopted which requires that almost all warrant articles be acted
upon in the order they are drawn by alottery, 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. AModerator will beelected ( Article 1);procedures to govern Town
Meeting will be adopted ( Article 2);reports ofall outstanding committees will be received ( Article3); and the
consent agenda ( Article 4).The consent agenda isalist of articles that appear to be non-controversial and
therefore are voted asagroup. Ifany voter wishes to discuss any article that islisted on the consent agenda, the
voter may simply ask for ahold on that article, and the article will be deleted from the consent agenda and acted
onseparately inthe normal course of the meeting.
After these four articles have been acted upon, all subsequent articles, except next year’sproposed 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 aparticular article or articles
must be considered in some other sequence.
The proposed annual operating budget cannot be acted upon until all matters which affect ithave 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. Itishoped that this brief explanation will be helpful to you in understanding the lottery system under
which the Town Meeting iscurrently operated.
19-Source page 23
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - JUNE22,2020
SUMMARY ofREVENUES and EXPENDITURES
FY2019FY 2020FY 2021
ACTUALRevised BudgetESTIMATE
GENERALFUNDREVENUES:
PROPERTY TAX REVENUE76, 579,69979, 166,86283, 137,806
STATE AID9,171,7849,379,0339,703,063
LOCAL RECEIPTS9, 116,6117,378,8047,600,000
TRANSFERS FROM OTHER FUNDS2, 896,0303,164,1382,659,918
TAX TITLE / FORECLOSURE REVENUE220, 536175, 0000
TOTAL REVENUES97,984,66199,263,836103,100,786
GENERALFUNDEXPENDITURES:
SCHOOL EXPENSES42, 391,56544, 114,36246, 419,604
MUNICIPAL EXPENSES20, 692,63321, 777,12422, 812,135
FIXED COSTS28, 312,17730, 040,66031, 392,411
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES91, 396,37595, 932,146100, 624,150
CASH CAPITAL EXPENDITURES2, 067,3312,435,0001,250,000
TRANSFERS TO STABILIZATION FUNDS600, 00000
SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS2, 558,809700, 000913, 429
STATE & COUNTY CHARGES1, 230,7001,218,8841,226,636
TOTALEXPENDITURES97,853,215100,286,030104,014,215
SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) - GENERAL FUND131,446( 1,022,195)( 913,429)
ONE-TIME SOURCE of FUNDS
FREE CASH RESERVE1, 058,8091,200,000874, 130
MISCELLANEOUS FUNDS39, 299
OVERLAY SURPLUS1, 500,00000
TOTAL NON-RECURRING SOURCES2, 558,8091,200,000913, 429
ADJUSTED SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) - GENERAL FUND2,690,255177,805-
ENTERPRISE FUNDS:
WATER REVENUE7, 013,1397,058,4707,386,658
SEWER REVENUE6, 976,8186,734,9626,619,067
RINK REVENUE64, 87100
TOTAL ENTERPRISE FUNDS' REVENUE14, 054,82913, 793,43214, 005,725
ENTERPRISE FUNDS' SURPLUS USED563, 038435, 00079, 200
WATER EXPENSES7, 036,3687,058,4707,386,658
SEWER EXPENSES6, 565,6586,734,9626,619,067
RINK EXPENSES12, 34370, 000238, 660
TOTAL ENTERPRISE FUNDS EXPENSES13, 614,36913, 863,43214, 244,385
ENTERPRISE FUNDS' CASH CAPITAL EXPENDITURES563, 038435, 00079, 200
ENTERPRISEFUNDS' SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) 440,460( 70,000) 0
GRAND TOTALAPPROPRIATIONS112,030,622114,584,462118,337,800
20-Source page 24
ANNUALTOWNMEETING- JUNE22,2020
Town of Canton
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk, ss
TotheConstables oftheTown ofCanton,
Greetings:
Inthe name ofthe Commonwealth ofMassachusetts you are hereby required tonotify and warn the inhabitants of
the Town ofCanton tomeet atMorse Auditorium, onthe grounds ofthe Canton High School, 900 Washington
Street insaid town on;
MONDAY, THE TWENTY SECONDDAY
OF JUNE2020
Atseven o'clock (7:00P.M.) inthe evening forthe annual town meeting atwhich time and place the following
articles are tobeacted upon:
ARTICLE 1
ELECT A MODERATOR
Article 1To elect aModerator to preside at this Town Meetingto serve until the commencement of Annual Town
Meeting in2021; ortotake any other action related thereto.
Board ofSelectmen
DISCUSSION: Nominations will beaccepted and amoderator elected atTown Meeting during the discussion of
this article.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
ARTICLE 2
ADOPT RULES TO GOVERN TOWN MEETING
Article 2To see ifthe Town will vote to adopt certain procedures togovern the conduct of the 2020Annual Town
Meeting; ortotake any other action related thereto.
Board of Selectmen
MOTION 1
MOVED: That this 2020 Annual Town Meeting shall meet on consecutive Monday and
Wednesday evenings 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 7:00 o’clock
P.M. and to adjournat 11:00 o’clock P.M., or as near that hour as may be feasible, according to the
nature ofthe business pending at the said hour.
FINANCE COMMITTEE VOTE: 8-0-0
DISCUSSION: TheFinance Committee recommends adoption ofthis motion asitformalizes procedures that
have been followed byTown Meetings inthe past.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
21-Source page 25
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - JUNE22,2020
MOTION 2
MOVED: That the following individuals be granted all of the rights and privileges of participation
in this Annual Town Meeting, except the right to vote, under any article of this warrant which affects
matters within their jurisdiction:
Charlie Aspinwall, Town Administrator
David Brauninger, Principal, Lt. Peter M. Hansen Elementary School
Debra Bromfield, Director of Student Services
Steve Choiniere, Supervisor of Facilities and Grounds
Paul R. DeRensis, Town Counsel
Jennifer Fischer- Mueller, Superintendent of Schools
Derek Folan, Principal, Canton High School
Elizabeth Francis, Parks & Recreation Director
Tom Houston, Professional Services Corporation, PC
Louis Jutras, Information Systems Manager
Yeshi Lamour, Principal, Dean S. Luce Elementary School
Karen Lawlor, Administrative Assistant, Canton Planning Board
Brian Lynch, Facility Director, School
Stephen Lynch, Representative in Congress
Christine McMahon, Principal, John F. Kennedy Elementary School
M. Regen Milani, Conservation Commission Agent
Barry Nectow, School Business Administrator
Kristen Phelps, Canton Community Preservation Committee Administrator
Jill Rossetti, Superintendent- Director, Blue Hills Regional Technical School
Michael Rak, Vice President, Spear Street Capital
Helena Rafferty, Deputy Police Chief
Barbara Reardon, Town Engineer
Michelle Resendes, Assistant Supt. for Business & Personnel, Blue Hills Reg. Technical School
Debbie Rooney, Director of Teaching and Learning PreK-12
Mark Roy, Executive Director, Canton Housing Authority
William Scollins, Finance Director
Sarah Shannon, Principal, William H. Galvin Middle School
Julie Shore, Director of Technology and Digital Learning
Laura Smead, Town Planner
Walter Timilty, State Senator
Michael Trotta, Superintendent of Public Works
Diane Tynan, Director of Council on Aging
FINANCE COMMITTEE VOTE: 7-0-0
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee recommendsadoption of this motion as itallows key non-resident
officials and consultants to legally participate in the Town Meeting and itformalizes procedures that have been
followed by Town Meetings inthe past.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
MOTION 3
MOVED: That whenever during 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 or borrowing as an alternative 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 setforth in the published Report of the Finance Committee
Recommendations as may be increased by any transfer from available funds provided, however that
nothing in this motion shall prevent an increase in appropriation funding contingent upon the passage
ofa Proposition 2½override.
22-Source page 26
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - JUNE22,2020
FINANCE COMMITTEE VOTE: 8-0-0
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee recommends adoption of this motion as itformalizes procedures that
have been followed by Town Meeting in the past to insure that Town Meeting ends with theadoption of abalanced
budget.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
ARTICLE 3
HEAR REPORTS OF COMMITTEES APPOINTED AT PRIOR TOWN MEETINGS
Article 3To hear the reports of all committees appointed at previous town meetings, which have not yet been
discharged; orto take any other action related thereto.
Board of Selectmen
MOVED: That reports of the following committees appointed at previous Town Meetings be
heard:
Economic Development Committee ( ATM 2004, Article 14)
Community Preservation Committee ( ATM 2011, Article 39)
Town of Canton Substance Abuse Committee ( ATM 2016, Article 32)
FINANCE COMMITTEE VOTE: 7-0-0
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee supports adoption of this motion to hear the reports of standing
committees appointed atprior Town Meetings.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
23-Source page 27
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - JUNE22,2020
ARTICLE 4
ACT ON “CONSENT AGENDA”
Article 4To see if the Town will vote to dispose of certain articles in this warrant by asingle vote,in accordance
with aso-called “consent agenda”orto 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
inance Committee motions as printed in the report of the Finance Committee: 5,6, 9,10, 11, 13, 17,
19, 20, 37, 38, 40, 41 and 53.
FINCOM
ArticleDescriptionMotionVOTEReason
There are nocollective
Collective Bargaining Postpone
58- 0-0 bargaining agreements
Agreements under the BOSIndefinitely tofund.
There areno personal
Personal Service Contracts Postpone
68- 0-0 service contracts to
under the BOSIndefinitely fund.
There arenoFY20
Postpone
9Adjust FY20 Accounts7- 0-0 accounts tobe
Indefinitely adjusted.
Transfer Unexpended Prior
10Adopt this Article8-0-0Non-controversial.
Year Appropriations
Authorize Certain
11Adopt this Article8-0-0Non-controversial.
Revolving Funds
There arenonew laws
Accept Laws Enacted by Postpone
13 8-0-0 that need tobe
the General CourtIndefinitely accepted.
There arenotransfers
Postpone
17Increase Stabilization Fund8-0-0 being made into the
Indefinitely Stabilization Fund.
There arenotransfers
Postpone
19Supplement Chapter 906- 0-0 being madeto
Indefinitely supplement Ch. 90.
Community Recognition
20Adopt this Article8-0-0Non-controversial.
Supplemental Funding
Subject matter willbe
Amend Soil Erosion & Postpone
37 8-0-0 addressed under STM
Sediment Control By-LawIndefinitely Article 2.
Subject matter will be
Amend Stormwater Postpone
388- 0-0 addressedunder STM
Management By-LawIndefinitely Article 2.
Village GateRoad isnot
Accept Village Gate Road Postpone
408- 0-0 ready tobe accepted by
as a Town WayIndefinitely the Town.
Historical Wayisnot
Accept Historical Way as a Postpone
418- 0-0 ready tobe accepted by
Town WayIndefinitely the Town.
There isnodeveloper
Amend Additional 43D Postpone
538- 0-0 interested inthesite at
Priority Development SitesIndefinitely this time.
FINANCE COMMITTEE VOTE: 8-0-0
24-Source page 28
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - JUNE22,2020
DISCUSSION: Articles placed onthe consent agenda are considered non-controversial and can be voted in one
block. The consent agenda isalist of articles that are voted as a group. Ifany voter wishes to discuss any article
that islisted on the consent agenda, the voter may simply ask fora hold on that article, and the article will be
deleted from the consent agenda and acted on separately inthe normal course of the meeting. Further discussion
oneach can befound under the individual article.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
ARTICLE 5
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS UNDER THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Article 5Tosee ifthe Town will voteto raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds, or transfer from Free
Cash, asum of money for the purpose of funding any new 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, serving
under its jurisdiction; orto take any other action related thereto.
Board of Selectmen
MOVED: That the subject matter of Article 5 be indefinitely postponed.
FINANCE COMMITTEE VOTE: 8-0-0
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee voted unanimously to postpone indefinitely the subject matter of this
article as there are no newly-negotiated collective bargaining agreements to fund.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
ARTICLE 6
PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACTS UNDER THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Article 6Tosee ifthe Town will voteto raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds, or transfer from Free
Cash, such sums of money as may be necessary to fund new cost items contained incontracts for personal
services with any individual employee; or take any action related thereto.
Board of Selectmen
MOVED: That the subject matter of Article 6 be indefinitely postponed.
FINANCE COMMITTEE VOTE: 8-0-0
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee voted unanimously to postpone indefinitely the subject matter of this
article as there are currently no newly-negotiated personal service agreements tofund.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
25-Source page 29
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - JUNE22,2020
ARTICLE 7
SET SALARIES OF ELECTED OFFICERS
Article 7 To see ifthe Town will vote, in accordance with the provisions of section one hundred and eight of
chapter forty-one (G. L.chapter 41, §108) tofix the salary and compensation of all elected officers of the town;or
to take any other action related thereto.
Board of Selectmen
Article 7 -MOTION 1
MOVED: That the salary and compensation for the Town Clerk be fixed at $95,465 for the 2021
FiscalYear beginning July 1, 2020through June 30, 2021.
FINANCE COMMITTEE VOTE: 7-0-0
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee voted unanimously to support the Town Clerk’ssalary for FY 2021. The
Town Clerk isafull-time elected official and the Committeefeels that the salary isinline with other comparable
towns.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
Article 7 -MOTION 2
MOVED: That the salary and compensation for all part-time elected officials of the Town be fixed
for the 2021Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2020through June 30, 2021, as follows:
Board of Assessors$ 2,400.00, for each member
Board of Health$ 600.00, for each member
Board of Selectmen$ 1,400.00, for each member, with an additional
200.00 to chairperson
Planning Board$ 0.00
School Committee$ 0.00
Library Trustees$ 0.00
FINANCE COMMITTEE VOTE: 7-0-0
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee voted to support the elected official’ssalaries. These officials have
traditionally received these stipends and Town Meeting has consistentlysupported them.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
26-Source page 30
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - JUNE22,2020
ARTICLE 8
PAY BILLS OF PRIOR FISCAL YEAR
Article 8 To see ifthe Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds, transfer from Free
Cash, orborrow pursuant toanyapplicable statute, asum orsums ofmoney to pay any unpaidbills of any prior
fiscal year;orto take any other action related thereto.
Board of Selectmen
MOVED: That Four Thousand Eight Hundred Eighty Eight Dollars and Ninety Six Cents
4,888.96) beappropriated for the School Business Administrator to pay bills from prior fiscal years
as set forth below, and to meet this appropriation Four Thousand Eight Hundred Eighty Eight Dollars
and Ninety Six Cents ($ 4,888.96) be charged to the budget appropriation Account # 94009062- 53202
voted pursuant to Article 46 of the 2019 Annual Town Meeting for the School Departmentand
that Two Thousand Five Hundred Sixty One Dollars and Thirty Six Cents ($ 2,561.36) be appropriated
for the Human Resource Director to pay bills from a prior fiscal years as set forth below, and to meet
this appropriation Two Thousand Five Hundred Sixty One Dollars and Thirty Six Cents ($2,561.36) be
charged to the budget appropriation Account # 19462-53S14 and Account # 19462-53S15 voted
pursuant to Article 46 of the 2019 Annual Town Meeting for the Human Resource Department.
VendorPurposeAmountSource of Funds
Bi-County CollaborativeTuition$ 4,888.96School Dept.
Cabot Risk –Covel111F 2,561.36HR Dept.
Total$ 7,450.32
FINANCE COMMITTEE VOTE: 7-0-0
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee voted unanimously to recommend the payment of prior fiscal year bills.
The Town ofCanton requires acurrent year appropriation of funds to pay prior fiscal year expenditures. The sum of
the prior fiscal years bills is $7,450.32which includes two vendors. The first bill isfrom Bi-County Collaborative in
the amount of $4,888.96 which isa debt service vendor for the School Department. The second bill isfor Cabot
Risk – Covel inthe amount of $2,561.36 which isaworker’scompensation vendor for the Police and Fire
Department.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
27-Source page 31
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - JUNE22,2020
ARTICLE 9
ADJUST FISCAL ’ 20ACCOUNTS
Article 9To see ifthe Town will vote to increase/ decreaseor otherwise adjust the appropriations heretofore made
for the Fiscal Year 2020 beginning on July 1,2019 and ending on June 30, 2020and the revenues sources to meet
those appropriations, as voted pursuant to Article 64of the warrant for the2018AnnualTown Meeting, and to
raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds ortransfer from Free Cash tomeet any such increases or
adjustments; orto take any other action related thereto.
Board of Selectmen
MOVED: That the subject matter of Article 9 be indefinitely postponed.
FINANCE COMMITTEE VOTE: 7-0-0
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee voted unanimously topostpone this article indefinitely, as there are no
fiscal year 2020 accounts to adjust.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
ARTICLE 10
TRANSFER UNEXPENDED PRIOR YEAR APPROPRIATIONS
Article 10 To see ifthe Town will vote to transfer the unexpended balance of certain appropriations made under
various articles inthe warrants applicable to prior town meetings, to new purposes and uses;or to take any other
action related thereto.
Board of Selectmen
MOVED: That the sum ofTwenty Nine Thousand Eight Hundred Ninety Dollars ($ 29,890) be
transferred to fund the Colts Crossing, Knob Hill and Washington Commons FY21 street betterments
debt service ( Dept. #710) Principal of Twenty One Thousand Dollars ($ 21,000); and Dept. #751
Interest of Eight Thousand Eight Hundred Ninety Dollars ($ 8,890) and to meet this appropriation
Twenty Nine Thousand Eight Hundred Ninety Dollars ($ 29,890) be transferred from the Street
Betterments Reserved Receipt Account ( Fund # 186).
FINANCE COMMITTEE VOTE: 8-0-0
DISCUSSION: Discussion: The Finance Committee voted unanimously to recommend the transfer of $29,890
from the Betterments Reserved Receipt Account to the Colts Crossing, Knob Hill and Washington Commons FY21
street betterments debt service. This transfer will allocate $21,000 as aprincipal payment and $8,890 as an
interest payment.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
28-Source page 32
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - JUNE22,2020
ARTICLE 11
AUTHORIZE CERTAIN REVOLVING FUNDS
Article 11To see what new or additional revolving funds,pursuant to c.44, section 53E ½ of the General Laws of
the Commonwealth, the Town may establish by amendment to Article VII (“Financial Regulations”), Section 16
Departmental Revolving Funds”} of the General Bylaws of the Townand to see what amendments if any the
town may vote to existing revolving funds contained in the Town’sBylaw, and todetermine the limit on total
amount that may be expended from the Town’srevolving accounts, for various boards, commissions or
departments of the town, for the fiscal year beginning July 1,2020 and ending June 30, 2021;or to take any other
action related thereto.
Board of Selectmen
MOVED: That the spending limits for the revolving funds established pursuant to General By-
Laws Article VIII, Section 16 pursuant to the provisions of MGL chapter 44, section 53 E ½ for the 2021
fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021 and that each Revolving Fund shall be
credited with the balance remaining in such fund at the end of the FY 2020 as set forth below:
Revolving
Fund # Name of Revolving FundFY21Spending Limit
110Veteran’ s Services Special Revenues$ 100,000
119Library Revolving Fund$ 75,000
130Recreation Revolving Fund$ 500,000
132Student Parking Fees$ 100,000
134Pequitside Farm Rentals$ 50,000
135Greenlodge Street Parking Fees$ 100,000
136Beautification Fund$ 10,000
137Animal Control Special Revenues$ 50,000
138Library Building Rentals$ 50,000
140COA Revolving Fund$ 50,000
141Board of Health Special Revenue$ 50,000
Paul Revere Heritage Site Rolling
142Mill and Open Space Fund$ 120,000
145Traffic Mitigation Fund$ 50,000
Paul Revere Heritage Site Museum
152Fund$ 100,000
FINANCE COMMITTEE VOTE: 8-0-0
DISCUSSION: The Finance Committee supports this article which sets spending limits for each revolving
account at the same level as inFY20. The article also credits each account with the balance remainingin the
account at the end of FY20.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
29-Source page 33
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - JUNE22,2020
ARTICLE 12
OMNIBUS” CAPITAL OUTLAY PROGRAM
Article 12To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds, transfer from Free
Cash, or to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, to borrow (and to issue
bonds or notes therefore) any sum or sums ofmoney, 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 orother items ofequipment or machinery or other items ofpersonal
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, toauthorize 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, and to include in any new capital project borrowing authorization and/or to amend such borrowing
authorizations from prior years town meeting to provide for the application of any bond premiums to reduce the
cost of such borrowings or to apply same to payment of project costs;orto take any other action related thereto.
Board of Selectmen for CapitalPlanning Committee
Article 12 - 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 is also
authorized and shall be under the responsibility of the Finance Director/ Chief Procurement Officer. In
all cases where by a motion made under this warrant article, avehicle or other piece of motorized
equipment is to be acquired by atown 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 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.
FINANCE COMMITTEE VOTE: 6-0-0
Article 12 - MOTION 1
DISCUSSION: This motion authorizes the Finance Director to supervise the acquisition, trade-ins, or other
disposition of vehicles and other motorized equipment. This motion also authorizes the Building Renovations
Committee tooversee all building/ land projects.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
30-Source page 34
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - JUNE22,2020
Article 12 - MOTION 2
MOVED: That Six Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($ 650,000) be appropriated from the Fiscal
Year 2021 tax levy and other general revenues of the Town to be spent by the Finance Director ( in his
capacity as Chief Procurement Officer) with the approval of various Municipal Departments designated
below and with the approval of the Board of Selectmen for the purposes set forth below as follows:
FINCOM
RECOMMENDATIONSAMOUNT
Finance Department
Permit Software15, 000
Microsoft Software Update115, 000
Firewall & Anti-Virus Software20, 000
Exchange Upgrade11, 000
Fire Department
Replace 2008 Ford Pick-up Truck & Plow60, 000
Turnout Gear20, 000
Fire Records & Dispatch Software Supplement62, 000
Parks & Recreation
Replace 2000 Ford Pick Up Truck # 4441,000
Police Department
Replace Police Cruisers ( 3) 130,000
Bullet Resistant Vests18, 000
Property Maintenance
Recreation Garage Roof35, 000
Replace 2003 Ford Pick Up Truck # 8173,000
Department of Public Works
Intersection Modifications at Wash. & Chapman Streets50, 000
GRAND TOTAL$ 650,000
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 Six Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($ 650,000). The
Finance Director and Town Administrator, acting jointly, are 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 funds are available because one or
moreitems cost less than estimated and not because an item intended to be procured is not so
procured.
FINANCE COMMITTEE VOTE: 6-0-0
Article 12 - MOTION 2
CAPITAL PLANNING DISCUSSION:
Finance Department
Permit Software ($ 15,000)
The Capital Planning Committee supports this request 4-0-0.
This cash capital request isfor the replacement of an existing on-premise permit software that will no longer have
available support. This new version isahosted version from the same software company. The initial purchase and
operating costs of this option are lower than the other two options that were considered.
31-Source page 35
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - JUNE22,2020
Microsoft Software Update ($ 115,000)
The Capital Planning Committee supports this request 4-0-0.
This cash capital request isfor needed software upgrades to replace existing critical versions due to the current
software’sJanuary 2020 end of life. These licenses will cover all physical and virtual systems and users for the
municipal departments with the exception of the Library and not including the Schools.
Firewall & Anti-Virus Software ($ 20,000)
The Capital Planning Committee supports this request 4-0-0.
This cash capital request isfor the replacement offour existing firewalls in several different locations. Italso
includes additional anti-virus client software options and three years of hardware and software coverage. The
existing firewalls lack the ability to connect to the vendors portal for asingle view of all anti-virus and protection
status. The existing subscription expires in July 2020.
Exchange Upgrade ($ 11,000)
The Capital Planning Committee supports this request 4-0-0.
This cash capital request isfor the upgrade of on-premises Exchange from the 2010 version to the 2019 version.
The price includes the added work to upgrade versions inatwo-step process, due tono direct update path being
available. The end of life for the current version will beOctober 2020.
Fire Department
Replace 2008 Ford Pick-upTruck & Plow ($60,000)
The Capital Planning Committee supports this request 4-0-0.
This cash capital request isfor the replacement of an existing Fire Department pick-up truck that has snow plowing
and other capabilities with acurrent model yearalso outfitted with asnow plow and other comparable equipment
and ability.The existing truck has body rot and isno longer usable inany capacity. The new truck will be asimilar
model but aheavier duty version with asnow plow for the department to be able to relieve the Department of
Public Works (DPW) crews from having to plow their stations and properties during storms, which will also improve
emergency response times inthose situations.
Turnout Gear ($20,000)
The Capital Planning Committee supports this request 4-0-0.
This cash capital request isfor the purchasing of six sets of firefighting “ turnout” gear. This ispart of an ongoing
cycle to purchase new sets and replace old ones. Firefighters are exposed to amuch higher level of carcinogens
than theaverage person due to the hazardous nature of their work, requiring heavy duty cleaning ofgear upon
returning from calls involving structural fires. Having anadditional set of gear for each firefighter allows for them to
continue to perform their dutieswith a greater level of personal safety and reduced risk of additional exposure to
carcinogens and other contaminants by using these new gear sets while their otherssets are being cleaned.
Fire Records & Dispatch Software Supplement ($ 62,000)
The Capital Planning Committee supports this request 4-0-0.
This cash capital request isfor the continuation of acapital request made and approved last year to purchase a
comprehensive fire records and dispatch software program. This cloud-based system will allow records storage and
management to be much more efficient and effective while also improving fire and other emergency dispatch
capability and response times.
Parks & Recreation
Replace 2000 Ford Pickup Truck # 44 ($41,000)
The Capital Planning Committeesupports this request 4-0-0.
This cash capital request isfor the replacement ofthe Parks and Recreation Department 2000 Ford pickup-truck
44 with anew current model year heavier duty truck outfitted with asnow plow. Truck # 44 isno longer
serviceable or usable inany capacity and needs to be replaced. The request for asnow plow for the new truck isto
relieve Department of Public Works (DPW) crews from having to plow Parks and Recreation properties around the
town, which are extensive. While DPW crews will likely still be helping intimes of snow, having atruck with aplow
will allow Parks and Recreation to significantly reduce DPW crew work while minimizing the need for the Town to
hire independent contractors to aid inclearing Parks and Recreation areas.
32-Source page 36
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - JUNE22,2020
Police Department
Replace Police Cruisers ($ 130,000)
The Capital Planning Committee supports this request 4-0-0.
This cash capital requestfor three police cruisersis part of an annual request by the Canton Police Department to
routinely replace the worn-out cruisers in their fleet with new ones. Police cruisers are essentially operated 24
hours a day, 7 days aweek, and have a much shorter lifespan than the average vehicle. As aresult, the Canton
Police Department has decided that replacing worn-out cruisers with new ones isnot only essential to their duties
but also amore cost-effective way ofmanaging their fleet as opposed topouring money into constant costly
repairs and maintenance.
Bullet Resistant Vests ($ 18,000)
The Capital Planning Committee supports this request 4-0-0.
This cash capital request is part of an annual request to replace bullet resistant vests for use by police officers. The
Canton Police Department continues to see arelative increase in calls involving firearmsand as such isat great
need of the newest and most effective vests to increase officer safety.
Property Maintenance
Recreation Garage Roof ($35,000)
The Capital Planning Committee supports this request 4-0-0.
The Department of Public Works (DPW) isrequesting a$ 35,000.00 to replace the roof on the recreation garage at
87 Pine Street, which would include the removal and disposal of the existing roof. DPW will additionally make
necessary roof deck repairs, as part of the installation of the new Sarnafilroof system.There will be no impact to
the operating budget with this request.
Replace 2003 Ford PickupTruck # 81 ($73,000)
The Capital Planning Committee supports this request 4-0-0.
The Department of Public Works isrequesting a $ 73,000.00 new or current model Ford Super Duty F-550 Utility
Truck with a9-foot snow plow, to replace their current 2003 Ford F-250 pickup (Truck 81).Truck 81 has been
officially taken out ofservice, as it has afailed engine and the frame isrusted beyond repair. This truck has been
used by the Facility and Grounds Division. The new truck will be equipped with asnow plow, atool box body and a
ladder rack.
Department of Public Works
Intersection Modifications at Washington & Chapman Streets ($ 50,000)
The Capital Planning Committee supports this request 4-0-0.
This cash capital request isto modify the existing traffic and pedestrian control system at the intersection of
Washington Street and Chapman Street (infront ofCongregation B’Nai Tikvah and Cassie’sCorner Store) to add an
additional crosswalk across Washington Street on the south side of the intersection ( toward Canton High School)
along with 50 feet of sidewalk. The crosswalk spanning Washington Street will allow safe access for pedestrians
going to and fromthe east and west sides of Washington Street (from the side of the temple to the side of Cassie’s
and vice versa) along with 50 feet of sidewalk to beadded on the side of the temple and running towards Canton
High School along Washington Street. These improvements are necessary for pedestrian safety.Members of B’Nai
Tikvah were present at the Capital Planning Committee’ smeeting with the Finance Committee to voice their strong
support for this motion.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
33-Source page 37
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - JUNE22,2020
Article 12 - MOTION 3
MOVED: That Six Hundred Thousand Dollars ($ 600,000) be appropriated from the Fiscal Year
2021 tax levy and other general revenues of the Town, for the Canton School Committee to expend for
the purpose of purchasing certain items of property set forth below for the School Department as
follows:
FINCOM
AMOUNT
Building Repairs/ Improvements
nd
Replacement 2Floor Corridor Tiles-Hansen12, 978
HVAC Maintenance – Districtwide42, 213
Technology
Administrative ( Non instructional) Staff Desktop Upgrade – Districtwide20, 235
Portable Teaching Devices for Elem. & Early Childhood ( Year 1 of 3) 40,000
Portable Teaching Devices – GMS ( Year 2) 45,660
Replacement Printers – Elementary & GMS15, 000
Replacement Document Cameras – Districtwide5, 049
Chromebook Initiative – GMS Grade 7 &8 (Multi-year plan) 116,550
Safety & Security
Replacement Security Cameras – Districtwide15, 620
Door Locking Hardware & Interior Door Window Coverings30, 000
Districtwide ( Year 2)
ReplacementVoIP & Camera Switches – Districtwide21, 961
Program Improvements
PreK-5 Classroom Libraries – All Elementary ( Year 1 of 3) 36,000
K-5 Book Rooms – All Elementary ( Year 1 of 3) 19,080
K-5 Professional Resources for Literacy Instruction - 29,768
All Elementary ( Year 1 of 3)
K-5 Literacy Assessment – All Elementary ( Year 1 of 3) 12,750
Visual Arts –DSLR Cameras20, 089
Volleyball Standards –CHS13, 377
CHS Auditorium Updates – CHS ( Year 3) 38,680
Replacement of Classroom Based Instruments – Districtwide20, 000
Furniture & Fixtures
Stainless Steel Work Tables –Districtwide6, 170
Round Cafeteria Tables –GMS18, 820
Custodial Equipment – Districtwide20, 000
GRAND TOTAL$ 600,000
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 Six Hundred Thousand Dollars ($ 600,000). The
Finance Director and the Business Administrator of the School Department, acting jointly, are 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
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.
FINANCE COMMITTEE VOTE: 6-0-0
Article 12 –MOTION 3
CAPITAL PLANNING DISCUSSION:
Building Repairs/ Improvements
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nd
Replacement 2Floor Corridor Tiles-Hansen ($ 12,978)
The Capital Planning Committee supports this request 4-0-0.
This cash capital request is for the replacement oftiles in the 2nd floor main corridor of the Peter M. Hansen
elementary school. The current tiles are cracked and peeling presenting apotential safety hazard as well as
reflecting poorly on the overall visual appearance and environment of the school.
HVAC Maintenance – Districtwide ($ 42,213)
The Capital Planning Committee supports this request 4-0-0.
This cash capital request isfor the supplies, parts, materials, equipment, and labor required toreplace, repair, or
maintain heating, ventilation, and air conditioning ( HVAC) equipmentacross the district’ssix school buildings.
These funds will allow HVAC work to be done in-house and result isconsiderable savings over having outside
contractors doing the work.
Technology
Administrative ( Non-Instructional) Staff Desktop Upgrade – Districtwide ($ 20,235)
The Capital Planning Committee supports this request 4-0-0.
This cash capital request will upgrade the administrative staff’s older desktop computers tonewer HP EliteDesk 800
G3 mini desktop computers, approximately twenty-five units, to better support current school curriculum
requirements. This upgrade will provide administrative staff with hardware that ismore consistent with what the
teaching staff iscurrently running. The computersalso support Strategic Framework 4.4 by providing efficient and
coherent operational systems.
Portable Teaching Devices for Elementary & Early Childhood ( Year 1 of 3) ($ 40,000)
The Capital Planning Committee supports this request 4-0-0.
The elementary school and early childhood program teachers are currently using desktop computers that are
approximately 5-7years old and inneed of upgrading. This cash capital request will provide the elementary school
and early childhood program teachers with newer Acer SPIN 5orequivalent laptops with Airtame screen sharing
technology. This upgrade will provide elementary and early childhood teachers with technology that issimilar to
that deployed in Canton High School and Galvin Middle School classrooms. This upgrade supports Strategic
Framework 3.1 by providing amore consistent and integrated learning experience.
Portable Teaching Devices – GMS ( Year 2) ($ 45,660)
The Capital Planning Committee supports this request 4-0-0.
In FY2020, 35 teachers at Galvin Middle School (GMS) received portable teaching devices.This current request
will provide 40 Acer SPIN 5laptop/tablets with projecting Airtame devices tocompletely equip the remainingGMS
teaching staff.This request supports Strategic Framework 3.1 by integrating technology to create transformative
learning experiences and promoting opportunities for innovation.
Replacement Printers – Elementary & GMS ($ 15,000)
The Capital Planning Committee supports this request 4-0-0.
The current elementary and middle school laser printers are approximately 6years old and are beginning to break
down at increasing rates.This cash capital request would procure 4HP553 color laser printers with an additional
500 sheet tray and 100 HP M203dw black and white laser printers to replace the aging units across the elementary
and middle schools.This request supports strategic framework 4.4 by providing efficientoperational systems.
Replacement Document Cameras – Districtwide ($ 5,049)
The Capital Planning Committee supports this request 4-0-0.
This capital request isfor the purchase of 51 V4K Ultra HD or equivalent document cameras to replace older
classroom document visualizers. These visualizers are more than 7-8years old and some are beginning tofail.
Currently, 90%of all classrooms in the district have these document visualizers but some are older models.These
devices are important pieces of equipment for collaborative learning.This equipment supports strategic framework
3.1 with integrated technology for engaging and relevant instruction.
Chromebook Initiative – GMS Grade 8& 9(Multi-year plan) ($116,550)
The Capital Planning Committee supports this request 4-0-0.
This cash capital request is for the purchase of 525 Chromebook laptops for all students in grades 8and 9.By
investing in technology and digital learning through its Chromebook initiative, the Canton Public Schools will be
able to create innovative lesson plans that better engage students with rigorous and rich learning opportunities to
better prepare students for today’sworld.This “1:1”Chromebook initiative allows schools to grow in many
strategic areas of focus including providing greater access tolearning opportunities, better equity ineducation by
creating alevel playing field where all students have the same device, and improved collaborative learning.This is
the first year inathree-year plan to equip allstudents ingrades 6-12 with Chromebooks by 2023.
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - JUNE22,2020
Safety & Security
Replacement Security Cameras – Districtwide ($ 15,620)
The Capital Planning Committee supports this request 4-0-0.
Many of the interior and exterior security cameras inthe schools are more than 15 years old.Some of these
cameras are analog cameras with lower resolution than today'scamera systems.This cash capital request would
replace and upgrade 12 parking lotcameras, replace 32 analog cameras, and provide the required software and
licensing at various school locations. This request supports Strategic Framework 2.4 School Safety: Provide safe
facilities and appropriate learning environments that support asenseof security and comfort for students and staff;
employ emergency/ crisis managementplans and practices.
Door Locking Hardware & Interior Door Window Coverings Districtwide ( Year 2) ($ 30,000)
The Capital Planning Committee supports this request 4-0-0.
This cash capital request represents phase IIof locks and shades for all schools.The purpose of this project isto
provide standardized sets oflocking hardware for doors as well as window shades throughout the district, so that
teachers have easy access to closeand lock classroom doors and window shades inthe event ofaschool lock
down. This request supports Strategic Framework 2.4 School Safety: Provide safe facilities and appropriate learning
environments that support asenseof security and comfort for students and staff; employ emergency/ crisis
management plans and practices.
Replacement VoIP & Camera Switches – Districtwide ($ 21,961)
The Capital Planning Committee supports this request 4-0-0.
This cash capital request isto replace the network switches that handle the School District'sVoIP/Telephone and
Camera systems with 12 Aruba 2930F 24G PoE+ switches or equivalenttechnology with supporting hardware.
These current switches are 9 years old and are failing.Two of them have already been replaced atCanton High
School this past year. This request supports Strategic Framework 2.4 School Safety: Provide safe facilities and
appropriate learning environments that support asenseof security and comfort for students and staff; employ
emergency/ crisis management plans and practices.
Program Improvements
Pre-K-5 Classroom Libraries – All Elementary ( Year 1 of 3) ($ 36,000)
The Capital Planning Committee supports this request 4-0-0.
The literacy materials in the pre-Kthrough 5th grade classrooms have not been updated in 10 years.In FY20,
Canton began professional development to prepare teachers totransition to anew model of literacy instruction that
supports students with authentic texts for Pre-K-5.Itisrecommended that classroom libraries be provisioned with
books that have arange ofreading levels, topics, and genres tosupport independent reading with aminimum of
30 books per student as astart.This cash capital request represents year 1of a3-year plan to provision each
homeroom and the special education classes at Hansen and Luce with the Heinemann Units ofStudy Libraries.
This request supports Strategic Framework 3.1: Designing Student Learning and Growth.
K-5 Book Rooms – All Elementary ( Year 1of 3) ($ 19,080)
The Capital Planning Committee supports this request 4-0-0.
This cash capital request represents year 1of a3-year plan to equip each grade level ateach of the elementary
schools with one Fountas & Pinnell Classroom Guided Reading Collection. Guided Reading isan important
component of literacy instruction, as itallows teachers to design reading instruction that supports young readers at
their individual reading levels and insmall group instruction settings.The Fountas & Pinnell collection also contains
engaging and culturally relevant content, which is important because itallows young readers to see themselves in
the texts that they are reading. This request supports Strategic Framework 3.1: Designing Student Learning and
Growth, and 1.1: EducationalEquity.
K-5 Professional Resources for Literacy Instruction – All Elementary ( Year 1 of 3) ($ 29,768)
The Capital Planning Committee supports this request 4-0-0.
This cash capital request represents year 1of a3-year plan topurchase the Calkins Units of Study in Reading and
Writing and materials to support Phonics instruction for all K-5teachers, with the exception of teachers who have
already gone through the professional development program. These units will help teachers to make the initial
transition out of the older Journeys curriculum and into the Reading Writing Workshop model of instruction. The
Units ofStudy resources provide clear guidance to support teachers with designing instruction and providing
students with opportunities to readauthentic texts and write with purpose.This request supports Strategic
Framework 1.3: Excellent Educators for Every Student, Every Day.
K-5 Literacy Assessment – All Elementary ( Year 1 of 3) ($ 12,750)
The Capital Planning Committee supports this request 4-0-0.
This cash capital request represents year 1of a3-year plan to purchase the Benchmark Assessment Systems for
all classroom teachers inK-5,special education teachers, and literacy specialists. As the K-5classrooms transition
to the new model of literacy instruction that supports students with authentic texts, an important component of
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - JUNE22,2020
this work isthe assessment ofstudent instructional reading levels.Teachers will use the Fountas and Pinnell
Benchmark Assessment System toassess student readingthroughout the year. The results of these assessments
will help teachers better match readers to the proper text level to support small group readinginstruction. This
request supports Strategic Framework 1.2: Educational Excellence and Continuous Improvement.
Visual Arts – DSLR Cameras ($ 20,089)
The Capital Planning Committee supports this request 4-0-0.
Currently, Canton High School students taking Photography are studying digital photography using their own
cameras, cell phone cameras, or the ten-year old school-owned cameras that are simple point-and-shoot cameras.
This cash capital request would purchase 25 Canon EOS Rebel SL3DSLR or equivalent cameras to provide students
with more equitable access to the standard of camera settings and lenses that professionals in the industry
currently use.
Volleyball Standards – CHS ($ 13,377)
The Capital Planning Committee supports this request 4-0-0.
The Masciarelli Gym at Canton High School has 3volleyball courts with aging netting systems that are inconstant
need of repair.This cash capital request would fund the purchase of 3net systems on all 3courts. Itwould also
include re-sleeving the main court, so that all 3systems are the same.This cash capital request would ensure that
this athletic equipment issafe and efficient, and also supports Strategic Framework # 4 - Achieving District
Excellence.
CHS Auditorium Updates – CHS (Year 3) ($ 38,680)
The Capital Planning Committee supports this request 4-0-0
This cash capital request isfor upgrading the lighting at the Canton High School (CHS) Auditorium. The lighting
upgrade includes equipment that isrequired to switch stage lights to LED. The LED lighting system will have more
features, lights that last much longer, cost less to upkeep, and provide improved stage lighting. The original plan
was to have this be the last of the CHS Auditorium upgrades, but itwas decided to split this last upgrade over the
next two years.
Replacement of Classroom Based Instruments – Districtwide ($ 20,000)
The Capital Planning Committee supports this request 4-0-0.
Due tospace restrictions that limit the size of musical instruments allowed on school buses, some families that
depend on bus transportation find themselves needing to rent 2instruments; one for home use andone for
school.This cash capital request would alleviate this financial burden on families by equipping the music programs
with school-owned larger instruments, such as Tubas and Trombones, that students can use while in school,
allowing students to keep their large rented instruments athome.This request supports Strategic Framework # 1:
Achieving educational excellence and ensuring equity, by eliminating obstacles and barriers to student learning
growth.
Furniture & Fixtures
Stainless Steel Work Tables – Districtwide ($ 6,170)
The Capital Planning Committee supports this request 4-0-0.
The Food Service Department isrequesting stainless steel work tables district wide using cash capital, which would
replace the existing wood tables. The current wooden tables cannot be easily cleaned or thoroughly sanitized. This
will further allow for safe and adequate workspace for food preparation.
Round Cafeteria Tables – GMS ($ 18,820)
The Capital Planning Committee supports this request 4-0-0.
Thiscash capital request isfor round cafeteria tables at the Galvin Middle School. The round tables will replace the
long, rectangular, tables that currently exist. The round tables encourage more conversation and create amore
welcoming environment inaschool cafeteria. In addition, because students do not have to yell to one another, this
will result in a quieter and more manageable cafeteria experience for all. Finally, round tables offer the same
number ofseats than the current rectangular tables but they offer more space for movement around them, leading
to better access for supervision.
Custodial Equipment – Districtwide ($ 20,000)
The Capital Planning Committee supports this request 4-0-0.
This cash capital request isfor adistrict wide replacement for certain equipment that has exceeded its life
expectancy. Due to ongoing wear and tear, broken equipment at each of the schools needs to be replaced on a
rotating cycle. This will provide safe and well-maintained facilities with appropriate learning environments that
support asense of security and comfort for students and staff.
APPROVED__________ DISAPPROVED__________
37-