Town nets an extra 280K to start the fiscal year

The town received a bit of good financial news this week as higher than expected state aid totals and fewer state charges resulted in an additional $280,000 in free cash for the current fiscal year.

In addition, through persistent applications by Town Accountant Kathleen Butters, Canton will be receiving $125,000 from a federal FEMA grant to cover January winter storm damages. As a result, the DPW closed out the fiscal year on the plus side, allowing the town to transfer the surplus to help offset deficits in other departments.

More good news came from the Fire Department, which earlier this year needed an emergency transfer of $113,000 from the Finance Committee Reserve Fund to restore the town’s second ambulance and hire additional personnel. As a result of this transfer and other steps taken by Doody, the Fire Department ended FY11 with a near $80,000 surplus, which was also used to help offset deficits in other departments.

Town Finance Director Jim Murgia reported fiscal year-end transfers that received favorable votes by the Finance Committee and selectmen. The Police Department needed an $87,000 transfer from the FinCom Reserve Fund to cover overtime expenses caused by a combination of long-term injuries and the deployment of an officer to Afghanistan.

The town’s health insurance line item had an $80,000 shortfall, which was financed by transfers of $40,000 from the trash removal account, $15,000 from debt service, and $25,000 from the DPW surplus.

The Fire Department surplus was used to finance a $15,000 shortfall in the veterans’ benefits budget, $9,000 in Recreation Department fuel and utility costs, $6,000 in election costs for the town clerk’s office, and $1,000 for the emergency management department.

In other news:

* Nancy Fyler of the Neponset River Watershed Association will begin a year-long campaign to promote water conservation in Canton. She will promote the program through the media, the schools, and at various town events.

* Town Administrator Bill Friel gave updates on various capital projects in town. Demolition and reconstruction of the ramp at the senior center will begin on August 1 and has an estimated completion date of August 31. An alternate entrance will be available during construction.

In addition, renovations to the DPW garage on Bolivar Street are well underway, and Friel reported that the project is on target. The beginning of a new salt shed can be seen, and several buildings have been painted.

Friel also reported that repairs to the culverts on Bolivar and Pine streets will begin soon and should be completed before the winter. The bids came in below the amount appropriated at town meeting. The Pine Street culvert will be completed first, and traffic delays will be experienced during both projects.

* Friel reported progress on the hiring of a new human resources director. Fifty applications were received and a 10-member search committee will select 15 candidates to interview. The committee will then recommend three to five finalists for selectmen to interview. The goal is to appoint a new HR director by September 6. Until then, Arlene Walsh is working part time as an HR staff member on an interim basis.

* Eagle Scouts Jim Grella and Michael Bronstein received thanks and congratulations from selectmen on their Eagle Scout projects. Bronstein built a patio and a bench and refurbished the flagpole at the Luce School. Grella built some trails and benches at Wardwell Estates on Route 138 near the Irish Cultural Center.

* Brian Greenwood was appointed as a member of the Canton Youth Commission.

* Selectmen will next meet on August 9 at 7 p.m.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Jul 20 2011. Filed under News, Town Government. Both comments and pings are currently closed.