Finance Committee
Reviews the town's entire budget and makes recommendations on how your tax dollars are spent.
124 items across 15 meetings.
June 23, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Virtual meeting called to order via Zoom.
📋 Proposed
Committee will elect its Chair and Vice Chair for the coming year.
📋 Proposed
Six departments seek Reserve Fund transfers totaling $600,000, led by Snow & Ice ($331,104.61), Police ($85,000), Town Counsel ($65,000), Ambulance/Fire ($51,000), COVID CARES/FEMA ($58,432.39), Street Lighting ($7,000), and Norfolk Ag School ($2,463).
💰 $600,000 total from Finance Committee Reserve Fund
📋 Proposed
Snow & Ice shortfall of $225,026.39 to be covered by surpluses from Board of Health ($90K), Library ($80K), Elections ($30,026.39), and Veterans ($25K).
💰 $225,026.39 reallocated among department budgets
📋 Proposed
Committee will discuss whether to review elected officials' pay levels for consideration at the May 2027 Annual Town Meeting.
📋 Proposed
Committee will decide whether to work with School Administration to rename and reframe the Special Education Reserve account for future Annual Town Meeting.
📋 Proposed
Internal discussion on how detailed the committee's meeting minutes should be.
📋 Proposed
Committee will consider the format for future meetings.
📋 Proposed
Approval of prior meeting minutes.
May 11, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Routine opening of the meeting.
📍 Canton High School Cafeteria, 900 Washington St, Canton, MA
📋 Proposed
Committee reviews and prepares business ahead of Town Meeting — likely budget and financial articles residents will vote on.
📍 Canton High School Cafeteria, 900 Washington St, Canton, MA
📋 Proposed
Approval of six prior meeting minutes.
📋 Proposed
Future meeting(s) TBD to address year-end budget transfers — adjustments to close out the current fiscal year.
April 8, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Meeting called to order; held virtually via Zoom.
📋 Proposed
Committee votes on recommending acceptance of Stillwater Road, Foundry Lane, Dalebrook Court, Stonewood Drive, Isabella Circle, and Holly Way as official town ways.
📍 Stillwater Road, Foundry Lane, Dalebrook Court, Stonewood Drive, Isabella Circle, Holly Way
📋 Proposed
Committee votes on proposed changes to ADU rules, which could affect where and how in-law/rental units are allowed town-wide.
📋 Proposed
Committee votes on updates to zoning definitions; details not specified in agenda.
📋 Proposed
Committee votes on eliminating three CCEOD (Canton Center Economic Overlay District) zones from the zoning map, which would change development rules in those areas.
📋 Proposed
Committee votes on recommending a funding appropriation for repairs at Gridley Cemetery; dollar amount not specified in agenda.
💰 Amount not specified
📍 Gridley Cemetery
📋 Proposed
Committee votes on extending the Bylaw Modernization Study Committee's term.
📋 Proposed
Committee votes on changes to bylaw provisions governing the Town Meeting Moderator role.
📋 Proposed
Committee votes on changes to voting procedures at Annual Town Meeting.
📋 Proposed
Committee reviews and prepares its positions on upcoming Annual Town Meeting articles.
📋 Proposed
Committee selects a member to serve on the Master Plan Implementation Committee.
📋 Proposed
Committee selects a member to serve on the Water and Sewer Rate Policy Committee, which shapes future utility rates.
📋 Proposed
Approve minutes from six prior meetings.
March 30, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
FinCom hears and votes to accept reports from the CAASA Committee, Economic Development Committee, and Bylaw Modernization Study Committee.
📋 Proposed
FinCom considers amending the bylaw that governs how Town Meeting reconsideration motions are handled; Bylaw Modernization Committee Chair George Comeau presenting.
📋 Proposed
Routine votes to elect a Town Meeting Moderator, adopt meeting rules, and approve the consent agenda.
📋 Proposed
FinCom votes on the town's annual operating budgets — the key determinant of property tax levels.
📋 Proposed
FinCom considers adopting the Stretch Specialized Energy Code (stricter state building-energy standards) for new construction and major renovations; Sustainability Committee and consultant presenting.
📋 Proposed
Committee discusses logistics and any remaining preparation for the upcoming Annual Town Meeting.
📋 Proposed
Approval of five prior meeting minutes.
March 23, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Routine meeting opening.
📋 Proposed
FinCom reviews and may recommend the FY27 town operating budget — the main driver of the property tax rate — presented by Town Administrator Doody and Finance Director Scollins.
📋 Proposed
Town Meeting article covering new union contracts negotiated by the Select Board; approved labor costs flow into the operating budget and tax rate.
📋 Proposed
Proposed special act allowing the town to place liens on property for unpaid municipal charges such as water, sewer, or other fees.
📋 Proposed
Vote to adopt a state law provision; the agenda does not specify the subject matter beyond the chapter citation.
📋 Proposed
FinCom reviews and may vote on 21 separate capital spending requests covering town infrastructure, facilities, and equipment, presented by Finance Director Scollins and the Capital Planning Committee.
📋 Proposed
Committee discusses committee positions and logistics in advance of upcoming Town Meeting.
📋 Proposed
Approval of four prior meeting minutes.
March 18, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Routine opening of the virtual meeting.
📋 Proposed
FinCom reviews the Capital Planning Committee's FY27 capital budget recommendations, covering town-wide infrastructure and equipment spending.
📋 Proposed
Superintendent Derek Folan and Asst. Superintendent Brian Lynch present the FY27 school operating budget for FinCom review.
📋 Proposed
FinCom considers appropriating additional funds into the Special Education Reserve Account, presented by school administration.
📋 Proposed
Town Administrator Charles Doody and Finance Director Randy Scollins present the FY27 municipal operating budget for FinCom review.
📋 Proposed
FinCom reviews collective bargaining agreements for town employee unions, which carry wage and benefit cost implications.
📋 Proposed
Proposed special act would authorize the town to place liens on property for unpaid municipal charges (e.g., fees or assessments).
📋 Proposed
FinCom considers accepting Massachusetts General Law Ch. 53 F½, which governs interim appropriations when a budget is not timely adopted.
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of minutes from four recent FinCom meetings.
March 16, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Routine opening of the virtual Zoom meeting.
📋 Proposed
Sustainability committee and consultant Craig Altemose present Article 33, which would adopt the state's Stretch/Specialized Energy Code as a Canton general bylaw.
📋 Proposed
Finance Committee considers votes on all 10 CPC funding motions under Article 17, covering community preservation projects slated for Town Meeting.
📋 Proposed
Committee reviews and prepares outstanding items ahead of the Annual Town Meeting.
📋 Proposed
Approval of four sets of recent meeting minutes.
March 11, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Virtual Zoom meeting called to order at 7:00 PM.
📋 Proposed
Superintendent Jill Rossetti and SBA Dr. Elvio Ferreira present the Blue Hills Regional Technical School budget for Finance Committee review.
📋 Proposed
Public Health Director Meg Goldstein presents proposed changes to hazardous materials bylaw penalties and fee structure.
📋 Proposed
Proposed bylaw amendment to police regulations governing water wells, presented by Public Health Director.
📋 Proposed
Proposed bylaw amendment regulating smoking, presented by Public Health Director Meg Goldstein.
📋 Proposed
Central Maintenance Supervisor Rob Martin presents two departmental budgets for Finance Committee review.
📋 Proposed
DPW Superintendent Mike Trotta presents roads, engineering, and water/sewer enterprise budgets — key drivers of utility rates.
📋 Proposed
DPW Superintendent seeks additional funding to supplement the state Chapter 90 (road-repair grant) program.
📋 Proposed
Sustainability & Climate Action Plan Committee and consultant Craig Altemose present a proposed bylaw adopting the Stretch Specialized Energy Code for new construction.
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of five prior meeting minutes.
March 4, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Routine opening of the virtual Zoom meeting.
📋 Proposed
Fire Chief presents budgets for Fire, Dispatch, Fire Alarm, Ambulance, and Emergency Management departments.
📋 Proposed
FinCom considers rescinding a vote already taken on Article 38 at the 2026 Annual Town Meeting — reversal of a prior action.
📋 Proposed
Fire and Police chiefs present Article 41 to accept civil service law sections governing public-safety hiring rules.
📋 Proposed
Finance Committee questions incoming Police Chief Daniels on the police department budget.
📋 Proposed
Conservation Agent presents the Conservation Commission department budget for FinCom review.
📋 Proposed
Library Director presents the library department budget.
📋 Proposed
Heritage Commission Treasurer and Paul Revere Museum Executive Director present the department budget.
📋 Proposed
Finance Director: Trash, Debt Service, Pension, Insurance & OPEB (Depts 433, 752, 841, 911, 914, 915, 993, 116)
Finance Director reviews trash collection, debt service, county aggie assessment, retirement/pension, health and life insurance, OPEB (retiree benefits trust), and Plymouth Rubber DIF (district improvement financing) budgets.
📋 Proposed
Finance Director presents warrant articles covering personal services contracts, insurance proceeds, accepting new state laws, and an appropriation to create a Safe Streets program.
📋 Proposed
Approval of six sets of minutes from July 9, 2025 through February 25, 2026.
March 2, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Virtual meeting called to order via Zoom.
📋 Proposed
HR Director Jody Middleton presents budgets for Human Resources, Employee Contract Benefits, and Unemployment departments.
📋 Proposed
MIS Director Louis Jutras presents the Information Systems department budget.
📋 Proposed
Building Commissioner Ed Walsh presents a warrant article to amend the bylaw governing obstructions in public ways.
📋 Proposed
Building Commissioner presents a warrant article to amend the town's trailer bylaw under miscellaneous bylaws.
📋 Proposed
Parks & Recreation Director Tyler Radicioni presents budgets for Youth Services, Recreation, Parks, and the Skating Rink Enterprise.
📋 Proposed
DEI Committee Chair Naomi Akan and Nichola Gallagher present the DEI department budget.
📋 Proposed
Veterans Service Agent Arafat Knight presents the Veterans department budget.
📋 Proposed
Town Administrator Charlie Doody and Assistant Town Administrator Jen Kemalian present the Executive Office budget.
📋 Proposed
Approval of four sets of prior meeting minutes; Feb 11 minutes not yet available.
February 25, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Virtual Zoom meeting called to order at 7:00 PM.
📋 Proposed
FinCom reviews CPC spending recommendations for Town Meeting Article 17; CPC Chair George Comeau and Program Administrator Allison Neff presenting.
📋 Proposed
Proposed bylaw amendment on stormwater management rules, presented by the Stormwater Manager and Town Engineer.
📋 Proposed
DPW Superintendent Mike Trotta presents FY budgets for general DPW divisions (400–492) and Water (640–642) and Sewer (600–602) enterprise funds.
📋 Proposed
DPW Superintendent requests additional funds to supplement the state Chapter 90 road repair program.
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of prior meeting minutes; Feb 23 minutes not yet available.
February 23, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Routine meeting opening.
📋 Proposed
HR Director Jody Middleton presents three department budgets covering personnel, employee contract benefits, and unemployment costs.
📋 Proposed
MIS Director Louis Jutras presents the Information Systems department budget.
📋 Proposed
Building Commissioner Ed Walsh reviews two warrant articles: one updating police-regulation language on obstructions, one amending the trailer bylaw.
📋 Proposed
Parks & Recreation Director Tyler Radicioni presents four department budgets including the Skating Rink Enterprise fund, which may affect user fees.
📋 Proposed
DEI Committee Chair Naomi Akan and Nichola Gallagher present the DEI department budget.
📋 Proposed
Veterans Service Agent Arafat Knight presents the Veterans department budget.
📋 Proposed
Town Administrator Charlie Doody and Assistant Town Administrator Jen Kemalian present the Executive Office budget.
📋 Proposed
Approval of four sets of prior meeting minutes; February 11 minutes not yet available.
February 11, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Routine opening of virtual Zoom meeting.
📋 Proposed
Committee considers and votes on spending targets for FY2027 schools and municipal departments — an early step that shapes the tax levy.
📋 Proposed
Authorizes payment of any bills that carried over from a prior fiscal year, a routine housekeeping measure.
📋 Proposed
Mid-year amendments to realign current FY2026 budget line items.
📋 Proposed
Cancels previously approved but unused debt authorizations, cleaning up the town's borrowing ledger.
📋 Proposed
Moves excess funds from the overlay surplus (tax abatement reserve) into another use; dollar amount not specified.
📋 Proposed
Sets annual spending caps for departmental revolving funds (fee-supported accounts), which affect what departments can spend without further Town Meeting approval.
📋 Proposed
Appropriates town funds to support the annual July 4th celebration; dollar amount not specified.
📋 Proposed
Adds funds to the Capital Stabilization Account, which is used to finance future large capital projects and reduce borrowing.
📋 Proposed
Committee assigns a member to serve as Finance Committee liaison to the Central Maintenance Department.
📋 Proposed
Approval of three sets of prior meeting minutes; February 4 minutes noted as not yet available.
February 4, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Virtual meeting called to order via Zoom.
📋 Proposed
Committee will vote on the town's projected revenue for Fiscal Year 2027, a key step in setting next year's budget and tax rate.
📋 Proposed
Preliminary look at the articles voters will consider at the May 2026 Annual Town Meeting, if the warrant is available.
📋 Proposed
Committee members confirm their assignments as liaisons to town departments.
📋 Proposed
Committee to discuss or vote on a policy governing how dissenting member views are recorded or reported.
📋 Proposed
Approval of July 9, 2025 minutes noted as not yet available.
January 28, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Routine meeting opening.
📋 Proposed
New FinCom members are introduced at the start of the committee's 2026 cycle.
📋 Proposed
Orientation session covering municipal finance basics for committee members — foundational context for upcoming budget season.
📋 Proposed
Committee reviews which members are assigned as liaisons to town departments — affects budget oversight structure.
📋 Proposed
Approval of prior meeting minutes from July 9, 2025.
📋 Proposed
Upcoming FinCom meetings scheduled weekly from January 28 through April 8, 2026, coinciding with annual budget season.