Town Council - Ways & Means Committee

MEMBERS Braintree Town Council Thomas Bowes, Chairman Committee of Ways & Means Shannon Hume, Vice-Chair One JFK Memorial Drive Stephen C. O’Brien, Member Braintree, Massachusetts 02184 Timothy Carey, Member Thomas Whalen, Member MINUTES November 7, 2018 A meeting of the Committee of Ways & Means was held in the Cahill Auditorium, Braintree Town Hall, on Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at 6:30p.m. Councilor Bowes was in the Chair. Clerk of the Council conducted the roll call. Present: Thomas Bowes, Chairman Shannon Hume, Vice-Chairman Stephen O’Brien, Member Thomas Whalen, Member Not Present Timothy Carey, Member Also Present: Joseph C. Sullivan, Mayor John Goldrosen, Assistant Town Solicitor Andrew Marron, Constituent Services Coordinator Mike Richardi, representative of the Weymouth-Braintree Regional Recreation-Conservation District Commission Sean Cleaves, Forest and Park Supervisor The meeting was opened with the pledge of allegiance to the flag followed by a moment of silence for all those serving in our armed services, past and present. Approval of Minutes • September 18, 2018 Motion: by Councilor Hume to Approve Minutes of September 18, 2018 Second: by Councilor O’Brien Vote: For (4 – Bowes, Hume, O’Brien, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (1- Carey), Abstain (0) New Business • 18 056 Mayor: Smelt Brook and Prospect Park Restoration Project or take up any action relative thereto (Public Hearing at Full Council) The Community Preservation Committee voted unanimously to recommend the appropriation of Community Preservation Act funds for the Smelt Brook and Prospect Park Restoration Project within November 7, 2018 Ways & Means Committee 1 of 3  the Braintree/Weymouth Conservation District (a/k/a Pond Meadow). Specifically, the funding will serve as Braintree's portion of a local match for an Army Corp of Engineers (ACOE) Section 1135 Stream Restoration Grant-Planning & Analysis Phase, authorized to address the negative environmental impacts of Local Protection Projects. The funding will allow the ACOE to attempt to determine precisely what the challenges at the fish gate within Smelt Brook is and how much other issues (if any) contribute to productivity problems, while providing cost effective alternatives relating to the improvement of fish passage in Smelt Brook. The Town of Weymouth Community Preservation Committee has appropriated the same amount to serve as the local match and the ACOE has committed to fund $231,000.00 towards the Planning and Analysis Phase. The Planning and Analysis Phase is in support of a future construction phase and any remaining funds will be moved forward towards the construction phase. Motion read by Councilor Hume for favorable recommendation to the full Council: That in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44B of the General Laws and with the recommendation of the Community Preservation Committee, a total amount of $65,500 be appropriated from the Open Space Fund for Braintree's local match of the ACOE Section 1135 Stream Restoration Grant­ Planning & Analysis Phase, said funds are to be expended under the direction of the Community Preservation Committee and the Director of Planning and Community Development. Motion: by Councilor Hume Second: by Councilor O’Brien Vote: For (4 – Bowes, Hume, O’Brien, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (1- Carey), Abstain (0) • 18 058 Mayor: Establishment of a Recreational Dog Park Facility in the Weymouth-Braintree Regional Recreation Conservation District in the Towns of Weymouth and Braintree or take up any action relative thereto A grant has been identified through the Stanton Foundation for design services, funding 100% of the cost (up to $25,000). Additionally, the grant will provide funding for 90% of park construction (up to $225,000). The Town of Braintree will cover the additional 10% (up to $22,500) through Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding. (This expenditure will require the approval of the Community Preservation Committee and an appropriation by the Town Council, through a separate order.) Our State Legislative partners have secured an additional $50,000 to be used for the establishment of a Dog Park. The Mayor’s office and the Braintree Dog Park Association have met with the Weymouth-Braintree Regional Recreation District Commission Board of Commissions to present-this proposal. The Board has been open to the establishment of the Park, but will not vote to approve its establishment until both Town councils have granted permission for them to do so as is required by the enabling legislation that created the District. The Dog Park Association will raise funds for the upkeep. Motion read by Councilor Hume for favorable recommendation to the full Council: November 7, 2018 Ways & Means Committee 2 of 3  That the Town Council vote to approve the planning, construction, and maintenance of a "dog park" facility, to be located on a portion of ''Pond Meadow" in the Town of Braintree that is within the Weymouth-Braintree Regional Recreation Conservation District, said approval being required by Chapter 787 of the Acts of 1972, which established said District; and further, that the Mayor be authorized to enter into such agreements as may be necessary to effectuate the purpose of this Motion. Motion: by Councilor Hume Second: by Councilor O’Brien Vote: For (4 – Bowes, Hume, O’Brien, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (1- Carey), Abstain (0) Old Business • None It was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 7:11p.m. Respectfully submitted, Susan M. Cimino, Clerk of the Council Documents provided for Meeting • Minutes for September 18, 2018 • 18 056 Mayor: Smelt Brook and Prospect Park Restoration Project • 18 058 Mayor: Establishment of a Recreational Dog Park Facility in the Weymouth-Braintree Regional Recreation Conservation District in the Towns of Weymouth and Braintree November 7, 2018 Ways & Means Committee 3 of 3