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 February 13, 2019 A meeting of the Committee of Ways & Means was held in the Johnson Chambers, Braintree Town Hall, on Tuesday, February 13, 2019 at 6:30p.m. Councilor Bowes was in the Chair. Clerk of the Council conducted the roll call. Present: Thomas Bowes, Chairman Stephen O’Brien, Member Thomas Whalen, Member Timothy Carey, Member Not Present: Shannon Hume, Vice-Chairman Also Present: Joseph Reynolds, Chief of Staff Ed Spellman, Finance Director Dr. Frank Hackett, Superintendent of Schools James F. O’Brien, Fire Chief Paul Shastany, Police Chief Corey Chambers, Police Sargent James Arsenault, DPW Director Debra A. Saucier, DPW Financial Analyst Marybeth McGrath, Municipal Licensing and Inspections Director Andrew Marron, Mayor’s Office Constituent Services Dan Sullivan, Town Auditor 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 • December 4, 2018 Motion: by Councilor O’Brien to Approve Minutes of December 4, 2018 Second: by Councilor Whalen Vote: For (4– Bowes, Carey, O’Brien, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (1-Hume), Abstain (0) February 13, 2019 Ways & Means Committee 1 of 5 New Business • 19 002 Mayor: Appointment - Conservation Commission, Peter Williams or take up any action relative thereto Motion read by Councilor O’Brien for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 19 002: Motion: by Councilor O’Brien for favorable recommendation to the full Council Second: by Councilor Whalen Vote: For (4– Bowes, Carey, O’Brien, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (1-Hume), Abstain (0) Discussion took place for the FY2019 Capital Plan on Orders 19 003, 19 004, 19 005, 19 006. Marybeth McGrath, Municipal Licensing and Inspections Director explained $75,000 is to assist in ADA projects throughout the town. James O’Brien, Fire Chief explained $40,000 for SUV will be fully equipped with lights, sirens and everything all admins need in their cars. There is a request for an extractor which is a washing machine to take out pollutants from firefighters gear. Councilor O’Brien asked about the $13 million report/request for the Fire Headquarters. Joe Reynolds, Chief of Staff stated with some repairs we have a level of confidence we can get a few more years out of this possibly five. We do need a central district fire station. James O’Brien, Fire Chief stated the living conditions are terrible. The time is now to partially rehab it. Some of the windows do not even open. I have been trying for 6 years and I am going to try again. The report shows where the $1.3 million will go for repairs in the near future. The $13 million is to hopefully get the Fire Headquarters a new facility. Councilor Bowes asked about the report from the committee that was formed to give ideas about the Fire Headquarters. We have not received it yet even after many requests. It is frustrating and getting old. Joe Reynolds, Chief of Staff stated I have a draft; the mayor has asked for it to be revised before I can release it. There are approximately 6 potential scenarios. Paul Shastany, Police Chief and Sargent Corey Chambers were in attendance asking for marked cruisers, Tasers, AED’s, Evidence Contaminate Area and Records Storage and radios. Paul Shastany, Police Chief stated what you have before you are the needs not wants. I am bringing up to date our equipment. Paul Shastany, Police Chief stated without Tasers we are putting our officers in risk of injury and increasing lawsuits. The 50,000 volts are disbursed along the long muscles. It does not go through the entire body. Prior to having to Taser is the hand held baton. Without a Taser the next step is to use the gun. We can eliminate that. There is zero justification to not have these weapons. Dr. Frank Hackett, Superintendent of Schools is requesting $1 million which includes Munis (new payroll system), Technology (Chromebooks for about 20% of students and state mandated on-line testing), ESCO Project, roofing and flooring, plumbing and HVAC repair and upgrades district wide. February 13, 2019 Ways & Means Committee 2 of 5 James Arsenault, DPW Director is requesting FY19 Capital for the 100 Roads Program, Traffic Management Software, Traffic Calming Activities, Utility truck and equipment, Allen Street repairs, 74 Pond Street repairs, Eldridge School, Library and Quincy Ave Security Enhancements, Grounds Trash Truck, Highway Foreman Trucks with plows, Stainless Sander Spreader, Speed Bump and Traffic Control Items, and a Sidewalk Plow (which is to replace an old one). Councilor O’Brien asked if speed humps could be used more than the speed bumps. It is a milder approach. James Arsenault stated we are looking at all different approaches to minimize speeds. Recreation is requesting the replacement of Park Equipment/Court Repairs for $100,000 and ABI force infield groomer for $32,275 and a Trash Compactor expansion for $5,000 (this allows capacity to be expanded). Library requested $25,000 for a flat rubber roof replacement and computer replacement of $5,000. Enterprise Funds of Water & Sewer are requesting the following: Water is requesting $128,729 for Munis Town Wide ERP and $3,000,000 for Water Distribution System. Sewer is requesting $878,200 Inflow and Infiltration Rehabilitation Program. Sewer request for MWRA Financial Assistance Phase #11, 12, 13 Grant Loan Authorization each for $2,020,000. Sewer requests $80,000 for two SUV vehicles, $120,000 for 2 Utility Truck, tools and plows and $120,000 for the Howard Street Pump Station. Elder Affairs requests $10,000 for roof repair and $12,000 for a boiler repair (a new boiler would cost about $150,000). Munis Town Wide ERP request is for $945,000. This is to replace its current financial software, SoftRight. Ed Spellman, Director of Finance stated 7 years ago we went with SoftRight. They were a local firm and had about 50 municipalities in Massachusetts. They were known for their outstanding service. Two years ago they were purchased from a company out in Oregon. They will need to build a new accounting system for Massachusetts. We decided about 1 ½ years ago to look at other systems. We looked at 5 different systems. We spoke with our external and internal auditors and asked if there were other companies out there that we should look into. The ones we looked at are the key players out there. Munis has over 200 clients in Massachusetts. They have the ability and size to handle a town like Braintree. We had 3 full day interviews with 3 of the companies. Munis is the largest in the state and will be here for years to come. Other companies were not large enough to meet our needs. Councilor Bowes asked about a report he has that states Munis will take 36 months to deploy this. Ed Spellman stated that is correct. We are looking at a July 1 fiscal 2021 to start with accounting. For payroll ideally we would like to do that on a January 1, 2020 or January 1, 2021. Ed Spellman stated to Chairman Bowes the town is asking to have Clifton, Larson, Allen who is our current Town Auditor assist with this new Munis system and specifically the new Chart of Accounts. Councilor O’Brien asked this be forwarded to our Town Solicitor to be sure there is no conflict of interest here. Planning & Development request is for $100,000 for design of parking area and access at Middle Street Open Space parcel recently acquired in summer of 2018. Councilor Bowes, Chairman of the Committee of Ways & Means stated we are not going to vote on these this evening. We want all members the opportunity to speak with the Mayor’s office and receive answers to any questions they may still have. February 13, 2019 Ways & Means Committee 3 of 5 Councilor O’Brien is requesting from our Town Auditor a report of the top ten questions to have answered if you were considering a new application for financial software. Councilor Carey made the following Motions to TABLE Orders 19 003, 19 004, 19 005, 19 006: • 19 003 Mayor: Request to Approve the Fiscal Year 2019 Capital Plan or take up any action relative thereto Motion: by Councilor Carey to TABLE to February 19, 2019 Second: by Councilor O’Brien Vote: For (4– Bowes, Carey, O’Brien, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (1-Hume), Abstain (0) • 19 004 Mayor: Request for Appropriation - Fiscal Year 2019 General Fund Capital Budget or take up any action relative thereto Motion: by Councilor Carey to TABLE to February 19, 2019 Second: by Councilor O’Brien Vote: For (4– Bowes, Carey, O’Brien, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (1-Hume), Abstain (0) • 19 005 Mayor: Request for Appropriation – Fiscal Year 2019 Enterprise Funds Capital Budget or take up any action relative thereto Motion: by Councilor Carey to TABLE to February 19, 2019 Second: by Councilor O’Brien Vote: For (4– Bowes, Carey, O’Brien, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (1-Hume), Abstain (0) • 19 006 Mayor: Request for Appropriation – Fiscal Year 2019 Capital Budget - Other Available Funds or take up any action relative thereto Motion: by Councilor Carey to TABLE to February 19, 2019 Second: by Councilor O’Brien Vote: For (4– Bowes, Carey, O’Brien, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (1-Hume), Abstain (0) Old Business • None It was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 9:01p.m. Respectfully submitted, Susan M. Cimino, Clerk of the Council February 13, 2019 Ways & Means Committee 4 of 5  Documents provided for Meeting • Minutes for December 4, 2018 • 19 002 Mayor: Appointment - Conservation Commission, Peter Williams or take up any action relative thereto • 19 003 Mayor: Request to Approve the Fiscal Year 2019 Capital Plan or take up any action relative thereto • 19 004 Mayor: Request for Appropriation - Fiscal Year 2019 General Fund Capital Budget or take up any action relative thereto • 19 005 Mayor: Request for Appropriation – Fiscal Year 2019 Enterprise Funds Capital Budget or take up any action relative thereto • 19 006 Mayor: Request for Appropriation – Fiscal Year 2019 Capital Budget - Other Available Funds or take up any action relative thereto February 13, 2019 Ways & Means Committee 5 of 5