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 19, 2019 A meeting of the Committee of Ways & Means was held in the Johnson Chambers, Braintree Town Hall, on Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at 6:00p.m. Councilor Bowes was in the Chair. The Clerk of the Council conducted the roll call. Present: Thomas Bowes, Chairman Shannon Hume, Vice-Chair Stephen C. O’Brien, Member Timothy Carey, Member Thomas Whalen, Member Also Present: John Goldrosen, Town Solicitor Joseph Reynolds, Chief of Staff Heather Charles Lis, Conservation Commission Chairperson James Arsenault, Director DPW 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  October 30, 2019 Motion: by Councilor O’Brien to TABLE Minutes of October 30, 2019 Second: by Councilor Carey Vote: For (5– Bowes, Carey, Hume, O’Brien, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) November 19, 2019 Ways & Means Committee 1 of 4 Old Business  19 042 Mayor: Transfer Control of Town Forest Land to Conservation Commission or take up any action relative thereto Motion: by Councilor Hume to TAKE OFF the TABLE Order 19 042 Second: by Councilor O’Brien Vote: For (5– Bowes, Carey, Hume, O’Brien, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) Councilors requested a Memorandum of Understanding between the Conservation Commission and the Scout Troop to allow them to use the Town Forest Land including camping. John Goldrosen stated mostly Troop 138 uses this area. The thought is similar groups will use in the future. The MOU insures intent going forward. Councilor Hume asked if there could ever be building or commercial property on this location. John Goldrosen stated that could not be done with Conservation Commission without future legislation. Motion ready by Councilor Hume for favorable recommendation to the full Council: MOTION: That the Town Council, pursuant to Section 15A of Chapter 40 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth, vote to transfer from the Office of the Mayor to the care, custody, and control of the Conservation Commission, the parcels of land that comprise the Town Forest, as listed on the attached Exhibit A; and, further, that said parcels shall be dedicated for use solely for open space and conservation purposes, including passive recreation. Motion: by Councilor Hume to for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 19 042 Second: by Councilor Whalen Vote: For (5– Bowes, Carey, Hume, O’Brien, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) New Business  19 043 Mayor: Authorization to Fund South Middle School or take up any action relative thereto Chairman Bowes stated we are waiting for more information on this item. It is requested at this time this item be TABLED. MOTION: That the Town appropriate the amount of Eighty-Six Million Five Hundred Eighty-Five Thousand Nine Hundred Nineteen Dollars ($86,585,919) for the purpose of paying costs of designing, constructing, equipping and furnishing a new South Middle School, to be located behind the existing November 19, 2019 Ways & Means Committee 2 of 4  South Middle School at 232 Peach Street in Braintree, Massachusetts, including the payment of all costs incidental or related thereto (the “Project”), which school facility shall have an anticipated useful life as an educational facility for the instruction of school children for at least 50 years, and for which the Town may be eligible for a grant from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”), said amount to be expended under the direction of the School Building Committee. To meet this appropriation the Treasurer, with the approval of the Mayor, is authorized to borrow said amount under M.G.L. Chapter 44, or pursuant to any other enabling authority. The Town acknowledges that the MSBA’s grant program is a non-entitlement, discretionary program based on need, as determined by the MSBA, and any project costs the Town incurs in excess of any grant approved by and received from the MSBA shall be the sole responsibility of the Town; provided further that any grant that Town may receive from the MSBA for the Project shall not exceed the lesser of (1) fifty-three and ninety-six hundredths percent (53.96%) of eligible, approved project costs, as determined by the MSBA, or (2) the total maximum grant amount determined by the MSBA; and that the amount of borrowing authorized pursuant to this vote shall be reduced by any grant amount set forth in the Project Funding Agreement that may be executed between the Town and the MSBA. Any premium received upon the sale of any bonds or notes approved by this vote, less any such premium applied to the payment of the costs of issuance of such bonds or notes, may be applied to the payment of costs approved by this vote in accordance with M.G.L. c. 44, §20, thereby reducing the amount authorized to be borrowed to pay such costs by a like amount. Motion: by Councilor Hume to TABLE Order 19 043 Second: by Councilor O’Brien Vote: For (5– Bowes, Carey, Hume, O’Brien, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0)  19 044 Mayor: To Approve the purchase and resale of an affordable-housing unit at Turtle Crossing and the expenditure of funds for that purpose or take up any action relative thereto (PUBLIC HEARING at full Council) John Goldrosen, Town Solicitor stated if this property goes into foreclosure the Town can step in and purchase as affordable housing. The owner is still in the process of working things out with the bank. We have the right of first refusal. There is NO Motion at this time. The request is this item be TABLED at this time per John Goldrosen, Town Solicitor. Motion: by Councilor Hume to TABLE Order 19 044 Second: by Councilor O’Brien Vote: For (5– Bowes, Carey, Hume, O’Brien, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) November 19, 2019 Ways & Means Committee 3 of 4 It was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 6:26p.m. Respectfully submitted, Susan M. Cimino Clerk of the Council Documents provided for Meeting  Minutes of October 30, 2019  19 042 Mayor: Transfer Control of Town Forest Land to Conservation Commission or take up any action relative thereto  19 043 Mayor: Authorization to Fund South Middle School or take up any action relative thereto (PUBLIC HEARING at full Council)  19 044 Mayor: To Approve the purchase and resale of an affordable-housing unit at Turtle Crossing and the expenditure of funds for that purpose or take up any action relative thereto November 19, 2019 Ways & Means Committee 4 of 4