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 December 3, 2019 A meeting of the Committee of Ways & Means was held in the Johnson Chambers, Braintree Town Hall, on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at 5:30p.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 arrived @5:49pm Timothy Carey, Member Thomas Whalen, Member Also Present: Joseph Reynolds, Chief of Staff Nicole Taub, Town Solicitor John Goldrosen, Assistant Town Solicitor Ed Spellman, Finance Director Karen Shanley, Human Resource Director James Arsenault, Director DPW James O’Brien, Fire Chief Marybeth McGrath, Director of Municipal Licenses & Inspections Daryn Brown, Director Golf Robert Brinkmann, Deputy Assessors Robert Cusack, Chairman Board of Assessors Susan Brunell-O’Brien, Board of Assessors Robert Connolly, Board of Assessors 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  None December 3, 2019 Ways & Means Committee 1 of 7 Old Business  19 043 Mayor: Authorization to Fund South Middle School or take up any action relative thereto (PUBLIC HEARING at full Council) Motion was made by Councilor Hume to take off the table Order 19 043. Motion: by Councilor Hume to TAKE OFF the TABLE Order 19 043 Second: by Councilor Whalen Vote: For (4 – Bowes, Carey, Hume, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (1 - O’Brien), Abstain (0) Councilor Bowes, Chairman of the Committee of Ways & Means 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 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 Whalen Vote: For (4 – Bowes, Carey, Hume, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (1 - O’Brien), Abstain (0) December 3, 2019 Ways & Means Committee 2 of 7  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) A Motion was made by Councilor Hume to take off the table Order 19 044. Motion: by Councilor Hume to TAKE OFF the TABLE Order 19 044 Second: by Councilor Whalen Vote: For (4 – Bowes, Carey, Hume, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (1 - O’Brien), Abstain (0) John Goldrosen, Town Solicitor stated if this property goes into foreclosure the Town can step in and purchase this 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 Whalen Vote: For (4 – Bowes, Carey, Hume, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (1 - O’Brien), Abstain (0) New Business  19 045 Mayor: FY2020 Supplemental Appropriations #1 or take up any action relative thereto Department heads were in attendance to present and discuss. Item #1 is a grant that the Town needs to appropriate. The plan is to use these funds for the traffic calming programs in the neighborhoods. Item #2 is funding for the reclassification of the full-time ADA Coordinator position. Item #3 is for the fire department training costs. Item #4 is an unpaid bill of a prior fiscal year to pay the cost of fire vehicle repairs. Item #5 is for insurance deductibles relating to claims received by the Town. Item 6, 7, 8 are to fund two union contracts and the salary increase for non-union managers. The last two items #9 and #10 are needed in order to have our tax rate approved by the Department of Revenue. #9 is a Golf Enterprise fund deficit of $90,217. There were an unusually high number of weather-related days last year that required the course to be closed resulting in lost revenue. #10 is to cover the sale of the Allen Street property. It was assumed this property would be sold. It was not. 1. Department of Public Works Motion: That the sum of $41,757.70 received from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Transportation Enhancement Trust Fund be appropriated to the Department of Public Works Department Traffic Calming Measures grant. Motion: by Councilor Hume to for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 19 045 (1) Second: by Councilor Carey Vote: For (5– Bowes, Carey, Hume, O’Brien, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) December 3, 2019 Ways & Means Committee 3 of 7 2. Municipal License and Inspection Department MOTION: That the sum of $16,062.00 be transferred from the Municipal Licenses and Inspections /Inspections Code Enforcement program 05 / mitigation line and $939.62 be transferred from the Municipal licenses and inspections /Tech. Hazard Waste Consultant program 60 / Tech. Hazard Waste Consultant program line for a total of $17,001.62 to be transferred to the Municipal Licenses and Inspections /Inspections Code Enforcement program 05 / ADA Coordinator account. Motion: by Councilor Hume to for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 19 045 (2) Second: by Councilor Carey Vote: For (5– Bowes, Carey, Hume, O’Brien, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) 3. Fire Department MOTION: That the sum of $16,000 be transferred from FY 2019 Certified Free Cash to the Fire Department / Training program 08/ Training account. Motion: by Councilor Hume to for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 19 045 (3) Second: by Councilor Carey Vote: For (5– Bowes, Carey, Hume, O’Brien, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) 4. Fire Department Pursuant to G.L. c. 44, §64, this vote requires a two-thirds vote of the Town Council. If approved, the appropriate motion for the Council is as follows: MOTION: That the sum of $24,857.78 be appropriated from the fiscal year 2019 Certified Free Cash for the purpose of paying an unpaid bill to Greenwood Equipment for unpaid equipment repairs which was incurred prior to July 1, 2019, which was in excess of the Fiscal year 2019 appropriation. Motion: by Councilor Hume to for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 19 045 (4) Second: by Councilor Carey Vote: For (5– Bowes, Carey, Hume, O’Brien, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) 5. Finance Division MOTION: That the sum of $60,000 be appropriated from the fiscal year 2019 Certified Free Cash to the Finance Program 09 General Insurance \ Insurance Deductible account. Motion: by Councilor Hume to for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 19 045 (5) Second: by Councilor Carey Vote: For (5– Bowes, Carey, Hume, O’Brien, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) December 3, 2019 Ways & Means Committee 4 of 7 6. Human Resources MOTION: That the Town vote to amend the wage and salary classification schedules, as most recently amended by appropriating the sum of $116,367.63 for the purpose of funding a wage increase for the non- BPMA employees effective July 1, 2019, and further that the Director of Municipal Finance is authorized to allocate said sums to and among the various accounts affected thereby in such amounts as are proper and required. In anticipation of approval of these agreements, funds were appropriated to a salary reserve account in the previously approved Fiscal Year 2020 budget. Motion: by Councilor Hume to TABLE Council Order 19 045 (6) Second: by Councilor O’Brien Vote: For (5– Bowes, Carey, Hume, O’Brien, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) 7. Human Resources MOTION: That the Town vote to amend the wage and salary classification schedules, as most recently amended by appropriating the sum of $53,120.71 for the purpose of funding a wage increase and other items as detailed in the Collective Bargaining Agreement for the Braintree Professional Management Association (BPMA) effective July 1, 2019, and for this purpose, the sum of $53,120.71 be transferred from the Human Resources/ Program 04 – Employee Benefits/ Benefits Reserve 5179 and further, that the Director of Municipal Finance is authorized to allocate said sums to and among the various accounts affected thereby in such amounts as are proper and required. In anticipation of approval of these agreements, funds were appropriated to a salary reserve account in the previously approved Fiscal Year 2020 budget. Motion: by Councilor Hume to for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 19 045 (7) Second: by Councilor Carey Vote: For (5– Bowes, Carey, Hume, O’Brien, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) 8. Human Resources MOTION: That the Town vote to amend the wage and salary classification schedules, as most recently amended by appropriating the sum of $ $57,729.44 for the purpose of funding a wage increase and other items as detailed in the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the Utility Workers Union of America, AFL- CIO, Local No. 466 (UWUA) effective July 1, 2019, and for this purpose, the sum of $57,729.44 be transferred from the Water/Sewer Certified Retained Earnings FY2019 and further, that the Director of Municipal Finance is authorized to allocate said sums to and among the various accounts affected thereby in such amounts as are proper and required. Motion: by Councilor Hume to for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 19 045 (8) Second: by Councilor Carey Vote: For (5– Bowes, Carey, Hume, O’Brien, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) December 3, 2019 Ways & Means Committee 5 of 7 9. Finance MOTION: That the sum of $ 90,217 be transferred from FY 2019 Certified Free Cash to the golf enterprise fund for the purpose covering the prior years operational deficit. Motion: by Councilor Hume to for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 19 045 (9) Second: by Councilor Carey Vote: For (5– Bowes, Carey, Hume, O’Brien, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) 10. Finance MOTION: That the sum of $ 1,200,000 be transferred from FY2019 Certified Free Cash for the purpose of replacing the revenue source of sale of town owned land that did not take place in time to be used for FY 2020 budget. Motion: by Councilor Hume to for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 19 045 (10) Second: by Councilor Whalen Vote: For (5– Bowes, Carey, Hume, O’Brien, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0)  19 046 Mayor: Tax Rate Classification or take up any action relative thereto Robert Brinkmann, Deputy Assessor and the Board of Assessors were in attendance. Mr. Brinkmann stated property is re-accessed every 5 years. They do data quality reviews on each street. The new growth is certified over $1million. In Braintree our values are increasing. 1. To apply the tax rate classification shift. MOTION: Be it ordained that the Town of Braintree, through the Braintree Town Council, adopt the recommendation of the Mayor and the Board of Assessors to approve the Classification Tax Rate Shift of 175% to be applied to commercial, industrial and personal property. Motion: by Councilor Hume to for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 19 046 (1) Second: by Councilor Whalen Vote: For (5– Bowes, Carey, Hume, O’Brien, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) 2. Re: the small business exemption. MOTION: To approve the “Small Business Exemption” as recommended by the Mayor and the Board of Assessors in a memorandum to the Town Council dated November 21, 2019 and as filed with the Office of the Town Clerk. Motion: by Councilor Hume to for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 19 046 (2) Second: by Councilor Whalen Vote: For (5– Bowes, Carey, Hume, O’Brien, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) December 3, 2019 Ways & Means Committee 6 of 7  3. Re: the open space discount. MOTION: To continue to adopt the recommendation of the Mayor and the Board of Assessors, as outlined in a memorandum to the Town Council dated November 21, 2019 and as filed with the Office of the Town Clerk, to decline the “Open Space” discount. Motion: by Councilor Hume to for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 19 046 (3) Second: by Councilor Whalen Vote: For (5– Bowes, Carey, Hume, O’Brien, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) 4. Re: the residential exemption. MOTION: To continue to adopt the recommendation of the Mayor and the Board of Assessors, as outlined in a memorandum dated November 21, 2019 and as filed with the Office of the Town Clerk, to decline the adoption of the “Residential Exemption”. Motion: by Councilor Hume to for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 19 046 (4) Second: by Councilor O’Brien Vote: For (5– Bowes, Carey, Hume, O’Brien, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) It was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 6:34p.m. Respectfully submitted, Susan M. Cimino Clerk of the Council Documents provided for Meeting  19 043 Mayor: Authorization to Fund South Middle School or take up any action relative thereto  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  19 045 Mayor: FY2020 Supplemental Appropriations #1 or take up any action relative thereto  19 046 Mayor: Tax Rate Classification or take up any action relative thereto December 3, 2019 Ways & Means Committee 7 of 7