Town Council - Ways & Means Committee

MEMBERS Braintree Town Council Meredith Boericke, Chairwoman Committee of Ways & Means Charles Ryan, Vice-Chair One JFK Memorial Drive Donna Connors, Member Braintree, Massachusetts 02184 Julia Flaherty, Member Steven Sciascia, Member MINUTES April 23, 2020 A meeting of the Committee of Ways & Means was held Remote via Zoom Webinar, on Thursday, April 23, 2020 at 5:30p.m. Councilor Boericke was in the Chair. Clerk of the Council, Susan M. Cimino conducted the roll call. All votes to be taken by Roll Call Vote. Present: Meredith Boericke, Chairwoman Charles Ryan, Vice-Chair arrived @5:40pm Donna Connors, Member Julia Flaherty, Member Steven Sciascia, Member Also Present: Nicole Taub, Chief of Staff Ed Spellman, Finance Director Christine Stickney, Director Planning & Community Development Kelly Moore, resident Liz Page, resident 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  February 4, 2020 Motion made by Councilor Flaherty to Approve Minutes of February 4, 2020 Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to Approve Minutes of February 4, 2020 Second: by Councilor Sciascia Roll Call Vote: For (5–Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Ryan, Sciascia), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) April 23, 2020 Ways & Means Committee 1 of 4 Approval of Minutes (continued)  February 25, 2020 Motion made by Councilor Flaherty to Approve Minutes of February 25, 2020 Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to Approve Minutes of February 25, 2020 Second: by Councilor Sciascia Roll Call Vote: For (5–Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Ryan, Sciascia), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) Old Business  20 032 Mayor: FY2020 Supplemental Appropriation #2 (Master Plan) or take up any action relative thereto (PUBLIC HEARING at Full Council on 4/28/20) Chairwoman Boericke asked if there was a motion to take off the table Order 20 032. Councilor Ryan made a motion to take Council Order 20 032 off the table. Motion: by Councilor Ryan to Take off the Table Order 20 032 Second: by Councilor Flaherty Roll Call Vote: For (5–Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Ryan, Sciascia), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) Nicole Taub stated we took all the questions and submitted back a document that we hope addresses all the questions raised with regards to this appropriation. This is a request limited strictly for a transfer in part from an existing article and the remainder to come from free cash. This will still leave us a healthy balance in the free cash account. Councilor Flaherty stated she would like to know that residents have a substantial involvement in that process of the Master Plan. Nicole Taub stated she and the Mayor spoke about this and there will be a group of interested parties that will be selected by the Mayor. There will be a group with interest and those who would be impacted. It is going to include representation from the Council, representation from the residents, business owner representation and town boards like Planning Board and/or ZBA representation. The visioning portion is when everyone is invited. We will do our part to make sure that is advertised through all forums to get the word out so everyone who wants to be a part of this process has plenty of opportunity to do so. Councilor Sciascia asked how will this result be any different from the last result. Nicole Taub stated there were many lessons learned from the comprehensive re-zone dating back to the beginning. The group was too large and was not given a mission or direction at the start of the process. We have to look forward and work together. We hear your concern about resident input and have taken that seriously. Phase 1 of this project is 100% based on public participation. That will establish the goals and objectives of the Master Plan. Councilor Boericke stated one of my concerns was the committee did not have time to review the town’s budgetary projections. I spoke with the Town Auditors and I reviewed the free cash summary for the last 4 years with our Town Auditor. It was the opinion of our Town Auditor that the request of April 23, 2020 Ways & Means Committee 2 of 4  funds will not hinder our budgetary needs even in the current environment. Town Council has a Community Planning Committee. I am hopeful the Mayor’s office will bring forth documentation to that Committee so we have that level of oversight. We as Councilors need to make sure we are going out into our districts and talk to people to make sure there is a level of public involvement and one that we can help implement and derive. Nicole Taub explained we will be putting out two separate RFP’s for a bidding process. There will be one first for the visioning project and one for the elements phase. Christine Stickney stated every Master Plan has an Action plan (wants, like a Christmas list) and an Implementation plan. The Steering Committee and the consultant will give the information on what the priorities should be. Kelly Moore, resident stated during the former process the request was made to be included multiple times but how would someone go about requesting participation. Nicole Taub stated the Mayor’s office currently has a Talent Bank form for anyone to utilize to show your interest in being part of any board or committee. We can create an independent form for public to utilize and the Mayor can select those for this committee from those submitted. Liz Page, resident stated there were a lot of people who went to the original Master Plan development back in the day. This was not the case with the Zoning Re-write. We were not there to say what we want to begin with. The website was not user friendly. I would like to request if the original consulting group from the previous Master Plan was still around they would have the base-line history. Traffic is a major concern. I feel the residents should be a big part of this. I would like to see Steve Sciascia represent the Council because he has extensive knowledge of Zoning. Councilor Ryan read the motion for favorable recommendation to the full Council. MOTION: That the amount of $64,492.20 be transferred from the Planning and Community Development Department Updating Zoning Ordinance article and $135,507.80 be transferred from FY 2019 Certified Free Cash for a total of $200,000.00 to Planning and Community Development Department Master Plan article. Motion: by Councilor Ryan for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 20 032 Second: by Councilor Connors Roll Call Vote: For (4 – Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Ryan), Against (1 –Sciascia), Absent (0), Abstain (0) New Business  None April 23, 2020 Ways & Means Committee 3 of 4 It was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 7:06p.m. by Roll Call Vote. Respectfully submitted, Susan M. Cimino Clerk of the Council Documents provided for Meeting  Minutes of February 4, 2020  Minutes of February 28, 2020  20 032 Mayor: FY2020 Supplemental Appropriation #2 (Master Plan) or take up any action relative thereto (PUBLIC HEARING at Full Council) April 23, 2020 Ways & Means Committee 4 of 4