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 Monday, September 22, 2020 A meeting of the Committee of Ways & Means was held Remote via Zoom Webinar, on Monday, September 22, 2020 at 6:00p.m. Councilor Boericke was in the Chair. Clerk of the Council, Susan M. Cimino conducted the roll call. All votes were taken by Roll Call Vote. Present: Meredith Boericke, Chairwoman Charles Ryan, Vice-Chair 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 Phelan, Conservation Planner Approval of Minutes • May 18, 2020 Motion made by Councilor Ryan to approve Minutes of May 18, 2020. Motion: by Councilor Ryan to approve Minutes of May 18, 2020 Second: by Councilor Connors Roll Call Vote: For (5–Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Ryan, Sciascia), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) Old Business • None September 22, 2020 Ways & Means Committee 1 of 3 New Business • 20 059 Council President: Re-appointment of Outside Auditor or take up any action relative thereto Councilor Ryan stated I had the opportunity to work with Powers & Sullivan for the past about 17 years. They are a very good, professional firm. During that time they have done a good job for Braintree and have shown with the cost proposals they have held their pricing. Sometimes having consistent stakeholders working with the Town of Braintree is a good thing. I will definitely support this. Motion made by Councilor Ryan for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 20 059: MOTION: Pursuant to Section 6-11 of the Town Charter, through the Braintree Town Council approve a new three year contract for FY2021, FY2022 and FY2023 for Powers and Sullivan CPA as Independent Certified Public Accountants. Motion: by Councilor Ryan for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 20 059 Second: by Councilor Connors Roll Call Vote: For (5–Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Ryan, Sciascia), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) • 20 067 Mayor: Request to Approve the Grant of a Conservation Restriction to the Wildlands Trust or take up any action relative thereto Nicole Taub, Chief of Staff stated this is a parcel of land the town acquired in 2008 and part of the requirements we have to grant a conservation restriction on the property. This is the last item in order to comply with the statutory requirement of this purchase. Councilor Connors asked if the other areas should also have this extra protection. Kelly Phelan, Conservation Planner stated if it is Conservation land it basically is protected. This particular purchase with CPA funds has to have this extra requirement. Councilor Sciascia asked about the other small parcels of Cedar Swamp. Kelly Phelan stated in 2008 we were able to get this parcel from the family at a low cost. We can keep an eye out for these other areas. Councilor Sciascia asked if these hand full of parcels are Open Space. Kelly Phelan stated yes and they are wetlands because most are swamp and most of it is flood plains so there is really not development potential. Councilor Boericke asked about Conservation Commission and their signatures on this. Kelly Phelan stated they have not met on this but the Assistant Town Solicitor set this timeline up for having this completed. Nicole Taub stated they can meet on October 1, 2020 before the October 6, 2020 Town Council meeting. September 22, 2020 Ways & Means Committee 2 of 3  Motion read by Councilor Ryan for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 20 067: MOTION: That the Town Council, pursuant to Sections 31, 32 and 33 of Chapter 184 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth; Section 12 of Chapter 44B of the General Laws; and the authorization of the Town through Article 4D of the Special Town Meeting of November 13, 2007, vote to approve and grant a Conservation Restriction to Wildlands Trust, Inc. and its successors and permitted assigns, on a parcel of land consisting of approximately 3 acres, located off Plain Street, which is identified as Assessors Parcel 1086-0-29. The parcel was acquired by the Town with monies appropriated under the provisions of the Community Preservation Act, Chapter 44B of the General Laws, pursuant to which the Town is required to grant a permanent restriction on the acquired parcel, enforceable by an appropriate nonprofit organization. The Conservation Restriction shall take effect when it is accepted by Wildlands Trust, Inc., approved by the Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, and recorded with the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds. Motion: by Councilor Ryan for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 20 067 Second: by Councilor Connors Roll Call Vote: For (5–Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Ryan, Sciascia), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) It was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 6:15p.m. by Roll Call Vote. Respectfully submitted, Susan M. Cimino Clerk of the Council Documents provided for Meeting • 20 059 Council President: Re-appointment of Outside Auditor or take up any action relative thereto • 20 067 Mayor: Request to Approve the Grant of a Conservation Restriction to the Wildlands Trust or take up any action relative thereto September 22, 2020 Ways & Means Committee 3 of 3