Town Council - Ways & Means Committee

Braintree Town Council MEMBERS 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 Wednesday, March 10, 2021 A meeting of the Committee of Ways & Means was held Remote via Zoom Webinar, on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 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-Chairman Donna Connors, Member Julia Flaherty, Member Steven Sciascia, Member Also Present: Nicole Taub, Chief of Staff Ed Spellman, Director Municipal Finance Shawn McGoldrick, Town Auditor James Arsenault, DPW Director Daryn Brown, Director of Golf Ben Hulke, Assistant DPW Director John Thompson, Town Engineer/Assistant DPW Director Rob DeVito, DPW Lou Dutton, Superintendent of Water & Sewer Mike McGourty, Facilities Director Christopher Griffin, Assistant Director Parks & Recreation Approval of Minutes • None Old Business • None March 10, 2021 Ways & Means Committee 1 of 9 New Business • 21 005 Mayor: Request to Approve the Fiscal Year 2021 Capital Plan or take up any action relative thereto MOTION: by Councilor Ryan to Take off the Table Order 21 005 Motion: by Councilor Ryan Take off the Table Order 21 005 Second: by Councilor Connors Roll Call Vote: For (5–Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Ryan, Sciascia), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) Councilor Connors stated the 100 Roads Program is a great program. Now we have started the water distribution system. What percentage are we at in doing the roads. What percentage of water lines. Jim Arsenault stated the roadways include sustainable needs and keep them up to functional. We now look annually at what our current needs are. If there is an ability to reduce costs we will but there is still a lot of need. We started this over 12 years ago and some are now degrading. As one road gets better another is continuing to degrade. John Thompson stated we are currently doing a study on every roadway in town. We can better answer those questions when that wraps up. Over the years I would say we have done about 60% of the roads. Lou Dutton stated we have pipes still in the ground that are 75 to 100 years old. We have 160 miles of pipe in the ground. Realistically we are at probably 40-50%. James Arsenault stated we do have plans that say where we have done work but some have been done a long time ago and some are already deteriorating. Councilor Ryan asked for a list of the roads, water, sewer line and storm drain work that will be done this year. How many years do we go out in the future for our road work? We need to let National Grid know this information. James Arsenault stated we give a list of the current year but we know what we will be doing in the future. Chairwoman Boericke asked about the Chapter 90 Roads Program funds. Ed Spellman stated the Governor put forth his plan to the Chapter 90 Roads Program. Braintrees share should be just under $1 million. Councilor Sciascia asked about the Foster School renovations that were not approved for funding for this Capital Plan. What was that going to be for. Mike McGourty stated the town adopted this from the School Department. We need to put money into that building to maintain it. Security, alarm, heating, general building maintenance and roof issues we need to look into. The $50,000 was just to maintain and keep it from further deterioration. Councilor Flaherty asked about asbestos abatement and what buildings are prioritized. Mike McGourty stated he would like to finish asbestos abatement at the Dougherty Gym and work on the Eldridge School on Lincoln Street. There are many buildings that have it but it is not a problem. Foster School has it in the basement that needs to be taken care of but it is contained there. There are areas once you open it up you find it. It is an on-going issue for most of our buildings. March 10, 2021 Ways & Means Committee 2 of 9 Councilor Connors asked about the Dougherty Gym renovations. It was a great little minor overhaul on that. What is the $600,000 for? Mike McGourty stated the Facilities staff is an outstanding group. You should come see these renovations. The $600,000 is for that building. It has great bones. We have issues with the outside bricks and windows that need to be replaced. It will require a new heating system. We would need an elevator for ADA accessibility. We could also use a new gym floor. We cleaned it up as best we could. Councilor Connors asked about the sidewalk tractor and the bonding amounts. Ed Spellman stated the cleanest way is to resind the previous bonding and appropriate for the new bonding amount after that. The new bond will be for $160,000. Councilor Boericke asked about the ADA upgrades. Where did the $100,000 go to this year and where will the $50,000 be used that is in this plan. John Thompson stated Engineering filed for a grant and allowed $300,000 in ADA upgrades in school zones. That Capital funds were used to upgrade ramps for ADA accessibility at those locations. Councilor Boericke asked about the $50,000 being requested. Christopher Griffin stated that would be for on-going priority list for Parks upgrades for ADA accessible pathways and upgrade some of the equipment to make it ADA accessible. Councilor Connors asked about SCADA. Lou Dutton explained we have 11 sewer stations. One is being rehabbed and we have one more to rehab after this and all will be in good condition. One thing they are missing is SCADA. This would give us the ability to monitor from the Treatment Plan. Verizon lines will go away and we will no longer pay monthly fees for these lines. This year is the physical install to all the stations. Chairwoman Boericke asked about the Storm Water basin sediment removal costs. Director Arsenault stated there was a large quantity of debris removed and there is a cost to get rid of that sediment. We have to establish parameters and they need to get checked regularly. About 30-40% of the basins have been cleaned at this point. Chairwoman Boericke asked about $700,000 for the PFAS removal last year. Lou Dutton stated all the work has been complete. We are waiting on the final results. It takes about 6 weeks to get. The last filter went in around February 23, 2021. It went smoothly. The Pilot study performed great. Once the Mayor’s office receives the results it will be forwarded to everyone. Councilor Sciascia asked about Golf Capital for the $1.2 million for irrigation. Daryn Brow stated that is put in there every year in hopes some year we will get it. We have one of the oldest irrigation systems. It is kept there as a wish list. The Golf Course has performed in all aspects far above what was expected. Our Simulators are up 30% along with our Food and Beverages and we see no signs of that slowing down. Councilor Sciascia asked about Golf about a debt that was amortized over 3 years. Daryn Brow stated if we flood for 3 months that would change everything. We conservatively will be over $400,000 over budget. March 10, 2021 Ways & Means Committee 3 of 9 Nicole Taub stated as of December 31, 2020 Golf was up about $483,000 over the FY20-FY21 and Simulator fees/rentals were up about 63% over same time last year. Councilor Ryan read the following Motion for favorable recommendation to the full Council: MOTION: To Approve the Fiscal Year 2021 Capital Plan as submitted Motion: by Councilor Ryan for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 21 005 Second: by Councilor Connors Roll Call Vote: For (5–Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Ryan, Sciascia), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) • 21 006 Mayor: Request for Appropriation - Fiscal Year 2021 General Fund Capital Budget or take up any action relative thereto MOTION: by Councilor Ryan to Take off the Table Order 21 006 Motion: by Councilor Ryan Take off the Table Order 21 006 Second: by Councilor Connors Roll Call Vote: For (5–Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Ryan, Sciascia), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) Councilor Ryan read the following Motion(s) item 1 through 3 for favorable recommendation to the full Council: First – Rescind Prior Bond Authorizations MOTION: That the Town of Braintree rescinds the following authorized but unissued borrowing amounts that are no longer needed to pay costs of the projects for which they were initially approved: a) $100,000 of the authorized but unissued balance of the $100,000 which was authorized to be borrowed pursuant to Loan Order 19-004 which was approved by this Council on February 26, 2019 to pay costs of highway sidewalk plow b) $63,000 of the authorized but unissued balance of the $150,000 which was authorized to be borrowed pursuant to Loan Order 19-004 which was approved by this Council on February 26, 2019 to pay costs of DPW Parks and Grounds Trash Truck. Motion: by Councilor Ryan for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 21 006 (1) Second: by Councilor Connors Roll Call Vote: For (5–Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Ryan, Sciascia), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) March 10, 2021 Ways & Means Committee 4 of 9 MOTION read by Councilor Ryan for favorable recommendation to the full Council: Second- New Capital Bond Authorization TOWN OF BRAINTREE, MASSACHUSETTS IN TOWN COUNCIL ORDERED: That the Town of Braintree appropriates the sum of Two Million Nine Hundred Eight Thousand Dollars ($2,908,000) to pay costs of the following capital projects: Authorizing Project Amount statute Town Wide Radio System Migration (Fire) 42,000 Ch. 44 s. 7(1) Police Records Management 159,000 Ch. 44 s. 7(1) Police Portable Radios 10,000 Ch. 44 s. 7(1) Fire Heavy Duty Rescue Ch. 44 s. 7(1) Pumper 66,000 Municipal Licenses and Inspections ADA Ch. 44 s. 7(1) Compliance 100,000 Schools Floors (Abatement) 100,000 Ch. 44 s. 7(31) Schools Plumbing/HVAC 106,000 Ch. 44 s. 7(1) Elder Affairs Paving 50,000 Ch. 44 s. 7(1) Library Roof Top HVAC Ch. 44 s. 7(1) Unit 35,000 DPW Asbestos Removal 100,000 Ch. 44 s. 7(31) DPW Truck with Plow and Ch. 44 s. 7(1) Sander 75,000 DPW Parks and Recreation Ch. 44 s. 7(1) ADA Compliance 50,000 Roadway Resurfacing 1,650,000 Ch. 44 s. 7(1) Golf Dump Truck 75,000 Ch. 44 s. 7(1) Golf Greens Mower 130,000 Ch. 44 s. 7(1) DPW Highway Sidewalk Plow 160,000 Ch. 44 s. 7(1) and for the payment of all other costs incidental and related thereto; that the amounts indicated above for each project are estimates and that the Mayor may allocate more funds to any one or more of such projects, and less to others, so long as, in the judgment of the Mayor, each of the projects described above can be completed within the total appropriation made by this Order; that to meet this appropriation, the Treasurer, with the approval of the Mayor, is authorized to borrow said amount under and pursuant to the authorizing statutes described above, or pursuant to any other enabling authority, and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor. Any premium received by the Town upon the sale of any bonds or notes approved by this order, 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 order in March 10, 2021 Ways & Means Committee 5 of 9 accordance with Chapter 44, Section 20 of the General Laws, thereby reducing the amount authorized to be borrowed to pay such costs by a like amount. Motion: by Councilor Ryan for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 21 006 (2) Second: by Councilor Connors Roll Call Vote: For (5–Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Ryan, Sciascia), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) MOTION read by Councilor Ryan for favorable recommendation to the full Council: Third – Bond Refunding Authorization MOTION: That in order to reduce interest costs, the Treasurer, with the approval of the Mayor, is authorized to provide for the sale and issuance of refunding bonds under G.L. c. 44, §21A to refund all or any portion of the remaining principal of and redemption premium and interest on any of the Town’s general obligation bonds outstanding as of the date of this vote. Motion: by Councilor Ryan for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 21 006 (3) Second: by Councilor Connors Roll Call Vote: For (5–Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Ryan, Sciascia), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) • 21 007 Mayor: Request for Appropriation – Fiscal Year 2021 Enterprise Funds Capital Budget or take up any action relative thereto MOTION: by Councilor Ryan to Take off the Table Order 21 007 Motion: by Councilor Ryan Take off the Table Order 21 007 Second: by Councilor Connors Roll Call Vote: For (5–Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Ryan, Sciascia), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) MOTION read by Councilor Ryan for favorable recommendation to the full Council: TOWN OF BRAINTREE, MASSACHUSETTS IN TOWN COUNCIL ORDERED: That the Town of Braintree appropriates the sum of Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000) to pay costs of Town-wide water distribution system improvements, and for the payment of all other costs incidental and related thereto and that to meet this appropriation, the Treasurer, with the approval of the Mayor, is authorized to borrow said amount under and pursuant to Chapter 44, Section 8 of the General Laws, or pursuant to any other enabling authority, and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor. Any premium received by the Town upon the sale of any bonds or notes approved by this order, 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 order in accordance with Chapter 44, Section 20 of the General Laws, thereby reducing the amount authorized to be borrowed to pay such costs by a like amount. March 10, 2021 Ways & Means Committee 6 of 9  Motion: by Councilor Ryan for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 21 007 Second: by Councilor Connors Roll Call Vote: For (5–Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Ryan, Sciascia), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) • 21 008 Mayor: Request for Appropriation – Fiscal Year 2021 Capital Budget - Other Available Funds or take up any action relative thereto MOTION: by Councilor Ryan to Take off the Table Order 21 008 Motion: by Councilor Ryan Take off the Table Order 21 008 Second: by Councilor Connors Roll Call Vote: For (5–Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Ryan, Sciascia), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) Motion(s) were read by Councilor Ryan for favorable recommendation to the Full Council. 1) Police Department MOTION: That the sum of $43,225 be transferred from the Stabilization Fund for the purchase of Tasers. Motion: by Councilor Ryan for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 21 008 (1) Second: by Councilor Connors Roll Call Vote: For (5–Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Ryan, Sciascia), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) 2) School Department MOTION: That the sum of $244,000 be transferred from the Braintree School Building Authority Fund for paying the principal and interest expense for the ESCO Projects. Motion: by Councilor Ryan for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 21 008 (2) Second: by Councilor Connors Roll Call Vote: For (5–Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Ryan, Sciascia), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) 3) School Department MOTION: That the sum of $100,000 be transferred from the Stabilization Fund for purchasing the Munis ERP software system. Motion: by Councilor Ryan for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 21 008 (3) Second: by Councilor Connors Roll Call Vote: For (5–Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Ryan, Sciascia), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) 4) Library Department MOTION: That the sum of $5,000 be transferred from the Stabilization Fund and accept a $12,000 gift from the Friends of the Thayer Public Library, for a total of $17,000 for the purchase of lighting efficiency upgrades. Motion: by Councilor Ryan for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 21 008 (4) Second: by Councilor Connors Roll Call Vote: For (5–Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Ryan, Sciascia), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) March 10, 2021 Ways & Means Committee 7 of 9 5) Library Department MOTION: That the that the town accept a gift of $35,000 from the Friends of the Thayer Public Library to match a Town bond authorization for the replacement of a roof top HVAC unit. Motion: by Councilor Ryan for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 21 008 (5) Second: by Councilor Connors Roll Call Vote: For (5–Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Ryan, Sciascia), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) Water Sewer and Storm Water Enterprise Fund motions E-1) Water Sewer Enterprise Fund MOTION: That the sum of $532,000 be transferred from Fiscal Year 2020 Certified Water Sewer Retained Earnings the purpose of purchasing Radios for Sewer System SCADA. Motion: by Councilor Ryan for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 21 008 (E-1) Second: by Councilor Connors Roll Call Vote: For (5–Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Ryan, Sciascia), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) E-2) Water Sewer Enterprise Fund MOTION: That the sum of $149,000 be transferred from Fiscal Year 2020 Certified Water Sewer Retained Earnings the purpose of purchasing a Mini Excavator. Motion: by Councilor Ryan for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 21 008 (E-2) Second: by Councilor Connors Roll Call Vote: For (5–Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Ryan, Sciascia), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) E-3) Storm Water Enterprise Fund MOTION: That the sum of $60,000 be transferred from Fiscal Year 2020 Certified Storm Water Retained Earnings the purpose of purchasing a 4WD pickup truck with plow. Motion: by Councilor Ryan for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 21 008 (E-3) Second: by Councilor Connors Roll Call Vote: For (5–Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Ryan, Sciascia), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) E-4) Storm Water Enterprise Fund MOTION: That the sum of $40,000 be transferred from Fiscal Year 2020 Certified Storm Water Retained Earnings the purpose of funding Catch Basin Debris Removal. Motion: by Councilor Ryan for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 21 008 (E-4) Second: by Councilor Connors Roll Call Vote: For (5–Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Ryan, Sciascia), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) March 10, 2021 Ways & Means Committee 8 of 9 It was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 7:24p.m. by Roll Call Vote. Respectfully submitted, Susan M. Cimino Clerk of the Council Documents provided for Meeting • 21 005 Mayor: Request to Approve the Fiscal Year 2021 Capital Plan or take up any action relative thereto • 21 006 Mayor: Request for Appropriation - Fiscal Year 2021 General Fund Capital Budget or take up any action relative thereto • 21 007 Mayor: Request for Appropriation – Fiscal Year 2021 Enterprise Funds Capital Budget or take up any action relative thereto • 21 008 Mayor: Request for Appropriation – Fiscal Year 2021 Capital Budget - Other Available Funds or take up any action relative thereto March 10, 2021 Ways & Means Committee 9 of 9