Town Council - Ways & Means Committee

Braintree Town Council MEMBERS Joseph Reynolds, Chairman Committee of Ways & Means Julia Flaherty, Vice-Chairwoman One JFK Memorial Drive Lawrence Mackin, Member Braintree, Massachusetts 02184 Elizabeth Maglio, Member MINUTES Tuesday, January 18, 2022 A meeting of the Committee of Ways & Means was held in Johnson Chambers, on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 7:00p.m. Councilor Reynolds was in the Chair. Clerk of the Council, Susan M. Cimino conducted the roll call. Present: Joseph Reynolds, Chairman Julia Flaherty, Vice-Chairwoman Elizabeth Maglio, Member Not Present: Lawrence Mackin, Member Also Present: Nicole Taub, Chief of Staff/Town Solicitor Ed Spellman, Director of Municipal Finance Approval of Minutes • None Old Business • None January 18, 2022 Ways & Means Committee 1 of 3 New Business • 21 061 Mayor: Authorization to Enter into Grant Agreement with Norfolk County for Funding Under the American Rescue Plan Act or take up any action related thereto Chairman Reynolds asked if there was anyone from the Mayor’s office who would like to speak on Order 21 061. Nicole Taub, Chief of Staff stated as you may recall, Norfolk County received funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to be distributed to cities and towns, including Braintree. The Norfolk County Commission has launched the Norfolk County portal for ARPA grant management and payments. In order to participate in the program, the Town has registered for the portal and must now execute a Grant Agreement with the County to facilitate the release of funds. The Agreement must be signed by the Mayor, and the Town Council. Grant funding will cover the time period from March 3, 2021 to June 30, 2024 (subject to extension at the sole discretion of the County, but not later than December 31, 2024) and will be used as revenue replacement related to COVID-19 losses. Once the Agreement is executed, the County will begin reviewing the Town's revenue loss calculations through 12/31/21 in order to verify the grant amount. Chairman Reynolds asked if any Committee members would like to speak on Order 21 061. Councilor Flaherty asked how is it decided if a revenue loss is an actual loss or from COVID. Ed Spellman, Director of Municipal Finance stated the federal government is using for income projections a 5.2% factor for revenue growth. They are taking that number that is calculated to the actual growth and the difference of the two is the revenue loss. Chairman Reynolds asked what has been received to date. Nicole Taub, Chief of Staff stated the majority we received has been Cares and FEMA reimbursement. Those are for eligible COVID related expenses. There were also ARPA funds we figured into FY22 and the remainder going into the FY23 budget. Councilor Flaherty stated to be clear we will have no problem demonstrating we’ve had $7 million in losses for this Grant Agreement/ARPA. Director Spellman stated correct. Councilor Flaherty asked if this money can go into any account. Director Spellman stated the money we received last June 2021 we put into a separate ARPA Account so we are tracking the funding coming in and documenting the expenditure of the funds as we will do with any additional funds. January 18, 2022 Ways & Means Committee 2 of 3 Chairman Reynolds asked if there was a Motion for Order 21 061. Motion by Councilor Flaherty for Favorable Recommendation to the full Council: MOTION: To Approve Order 21 061 as submitted. Motion: by Councilor Flaherty for Favorable Recommendation to the full Council Order 21 061 Second: by Councilor Maglio Vote: For (3–Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (1 - Mackin), Abstain (0) 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 • 21 061 Mayor: Authorization to Enter into Grant Agreement with Norfolk County for Funding Under the American Rescue Plan Act or take up any action related thereto January 18, 2022 Ways & Means Committee 3 of 3