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, March 1, 2022 A meeting of the Committee of Ways & Means was held in Johnson Chambers, on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at 6:30p.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 Lawrence Mackin, Member Elizabeth Maglio, Member Also Present: Nicole Taub, Chief of Staff/Town Solicitor Ed Spellman, Director of Municipal Finance Melissa SantucciRozzi, Director of Planning & Community Development Elizabeth Manning, CPC Director Approval of Minutes • December 6, 2021 • January 18, 2022 MOTION: To Approve Minutes of December 6, 2021 Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to Approve Minutes of December 6, 2021 Second: by Councilor Maglio Vote: For (4–Flaherty, Mackin, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) MOTION: To Approve Minutes of January 18, 2022 Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to Approve Minutes of January 18, 2022 Second: by Councilor Maglio Vote: For (4–Flaherty, Mackin, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) March 1, 2022 Ways & Means Committee 1 of 3 Old Business • None New Business • 22 010 Mayor: Request for Appropriation- CPA Appropriation - Gravestone and Tomb Restoration Project or take up any action relative thereto (Public Hearing at full Council) Chairman Reynolds asked if there was anyone from the Mayor’s office who would like to speak on Order 22 010. Nicole Taub, Chief of Staff stated the past couple years we have worked hard to spend the CPC monies on some worthwhile projects. Noting this money does not come out of our General Fund. At the January 10, 2022, meeting of the Community Preservation Committee, the Committee voted by majority (6 in favor, 1 abstain) to recommend the appropriation of Community Preservation Act funds in the amount of $98,000 for the Gravestone and Tomb Restoration Project at the Elm Street Cemetery. The Planning and Community Development Department has been assisting the Braintree Historic Commission to finalize the application for funding the final component of restoration efforts at the Elm Street Cemetery. The project application, attached for your review, includes a detailed description of the Cemetery's historical significance and contributions to the Town, as well as the American Revolutionary War and the Founding Fathers. Additionally, it includes a long and detailed record of restoration efforts for the Cemetery, dating back to 2007, with the creation of the guiding Cemetery Preservation Management Plan that directs gravestone and tomb restoration efforts to date. There has also been considerable discussion regarding the [restored] Cemetery's location as a focal point for a proposed "Braintree Square Heritage Area," which could raise awareness of the Cemetery's historic contributions. Melissa SantucciRozzi, Director of Planning & Community Development gave out documents with information on Community Preservation funding and where does this money come from. Community Preservation Coalition maintains a data base of all projects and has a lot of great information. Braintree has a 1% surcharge on the real estate taxes and a match/distribution that varies from the state to make up the CPC funds we receive. Melissa SantucciRozzi provided a list of CPC projects that are open and a list they are working on. There are limitations on what CPC funds can be used for: Housing, Open Space and Recreation. There are further restrictions with all these as well. Chairman Reynolds asked if any Committee members would like to speak on Order 22 010. Councilor Flaherty asked if there were any comments from the CPC of importance. Melissa SantucciRozzi stated no. We do a detailed staff report that talks about what we are funding and why we are spending the money. CPC has been very supportive. Chairman Reynolds asked if the CPC account is an interest-bearing account? Ed Spellman stated yes. March 1, 2022 Ways & Means Committee 2 of 3 Chairman Reynolds stated I am very proud of the history in this town. I will be supporting this. Chairman Reynolds asked if there is a Motion for Order 22 010. Motion read by Councilor Flaherty for Favorable Recommendation to the full Council: MOTION: That in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44B of the General Laws and with the recommendation of the Community Preservation Committee, the appropriation of $98,000 from the CPA Historic Resources Fund for the Gravestone and Tomb Restoration Project at the Elm Street Cemetery (Assessor's Map 2024, Plot 18), conditional on the funds expended under the direction of the Community Preservation Committee and the Director of Planning and Community Development. Motion: by Councilor Flaherty for Favorable Recommendation to the full Council to Approve Order 22 010 Second: by Councilor Maglio Vote: For (4–Flaherty, Mackin, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) It was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 6:55p.m. by Roll Call Vote. Respectfully submitted, Susan M. Cimino Clerk of the Council Documents provided for Meeting • 22 010 Mayor: Request for Appropriation- CPA Appropriation - Gravestone and Tomb Restoration Project or take up any action relative thereto (Public Hearing at full Council) March 1, 2022 Ways & Means Committee 3 of 3