Town Council - Ways & Means Committee

Braintree Town Council MEMBERS Joseph Reynolds, Chairman Committee of Ways & Means Julia Flaherty, Vice-Chairwoman One JFK Memorial Drive Elizabeth Maglio, Member Braintree, Massachusetts 02184 MINUTES Tuesday, August 2, 2022 A meeting of the Committee of Ways & Means was held in Johnson Chambers, on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at 6:30p.m. Councilor Reynolds was in the Chair. Clerk of the Council, Susan Cimino conducted the roll call. Present: Joseph Reynolds, Chairman Julia Flaherty, Vice-Chairwoman Elizabeth Maglio, Member Also Present: Nicole Taub, Chief of Staff/Town Solicitor Ed Spellman, Finance Director Karen Shanley, HR Director (retiring) Cindy DePina, HR Director August 2, 2022 Ways & Means Committee 1 of 4 Approval of Minutes • None Old Business • None New Business • 22 041 Mayor: Acceptance of Donations or take up any action relative thereto Nicole Taub explained the Braintree Farmer's Market would like to make a donation in the amount of $500.00 to be earmarked for the Braintree Emergency Management Association (BEMA), to be used as they determine appropriate. BEMA members often volunteer at the Farmer's Market and provide valuable assistance to the operations each week. Additionally, the Braintree High School Scholarship Committee has requested to transfer the Marty J. McPherson Scholarship Account from the South Shore Bank to the Treasurer's Department. In Fall 2021, BHS Alumni, administrators and family formed a committee to raise money to support an annual scholarship of $1,000 that would be presented to a deserving graduate of Braintree High School. Fundraising for the scholarship ended in June 2022 and it is the committee's expectation that one (1) scholarship will be presented annually until the funds are depleted (approximately 2033). The current fund balance is $11,750. The Scholarship has been established to honor the contributions Marty McPherson (BHS Class of 1974) made to the Town and Braintree High School Athletics throughout his life. Marty's life long dedication to enhancing the lives of others has set a standard that can will be celebrated through the annual scholarship honoring his legacy and recognizing the ideals that Marty lived by. The Scholarship will be awarded to a student that has expressed an interest in a career in education/special education and has exemplified a spirit of inclusion in all academic and co­ curricular activities. Councilor Maglio stated I would like to abstain from voting on the Farmer’s Market donation. Chairman Reynolds asked for a Motion to be read. Councilor Flaherty read the following Motion for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 22 041: MOTION: That the Town of Braintree be and hereby is authorized, in accordance with Section 53A of Chapter 44 of the Massachusetts General Laws to accept the following gifts upon the conditions attached and herein set forth: DONOR GIFT PURPOSE Braintree Farmer's Market $500 Braintree Emergency Management Association Martin "Marty" J. McPherson Scholarship $11,750 Martin "Marty" J. McPherson Scholarship Committee Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to approve Order 22 041 Second: by Councilor Reynolds (stepped down as chair and back up) Vote: For (2–Flaherty, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (1 - Maglio) August 2, 2022 Ways & Means Committee 2 of 4 • 22 042 Mayor: Appointment—Director, Human Resources Department or take up any action relative thereto Cindy DePina gave an overview of past experiences and explained the different positions she had in the past. Ms. DePina earned a Certificate in Business from Katharine Gibbs, an Associate Degree in Human Resource Management from Quincy College and a Bachelor of Science in Management/Human Resource Management from Curry College. Ms. DePina is also a Six Sigma Certified Green Belt, a Certified Activity Vector Analyst, a Certified "Train the Trainer" by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Sexual Harassment Training and holds a Level I Certificate from the Life Maintenance Institute of America. Additionally, Ms. DePina is a member of the Society for Human Resources Management, the Northeast Human Resources Management Association and the Society for Human Resources Management-Volusia County. Ms. DePina previously serviced the Towns of Weymouth (2009-2012); Foxborough (2012- 2014); and Plymouth (2014-2015) as the Director of Human Resources. After leaving Plymouth, Ms. DePina worked as the Director of Administrative Services/Human Resources for the City of Port Orange, FL (2015-2016) and the Director of Corporate Services/Human Resources for the Parrish Medical Center (2016-2018). Most recently, Ms. DePina has worked as an Independent Human Resources and Business Consultant working with clients across the United States. With more than twenty (20) years of Human Resources experience, Ms. DePina has the necessary skills and abilities to serve the Town of Braintree as the Human Resources Director, including experience in the administration of benefits, labor relations and personnel management and training. Councilor Flaherty asked why you like Municipal HR more than private sector. Ms. DePina stated I feel you can give more to the community and drives me more to make a difference. Councilor Flaherty asked what do you bring from the other experiences at other municipalities. Ms. DePina stated for Weymouth the Charter is very similar which will help me here. There are different things from all the towns when negotiating contracts which is helpful. Councilor Maglio asked about experience in union negotiations. Ms. DePina stated Uni-Co was phenomenal having clients in 46 states and Canada and Puerto Rico I just had a tremendous amount of exposure to union contracts, grievances, and negotiations. This gave me a strong experience. In Weymouth the Mayor made me her designee for union negotiations. Councilor Maglio asked about initiatives you created. Ms. DePina stated the last couple of places I have been, I rolled out more training for inclusion and we did it web-based and some face-to-face. Councilor Maglio asked if HR could be in charge of ADA accessibility also. Ms. DePina stated yes I have done that in the past whether it is adding videos or moving a meeting to a different building with better ADA access/accommodations. Chairman Reynolds asked about the private sector and what you brought an impact. August 2, 2022 Ways & Means Committee 3 of 4 Ms. DePina stated when I first got into municipal systems and web based training we are able to do so much. I was able to bring into municipal more training. It was all compliant and saved in paper products as well. Utilizing technology was huge. Chairman Reynolds stated I see you’ve had Munis experience. Ms. DePina stated I have had 7-10 years of Munis experience. Karen Shanley, stated this should be a very easy transition for Cindy DePina because she has relevant experience from other municipalities. Chairman Reynolds asked for a Motion to be read. Councilor Flaherty read the following Motion for favorable recommendation to the full Council Order 22 042: MOTION: Upon the request of his honor, the Mayor, the Town of Braintree, through the Braintree Town Council, and in accordance with Section 2-10 and Section 3-3 of the Charter of the Town of Braintree to approve the appointment of Cindy M. DePina as Director of Human Resources. Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to approve Order 22 042 Second: by Councilor Maglio Vote: For (3–Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) It was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 7:07p.m. Respectfully submitted, Susan M. Cimino Clerk of the Council Documents provided for Meeting • 22 041 Mayor: Acceptance of Donations or take up any action relative thereto • 22 042 Mayor: Appointment—Director, Human Resources Department or take up any action relative thereto August 2, 2022 Ways & Means Committee 4 of 4