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, February 7, 2023 A meeting of the Committee of Ways & Means was held in Johnson Chambers, on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 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 Elizabeth Maglio, Member Also Present: Nicole Taub, Chief of Staff/Town Solicitor Ed Spellman, Director of Municipal Finance Approval of Minutes • May 12, 2022 MOTION: To Approve Minutes of May 12, 2022 Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to Approve Minutes of May 12, 2022 Second: by Councilor Maglio Vote: For (3–Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) • May 16, 2022 MOTION: To Approve Minutes of May 16, 2022 Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to Approve Minutes of May 16, 2022 Second: by Councilor Maglio Vote: For (3–Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) • May 18, 2022 MOTION: To Approve Minutes of May 18, 2022 Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to Approve Minutes of May 18, 2022 Second: by Councilor Maglio Vote: For (3–Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) February 7, 2023 Ways & Means Committee 1 of 4 Approval of Minutes (continued) • May 31, 2022 MOTION: To Approve Minutes of May 31, 2022 Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to Approve Minutes of May 31, 2022 Second: by Councilor Maglio Vote: For (3–Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) • June 7, 2022 MOTION: To Approve Minutes of June 7, 2022 Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to Approve Minutes of June 7, 2022 Second: by Councilor Maglio Vote: For (3–Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) • June 21, 2022 MOTION: To Approve Minutes of June 21, 2022 Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to Approve Minutes of June 21, 2022 Second: by Councilor Maglio Vote: For (3–Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) Old Business • 22 066 Council President: Appointment - Town Auditor or take up any action relative thereto (6:30pm – 7:00pm) Chairman Reynolds asked for a Motion to take off the Table Order 22 066 MOTION: To take off the table Order 22 066 Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to take off the table Order 22 066 Second: by Councilor Maglio Vote: For (3–Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) Chairman Reynolds stated I would like to continue to go over a few more items and contact the references and then offer that Shawn McGoldrick and Hannah York attend a Ways & Means meeting. There was discussion to have a meeting of Ways & Means and invite the CLA folks and make a recommendation to the full Council for the full Council to vote on February 28, 2023. Chairman Reynolds asked members if there is a number to propose to CLA and if there is any ability to negotiate the new proposed hourly rates. Discussion continued about the new rates vs the old rates and positions. Titles were not the same as the last contract. Members asked for an alignment of previous titles and now the new titles. This would be available for the next meeting. February 7, 2023 Ways & Means Committee 2 of 4 Councilor Flaherty stated all most none of the work is done by the top tier. Technology fee is the same at 5%. There is no cap mentioned. We have never made it to our cap in the past. We have only ever made it to $71,000. The budgeted amount was $74,000 for years. The past two years we cut the budget to $71,000 though the Town Solicitor stated if CLA had a project and they exceeded the $71,000 up to their contracted amount of $76,000 then we would have to pay that full amount. Chairman Reynolds asked for a Motion to Table Order 22 066 Motion by Councilor Flaherty: MOTION: To table Order 22 066 Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to table Order 22 066 Second: by Councilor Maglio Vote: For (3–Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) New Business • 23 005 Mayor: Acceptance of Donations or take up any action relative thereto (7:00pm) Chairman Reynolds asked if there was anyone from the Mayor’s office who would like to speak on Order 23 005. Nicole Taub, Chief of Staff stated the Town was recently contacted by the Laurie Melchionda Foundation (Foundation) to make a donation in memory of Laurie Melchionda. Specifically, they would like to donate $15,000 to help furnish the South Middle School Nurse's Office with items including, but not limited to, a medical bed/couch, exam paper, cabinets, a sink, a refrigerator, a locked cabinet, a medicine cabinet with sliding bins, a privacy exam screen, a rolling stool, a computer desk, thermometer(s), stethoscope(s), a blood pressure machine, scale(s), first aid kit(s) and supplies, nebulizer(s), vision and hearing screening(s) and office supplies. Additionally, the Foundation would like to donate 5 Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) for deployment at Town Hall and throughout the Braintree Public Schools as needed. The Foundation was established in memory of Laurie Melchionda, who tragically lost her life in Spring 2020. Laurie began her career in nursing at Boston Children's Hospital, where she worked for 35 years. While serving the greater Boston community, Laurie also brought her skill and passion to Braintree, where she served as a school nurse and Director of Nurses both here and in the Weston Public School System. Laurie also served as a member of the Board of Health for four years. Laurie served our community with great pride and always had the best interest of our students, colleagues, family and friends at heart. I can't thank the Foundation enough for this generous donation that will help continue Laurie's great legacy well into the future. Chairman Reynolds asked if any Committee members would like to speak on Order 23 005. February 7, 2023 Ways & Means Committee 3 of 4 Councilor Flaherty stated it is wonderful when people want to be so generous. Is there a plan in place to ensure coaches/teachers know where the defibrillators are and how to use them. Nicole Taub stated they are currently in the schools. We are just replacing them. It is good to have a class or program in the schools to make sure everyone is trained on this device. Councilor Maglio stated is East Middle School nurse’s office fully funded with what they need? Nicole Taub stated yes it is. Chairman Reynolds asked if there is a Motion for Order 23 005. Motion read by Councilor Flaherty for Favorable Recommendation to the full Council: 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 gift upon the conditions attached and herein set forth: DONOR GIFT PURPOSE Laurie Melchionda Foundation $15,000 South Middle School Nurses Office Laurie Melchionda Foundation 5 Automated External Town Hall and Braintree Schools Defibrillators Motion: by Councilor Flaherty for Favorable Recommendation to the full Council to Approve Order 23 005 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 7:10p.m. by Roll Call Vote. Respectfully submitted, Susan M. Cimino Clerk of the Council Documents provided for Meeting • 22 066 Council President: Appointment - Town Auditor or take up any action relative thereto (discussion) • 23 005 Mayor: Acceptance of Donations or take up any action relative thereto (7:00pm) February 7, 2023 Ways & Means Committee 4 of 4