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 Friday, April 10, 2023 A meeting of the Committee of Ways & Means was held remote via Zoom Webinar on Monday, April 10, 2023 at 7:00pm. 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: Ed Spellman, Director of Municipal Finance Jim Arsenault, DPW Director John Thompson, Asst DPW Director/Town Engineer Ben Hulke, Asst DPW Director Mike McGourty, Facilities Director Marybeth McGrath, Municipal Licensing & Inspections Director Russ Forsberg, Building Inspector Dennis Gallagher, Retirement Director Approval of Minutes • October 11, 2022 Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to approve Minutes of October 11, 2022. Second: by Councilor Maglio Vote: For (3–Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) Old Business • None April 10, 2023 Ways & Means Committee 1 of 5 New Business • 23 016 Mayor: Request to Approve the Fiscal Year 2023 Capital Plan or take up any action relative thereto (Public Hearing at full Council May 2, 2023) Chairman Reynolds asked for a Motion to take off the table Order 23 016. Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to take off the table Order 23 016. Second: by Councilor Maglio Vote: For (3–Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) Chairman Reynolds asked Director Spellman to begin the discussions on tonight’s meeting stating due to COVID and inflation the Institute for Human Design did not want to originally provide us cost go back and ask them specifically to provide cost estimates and he will have a copy of that report out to you. The Mayor is doing a final review of the report and will have that to you by the end of the week. The list of $280,000 addresses some of the issues that have been brought to the attention of the staff of various departments and addresses some of the issues that appear on this list. Chairman Reynolds asked if any Committee members would like to speak on Order 23 016. Questions were asked by members. Councilor Flaherty asked if this is enough money to complete the list of items. Director Arsenault stated if something that comes up that is an emergency then we may not be able to a chunk of the work. John Thompson stated with our best guess we can get everything done with the caveat things can change. Councilor Flaherty asked why did we insist on pricing for the ADA Transition Plan from the Institute for Human Design when this plan is very large and it could take years to get through it. Russ Forsberg stated as part of any transition plan one of the components that’s required is to assign or assess estimated value of intended work or repeated required repairs. The town must in good faith make effort to continually upgrade wherever possible, wherever finances are available and need has been identified accessible features in the town. Councilor Maglio asked about the ADA Transition Plan we asked for from the Institute was for them to look at the data. They were then going to provide us with a list of things that need to be done. Russ Forsberg explained this plan is to identify needs and related costs. We must achieve full accessibility however we prioritize it. We can say with all due respect there is another item that is a higher priority to us and our constituents needs. Councilor Maglio asked if this plan was vetted with the community or with the Commission on Disabilities. April 10, 2023 Ways & Means Committee 2 of 5 Marybeth McGrath, Municipal Licensing & Inspections Director stated that the Commission on Disabilities is aware that the Transition Plan is being reviewed and updated and the IHCD. The Mayor has it for review and once it is released it will go to the Commission on Disabilities as well. Councilor Maglio stated after it is vetted through the Commission on Disabilities is when that would make sense to actually have a list of priorities right? Russ Forsberg explained the list is of the top priorities of those that will have the most profound impact on the general populace. We hired the consultants because they have a wealth of knowledge on what works best and what should be a priority for communities to achieve the maximum amount of accessibility. Chairman Reynolds stated I am confused why our Commission on Disabilities hasn’t been involved yet in this process. Russ Forsberg explained this is a draft form. There will be plenty of opportunity to review and make comment and help in the formation of a final document. Marybeth McGrath stated the list of items were drawn from the transition plan. It is broken down into 4 different priority lists 1, 2, 3, and 4. These were from priority one which is the top priority and the most important for the accessibility component for the community. Chairman Reynolds stated we are in agreement that we like where the money is being spent at this time. The Transition Plan is a fluid document and will change as priorities change. What would change after you see this ADA Transition Plan. Councilor Maglio stated I was told there is a plan last year and it never came. I do not want to vote on something I can’t see. Motion was read by Councilor Flaherty for Favorable Recommendation to the full Council on Order 23 016: MOTION: To approve FY23 Capital Plan as submitted. Motion: by Councilor Flaherty for Favorable Recommendation to the full Council to Approve Order 23 016 Second: by Councilor Reynolds (stepped down as chair to second and back up) Vote: For (2–Flaherty, , Reynolds), Against (1 - Maglio), Absent (0), Abstain (0) April 10, 2023 Ways & Means Committee 3 of 5 • 23 017 Mayor: Request for Appropriation - Fiscal Year 2023 General Fund Capital Budget or take up any action relative thereto (Public Hearing at full Council May 2, 2023) Chairman Reynolds asked for a Motion to take off the table Order 23 017. Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to take off the table Order 23 017. Second: by Councilor Maglio Vote: For (3–Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) Chairman Reynolds asked if any Committee members would like to speak on Order 23 017. Questions were asked by members. Chairman Reynolds asked if there is a Motion for Order 23 017. Motion read by Councilor Flaherty for Favorable Recommendation to the full Council: ORDERED: That the Town of Braintree appropriates the sum of Four Million Three Hundred Thirty-Five Thousand Dollars ($4,335,000) to pay costs of the following capital projects: Project Amount Authorizing statute Police Vehicles 243,000 Ch. 44, s 7(1) Police HVAC 90,000 Ch. 44, s 7(1) School Building Repairs HVAC 125,000 Ch. 44, s 7(1) School Building Renovations 235,000 Ch. 44, s 7(1) School Technology 151,000 Ch. 44, s 7(9) School Library Books 145,000 Ch. 44, s 7(1) Roadway Resurfacing 1,700,000 Ch. 44, s 7(1) Town ADA Improvements 280,000 Ch. 44, s 7(1) DPW Facilities Parking Lot & Sidewalk 135,000 Ch. 44, s 7(1) DPW Cem./Ground Vehicle Dumpster 135,000 Ch. 44, s 7(1) DPW Hway (2) vehicles, Plow& Sander 280,000 Ch. 44, s 7(1) DPW Sidewalk Paver 60,000 Ch. 44, s 7(1) DPW Cem/ Ground Cemetery Expansion 565,000 Ch. 44, s 7(1) DPW Hway (1) Sidewalk Snowplow 191,000 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. Motion: by Councilor Flaherty for Favorable Recommendation to the full Council to Approve Order 23 017 Second: by Councilor Reynolds (stepped down as chair to second and back up) Vote: For (2–Flaherty, Reynolds), Against (1 - Maglio), Absent (0), Abstain (0) April 10, 2023 Ways & Means Committee 4 of 5 • 23 021 Retirement Board: FY23 Braintree Retirement COLA or take up any action relative thereto (Public Hearing at full Council May 2, 2023) Dennis Gallagher, Director Retirement explained at the Retirement Board meeting on February 23, 2023, the board voted to recommend the 2% additional one-time COLA for FY23. It is the consensus of the board that with the current state of the post pandemic economy and the highest inflationary period experienced in nearly forty years, it is vital the board do whatever it can to protect the pensions of town workers from the financial pressure currently being experienced due to the recent inflation. This initiative was passed in November 2022 by Governor Baker with a caveat that it be recommended by the Mayor and approved by the legislative body which is the Town Council. This is a one-time thing to give a boost in the pension for one year. Chairman Reynolds asked if any Committee members would like to speak on Order 23 021. Members stated this is clearly something people need and will support this. Chairman Reynolds asked if there is a Motion for Order 23 021 Motions read by Councilor Flaherty for Favorable Recommendation to the full Council: MOTION: That, pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws (M.G.L.) Chapter 32, Section 103 and Chapter 269 of the Acts of 2022, the Town Council approves the increased Cost-of-Living Adjustment for Fiscal Year 2023 of 2% to become effective July 1, 2022. Motion: by Councilor Flaherty for Favorable Recommendation to the full Council to Approve Order 23 021 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 8:08p.m. by Roll Call Vote. Respectfully submitted, Susan M. Cimino Clerk of the Council Documents provided for Meeting • 23 016 Mayor: Request to Approve the Fiscal Year 2023 Capital Plan or take up any action relative thereto (Public Hearing at full Council May 2, 2023) • 23 017 Mayor: Request for Appropriation - Fiscal Year 2023 General Fund Capital Budget or take up any action relative thereto (Public Hearing at full Council May 2, 2023) • 23 021 Retirement Board: FY23 Braintree Retirement COLA or take up any action relative thereto (Public Hearing at full Council May 2, 2023) April 10, 2023 Ways & Means Committee 5 of 5