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 1, 2023 A meeting of the Committee of Ways & Means was held in Johnson Chambers on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at 6:30pm. 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 arrived at 6:35pm Also Present: Margaret Laforest, Chief of Staff Melissa SantucciRozzi, Director of Planning & Community Development Frank Collins, Pond Meadow Pond Brion Keefe, Pond Meadow Pond Approval of Minutes • March 21, 2023 Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to approve the minutes of March 21, 2023. Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to approve the minutes of March 21, 2023. Second: by Councilor Reynolds Vote: For (2–Flaherty, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (1 - Maglio), Abstain (0) • March 30, 2023 – 9:30am Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to approve the minutes of March 30, 2023 at 9:30am. Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to approve the minutes of March 30, 2023 at 9:30am. Second: by Councilor Reynolds Vote: For (2–Flaherty, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (1 - Maglio), Abstain (0) Old Business • None August 1, 2023 Ways & Means Committee 1 of 3 New Business • 23 049 Mayor: CPC Appropriation - Smelt Brook Restoration Study, 2023 Addendum, FY23 CPA Application or take up any action relative thereto Chairman Reynolds asked if anyone would like to speak on Order 23 049. Director SantucciRozzi explained at their June 12, 2023 meeting, the Community Preservation Committee voted to RECOMMEND the Town Council appropriate CPA funding in the amount of $12,500.00 for the "Smelt Brook Restoration Study- 2023 Addendum" project from the Open Space Fund. The Smelt Brook Local Protection Project (LPP), which includes a small dam (Pond Meadow Park Dam), perched culvert and drop conduit within lower reaches of Smelt Brook has negatively affected fish passage within the Fore River watershed. The Smelt Brook LPP created physical barriers to migratory fish; in particular, rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax). Rainbow smelt are a federally listed Species of Concern due to their declining population, and the Fore River Watershed is part of a Federal/State collaborative effort to restore rainbow smelt spawning habitat within New England region. The original project "Smelt Brook Restoration Study" was approved under Town Council Order 18-0S6 on October 2, 2018 and totaled $65,500. At that time, the Town of Weymouth also provided a cost share of $65,500 for the project, matching $131,000 in federal funding for a project total of $262,000. In 2022, an additional $15,000 in design funding was approved under Town Council Order 22-038, also matched by Town of Weymouth and federal funds bringing the total project budget to $322,000. This 2023 Addendum was necessitated by streamflow volumes that were higher than previously known requiring additional study and design. Specifically, the proposed fish ladder increases the potential for flooding and three feet of additional height are needed on the wing walls of the existing stilling basin. The additional Community Preservation Act funding will allow the WBRRCD, in concert with the ACOE, to complete the environmental review, detailed project report and environmental assessment for the preferred alternative, a required precursor to any additional federal funding for final design and construction. Chairman Reynolds asked if there is a Motion for Order 23 049. Motion read by Councilor Flaherty for favorable recommendation to the full Council. Motion: In accordance with the provisions of MGL c.448, and with the recommendation of the Community Preservation Committee, the amount of $12,500.00 to be expended from the Open Space Fund for the Smelt Brook Restoration Study - 2023 Addendum (Assessors Map 3005, Plot 25); said funding to be supervised and expended under the direction of the Community Preservation Committee/Director of Planning and Community Development. Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to approve Order 23 049 Second: by Councilor Maglio Vote: For (3–Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) August 1, 2023 Ways & Means Committee 2 of 3 • 23 050 Council President: Re-appointment Outside Auditor or take up any action relative thereto Chairman Reynolds asked for an update from the Clerk of the Council. Clerk of the Council reached out to Mike Nelligan, Powers & Sullivan. He is on vacation and will forward a new proposal forthcoming. Chairman Reynolds stated their duties are different from CLA correct? Clerk of the Council stated per Charter this auditor reviews the entire town. Chairman Reynolds asked if anyone would like to speak on Order 23 050. Councilor Flaherty stated I would like more pros/cons on what to do and to see their rate structure. It is good to have someone with institutional knowledge. Councilor Maglio asked who they primarily work with? Clerk of the Council stated they work with the Municipal Finance Team. Chairman Reynolds stated they look at our best practices and make sure we are meeting compliance etc. Chairman Reynolds asked if there is a Motion to Table Order 23 050. Motion read by Councilor Flaherty to Table Order 23 050. Motion: to Table Order 23 050 to a future Ways & Means meeting. Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to Table Order 23 050 to a future Ways & Means meeting. 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 7:03p.m. by Roll Call Vote. Respectfully submitted, Susan M. Cimino Clerk of the Council Documents provided for Meeting • 23 049 Mayor: CPC Appropriation - Smelt Brook Restoration Study, 2023 Addendum, FY23 CPA Application or take up any action relative thereto • 23 050 Council President: Re-appointment Outside Auditor or take up any action relative thereto August 1, 2023 Ways & Means Committee 3 of 3