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 22, 2023 A meeting of the Committee of Ways & Means was held in Johnson Chambers on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at 6:36pm. 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: Margaret Laforest, Chief of Staff Cindy DePina, Director of Human Resources Timothy Cohoon, Braintree Police Chief Crystal Huff, Town Solicitor residents Approval of Minutes • None Old Business • None August 22, 2023 Ways & Means Committee 1 of 2 New Business • 23 052 Mayor: Appointment – Timothy Cohoon, Braintree Police Chief or take up any action relative thereto Chairman Reynolds asked if anyone would like to speak on Order 23 052. Margaret Laforest stated it is an honor to be here for the appointment of Timothy Cohoon for the Braintree Police Chief; born and raised here in Braintree and has quite a career with our Police Department. Councilor Flaherty asked what you would like to keep the same and what changes you would like to see. Chief Cohoon stated Chief Dubois put us in a great position for this Police Department to move into the future and make this Police Department even better than it was. In order to improve we need to pay attention to the little things. We need to make sure we have accountability measures in place for our officers and set the expectations so those measures are fair. Our mission is for the officers to be out there and they know what they are to be doing and know their boundaries. We have to make sure we are meeting the communities needs. Decisions need to be neutral and transparent. There are 5 keys to success: people, policy, training, supervision and discipline. Councilor Maglio stated one key thing about accountability is transparency of our policies and procedures. It is about the people in the community and those we look to to protect us. Chief Cohoon stated as far as transparency, all our policies are on-line and we update them frequently. In the future what I would like to do is tell our story a little bit better. We are not good at that. Cops like to see themselves as the quiet professional. People don’t hear all the good stories. We also need to deal with people with empathy and make adjustments as we move forward. Councilor Maglio stated as far as a communications piece, I would like to have a further conversation on a need to know for Councilors. Chairman Reynolds asked if there is a Motion for Order 23 052. Motion read by Councilor Flaherty for favorable recommendation to the full Council. Motion: UPON THE REQUEST OF HIS HONOR, THE MAYOR, THE TOWN OF BRAINTREE, THROUGH THE BRAINTREE TOWN COUNCIL, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTIONS 2-10 AND 3-3 OF THE CHARTER, APPROVES THE APPOINTMENT OF TIMOTHY COHOON AS CHIEF OF POLICE OF THE BRAINTREE POLICE DEPARTMENT. Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to approve Order 23 052 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 6:55p.m. by Roll Call Vote. Respectfully submitted, Susan M. Cimino Clerk of the Council Documents provided for Meeting • 23 052 Mayor: Appointment – Timothy Cohoon, Braintree Police Chief or take up any action relative thereto August 22, 2023 Ways & Means Committee 2 of 2