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 Wednesday, November 8, 2023 A meeting of the Committee of Ways & Means was held in Johnson Chambers on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at 6:00pm. 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: Margaret Laforest, Chief of Staff Marybeth McGrath, Director of Licensing & Inspections Approval of Minutes • May 4, 2023 • May 8, 2023 • May 9, 2023 • May 10, 2023 Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to table all above minutes to the next Committee of Ways & Means meeting. Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to table above minutes to the next Committee of Ways & Means meeting. Second: by Councilor Maglio Vote: For (3–Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) Old Business • None November 8, 2023 Ways & Means Committee 1 of 3 New Business • 23 069 Mayor: Acceptance of Donations or take up any action relative thereto Chairman Reynolds asked if anyone would like to speak on Order 23 069. Margaret Laforest, Chief of Staff stated the Town was recently contacted by the Chinese American Association of Braintree (CAAB) to make a donation of $2,000 of which $1,000 each to be dedicated to the Department of Elder Affairs and Veterans Services. After hosting a successful inaugural mid-Autumn Festival on French's Common, the CAAB wanted to show their appreciation to the veterans and elders in our community. Councilors stated this is a generous donation for two departments that are in need. Chairman Reynolds asked if there is a Motion for Order 23 069. 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 Chinese American Association of Braintree $1,000 Department of Elder Affairs Chinese American Association of Braintree $1,000 Veterans Services Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to approve Order 23 069 Second: by Councilor Maglio Vote: For (3–Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) • 23 071 Mayor: Inter-Municipal Agreement for the Public Health Excellence Grant for Shared Services or take up any action relative thereto Chairman Reynolds asked if anyone would like to speak on Order 23 071. Director McGrath stated this has been a long process getting to this point. This an Inter-Municipal Agreement for the Public Health Excellence Grant for Shared Services. This is a community partnership with 5 communities: Randolph, Braintree, Quincy, Weymouth, Holbrook. Randolph will be the host agency that will oversee the grant. The PHE goal is to have more comprehensive shared services, well- trained staff, and robust data collection. To that end, all five towns are recipients of a Public Health Excellence Grant. It is in the amount of $270,000 per year for three years, with two more three-year cycles, a total of $2,430,000. The general concept is that Randolph will hire a Shared Services Coordinator, Food Inspector, Housing Inspector, and Epidemiologist. While the Shared Services Coordinator (SSC) will November 8, 2023 Ways & Means Committee 2 of 3 be based in the Randolph Public Health Department, they will primarily remain in the office to provide administrative service to each member municipality, respond to grant-related phone calls and emails, coordinate group meetings, meet with representatives of the governments of our towns and fulfill the MDPH reporting requirements. The SSC will equitably dispatch the Health Officers to perform inspections across the shared services territory. Councilors stated these are things that can be quite beneficial to Braintree. Director McGrath stated it looks like it will be coordinated by Randolph and we felt it better to have the person in the position for a month at a time. Chairman Reynolds stated are the next steps the details to be worked out? Chief of Staff Laforest stated this will be done at the staff level. Director McGrath stated all towns follow the same state regulations. Chairman Reynolds asked if there is a Motion for Order 23 071. Motion read by Councilor Flaherty for favorable recommendation to the full Council. Motion: Authorizing Mayor Charles C. Kokoros to execute an lntermunicipal Agreement for Public Health Excellence Grant for Shared Services. Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to approve Order 23 071 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 6:46p.m. by Roll Call Vote. Respectfully submitted, Susan M. Cimino Clerk of the Council Documents provided for Meeting • 23 069 Mayor: Acceptance of Donations or take up any action relative thereto • 23 071 Mayor: Inter-Municipal Agreement for the Public Health Excellence Grant for Shared Services or take up any action relative thereto November 8, 2023 Ways & Means Committee 3 of 3