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, November 21, 2023 A meeting of the Committee of Ways & Means was held remote via Zoom on Tuesday, November 21, 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 Edward J. Spellman, Jr., Director of Municipal Finance Cindy DePina, Director of Human Resources (remote) Tom Devin, Historical Commission appointee Greg Wilson, resident Approval of Minutes • May 4, 2023 Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to approve the minutes of May 4, 2023. Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to approve the minutes of May 4, 2023. Second: by Councilor Maglio Vote: For (3–Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) • May 8, 2023 Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to approve the minutes of May 8, 2023. Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to approve the minutes of May 8, 2023. Second: by Councilor Maglio Vote: For (3–Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) November 21, 2023 Ways & Means Committee 1 of 5 • May 9, 2023 Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to approve the minutes of May 9, 2023. Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to approve the minutes of May 9, 2023. Second: by Councilor Maglio Vote: For (3–Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) • May 10, 2023 Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to approve the minutes of May 10, 2023. Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to approve the minutes of May 10, 2023. Second: by Councilor Maglio Vote: For (3–Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) • May 15, 2023 Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to approve the minutes of May 15, 2023. Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to approve the minutes of May 15, 2023. Second: by Councilor Maglio Vote: For (3–Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) • May 16, 2023 Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to approve the minutes of May 16, 2023. Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to approve the minutes of May 16, 2023. Second: by Councilor Maglio Vote: For (3–Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) Old Business • None November 21, 2023 Ways & Means Committee 2 of 5 New Business • 23 070 Mayor: Acceptance of Donations or take up any action relative thereto Chairman Reynolds asked if anyone would like to speak on Order 23 070. Margaret Laforest, Chief of Staff explained the Town was recently contacted by the FireKing Baking Co. to make a donation of $2,500 in honor of Josephine Kokoros Morgan to be dedicated to the Department of Elder Affairs Transportation Fund. The seniors in our community and their families highly value the transportation offered through Elder Services as it allows our seniors independence to get to activities, shopping and medical appointments. Chairman Reynolds asked if there is a Motion for Order 23 070. 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 FireKing Baking Co. $2,500 Department of Elder Affairs Transportation Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to approve Order 23 070 Second: by Councilor Maglio Vote: For (3–Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) • 23 073 Mayor: Appointment to Historical Commission, Wesley Painter or take up any action relative thereto Chairman Reynolds asked if anyone would like to speak on Order 23 073. Margaret Laforest, Chief of Staff explained Chapter 2.755 of the Braintree Town Charter directs the Mayor shall appoint the membership of the Historical Commission to include a member nominated by the Braintree Historical Society. The Braintree Historical Society has recommended the nomination of Wesley Painter to serve as their representative to the Historic Commission. Mr. Painter is a member of the Board of Directors of the Braintree Historical Society and is a Braintree resident. He has significant experience with historic properties and is a valued member of the Society. As you can see from Mr. Painter's resume, his job skills include project management, restoration, conservation and historic research. He has a wealth of experience and knowledge that will benefit the Historic Commission and our community. I am confident in Mr. Painter's abilities, and I know that he is a most qualified candidate to serve on the Historic Commission. November 21, 2023 Ways & Means Committee 3 of 5 Chairman Reynolds asked if there is a Motion for Order 23 073. 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 3-3 of the Charter of the Town of Braintree to approve the appointment of Wesley Painter to the Braintree Historical Commission. Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to approve Order 23 073 Second: by Councilor Maglio Vote: For (3–Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) • 23 074 Mayor: Appointment to Historical Commission, Tom Devin or take up any action relative thereto Chairman Reynolds asked if anyone would like to speak on Order 23 074. Margaret Laforest, Chief of Staff explained Tom Devin is a lifelong Braintree resident. His children are the fourth generation to call Braintree home and all proudly graduated from Braintree High School. He coached Braintree American baseball for many years, served on the board of Braintree Community Youth Center, and is wrapping up his third term on the Braintree School Committee. He chaired the East Middle School Building Committee. With a family dedicated to public service and their history in Braintree dating back to the early 1900's, Tom's passion for preserving Braintree's history and commitment to community will continuing through his service on the Historic Commission. As you can see from Mr. Devins's resume, his job skills include business and project management, preventative vs corrective maintenance, and budgetary development & administration. His professional skills and licenses in building and permitting will be valuable for the committee. Councilors were pleased to see Mr. Devin’s enthusiasm and willingness to do this job and they were happy to support the appointment. Chairman Reynolds asked if there is a Motion for Order 23 074. 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 3-3 of the Charter of the Town of Braintree to approve the appointment of Wesley Painter to the Braintree Historical Commission. Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to approve Order 23 074 Second: by Councilor Maglio Vote: For (3–Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) November 21, 2023 Ways & Means Committee 4 of 5 • 23 075 Mayor: Transfer Funds from the Salary Reserves or take up any action relative thereto Chairman Reynolds asked if anyone would like to speak on Order 23 075. Margaret Laforest explained the Town has reached an agreement with the Braintree Professional Management Association (BPMA) FY2024 is the second year of the three year Collective Bargaining Agreement. In order to implement the terms of the agreement for Fiscal Year 2023 & FY 2024, I am requesting the transfer of funds to support a one and a half percent (1.5%) for year one and a two percent (2%) wage increase for year two. Funds for these contractual increases are to be transferred from the FY 2023 Salary Reserve Article and the Town's FY 2024 Finance/Administration/Reserve Account. This is not a request for any new fiscal appropriations. The total amount to be transferred is $121,224.37 and will be funded entirely through the Salary Reserves. Chairman Reynolds asked if there is a Motion for Order 23 075. Motion read by Councilor Flaherty for favorable recommendation to the full Council. Motion: That the Town vote to amend the wage and salary classification schedules, as most recently amended by appropriating the sum of $121,224.37 for the purpose of funding a wage increase for the B.P.M.A. employees effective July 1, 2022, and for this purpose the sum of $121,224.37 be transferred as follows: $51,511.77 from FY 2023 salary reserve article and $69,712.60 from the Finance Department/ Administration Program 01/Reserve Line that the Director of Municipal Finance is authorized to allocate said sums to and among the various accounts affected thereby in such amounts as are proper and required. In anticipation of approval of this agreement, funds were appropriated to the reserve accounts. Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to approve Order 23 075 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 6:35p.m. by Roll Call Vote. Respectfully submitted, Susan M. Cimino Clerk of the Council Documents provided for Meeting • 23 070 Mayor: Acceptance of Donations or take up any action relative thereto • 23 073 Mayor: Appointment to Historical Commission, Wesley Painter or take up any action relative thereto • 23 074 Mayor: Appointment to Historical Commission, Tom Devin or take up any action relative thereto • 23 075 Mayor: Transfer Funds from the Salary Reserves or take up any action relative thereto November 21, 2023 Ways & Means Committee 5 of 5