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, December 12, 2023 A meeting of the Committee of Ways & Means was held Remote via Zoom Webinar on Tuesday, December 12, 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 Timothy Cohoon, Chief of Police Paul Sullivan, Deputy Assessor Approval of Minutes • None Old Business • None December 12, 2023 Ways & Means Committee 1 of 4 New Business • 23 080 Mayor: CPC Appropriation – Request for Appropriation - Fire Station Historic Restoration or take up any action relative thereto Chairman Reynolds asked if anyone would like to speak on Order 23 080. Chief of Staff Laforest stated this is on track to get voted on December 19, 2023 at the full Council meeting. Before this goes out to bid we must first prove we can pay for the project. I have a total of $12,158,000 approved funding from previous Councils. We will get you an updated report on the amount and expenditures. Chairman Reynolds asked if there is a Motion to Table Order 23 080. Motion by Councilor Flaherty to TABLE Order 23 080 to a future meeting. MOTION: That in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44B of the General Laws and with the recommendation of the Community Preservation Committee, the appropriation of $750,000.00 from the Historic Resources Fund and $868,497.00 from the Undesignated Fund for the Braintree Fire Station Historic Restoration - FY24 CPA Application. Said funds shall be expended under the direction of the Community Preservation Committee and the Director of Planning and Community Development. Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to TABLE Order 23 080 to a future meeting Second: by Councilor Maglio Roll Call Vote: For (3–Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) • 23 081 Mayor: Request for Authorization – Braintree Police Axon Contract or take up any action relative thereto Chairman Reynolds asked if anyone would like to speak on Order 23 081. Chief Cohoon stated I submitted a memo for your review regarding this ask. This is a critical need for the police department. Tasers come in significant in saving lives and de-escalating some encounters. The contract is now running out. The current model we have will be no longer available including batteries and parts. Our new Taser is called the Taser 10 with more technology with more options and more reliable. This new deal would be a 5 year contract hence why we are coming before you. Councilor Flaherty asked about the tasers and how they worked. Chief Cohoon stated they fire from 45 feet away. Councilor Maglio asked when the last contract was paid off. Ed Spellman stated it was part of the capital budget. These will be built in the budget with a line item each year. Chairman Reynolds stated these are equally important for the welfare of the police officers. It is an important tool for our police force to have. December 12, 2023 Ways & Means Committee 2 of 4 Chief of Staff Laforest stated these were negotiated with a 0% interest rate. Chairman Reynolds asked if there is a Motion for Order 23 081. Motion read by Councilor Flaherty for favorable recommendation to the full Council. MOTION: Pursuant to General Laws Chapter 30B, Section 12(8), that the Town, acting through the Chief of Police and under the direction of the Mayor, be authorized to enter into a five year purchase agreement for tasers for 2024-2028. Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to approve Order 23 081 Second: by Councilor Maglio Roll Call Vote: For (3–Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) • 23 082 Mayor: Transfer Funds from the Human Resources Salary Reserve or take up any action relative thereto Chairman Reynolds asked if anyone would like to speak on Order 23 082. Chief of Staff Laforest stated this is a placeholder. Union contract negotiations are underway and everyone is anxious to see them all settled in efforts to get those retroactive COLAs. We are hopeful to be ready for the next meeting to vote on this. Chairman Reynolds asked if there is a Motion to TABLE Order 23 082. Motion by Councilor Flaherty to TABLE to a future meeting. MOTION: That the Town vote to amend the wage and salary classification schedules, as most recently amended by appropriating the sum of $233,866.62 for the purpose of funding a wage increase for the B.P.O.A. and the B.P.S.O.A. employees effective July 1, 2022, and for this purpose the sum of $233,866.62 be transferred as follows: $ 101,862.51 from FY 2023 salary reserve article and $132,004.11 from the Finance Department/ Administration Program 01/Reserve Line, and further, 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. Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to TABLE Order 23 082 to a future meeting Second: by Councilor Maglio Roll Call Vote: For (3–Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) December 12, 2023 Ways & Means Committee 3 of 4 • 23 083 Mayor: To Accept Massachusetts General Law c. 59 s.5C ½ (additional real estate exemption) or take up any action relative thereto Chairman Reynolds asked if anyone would like to speak on Order 23 083. Chief of Staff Laforest stated we have the opportunity to provide a discount rate to our seniors, veterans and those who have a blind disability. We have opted to increase the discount rate to 25%. Braintree and Mayor Kokoros is supportive of our seniors and veterans. Councilor Flaherty asked how many people have qualified for this in recent years? Director Spellman stated based on the prior years revenues we paid out approximately $284,000 in exemptions for seniors and veterans. I project about $71,000 increase for a total of $355,000. There are currently funds in the overlay for abatements and exemptions. These are what the intended purpose of the overlay account is for. Chairman Reynolds clarified there is a certain criterion to be met for this which is mostly income based. Chairman Reynolds asked if there is a Motion for Order 23 083. Motion read by Councilor Flaherty for favorable recommendation to the full Council. MOTION: That the Town accept Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 59, Section 5C ½, which provides for an additional real estate exemption for taxpayers who are granted personal exemptions on their domiciles under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 59, Section 5, including certain blind persons, veterans, surviving spouses and seniors, and provide an additional exemption up to twenty-five percent (25%) of the personal exemption, to be effective for exemptions granted for any fiscal year beginning on or after July 1, 2023. Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to approve Order 23 083 Second: by Councilor Maglio Roll Call Vote: For (3–Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) It was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 6:45p.m. by Roll Call Vote. Respectfully submitted, Susan M. Cimino Clerk of the Council Documents provided for Meeting • 23 080 Mayor: CPC Appropriation – Request for Appropriation - Fire Station Historic Restoration or take up any action relative thereto • 23 081 Mayor: Request for Authorization – Braintree Police Axon Contract or take up any action relative thereto • 23 082 Mayor: Transfer Funds from the Human Resources Salary Reserve or take up any action relative thereto • 23 083 Mayor: To Accept Massachusetts General Law c. 59 s.5C ½ (additional real estate exemption) or take up any action relative thereto December 12, 2023 Ways & Means Committee 4 of 4