Town Council - Ways & Means Committee

Braintree Town Council MEMBERS Meredith Boericke, Chairwoman Committee of Ways & Means Peter Morin, Vice-Chairman One JFK Memorial Drive Joseph Reynolds, Member Braintree, Massachusetts 02184 Julia Flaherty, Member Elizabeth Maglio, Member MINUTES Tuesday, January 16, 2024 A meeting of the Committee of Ways & Means was held in Johnson Chambers on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 6:04pm. Councilor Reynolds was in the Chair. Clerk of the Council, Susan Cimino conducted the roll call. Present: Meredith Boericke, Chairwoman Peter Morin, Vice-Chairman Joseph Reynolds, Member Julia Flaherty, Member Elizabeth Maglio, Member arrived at 6:38pm Also Present: Edward J. Spellman, Jr., Director of Municipal Finance Sgt. Corey Chambers, BPD Approval of Minutes • July 18, 2023 • August 1, 2023 • August 22, 2023 • September 19, 2023 • October 2, 2023 • November 8, 2023 Motion: by Councilor Morin to approve the minutes of July 18, 2023, August 1, 2023, August 22, 2023, September 19, 2023, October 2, 2023, November 8, 2023 Motion: by Councilor Morin to approve minutes of July 18, 2023, August 1, 2023, August 22, 2023, September 19, 2023, October 2, 2023, November 8, 2023 Second: by Councilor Flaherty Vote: For (4–Boericke, Flaherty, Morin, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (1- Maglio), Abstain (0) January 16, 2024 Ways & Means Committee 1 of 3 Old Business • None New Business • 23 080 Mayor: CPC Appropriation – Request for Appropriation - Fire Station Historic Restoration or take up any action relative thereto Motion: by Councilor Morin to TABLE Order 23 080 Motion: by Councilor Morin to TABLE Order 23 080 Second: by Councilor Flaherty Vote: For (4–Boericke, Flaherty, Morin, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (1- Maglio), Abstain (0) • 23 086 Mayor: Transfer Funds from the Salary Reserves or take up any action relative thereto Motion: by Councilor Morin to TABLE Order 23 086 Motion: by Councilor Morin to TABLE Order 23 086 Second: by Councilor Flaherty Vote: For (4–Boericke, Flaherty, Morin, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (1- Maglio), Abstain (0) • 23 085 Mayor: Borrowing Authorization for Animal Control Vehicle or take up any action relative thereto (Public Hearing at full Council) Chairwoman Boericke asked if anyone would like to speak on Order 23 085. Ed Spellman, Director of Municipal Finance explained this is a borrow authorization to purchase a replacement Animal Control Vehicle for the Police Department. The vehicle was involved in a traffic accident and was totaled. It was a 2008 vehicle so 15 years old. MIAA Insurance proceeds of $11,574.00 have already been paid to the Town of Braintree. ACO ideally needs a 4-door pick-up truck to safely handle and transport animals away from the officer while he is driving. The bed of a pickup truck is also preferential for the removal and transporting of dead animals (deer, skunks, racoons etc.) The vehicle will be purchased off the state contract. Current inventory available is low. For reference, a 2023 Ford F-150 pickup has an invoice price of $55,881.10. Additionally, the vehicle will need to be equipped with emergency lights, siren and graphics would be approximately $5,000. A police radio for the truck would cost approximately $2,805 for a total of $63,686.10. Factoring in the insurance proceeds of $11,574.00, the total balance needed would be $52,112.20. The actual cost will depend on the state contract inventory following council approval. Sgt. Corey Chambers stated the vehicle we got the quote on is available. Ed Spellman stated once approved we can sign the contract. January 16, 2024 Ways & Means Committee 2 of 3 Chairwoman Boericke asked why we can’t take from free cash to pay for this instead of having to pay an extra $5,000 in interest. Director Spellman stated we submitted our free cash numbers but it hasn’t been certified by the state yet so we can’t use any free cash yet as a funding source. Councilor Morin stated it struck me that we are bonding for this amount of money. I thought we had to have a reserve fund. I know it is your preference to have that and I would like to return to that when we can. Chairwoman Boericke asked if there is a Motion for Order 23 085. Motion read by Councilor Morin for favorable recommendation to the full Council. Motion: That the Town of Braintree appropriates the sum of Sixty Eight Thousand Dollars ($68,000) to pay costs of purchasing a police animal control vehicle, less projected insurance recovery of $11,000, for the payment of all other costs incidental and related thereto and that to meet this appropriation, the Treasurer, with the approval of the Mayor, is authorized to borrow said amount under and pursuant to G.L. c. 44, §7(1), or pursuant to any other enabling authority, and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor. Motion: by Councilor Morin to approve Order 23 085 Second: by Councilor Flaherty Vote: For (5–Boericke, Flaherty, Maglio, Morin, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) It was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 6:54p.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 • 23 086 Mayor: Transfer Funds from the Salary Reserves or take up any action relative thereto • 23 085 Mayor: Borrowing Authorization for Animal Control Vehicle or take up any action relative thereto January 16, 2024 Ways & Means Committee 3 of 3