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, February 20, 2024 A meeting of the Committee of Ways & Means was held in Johnson Chambers on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 6:30pm. 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: Melissa SantucciRozzi, Director of Planning & Community Development Jim Lee, Superintendent of Braintree Public Schools Steve Kirby, OPM Ellen Wright, Architect Jan Barris, Pickleball member Katie Barker, Independence Manor Approval of Minutes • January 16, 2024 Motion: by Councilor Morin to approve the minutes of January 16, 2024 Motion: by Councilor Morin to approve minutes of January 16, 2024 Second: by Councilor Flaherty Vote: For (4–Boericke, Flaherty, Morin, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (1 - Maglio,), Abstain (0) • February 6, 2024 Motion: by Councilor Morin to approve the minutes of February 6, 2024 Motion: by Councilor Morin to approve minutes of February 6, 2024 Second: by Councilor Flaherty Vote: For (4–Boericke, Flaherty, Morin, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (1 - Maglio,), Abstain (0) February 20, 2024 Ways & Means Committee 1 of 6 Old 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 take off the TABLE Order 23 080 Motion: by Councilor Morin to take off the TABLE Order 23 080 Second: by Councilor Flaherty Vote: For (5–Boericke, Flaherty, Maglio, Morin, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) Chairwoman Boericke asked if anyone would like to speak on Order 23 080. Melissa SantucciRozzi, Director of Planning & Community Development stated this was first in front of Ways & Means back in December 2023. A CPC detailed packet was provided. The application packet is dated October 12, 2023. Historic items are: exterior windows, exterior trim, exterior corners and gutter, masonry work, entrance ramp/stairs, front apron, sidewalk/ADA accessibility, landscaping, flagpole, exterior lighting and the lantern and roof and the interior elevator (fully handicapped accessibility). This cost is what CPC is giving and that is it. If they cost more, it will have to come out of the “general pot” that was secured through the Council. Councilor Morin wanted to make sure this CPC project is truly historic and eligible for the CPC funding. Director SantucciRozzi stated we go to the state website and locate like CPC projects. We did a decent amount of research and looked for materials that coincided with the original materials and historic nature of the building. Councilor Reynolds stated this vote is just for the historic restoration of the exterior of the building. This is separate from the refurbishment of the inside of the building. Councilor Maglio stated I would like to see a comprehensive overview of the full project. Chairwoman Boericke I don’t have confidence this amount will get us all the things on this list. Steve Kirby, OPM stated the budget has moved a little since December. We were hired in 2020 with a $4.5 million budget for the interior and realized it is not enough to get the firefighters what they really needed. In 2021 we looked at space needs. That became a two-story addition both on the back and a side connector. A much larger project. The numbers came in at too much for the Town to pay for. There were a number of re-designs; one being from the building department. That ended up being only one addition with an elevator and fire sprinkler system. Then Planning got involved and grew to the outside restoration of what we were just talking about. This project had many re-designs. We had $11 million in appropriated money. Based on a recent email after the new administrations meeting on 2/14/23 the building department said there is another reconsideration for another re-design and reducing it without the elevator. Director SantucciRozzi stated my reply to that is find a place for the elevator. Without an elevator the CPC $1.6 million will not be included. We cannot move forward with blinders. We go with what is needed for code/compliance, with other laws, what makes sense and then what is all the fun stuff that everybody February 20, 2024 Ways & Means Committee 2 of 6 needs. The funds get distributed once the work has been verified. If anything changes it will need to be revisited. Councilor Maglio stated an elevator goes beyond the firefighters. This is about accessibility for everyone who may enter whether public, a vendor or a family member. Councilor Maglio asked about building new in some other location. Steve Kirby, OPM stated you would be looking at higher numbers for a brand new building. Previously at least 2 feasibility studies were done and at the time were deemed as unusable. It was stated the reason for not moving to a new location was response time. Chairwoman Boericke asked if there is a Motion to TABLE Order 23 080. Motion by Councilor Reynolds to TABLE Order 23 080 Motion: by Councilor Reynolds to TABLE Order 23 080 Motion: by Councilor Reynolds to TABLE Order 23 080 Second: by Councilor Flaherty Vote: For (5–Boericke, Flaherty, Maglio, Morin, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) New Business • 24 005 Mayor: Authorization to Accept a Donation – Livery Van or take up any action relative thereto Chairwoman Boericke stated there is no one from the Mayor’s office to speak on this but I do not think we want to turn down a donation. Chairwoman Boericke asked if there is a Motion for Order 24 005. Motion read by Councilor Morin 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 Braintree Holiday/Friends 2008 Chevy Van Veteran Affairs Motion: by Councilor Morin to approve Order 24 005 Second: by Councilor Flaherty Vote: For (5–Boericke, Flaherty, Maglio, Morin, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) February 20, 2024 Ways & Means Committee 3 of 6 • 24 006 Mayor: Request for Appropriation - CPC Appropriation – Daughraty Pickleball Courts Acoustic Sound Panels or take up any action relative thereto Chairwoman Boericke asked if anyone would like to speak on Order 24 006. Jan Barris stated the CPC application was approved back in December. Ms. Barris had samples of the product for the sound panels. Viber Science uses sound seal panel that stops the sound with quilted absorber as well. These stay up 12 months out of the year. They are tested at 150mph winds. After installed they will do a second reading. There is a 1 year warranty included in the package. Councilor Reynolds mentioned his concern is the Wynot Road neighborhood. Ms. Barris mentioned the readings were taken on a sunny day in October 2023. All 8 courts were going with football practice also going on in the fields below us. Director SantucciRozzi stated the By-laws acceptable decibel reading is 60. Councilor Reynolds stated some of these readings are above that from an average standpoint. Ms. Barris stated the 80 reading was inside the courts and the 76 was beside the football field with a game going on behind us. Resident side by Wynot Road was 57.3 average 61.9 as a high. Director SantucciRozzi stated inside the courts will be the same. Outside the court is where they will benefit from this reduction. The panels claim there should be about a 10 decibels reduction. Councilor Reynolds asked what if this doesn’t work? Ms. Barris stated if this doesn’t work we would meet with Viber Science again and extend the panels. Panels are 8 feet and will be mounted on the inside of the fencing. Chairwoman Boericke stated the readings did have ambient noise and should be mindful of that when we take the secondary readings and we get the 10 decibel reduction. There were email complaints from neighbors that came in about noise. We will follow up with the Chief of Staff that this information was not forwarded to the department in charge of doing decibel readings. Councilor Maglio stated she was a Pickleball member and stated voting does not interfere with a fair and impartial decision on this. Chairwoman Boericke asked if there is a Motion for Order 24 006. Motion read by Councilor Morin for favorable recommendation to the full Council. MOTION: In accordance with the provisions of MGL c.44B, and with the recommendation of the Community Preservation Committee, the amount of $22,063.20 to be expended from the Open Space and Recreation Fund for acoustic sound panels at the Daughraty Pickleball Courts located at 538/546 Washington Street, (Assessors Map 2022, Plots 01 and 2A); said funds shall be expended under the direction of the Community Preservation Committee/ Director of Planning & Community Development. Motion: by Councilor Morin to approve Order 24 006 Second: by Councilor Flaherty Vote: For (4–Boericke, Flaherty, Maglio, Morin), Against (1 - Reynolds), Absent (0), Abstain (0) February 20, 2024 Ways & Means Committee 4 of 6 • 24 007 Mayor: Request for Appropriation - CPC Appropriation – Independence Manor Window Replacement or take up any action relative thereto Chairwoman Boericke asked if anyone would like to speak on Order 24 007. Katie Barker, Independence Manor stated we have been affordable housing for over 48 years our mission is to remain affordable. Melissa SantucciRozzi, Director of Planning & Community Development stated it is very important to replace the windows. We are here to partner with Independence Manor. Katie is coming to the table with a match and substantial amount of money. This will ensure the CPA requirement is carried out. Councilor Morin stated you are now agreeing to a deed restriction that will continue in propriety to keep these affordable. Your family’s heart and soul has been in this since day one. Chairwoman Boericke stated I looked at the annual report for CPC and only 18% has gone to affordable housing. Chairwoman Boericke asked if there is a Motion for Order 24 007. Motion read by Councilor Morin for favorable recommendation to the full Council. MOTION: In accordance with the provisions of MGL c.44B, and with the recommendation of the Community Preservation Committee, the amount of $550,000.00 to be expended from the Community Housing Fund and $890,000.00 from the Undesignated Fund for the Independence Manor Window Replacement (Assessors Map 2068 0 - 3); said funding to be supervised and expended under the direction of the Community Preservation Committee/Director of Planning and Community Development. Motion: by Councilor Morin to approve Order 24 007 Second: by Councilor Flaherty Vote: For (5–Boericke, Flaherty, Maglio, Morin, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) • 24 008 Superintendent of Schools: MSBA Statement of Interest Core Project Braintree High School or take up any action relative thereto Chairwoman Boericke asked if anyone would like to speak on Order 24 008. Jim Lee, Superintendent of Schools stated we would like to again submit to the MSBA a Statement of Interest for a High School project. Seeking Ways & Means vote and full Council vote, authorizing the Superintendent of Schools to submit the SOI so in a perfect world we get invited into their process. Each year the MSBA partners with the school that is in the worst condition. As those projects get completed, we continue to move up the list. Chairwoman Boericke asked if there is a Motion for Order 24 008. February 20, 2024 Ways & Means Committee 5 of 6 Motion read by Councilor Morin for favorable recommendation to the full Council. Resolved: Having convened in an open meeting on February 27, 2024, prior to the SOI submission closing date, the Town Council of Braintree, in accordance with its charter, by-laws, and ordinances, has voted to authorize the Superintendent to submit to the Massachusetts School Building Authority the Statement of Interest Form dated January 18, 2024 for the Braintree High School located at 128 Town Street, Braintree, Massachusetts, which describes and explains the following deficiencies and the priority category(s) for which an application may be submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority in the future: Priority #5: Replacement, renovation or modernization of the school facility systems, such as roofs, windows, boilers, heating and ventilation systems, to increase energy conservation and decrease energy related costs in a school facility; Priority #7: Replacement of or addition to obsolete buildings in order to provide for a full range of programs consistent with the state and approved local requirements; and hereby further specifically acknowledges that by submitting this Statement of Interest Form, the Massachusetts School Building Authority in no way guarantees the acceptance or the approval of an application, the awarding of a grant or any other funding commitment from the Massachusetts School Building Authority, or commits the Town of Braintree or the Braintree School Department to filing an application for funding with the Massachusetts School Building Authority. Motion: by Councilor Morin to approve Order 24 008 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 8:50p.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 • 24 005 Mayor: Authorization to Accept a Donation – Livery Van or take up any action relative thereto • 24 006 Mayor: Request for Appropriation - CPC Appropriation – Daughraty Pickleball Courts Acoustic Sound Panels or take up any action relative thereto • 24 007 Mayor: Request for Appropriation - CPC Appropriation – Independence Manor Window Replacement or take up any action relative thereto • 24 008 Superintendent of Schools: MSBA Statement of Interest Core Project Braintree High School or take up any action relative thereto February 20, 2024 Ways & Means Committee 6 of 6