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, March 26, 2024 A meeting of the Committee of Ways & Means was held in Johnson Chambers on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at 6:00pm. Councilor Boericke was in the Chair. Clerk of the Council, Susan Cimino conducted the roll call. Present: Meredith Boericke, Chairwoman Peter Morin, Vice-Chairman Julia Flaherty, Member Elizabeth Maglio, Member Not Present: Joseph Reynolds, Member Also Present: Erin V. Joyce, Mayor Kara L. Nyman, Chief of Staff/Director of Operations Michael Esmond, Director of Municipal Finance Melissa SantucciRozzi, Director of Planning & Community Development John Thompson, Town Engineer/Asst DPW Director Kristina O'Connell, Treasurer/Collector Christopher Shipps, Human Resources Director Approval of Minutes • February 20, 2024 • March 6, 2024 Motion: by Councilor Morin to approve the Minutes of February 20, 2024, and Minutes of March 6, 2024. Motion: by Councilor Morin Second: by Councilor Flaherty Vote: For (5–Boericke, Flaherty, Maglio, Morin, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) March 26, 2024 Ways & Means Committee 1 of 7 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 Maglio Vote: For (5–Boericke, Flaherty, Maglio, Morin, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) Chairwoman Boericke asked what the thoughts are of the mayor. There has been so much discussion around the Fire Station. Erin V. Joyce, Mayor stated clearly this is a project that has been discussed for a long time and for several years. Internally we are still working on what makes sense as we tie it to the budgeting we are working on. We are also working on constructing our Capital Plan and where this fits. The project we are seeing if it works or if it changes. Internally we have not made a definitive decision on yet. We are still working on it to see what it looks like. Councilor Maglio stated the idea of eliminating the elevator came up to save money because none of the firefighters will have a problem going up the stairs. That struck me as a real serious lack of inclusion, compassion, and understanding for financial savings. When someone can’t access the 2nd floor like a vendor, cleaner or family member. This was mentioned off-hand. Erin V. Joyce, Mayor stated as we weigh out parts of this project that is part of the conversation. We do need to allow appropriate access. It is definitely a priority but no decisions have been made regarding that. Councilor Flaherty stated this project has been drawn out. The only portion well flushed out is the Historical Preservation component. What we do have is a series of Bond Authorizations and a conviction we do need to do this. The headquarters we have is inadequate for the job we need our firefighters be able to do safely and well. How we are going to do it has not been well explained to this committee. Erin V. Joyce, Mayor stated internally we have talked about finishing the path that we were on. If the CPC portion is allocated we would have our designated funds to put the project out to bid. If it goes out to bid and comes back too high then what. If it comes back within our bid then it is new money we need to take out to bond and new debt and new debt service to add to our operational budget. If we even go down this path, can we afford to go down this path. The alternative is stop and put out to bid to at least get a number. Do we pull it all back and think of it as a multi-phased project with something we can commit to. Touring the headquarters, they do need some investments. It would be great to afford this but we are trying to afford other basic services that we are really struggling to afford. What’s the right decision? And furthermore, tying it to a Capital Plan. Should we think of it in a different way. We are working on it with the Fire Chief, Building and Facilities folks, and Finance Director. What is a realistic financially feasible plan? March 26, 2024 Ways & Means Committee 2 of 7 Councilor Morin asked is the primary goal for the living quarters? Erin V. Joyce, Mayor stated that is what we are trying to hone into. The living quarters is the number one priority. Councilor Morin stated our financial outlook is murky at best. Can we afford new interest and principal payments for this? Erin V. Joyce, Mayor stated that is the real concern. The conversation is can we upgrade the living quarters in phases. We do not feel competent on understanding the true costs of it. All those questions need to be answered and tied to the financial needs of the Town. Hopefully in the next couple of months we will have more clarity. Michael Esmond, Finance Director stated with the budget it will absolutely be a muti-year projection of the Town’s revenues. That will allow us to do an affordability analysis and policy. That is a critical element. Chairwoman Boericke asked if the CPC appropriation has to be authorized to get an idea of what the living quarters renovation is required to get that quote. Does it make sense to tie up the CPC money of $1.6 million dollars for something that is a maybe. Erin V. Joyce, Mayor stated we have talked about if this should come off the agenda or not. If you allocate the CPC we could get the real costs and potentially tie it to a real plan looking forward. We haven’t been able to definitively decided so we haven’t asked it to be removed from the agenda. Chairwoman Boericke asked about projects approved that have not happened. Director SantucciRozzi stated the ADA ramp delay is we are unable to secure qualified proposals. Director SantucciRozzi stated my recommendation is to table this and for the mayor and the working group to decide what can we afford. Peter Morin state the optics of doing this now as we deal with the challenges of operational budgets, it makes sense to take a breath here and table it. Councilor Maglio stated when I mentioned the elevator it was with the $14 million rebuild not necessarily this phased approach. If we do appropriate the money we can put it out to bid to get the numbers? Can CPC money be un-approved? Director Santucci Rozzi stated yes. Director SantucciRozzi stated why go out to bid if we don’t have the money but if we want to try to get the numbers around that project you can go out to bid. Chairwoman Boericke asked if there is a Motion to TABLE Order 23 080. Motion by Councilor Morin to TABLE Order 23 080 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, Maglio, Morin), Against (0), Absent (1 - Reynolds), Abstain (0) March 26, 2024 Ways & Means Committee 3 of 7 New Business • 24 013 Mayor: Request for Appropriation - CPC Appropriation—Watson Park, Delorey Field Rehabilitation Additional Funds or take up any action relative thereto (Public Hearing scheduled for April 2, 2024) Chairwoman Boericke asked if anyone would like to speak on Order 24 013. Erin V. Joyce, Mayor stated the unfortunate reality is when they start off it costs one thing and if the project gets delayed then costs increase. We have the contractor selected and slated to begin late summer after the baseball season. Councilor Flaherty asked about the additional construction needs. John Thompson, Town Engineer/Asst DPW Director stated it was originally approved based on estimates prior to the design being completed now including reconstruction of the parking area and adding irrigation to the field and subdrainage and increased construction costs in general. Councilor Maglio asked to see a Plan that was provided by Mr. Thompson. Erin V. Joyce, Mayor stated we need to do our best to communicate the sources of funding. We need to show a continued investment and effort to see through some of these projects that are well underway. We will do better. We will have more resources in the future. Being able to speak to it is a challenge we will all have in the next year or two. Councilor Morin asked when this project first received funding. John Thompson stated 1 year ago. Councilor Morin stated the delay in these projects makes the Town look bad. You need to keep these things on a path to completion. I will support this. East Braintree kids should have the chance to play on good fields too. Chairwoman Boericke stated my frustration with CPC funding is I constantly feel blind-sided. Last March 2023 there was no indication the design was not done. This is the third project we have had a come-back to the Council saying well we didn’t have all the prices. If you don’t have all the prices, let us know. I would hope, Mayor Joyce, that you have a strategy for CPC funding. Erin V. Joyce, Mayor stated we have been in a deficit for a number of years. The CPC funds have been a way to make capital investments and it lacked a very strategic capital plan. A lot of these projects take multiple funding sources. We are working on a strategic plan. Director SantucciRozzi stated we can expect less than 20% from the state for CPC. I am forecasting the match from the state as $200,000 for next year. Councilor Maglio asked about plantings and the trees along the top part where the fencing is. Are the trees going to be vision blockers or noise blockers? Director SantucciRozzi stated the species are noted on the Plan I believe. March 26, 2024 Ways & Means Committee 4 of 7 John Thompson stated I can try to get you more information on that. Chairwoman Boericke asked if there is a Motion for Order 24 013. 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 $250,000.00 to be expended from the Open Space and Recreation Fund and $135,000.00 to be expended from the Undesignated Fund for the Watson Park - Delorey Field Rehabilitation-Additional Funds (Assessors Map 3001, Block 0, Lot 1B); 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 24 013 Second: by Councilor Flaherty Vote: For (4–Boericke, Flaherty, Maglio, Morin), Against (0), Absent (1 - Reynolds), Abstain (0) • 24 014 Mayor: Appointment of Christopher Shipps as Human Resources Director or take up any action relative thereto Chairwoman Boericke asked if anyone would like to speak on Order 24 014. Erin V. Joyce, Mayor stated I am pleased to be before you this evening with the appointment of Christopher Shipps as our new HR Director. Mr. Shipps is coming to us from Brockton. He has a relevant resume and a lot of professional experience. He is a strong candidate, and I am happy to bring him forward tonight for you to meet. Mr. Shipps stated I am happy to be here before you all. I do bring about 20 years of HR experience including municipal. I look forward to using my skills to help the Town. Committee members asked questions relating to negotiations and other experiences. Chairwoman Boericke asked if there is a Motion for Order 24 014. Motion read by Councilor Morin for favorable recommendation to the full Council. Motion: Upon the request of her honor, the Mayor, the Town of Braintree, through the Braintree Town Council, and in accordance with sections 3-3 and 2-10 of the Charter of the Town of Braintree to approve the appointment of Christopher Shipps as Human Resources Director. Motion: by Councilor Morin to approve Order 24 014 Second: by Councilor Flaherty Vote: For (4–Boericke, Flaherty, Maglio, Morin), Against (0), Absent (1 - Reynolds), Abstain (0) March 26, 2024 Ways & Means Committee 5 of 7 • 24 015 Mayor: Appointment of Kristina O'Connell as Treasurer/Collector or take up any action relative thereto Chairwoman Boericke asked if anyone would like to speak on Order 24 015. Erin V. Joyce, Mayor stated I am pleased to be before you this evening with the appointment of Kristina O'Connell as Treasurer/Collector. Barbara Walls took another job but is helping with the transition working as a part-time consulting role for us. Kristina’s background is incredible. She is a Braintree resident. We are confident she will be able to hit the ground running. Ms. O’Connell stated when this job became available, I was excited and this is near and dear to my heart. I am a military veteran. I have 20 years with the Internal Revenue Service and FBI for a few years as well. Public service is my passion and helping the community in which I live. Committee members welcomed Ms. O’Connell and stated how impressed by her resume they were. Councilor Flaherty stated Ms. O’Connell is a District 1 resident. I know she is committed to the Town. I will be supporting her. She has been a financial contributor to me therefore I will officially abstain from the vote. Councilor Morin stated as Treasurer/Collector right now you are starting with a deficit and I would like you to recognize that and put guardrails up. It will come down to you. Councilor Morin asked if she had any experience with municipal financial software and Ms. O’Connell stated no. Ms. O’Connell stated she recognized her lack of municipal finance experience and there will be some interplay off the Finance Director to make sure all the bases are covered. Chairwoman Boericke asked if there is a Motion for Order 24 015. Motion read by Councilor Morin for favorable recommendation to the full Council. Motion: Upon the request of her honor, the Mayor, the Town of Braintree, through the Braintree Town Council, and in accordance with sections 3-3 and 2-10 of the Charter of the Town of Braintree to approve the appointment of Kristina O'Connell as Treasurer/Collector. Motion: by Councilor Morin to approve Order 24 015 Second: by Councilor Maglio Vote: For (3–Boericke, Maglio, Morin), Against (0), Absent (1 - Reynolds), Abstain (1 - Flaherty) March 26, 2024 Ways & Means Committee 6 of 7 It was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 7:407p.m. 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 • 24 013 Mayor: Request for Appropriation - CPC Appropriation—Watson Park, Delorey Field Rehabilitation Additional Funds or take up any action relative thereto (Public Hearing scheduled for April 2, 2024) • 24 014 Mayor: Appointment of Christopher Shipps as Human Resources Director or take up any action relative thereto • 24 015 Mayor: Appointment of Kristina O'Connell as Treasurer/Collector or take up any action relative thereto March 26, 2024 Ways & Means Committee 7 of 7