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 Thursday, April 18, 2024 A meeting of the Committee of Ways & Means was held in Johnson Chambers and via Zoom Webinar on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 5:45pm. Councilor Morin was in the Chair. Clerk of the Council, Susan Cimino conducted the roll call. Present: Meredith Boericke, Chairwoman (remote) Peter Morin, Vice-Chairman Julia Flaherty, Member Elizabeth Maglio, Member (remote) Joseph Reynolds, Member arrived @6:08pm Also Present: Erin V. Joyce, Mayor Kara L. Nyman, Chief of Staff/Director of Operations Michael Esmond, Director of Municipal Finance Joe Beauvais, Captain/Interim Fire Chief Maryann Bosse, Fire Financial Coordinator Approval of Minutes • March 26, 2024 Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to approve Minutes of March 26, 2024 Second: by Councilor Boericke Roll Call Vote: For (4 – Boericke, Flaherty, Maglio, Morin,), Against (0), Absent (1- Reynolds), Abstain (0) • April 2, 2024 Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to approve Minutes of April 2, 2024 Second: by Councilor Boericke Roll Call Vote: For (4 – Boericke, Flaherty, Maglio, Morin,), Against (0), Absent (1- Reynolds), Abstain (0) April 9, 2024 Ways & Means Committee 1 of 3 Old Business • None New Business • 24 017 Mayor: FY24 Supplemental Appropriations #1 or take up any action relative thereto Motion made by Councilor Morin to TABLE Oder 24 017 (3) Fire Department Overtime Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to Take off the Table Order 24 017 (3) Second: by Councilor Boericke Roll Call Vote: For (4 – Boericke, Flaherty, Maglio, Morin,), Against (0), Absent (1- Reynolds), Abstain (0) Director Esmond stated any supplemental item using free cash right now in this environment is certainly something we take very judiciously. Chairwoman Boericke asked about a Desk man and why it wasn’t budgeted appropriately? Maryann Bosse stated it was wrapped in with regular overtime and didn’t have its own separate costs to be budgeted. There is a line for Deskman $5 per hour and Deskman Overtime which is $45 per hour. The Deskman Overtime was just lumped in with regular overtime for Fire Suppression. Chairwoman Boericke asked if the Clean Harbors folks have paid us for reimbursements that they owe us on the details? Maryann Bosse stated they have paid some but not all. Chairwoman Boericke stated is there a reason. Maryann Bosse stated every two weeks I send Clean Harbors their invoice to pay $26,000. They are a little behind on their payments and I can reach out to them again and ask when they are sending the next payment. Director Esmond stated this is Detail pay. It is not actually part of the general fund spending. Councilor Maglio asked if 2 Detail firefighters at Clean Harbors can be considered on duty at the East Braintree fire station at the same time? Captain Beauvais stated contractually we have to have 17 men on duty. If someone was down at Clean Harbors they wouldn’t be considered on duty. There would be too much of a delay and response if that person was needed. Councilor Maglio asked if they are at the Clean Harbors location with a truck? Captain Beauvais stated yes they are there with a piece of apparatus. It is my understanding Clean Harbors committed to doing some type of suppression system and what I was told by Chief O’Brien is that they have not fulfilled that obligation to date and that is why we are currently still there. Councilor Maglio asked about the actual fire hydrant. Captain Beauvais stated yest that has been installed. Councilor Maglio asked about details and an apparatus and a working hydrant, can this be considered a satellite and be paid by Clean Harbors. $700,000 is a lot of money that could go toward firefighters. April 9, 2024 Ways & Means Committee 2 of 3 Captain Beauvais stated the best thing would be just to get Clean Harbors to comply and then we would not need to be down there. Director Esmond stated if we file for a lower amount in a budget we will work to make it achievable and demonstrate we are taking those steps. The manning at 17 per shift doesn’t give you a lot of room. The contract allows 5 PTO, then you incur overtime costs. Councilor Flaherty asked about the role of the Desk man. Captain Beauvais stated it is a monitor for calls that come in and make sure the apparatus is responding to the correct address. Councilor Flaherty asked what changes will be implemented to help with overtime? Director Esmond stated we will be looking at the 17-manning staffing level. The Deskman is also another discussion and what the benefit of that is. Councilor Morin stated it would be good to look into having the Deskman covered by anyone not able to fully man an apparatus but could work the desk. Maryann Bosse stated if someone came in off the street and needed CPR the deskman would need to be able to administer the CPR. It would depend on what type of “light duty” they were on. Vice-Chairman Morin asked if there was a Motion. Motion made by Councilor Flaherty for favorable recommendation to the full Council on Oder 24 017 (3): 3. Fire Department Overtime Motion: That the sum of $425,000 be transferred from Fiscal Year 2023 Certified Free Cash to be transferred to the Fire Department overtime accounts and further, that the Director of Municipal Finance be authorized to allocate said sums to and among various line items affected thereby. Motion: by Councilor Flaherty to approve Order 24 017 (3) Second: by Councilor Reynolds Roll Call Vote: For (5 – Boericke, Flaherty, Maglio, Morin, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) It was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 6:41p.m. Respectfully submitted, Susan M. Cimino Clerk of the Council Documents provided for Meeting • 24 017 (3) Mayor: FY24 Supplemental Appropriations #1 or take up any action relative thereto April 9, 2024 Ways & Means Committee 3 of 3