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, May 21, 2024 A meeting of the Committee of Ways & Means was held in Cahill Auditorium on Tuesday, May 21, 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 Joseph Reynolds, Member Julia Flaherty, Member Elizabeth Maglio, Member Also Present: Kara Nyman, Chief of Staff/Director of Operations Michael Esmond, Director of Municipal Finance Jim Lee, School Superintendent Sara Kaufman, School Finance Director Shawn McGoldrick, CLA – Town Auditor Jim Arsenault, DPW Director Lisa Heger, School Committee Kathleen Tuffy, School Committee Rachel Horack, School Committee Approval of Minutes • None Old Business • None May 21, 2024 Ways & Means Committee 1 of 6 New Business A Public Hearing on the Town Budget, allowing public comment, will be held on Wednesday, May 29 at 7pm. Please email written statements or your questions to towncouncil@braintreema.gov These meetings will be televised by BCAM TV cable/YouTube. • 24 020 Mayor: FY2025 Operating Budget or take up any action relative thereto Motion: by Councilor Morin to Take off the Table Order 24 020 Second: by Councilor Flaherty Vote: For (4–Boericke, Morin, Flaherty, Maglio), Against (0), Absent (1 - Reynolds), Abstain (0) 300 Schools Chairwoman Boericke stated the Council does not have the authority to raise the budget in any capacity. This year the voters of Braintree will have the opportunity to raise the school budget by $4 million by voting on the override. Jim Lee, School Superintendent stated on April 22 the school committee voted on a budget of $79.9 million. It represented certain cuts within the school system. Tonight I will present a budget of $75.5 million dollars. With this on May 18th we passed out reduction in force letters to 91 staff members. It would end their employment at the end of the school year. There would be a significant impact to the schools. Jim Lee stated if the financial situation requires it, we will redistrict. Councilor Flaherty asked why would we redistrict instead of cutting other teachers and staff? Jim Lee stated the impact at $75.5 is dramatic in all subject areas. It would require us to increase the number of studies at the High School, we would have to change graduation requirements for kids to be able to get their diplomas on time, it would remove academic levels at the middle school and world languages. It would reduce educational quality at such an extent that I would rather redistrict than not. Councilor Maglio asked about redistricting and mentioned it was on the table last year. Jim Lee stated we had a task force put together. By redistricting we would be more cost efficient. By redistricting you balance out class sizes across the town. There was talk about bringing in an outside vendor to do this. Councilor Maglio asked about bus transportation. Jim Lee stated the School Committee agreed to increased fees from $180 to $360 for the year with a cap of $720 per year. May 21, 2024 Ways & Means Committee 2 of 6 Councilor Morin stated I want to be clear about what you mean by redistricting. What are we talking about? Jim Lee stated it is identifying the facilities we believe will be open and possibly move students that live in close proximity to other schools but does not include closing any schools. Councilor Morin asked about the buses and the aging fleet and costs of repairs. Jim Lee stated we find ourselves doing more repairs just to keep the buses running. We looked at outsourcing but found it less cost effective. Chairwoman Boericke stated the School Committee voted on a budget of $79.9 million but the budget before us is $75.5 million. The override would provide an additional $4million. That is still $400,000 short of what the School Committee voted on. What is the plan on the $400,000? Jim Lee stated if the override passes it reduces the number of layoffs from 91 down to 44. It also allows us to maintain areas we would otherwise lose. Chairwoman Boericke stated for voters at home we have the opportunity to increase the School’s budget by $4 million with a vote for the override. Chairwoman Boericke stated with a reduction in support for students who require additional attention, they will need even more support to catch those kids up. Jim Lee stated there would be no promise of support coming later. Chairwoman Boericke stated if the override does not pass are we at risk of losing accreditation because of media being eliminated. Jim Lee stated it is once we have a conversation with NEAS. Councilor Reynolds arrived at 6:33pm. Motion: by Councilor Morin to Table Order 24 020 to the next Committee of Ways & Means meeting Second: by Councilor Flaherty Vote: For (5–Boericke, Morin, Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) May 21, 2024 Ways & Means Committee 3 of 6 • 24 021 Mayor: FY2025 Budget – Community Preservation Committee or take up any action relative thereto Councilor Morin read the following amended Motions: C1. MOTION to Amend previously adopted C1 in the amount of $125,000 and Amend to $150,000. C1. In accordance with the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws chapter 44b, section 5 and the recommendation of the community preservation committee, that the sum of $125,000 $150,000 be appropriated from the community preservation fund to the community housing reserve for acquisition, creation, preservation, or support of community housing or the rehabilitation or restoration of community housing that is acquired or created as provided in Massachusetts General Laws chapter 44b, section 5. Motion: by Councilor Morin to Approve Order 24 021 (C1) Second: by Councilor Flaherty Vote: For (5–Boericke, Morin, Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) C2. Motion for the previously adopted C2 in the amount of $125,000 be amended to $150,000. C2. In accordance with the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws chapter 44b, section 5 and the recommendation of the community preservation committee, that the sum of $125,000 $150,000 be appropriated from the community preservation fund to the open space reserve for the acquisition, creation, or preservation of open space or the rehabilitation or restoration of open space that is acquired or created as provided in Massachusetts General Laws chapter 44b, section 5. Motion: by Councilor Morin to Approve Order 24 021 (C2) Second: by Councilor Flaherty Vote: For (5–Boericke, Morin, Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) C3. Motion for the previously adopted C3 in the amount of $125,000 be amended to $150,000. C3. In accordance with the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws chapter 44b, section 5 and the recommendation of the community preservation committee, that the sum of $125,000 $150,000 be appropriated from the community preservation fund to the historic resources reserve for the acquisition, preservation, rehabilitation, or restoration of historic resources as provided in Massachusetts General Laws chapter 44b, section 5. Motion: by Councilor Morin to Approve Order 24 021 (C3) Second: by Councilor Flaherty Vote: For (5–Boericke, Morin, Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) C4. Motion for the previously adopted C4 in the amount of $754,160 be amended to $747,234. May 21, 2024 Ways & Means Committee 4 of 6 C4. In accordance with the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws chapter 44b, section 5 and the recommendation of the community preservation committee, that the sum of $754,160 $747,234 be appropriated from the community preservation fund to the community preservation budgeted reserve as provided in Massachusetts General Laws chapter 44b, section 5. Motion: by Councilor Morin to Approve Order 24 021 (C4) Second: by Councilor Flaherty Vote: For (5–Boericke, Morin, Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) C5. Motion for the previously adopted C4 in the amount of $59,430 be amended to $63,012. C5. In accordance with the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws chapter 44b, section 5 and the recommendation of the community preservation committee, that the sum of $59,430 $63,012 be appropriated from the community preservation fund to the Fiscal Year 2025 administrative operating fund as provided in Massachusetts General Laws chapter 44b, section 5 said funds to be expended under the direction of community preservation committee and by the director of planning and community development. Motion: by Councilor Morin to Approve Order 24 021 (C5) Second: by Councilor Flaherty Vote: For (5–Boericke, Morin, Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) • 24 022 Mayor: FY2025 Budget - Continuation of Revolving Funds or take up any action relative thereto Motion: by Councilor Morin to Take off the Table Order 24 022 Second: by Councilor Flaherty Vote: For (5–Boericke, Morin, Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) (Revolving Accounts on the date Department Head presents Budget) 5/6 Library® 5/13 Department of Public Works® - Recycling 5/14 Golf® 5/20 Dept. of Elder Affairs® 5/20 Municipal Licenses & Inspections® 5/21 Education® Committee members had no questions on the School Revolving Funds. MOTION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025 CONTINUATION OF REVOLVING FUNDS R1. That, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44, Section 53E1/2 of the General Laws, the Town of Braintree hereby sets the maximum amount that may be spent during Fiscal Year 2025 beginning on July 1, 2024 for the revolving funds established by ordinance for certain departments, boards, committees, agencies or officers, as follows: May 21, 2024 Ways & Means Committee 5 of 6  Revolving Fund Department, Board, Committee, FY2025 Spending Limit Agency or Officer Elder Affairs Services and Department of Elder Affairs $30,000 Activities Immunization Board of Health $50,000 Library Materials Library Trustees $45,000 Library Room Rental Library Trustees $5,000 Recycling Materials Mayor, in conjunction with $4,800 Recycling Coordinator Household Hazardous Mayor, in conjunction with $50,000 Waste Recycling Coordinator Full Day Kindergarten School Committee $1,100,000 Pro Shop Mayor, in conjunction with Director $300,000 of Golf Operations Food and Beverage Mayor, in conjunction with Director $550,000 of Golf Operations School Bus School Committee $500,00 Motion: by Councilor Morin to Approve Order 24 022 Second: by Councilor Flaherty Vote: For (5–Boericke, Morin, Flaherty, Maglio, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) It was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 6:42p.m. by Roll Call Vote. Respectfully submitted, Susan M. Cimino Clerk of the Council Documents provided for Meeting • 24 020 Mayor: FY2025 Operating Budget or take up any action relative thereto • 24 021 Mayor: FY2025 Budget – Community Preservation Committee or take up any action relative thereto • 24 022 Mayor: FY2025 Budget - Continuation of Revolving Funds or take up any action relative thereto May 21, 2024 Ways & Means Committee 6 of 6