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, December 17, 2024 A meeting of the Committee of Ways & Means was held in Johnson Chambers on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at 6:30pm. 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 Joseph Reynolds, Member Not Present: Elizabeth Maglio, Member Also Present: Erin V. Joyce, Mayor Kara Nyman, Chief of Staff Michael Esmond, Director of Municipal Finance Anthony Kinahan, Planning Board alternate member Approval of Minutes • None Old Business • None December 17, 2024 Ways & Means Committee 1 of 3 New Business • 24 062 Mayor: Appointment to Planning Board – Anthony Kinahan as alternate member or take up any action relative thereto Councilor Boericke, Chairwoman asked if anyone from the Mayor’s staff would like to speak. Mayor Joyce stated we are recommending an appointment to the Planning Board as an alternate which is currently vacant. The alternate member participates in discussion but is not a voting member unless there is a member of the board that has to recuse themselves or is not available or attending the meetings. Mr. Kinahan is a new resident and I think will bring his financial background and additional resource to the board on how projects tie in on the financial side. Mr. Kinahan stated I am a newer resident. I enjoy public service. I was a selectman in my former town. I spearheaded in 2016 to preserve our golf course. We changed a significant amount of residential to industrial to allow for economic development. During my 7 years as selectman I did work closely with the Planning Board. Councilor Flaherty stated your resume is solid and your background is excellent. The Planning Board can be long hours and can be a thankless job. Why do this? Mr. Kinahan stated my previous public service I really enjoyed and this position was open. The previous service working closely with the Planning Board will be helpful. Councilor Morin stated thank you for your interest in serving. Is it your intention to serve as an alternate and then get a permanent position when open? Mr. Kinahan stated absolutely. Councilor Morin stated I will be happy to support you. Councilor Boericke stated it is not easy to serve so thank you. 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 Section 3-3 of the Charter of the Town of Braintree approves the Appointment to the Planning Board of Anthony Kinahan as alternate member. Motion: by Councilor Morin to approve Order 24 062 Second: by Councilor Flaherty Vote: For (4 – Boericke, Flaherty, Morin, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (1 - Maglio), Abstain (0) December 17, 2024 Ways & Means Committee 2 of 3 • 034 24 Mayor: FY2025 Budget Update or take up any action relative thereto Director Esmond gave a presentation on FY2025 Q1 Update. This update is important. We have $170 million operating budget. We need to make sure we are on track. We have standing meetings every month with Police, Fire, Schools and DPW. We go through monthly line item reports and note key issues. We discuss revenue and spending budget. We have a way to benchmark it. We also use previous year actuals. Greater variances might just be the need for greater enhancement/refinement of the budget itself. The $170,250,838 is inclusive of the override. The tax amounts are approximately $850,000 favorable. Under Local Receipts the Meals tax is below benchmark. If that is the beginning of a trend we have to watch. Favorable on the Hotel side. Motor Vehicle data shows increase but my numbers over the next years will need to be refined. Trash fees we are now collecting quarterly. Discount for the seniors is being applied in the first bill. It is too early to make any solid adjustments to the budget at this time. We have 3 more quarters to go. Fire Department – only department likely will require supplemental funding. We are tracking the overtime budget closely with Chief Viola. Police Department – has a large number of vacancies. Overtime budget is over because of that. FY2026 new officers will help with budget. Public Works – on budget. Had some vacancies. Watch items: snow/ice and building repairs especially at schools. Other items – insurance claims for one additional supplemental to fund this. Maintenance employees need a contract from 2022 and currently being negotiated. Supplemental #1 - should be referred the end of January 2025. Mayor Joyce stated we are looking to update along the way. Councilors were grateful to receive this update, the effort and transparency. This is very helpful. Chairwoman Boericke asked if we can revisit the PILOT programs and get an update on them. Motion read by Councilor Morin MOTION: to Table item 034 24 to a future meeting Motion: by Councilor Morin to Table item 034 24 to a future meeting Second: by Councilor Flaherty Vote: For (3 – Boericke, Flaherty, Reynolds), Against (0), Absent (2 - Maglio, Morin), Abstain (0) It was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 7:25p.m. Respectfully submitted, Susan M. Cimino Clerk of the Council Documents provided for Meeting • 24 062 Mayor: Appointment to Planning Board – Anthony Kinahan as alternate member or take up any action relative thereto • 034 24 Mayor: FY2025 Budget Update or take up any action relative thereto December 17, 2024 Ways & Means Committee 3 of 3