Braintree public meetings in 2022

Town Council

The Town Council voted against a Home Rule Petition to provide Officer Ryan McHugh with a 100% disability pension. The Council also approved two appointments to the Braintree Local Cultural Council and approved the minutes from October 18, 2022.

• Denied Home Rule Petition for 100% disability retirement of Officer Ryan McHugh (3-5-1)
• Approved appointment of Heidi Hurley to the Braintree Cultural Council (9-0)
• Approved appointment of Jeanne Connolly to the Braintree Cultural Council (9-0)
• Approved minutes of October 18, 2022 (9-0)

Town Council - Community Planning Committee

The Committee discussed a draft Action Plan to meet state-mandated multi-family zoning requirements for MBTA communities. The plan aims to secure interim compliance until December 31, 2023, and maintain eligibility for state grants. No final zoning changes were adopted during the meeting.

• Tabled minutes of September 12, 2022 (3-0)
• Took item 041 23 off the Table (3-0)
• Tabled item 041 22 regarding Multi-Family Zoning Requirements for MBTA Communities to a future meeting (3-0)

Town Council - Ways & Means Committee

The committee recommended two appointments to the Local Cultural Council and authorized a home rule petition for the retirement of Officer Ryan McHugh. The petition seeks special legislation to provide pension benefits for Officer McHugh due to PTSD resulting from a 2017 police incident.

• Approved May 11, 2022 minutes (3-0)
• Recommended appointment of Heidi Hurley to Braintree Local Cultural Council (3-0)
• Recommended appointment of Jeanne Connolly to Braintree Local Cultural Council (3-0)
• Approved recommendation to authorize home rule petition for retirement of Officer Ryan McHugh (1-0-2)

Zoning Board of Appeals

The December 19, 2022, meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals was not held. No decisions were made.

Master Plan Steering Committee

The committee presented the Draft Vision Statement and five core themes for the town's 2033 outlook. No votes were taken on the vision; the committee will move into Phase III to determine realistic strategies and metrics. The meeting served as a feedback session for the Town Council, Planning Board, and Zoning Board.

• Approved motion to adjourn the meeting (10-0-0)

Planning Board

The Planning Board meeting scheduled for December 13, 2022, was cancelled. No actions were taken and no decisions were made.

Community Preservation Committee

The committee primarily received status updates on various town restoration and housing projects. No new funding was approved, though the committee discussed a potential special meeting for the 44 Allen Street project.

• Approved minutes from 11/16/22 meeting (6-0-1)

Town Council

The Town Council approved a tax rate classification shift to move a higher proportion of the tax burden to commercial, industrial, and personal property. The Council also approved a small business exemption and re-appointed two members to the Retirement Board.

• Approved 175% Classification Tax Rate Shift to commercial, industrial, and personal property (9-0)
• Approved Small Business Exemption (9-0)
• Declined Open Space discount (9-0)
• Declined Residential Exemption (9-0)
• Approved re-appointment of Edward J. Spellman, Jr. to Braintree Contributory Retirement Board (9-0)
• Approved re-appointment of Joseph R. Driscoll, Jr. to Braintree Contributory Retirement Board (9-0)
• Approved acceptance of $10,200 donation for the Maria Dy Dillon Memorial Scholarship (9-0)
• Approved minutes of September 20, 2022 (7-0)

Town Council - Ways & Means Committee

The Committee voted to recommend several tax-related measures to the full Council. This includes a 175% tax rate shift for commercial, industrial, and personal property and the approval of a small business exemption. The Committee recommended declining both the open space discount and the residential exemption.

• Recommended 175% Classification Tax Rate Shift for commercial, industrial, and personal property (3-0)
• Recommended approval of the Small Business Exemption (3-0)
• Recommended declining the Open Space discount (3-0)
• Recommended declining the Residential Exemption (3-0)

Historical Commission

The December 5, 2022, meeting of the Historical Commission was not held due to technical difficulties. No substantive decisions were made.

Commission on Disabilities

The Commission discussed updating its Articles of Incorporation to align with town ordinances and state statutes. Members proposed changes regarding membership requirements, residency, and term limits, with further review tabled for the next meeting.

• Approved November 7, 2022 meeting minutes (4-0)
• Agreed to use Mass General Law language for membership terms
• Tabled further review of Articles of Incorporation until next meeting (4-0)
• Tabled discussion on Roberts Rules of Conduct, term limits, and meeting times until next meeting (4-0)

Conservation Commission

The Braintree Conservation Commission will hold public hearings on two Notices of Intent (DEP File #71473 for 85 Kelley Dr./0 Graziano Dr. and DEP File #71525 for 0 Granite St./Global Montello Group Corp.), continued from the November 3 meeting. The commission will also consider two Requests for Certificate of Compliance (DEP File #8-660 for 1535 Washington St./Thayer Sports Center and DEP File #8-592 for 20 Mill Lane), receive an update on Middle St. Trail construction and tree funding, discuss Watson Park fence, and hear staff updates. Minutes from November 3, 2022 will be approved.

• Notice of Intent DEP File #71473 – 85 Kelley Dr., 0 Graziano Dr./Lin* (continued from Nov. 3)
• Notice of Intent DEP File #71525 – 0 Granite St./Global Montello Group Corp. (continued from Nov. 3)
• Request for Certificate of Compliance DEP File #8-660 – 1535 Washington St. (Thayer Sports Center)
• Request for Certificate of Compliance DEP File #8-592 – 20 Mill Lane
• Middle St. Trail Construction Update (& Tree Funding)

The Commission approved funding for screening plantings at the Middle St. Trail and fence repairs at Watson Park. Two Certificates of Compliance were issued for properties on Washington St. and Mill Lane. Public hearings for projects at Kelley Dr. and Granite St. were continued to January.

• Approved $21,340.08 for Middle St. Trail screening plantings (5-0-0)
• Approved $480 for Watson Park fence railing replacement (5-0-0)
• Issued Certificate of Compliance for 1535 Washington St. (5-0-0)
• Returned as-built guarantee for 1535 Washington St. (5-0-0)
• Issued Certificate of Compliance and returned as-built guarantee for 20 Mill Lane (5-0-0)
• Continued hearing for 85 Kelley Dr. to January 5, 2023 (5-0-0)
• Continued hearing for 250 Granite St. to January 5, 2023 (5-0-0)
• Approved November 3, 2022 meeting minutes (5-0-0)

Town Council - Ways & Means Committee

The committee tabled four decisions regarding tax rate classifications, exemptions, and discounts to a future meeting. It approved the re-appointment of two members to the Contributory Retirement Board and the acceptance of a scholarship donation.

• Approved Minutes of May 9, 2022 (3-0)
• Tabled Order 22 065 items 1-4 regarding tax rate shift, small business exemption, open space discount, and residential exemption (3-0)
• Approved re-appointment of Edward J. Spellman, Jr. to the Braintree Contributory Retirement Board for a three-year term (3-0)
• Approved re-appointment of Joseph R. Driscoll, Jr. to the Braintree Contributory Retirement Board for a three-year term (3-0)
• Approved acceptance of $10,200 donation for the Maria Dy Dillon Memorial Scholarship (3-0)

Master Plan Steering Committee

The Master Plan Steering Committee selected and refined the town's overall Vision Statement and the first four Core Themes. Members voted on specific language regarding residential neighborhood protection, economic growth, transportation infrastructure, and housing diversity.

• Approved revised Overall Vision Statement based on Option 2 (finger vote)
• Approved revised Core Theme 1 (Natural Resources) based on Option 1 and 3 (finger vote)
• Approved revised Core Theme 2 (Economic Growth) based on Option 3 (finger vote)
• Approved revised Core Theme 3 (Transportation) based on Option 2 (finger vote)
• Approved revised Core Theme 4 (Housing) based on Option 1 (finger vote)
• Approved revised Core Theme 5 (Town Facilities) based on Option 2 (finger vote)
• Adjourned meeting (9-0-0)

Master Plan Steering Committee

The committee discussed five Core Themes of the draft Master Plan, focusing on conservation, economic growth, traffic, housing, and public facilities. No final revisions were decided upon during the meeting; instead, the committee agreed to review redlined drafts at a future session.

• Approved meeting minutes from October 3, 2022 (11-0-0)
• Scheduled follow-up meeting for November 28, 2022, to finalize revisions

Board of Health

The Board of Health approved body art practitioner applications for two individuals at Eyebrow Glam. A third application was tabled pending additional documentation. The Board also received updates on flu and COVID-19 vaccine administration.

• Approved body art practitioner application for Tabatha Nogueira (Unanimous)
• Approved body art practitioner application for Caroline Pinheiro (Unanimous)
• Tabled body art practitioner application for Thais Rezende Nobrega until December 15, 2022 (Unanimous)
• Approved October 13, 2022 meeting minutes (Unanimous)

Town Council

The Town Council approved a staggered increase to the Retirement Benefit Cost of Living base and appropriated $197,087.21 in opioid settlement funds. The Council also authorized $2.03 million for wastewater rehabilitation projects and requested a new contract proposal from the Town Auditor.

• Approved increasing Retirement Benefit COLA base to $13,000 in FY25 and $14,000 in FY26 (7-0)
• Approved appropriation of $197,087.21 from Statewide Opioid Settlement Funds (7-0)
• Approved $2,030,000 appropriation and bond authorization for wastewater rehabilitation phase 14 (7-0)
• Approved request for a new proposed contract from Town Auditor Clifton Larson Allen (7-0)
• Adopted finding of no violation regarding an Open Meeting Law complaint (7-0)
• Approved 2023 Town Council Meeting Calendar (7-0)
• Continued public hearings for Inclusionary Housing and Tree Protection ordinances to Jan 3, 2023 (7-0)
• Referred tax rate, auditor appointment, and retirement board re-appointments to Committee of Ways & Means (7-0)

Community Preservation Committee

The committee approved the 2023 meeting dates and the minutes from September and October 2022. Members discussed the status of several ongoing projects, including the Middle Street trail and Windjammer Cove housing, but took no further formal action on project funding.

• Approved 2023 CPC meeting dates (6-0-0)
• Approved 9/19/22 meeting minutes (6-0-0)
• Approved 10/3/22 meeting minutes (5-0-1)

Town Council - Public Safety Committee

The Committee reviewed a BETA Consultants memo regarding pedestrian safety at South Braintree Square. Members determined the Town will update signal sounds, change signage, and conduct a traffic count study in early 2023 to evaluate the impact of a Leading Pedestrian Interval. The item was tabled for further action.

• Approved minutes of June 29, 2022 (3-0)
• Determined Town will change pushbutton voice commands to 'rapid tick' where buttons are over 10 feet apart
• Determined Town will change 'Keep Right' text signs to diagram signs
• Determined Town will complete a traffic count study in Q1 2023 to model Leading Pedestrian Interval impacts
• Tabled item 030 22 (Pedestrian Safety South Braintree Square) (3-0)
• Tabled item 042 20 (Evacuation Procedures) (3-0)

Community Preservation Committee

The meeting scheduled for November 14, 2022, was postponed. No substantive decisions were made.

Planning Board

The Board issued a favorable recommendation to the Town Council for an inclusionary housing ordinance, provided a feasibility study is conducted and multi-family housing remains a Special Permit in Commercial Districts. The Board also approved as-built plans for the East Middle School and released a surety bond for a McDonald's site.

• Approved favorable recommendation for inclusionary housing bylaw conditioned on a feasibility study and maintaining Special Permits for multi-family in Commercial Districts (4-1-0)
• Approved release of $25,000 surety for McDonald's at 16-18 Pearl Street and continued As-Built approval to July 11, 2023 (5-0-0)
• Approved modifications and granted As-Built approval for East Middle School at 300 River Street, conditional on receiving 8 staff report items (5-0-0)
• Confirmed Darryl Mikami as Clerk of the Board (5-0-0)
• Approved 2023 Meeting Schedule with February meeting moved to Feb 15 (5-0-0)
• Approved August 9, 2022 meeting minutes (5-0-0)
• Approved October 11, 2022 meeting minutes (4-0-1)

Town Council - Ways & Means Committee

The Committee of Ways & Means issued several favorable recommendations to the full Council, including a bond for sewer repairs and an increase in the retirement COLA base. The committee also voted to seek a new contract proposal from the current Town Auditor.

• Approved request for current Town Auditor (CLA) to submit a new proposed contract (3-0)
• Recommended increasing Retirement Benefit COLA base to $13,000 in FY24 and $14,000 in FY25 (3-0)
• Recommended appropriating $197,087.21 from opioid settlement funds (3-0)
• Recommended $2,030,000 bond authorization for wastewater rehabilitation projects phase 14 (3-0)
• Approved minutes from April 26, 2022 (3-0)
• Approved minutes from May 3, 2022 (3-0)
• Approved minutes from May 4, 2022 (3-0)

Historical Commission

The November 7, 2022, meeting of the Historical Commission was not held because a quorum was not reached. No substantive decisions were made.

Commission on Disabilities

The Commission voted to continue discussions regarding the reorganization of its member positions and the updating of its articles of incorporation at the December meeting. The body also approved the September 12, 2022, meeting minutes.

• Tabled reorganization of Commission member positions until December meeting (5-0)
• Approved September 12, 2022 meeting minutes (5-0)

Conservation Commission

The Braintree Conservation Commission will hold public hearings on two DEP Notices of Intent: one for 85 Kelley Dr. and 0 Graziano Dr./Lin (continued from October 6, 2022), and another for 0 Granite St./Global Montello Group Corp. The meeting also includes updates on the Middle St. Trail construction, trail stewardship, and adoption of the 2023 meeting schedule.

• Public hearing: Notice of Intent DEP File #71473 for 85 Kelley Dr. and 0 Graziano Dr./Lin (continued from Oct. 6)
• Public hearing: Notice of Intent DEP File #71525 for 0 Granite St./Global Montello Group Corp.
• Middle St. Trail construction update
• Trail stewardship discussion
• 2023 meeting schedule approval

The Commission approved the 2023 meeting schedule and the minutes from October 6, 2022. Two public hearings regarding Notices of Intent were continued to December. The board also discussed trail construction and the status of the Great Oak.

• Continued hearing for 85 Kelley Dr./0 Graziano Dr. to December 1, 2022 (4-0-0)
• Continued hearing for 250 Granite St/Global Montello Group Corp. to December 1, 2022 (4-0-0)
• Approved amended 2023 meeting schedule (4-0-0)
• Approved October 6, 2022 meeting minutes (4-0-0)

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Braintree Zoning Board of Appeals approved six of seven petitions, including variances for a water treatment plant at 300 King Hill Road, a wall sign at 374 Washington Street, a ground sign at 865 Washington Street, a lot subdivision at 351 Lisle Street, a wall sign at 150 Grossman Drive, a new single-family dwelling at 45 Blossom Road, and a sunroom at 33 Pleasant Street. All votes were unanimous. No substantive decisions were made on the remaining petition.

• Approved variance for 3x10 ft wall sign at 374 Washington Street (3-0)
• Approved variance for 4x4 ft ground sign at 865 Washington Street (3-0)
• Approved variance for lot subdivision at 351 Lisle Street (3-0)
• Approved authorization for 125 sq ft wall sign at 150 Grossman Drive (3-0)
• Approved finding for new single-family dwelling at 45 Blossom Road (3-0)
• Approved finding for sunroom at 33 Pleasant Street (3-0)
• Approved variance for water treatment plant at 300 King Hill Road (3-0)

Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission is meeting to conduct public hearings regarding site applicability and notices of intent. The body will also review permit extensions and as-built guarantees for specific local properties.

• Public hearing: Determination of applicability for 243 Hancock St.
• Public hearing: Notice of Intent for 85 Kelley Dr. and 0 Graziano Dr.
• Permit extension request for 44 Allen St. (DEP File #8-661144)
• As-built guarantee return for Jensen Farm Rd. (LFP Properties LLC)
• Update on 19-37 Commercial St./Landing Apartments, LLC

Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission will conduct public hearings regarding applicability and notices of intent for several local properties. The body will also discuss the Watson Park Climate Sculpture and the Middle St. Trail.

• Determination of Applicability for 243 Hancock St.
• Notice of Intent DEP File #8-71160 for Columbian St./Banner Park LLC
• Notice of Intent DEP File #8-71313 for 1 A Pond St.
• Notice of Intent DEP Files #71473 and 85 Kelley Dr., 0 Graziano Dr.
• Commission reorganization for the Vice Chair position

Conservation Commission

The meeting was canceled due to a lack of a quorum. All scheduled public hearings have been continued to September 1, 2022.

• Public hearing: 243 Hancock St./Luu
• Public hearing: 60 Columbian St./Banner Park LLC
• Public hearing: 73 and 85 Kelley Dr., 0 Graziano Dr./Lin
• Public hearing: 131A Pond St./Farina

Conservation Commission

The Commission will conduct public hearings regarding several development files and requests. Other business includes emergency certification for sewer surcharge remediation and project updates.

• Public hearing: Quincy Ave./CIT GOP petroleum Corp.
• Public hearing: Columbian St./Banner Park LLC
• Public hearing: Smith Beach (Edgehill Rd. and Vinedale Rd.)
• Request to amend order of conditions: Hancock and Plain St. Armstrong Dam Removal
• Emergency certification: St. Claire St. Sewer Surcharge Remediation

Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission is meeting to conduct public hearings regarding DEP files for two properties. The body will also review a certificate of compliance request and project updates.

• Public hearing: 60 Columbian St./Banner Park LLC
• Public hearing: 385 Quincy Ave./CITGO Petroleum Corp.
• Certificate of Compliance request: 8-64860 Jensen Farm Rd.
• Update on 530 West St.
• Watson Park Coastal Resilience Project update

Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission will conduct public hearings regarding determinations of applicability and notices of intent for several local sites. The body will also receive project updates and a request for a certificate of compliance.

• Public hearing: Determination of applicability for 30 Jensen Farm Rd.
• Public hearings: Notices of Intent for King Hill Rd., 65 Grove St., Brookside Rd., 60 Columbian St., and 385 Quincy Ave.
• Update on 530 West St.
• Request for Certificate of Compliance for 8-64860 Jensen Farm Rd.
• Watson Park Coastal Resilience Project update

Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission will conduct public hearings regarding several Notices of Intent and a request for determination of applicability. The meeting also includes an update on the Watson Park Coastal Resilience Project.

• Determination of Applicability: 30 Jensen Farm Rd./Patel
• Notice of Intent (DEP #8-704): 300 King Hill Rd./Tri-Town Water District
• Notice of Intent (DEP #8-706): Plain St. Cemetery/Braintree Department of Public Works
• Notice of Intent (DEP #8-707): Smith Beach (Vinedaale Rd./Edgehill Rd./Beechwood Rd.)/Braintree Department of Public Works
• Notice of Intent (DEP #8-708): 357-365 Grove St./Liberty Grove LLC

Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission will hold public hearings to determine the applicability of regulations for several projects. The body will also review notices of intent and resource area delineations. Additionally, the commission will discuss resuming in-person meetings.

• Determination of applicability for Grove St. Right of Way (Boston Gas Company)
• Determination of applicability for Venus Rd. and Audubon Rd. (MWRA)
• Resource Area Delineation for Wood Rd. (DeVellis) and Off of Columbian St. and Grove St. (Banner Park, LLC)
• Notices of Intent for King Hill Rd., Plain St. Cemetery, Smith Beach, 357-365 Grove St., and 28 Brookside Rd.
• Certificate of Compliance request for 8-68919 Avon Place

Conservation Commission

The Commission will conduct several public hearings regarding Notices of Intent and resource area delineations. The agenda also includes a discussion on Conservation Ranger positions and the approval of minutes from January 6, 2021.

• Notice of Intent: Vinedale Rd./Metropolitan Yacht Club
• Resource Area Delineation: Off Columbian St. and Grove St./Banner Park, LLC
• Notice of Intent: 300 King Hill Rd./Tri-Town Water District
• Notice of Intent: Wood Rd./DeVellis
• Notice of Intent: Plain St. Cemetery/Department of Public Works

Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission is conducting public hearings regarding several Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) files. The body will also consider a Certificate of Compliance for Jensen Farm Rd.

• Public hearing: DEP File #8-70039 Vinedale Rd./Metropolitan Yacht Club (seawall)
• Public hearing: DEP File #8-70162 5 Middle St./Banville
• Public hearing: DEP File #8-702 Columbian St. and Grove St./Banner Park, LLC
• Public hearing: DEP File #8-704300 King Hill Rd./Tri-Town Water District
• Public hearing: DEP File #8-70341 Middle St./Town of Braintree