Braintree Town Council approves $7 million capital spending plan

BRAINTREE – Despite concerns about the town's finances, the town council this week unanimously approved a $7 million capital spending plan for water system repairs, roadwork and other expenses. 

The money to pay for the plan will come from borrowing, reserve funds, revenues from self-supporting departments, state aid and grants.

The vote on the plan Tuesday night followed Mayor Charles Kokoros' announcement that he has asked town departments to determine what it would cost to maintain current services and then reduce that amount by 10 percent in their budget recommendations for the year beginning July 1.

Nicole Taub, Kokoros' chief of staff, said the package includes items that the town departments felt were "necessities," and some are part of multi-year programs.

MORE: Braintree schools looking at possible budget cuts

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the town is looking at sharp declines in revenues from the hotel tax, meals tax and excise tax with an estimated shortfall of $10 million.

Kokoros said the town is starting the budget process on the conservative side.

"This year, we have a very difficult budget," Kokoros said. "I'm hoping that we don't have to go to the 10 percent (reduction.)"

MORE: Bleak budget picture for cash-strapped South Shore towns 

District 5 Town Councilor Meredith Boericke, who chairs the ways and means committee, said the council recommended the package before hearing about the budget situation.  

She said the capital spending is "the smallest in recent years" and about half of what was approved a year ago.

Edward Spellman, the town's finance director, said the borrowing to cover the expenses won't affect the town's budget until the 2022-23 budget year. Since the town will have paid off some loans by then, it will add $41,000 to the town's debt service payments.

The largest item in the package is $3 million for repairs to the town's water system.

"We have a lot of piping out there that is really old," said Public Works Director James Arsenault.

Money for that work will come from water department revenues.

Another $1.65 million will go toward repairing and repaving the town's roads. This money will be supplemented by $1 million from the state.

Also included in the package is $150,000 for work to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, $50,000 to expand the parking lot at the senior center, and $40,000 for HVAC and lighting improvements at Thayer Public Library.

There was $66,000 set aside for the town's match for a grant to buy a new fire pump.

While some councilors said they were open to postponing action on the plan, no motion was made to do so.