MassVoter.com← Braintree Town CouncilBraintree Town Council · 2020–2021 Council · Regular meeting
November 4, 2020
15 recorded votes, 4 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
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Present: Shannon Hume, David Ringius, Charles Ryan, Julia Flaherty, Steven Sciascia, Donna Connors, Stephen O'Brien, Meredith Boericke, Lawrence Mackin
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Approval of Minutes: September 2, 2020
Take off the Table Minutes of September 2, 2020
Motion: by Councilor Ringius to Take off the Table Minutes of September 2, 2020
From the minutes
“Motion: by Councilor Ringius to Take off the Table Minutes of September 2, 2020 Second: by Councilor Ryan Roll Call Vote: For (9 – Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Hume, Mackin, O'Brien, Ringius, Ryan, Sciascia), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0).” (Motion: Ringius, second: Ryan)
Approve Minutes of September 2, 2020
Motion: by Councilor Ringius to Approve Minutes of September 2, 2020
From the minutes
“Motion: by Councilor Ringius to Approve Minutes of September 2, 2020 Second: by Councilor Ryan Roll Call Vote: For (9 – Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Hume, Mackin, O'Brien, Ringius, Ryan, Sciascia), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0).” (Motion: Ringius, second: Ryan)
Approval of Minutes: September 15, 2020
Approve Minutes of September 15, 2020
Motion: by Councilor Ringius to Approve Minutes of September 15, 2020
From the minutes
“Motion: by Councilor Ringius to Approve Minutes of September 15, 2020 Second: by Councilor Ryan Roll Call Vote: For (9 – Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Hume, Mackin, O'Brien, Ringius, Ryan, Sciascia), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0).” (Motion: Ringius, second: Ryan)
002 20
Take OFF the TABLE item 002 20
Motion: by Councilor Ringius to Take OFF the TABLE item 002 20
From the minutes
“Motion: by Councilor Ringius to Take OFF the TABLE item 002 20 Second: by Councilor Ryan Roll Call Vote: For (9 – Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Hume, Mackin, O'Brien, Ringius, Ryan, Sciascia), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0).” (Motion: Ringius, second: Ryan)
Amendment to the Main Motion for Rule 8 to delete the final sentence in parenthesis: Rule Eight: Committee Appointments The Council President shall appoint all members of all committees of the...
Councilor Ryan made an amendment to the Main Motion for Rule 8 to delete the final sentence in parenthesis: Rule Eight: Committee Appointments The Council President shall appoint all members of all committees of the Town Council, whether special or standing. (Appointments are subject to Rule Three: Appeals from Decision of the President).
Yes: Boericke, Flaherty, Hume, RyanNo: Connors, Mackin, O'Brien, Ringius, Sciascia
From the minutes
“Councilor Ryan made an amendment to the Main Motion for Rule 8 to delete the final sentence in parenthesis: Rule Eight: Committee Appointments The Council President shall appoint all members of all committees of the Town Council, whether special or standing. (Appointments are subject to Rule Three: Appeals from Decision of the President). Second: by Councilor Flaherty Roll Call Vote: For (4 – Boericke, Flaherty, Hume, Ryan), Against (5 - Connors, Mackin, O'Brien, Ringius, Sciascia), Absent (0), Abstain (0).” (Motion: Ryan, second: Flaherty)
Amendment to the Main Motion for Rule 39 to delete the final sentence: Rule Thirty-Nine: Attendance of Councilors at Public Meetings Councilors may attend committee meetings or meetings of another...
Councilor Ryan made an amendment to the Main Motion for Rule 39 to delete the final sentence: Rule Thirty-Nine: Attendance of Councilors at Public Meetings Councilors may attend committee meetings or meetings of another board, committee or commission or like entity of the Town; however, when a quorum of councilors is in attendance they may not deliberate on matters within the Town Council's jurisdiction. Deliberation includes expressing an opinion on matters within the Town Council's jurisdiction, even if no other councilor responds.
From the minutes
“Councilor Ryan made an amendment to the Main Motion for Rule 39 to delete the final sentence: Rule Thirty-Nine: Attendance of Councilors at Public Meetings Councilors may attend committee meetings or meetings of another board, committee or commission or like entity of the Town; however, when a quorum of councilors is in attendance they may not deliberate on matters within the Town Council's jurisdiction. Deliberation includes expressing an opinion on matters within the Town Council's jurisdiction, even if no other councilor responds. Second: by Councilor Ryan Roll Call Vote: For (9 – Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Hume, Mackin, O'Brien, Ringius, Ryan, Sciascia), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0).” (Motion: Ryan)
Amendment to the Main Motion for Rule 64 to have the amount be $2,500 not reduced to $1,000: Rule Sixty-Four: Travel/Conference Reimbursement Policy For Braintree Town Councilors Expenses –...
Councilor Ryan made an amendment to the Main Motion for Rule 64 to have the amount be $2,500 not reduced to $1,000: Rule Sixty-Four: Travel/Conference Reimbursement Policy For Braintree Town Councilors Expenses – Subject to appropriation, the Town Councilors shall be entitled to reimbursement of the actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties (including but not limited to conference and meals). This policy will be considered prior authorization by the Town Council that also allows mileage reimbursement in accordance with IRS federal tax regulations. Such reimbursement should be submitted to the President of the Braintree Town Council. This prior authorization will be limited to $1,000 $2,500 per year for each Braintree Town Councilor and will not need an additional vote by the Braintree Town Council. Should a Councilor exceed this amount, they will still be able to submit a request to the full Braintree Town Council for approval.
Yes: Boericke, Flaherty, Hume, O'Brien, RyanNo: Connors, Mackin, Ringius, Sciascia
From the minutes
“Councilor Ryan made an amendment to the Main Motion for Rule 64 to have the amount be $2,500 not reduced to $1,000: Rule Sixty-Four: Travel/Conference Reimbursement Policy For Braintree Town Councilors Expenses – Subject to appropriation, the Town Councilors shall be entitled to reimbursement of the actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties (including but not limited to conference and meals). This policy will be considered prior authorization by the Town Council that also allows mileage reimbursement in accordance with IRS federal tax regulations. Such reimbursement should be submitted to the President of the Braintree Town Council. This prior authorization will be limited to $1,000 $2,500 per year for each Braintree Town Councilor and will not need an additional vote by the Braintree Town Council. Should a Councilor exceed this amount, they will still be able to submit a request to the full Braintree Town Council for approval. Second: by Councilor O'Brien Roll Call Vote: For (5 – Boericke, Flaherty, Hume, O'Brien, Ryan), Against (4 - Connors, Mackin, Ringius, Sciascia), Absent (0), Abstain (0).” (Motion: Ryan, second: O'Brien)
Amendment to the Main Motion to strike Rule 65 to delete the rule in its entirety. The Rule 65 currently reads: Rule Sixty-Five: Council Expenditure Reports A running list of all expenditures of...
Councilor O'Brien made an amendment to the Main Motion to strike Rule 65 to delete the rule in its entirety. The Rule 65 currently reads: Rule Sixty-Five: Council Expenditure Reports A running list of all expenditures of funds for the year by the Council will be published to the town website regularly and the list shall be updated within 30 days of the approval of the expenditure.
Yes: O'BrienNo: Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Hume, Mackin, Ringius, Ryan, Sciascia
From the minutes
“Councilor O'Brien made an amendment to the Main Motion to strike Rule 65 to delete the rule in its entirety. The Rule 65 currently reads: Rule Sixty-Five: Council Expenditure Reports A running list of all expenditures of funds for the year by the Council will be published to the town website regularly and the list shall be updated within 30 days of the approval of the expenditure. Second: by Councilor Ringius Roll Call Vote: For (1 – O'Brien), Against (8 - Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Hume, Mackin, Ringius, Ryan, Sciascia), Absent (0), Abstain (0).” (Motion: O'Brien, second: Ringius)
Adopt Town Council Rules as submitted with amendments to rule 39 and rule 64
Motion: by Councilor Ringius to Adopt Town Council Rules as submitted with amendments to rule 39 and rule 64
From the minutes
“Motion: by Councilor Ringius to Adopt Town Council Rules as submitted with amendments to rule 39 and rule 64 Second: by Councilor Ryan Roll Call Vote: For (9 – Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Hume, Mackin, O'Brien, Ringius, Ryan, Sciascia), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0).” (Motion: Ringius, second: Ryan)
20 071 Town Clerk: Polling Locations
Refer to the Committee of Ways & Means Order 20 071
Motion: by Councilor Ringius to refer to the Committee of Ways & Means Order 20 071
From the minutes
“Motion: by Councilor Ringius to refer to the Committee of Ways & Means Order 20 071 Second: by Councilor Ryan Roll Call Vote: For (9 – Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Hume, Mackin, O'Brien, Ringius, Ryan, Sciascia), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0).” (Motion: Ringius, second: Ryan)
20 072 Mayor: Request for Appropriation – Smelt Brook Culvert & Fisheries Habitat Restoration
Refer to the Committee of Ways & Means Order 20 072
Motion: by Councilor Ringius to refer to the Committee of Ways & Means Order 20 072
From the minutes
“Motion: by Councilor Ringius to refer to the Committee of Ways & Means Order 20 072 Second: by Councilor Ryan Roll Call Vote: For (9 – Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Hume, Mackin, O'Brien, Ringius, Ryan, Sciascia), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0).” (Motion: Ringius, second: Ryan)
20 073 Mayor: Request for Appropriation – Middle Street Monatiquot River Trail Application
Refer to the Committee of Ways & Means Order 20 073
Motion: by Councilor Ringius to refer to the Committee of Ways & Means Order 20 073
From the minutes
“Motion: by Councilor Ringius to refer to the Committee of Ways & Means Order 20 073 Second: by Councilor Ryan Roll Call Vote: For (9 – Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Hume, Mackin, O'Brien, Ringius, Ryan, Sciascia), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0).” (Motion: Ringius, second: Ryan)
20 074 Mayor: Request for Appropriation – Monatiquot River Trail at Armstrong Dam
Refer to the Committee of Ways & Means Order 20 074
Motion: by Councilor Ringius to refer to the Committee of Ways & Means Order 20 074
From the minutes
“Motion: by Councilor Ringius to refer to the Committee of Ways & Means Order 20 074 Second: by Councilor Ryan Roll Call Vote: For (9 – Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Hume, Mackin, O'Brien, Ringius, Ryan, Sciascia), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0).” (Motion: Ringius, second: Ryan)
20 075 Mayor: Request for Authorization to Accept the Provisions of Section 419 of the Acts of 1998, Chapter 194 and...
Refer to the Committee on the Department of Public Works Order 20 075
Motion: by Councilor Ringius to refer to the Committee on the Department of Public Works Order 20 075
From the minutes
“Motion: by Councilor Ringius to refer to the Committee on the Department of Public Works Order 20 075 Second: by Councilor Ryan Roll Call Vote: For (9 – Boericke, Connors, Flaherty, Hume, Mackin, O'Brien, Ringius, Ryan, Sciascia), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0).” (Motion: Ringius, second: Ryan)
Adjournment
Adjourn the meeting
It was unanimously voted by roll call vote to adjourn the meeting at 10:17p.
The minutes say "It was unanimously voted to adjourn"; shown as a yes vote by the councilors who voted on the last roll call of the meeting.
From the minutes
“It was unanimously voted by roll call vote to adjourn the meeting at 10:17p..”
From the Braintree Town Council’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Agenda Center (the newest minutes, October 2025 through June 2026, are approved copies sent to MassVoter by the Clerk of the Council). We check every vote against the members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: Town of Braintree (Town Council page).
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