Mayor submits $93M Braintree budget with no layoffs

When he outlined his proposed $93 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which contains no layoffs and reduces the per household trash fee by $10, Mayor Joseph Sullivan told the town council that a statement was being made.

“It’s a statement of performance, management, and a successful fiscal focus that has put us in good stead for today and in the days ahead,” he said during the council’s May 3 meeting. “Our actions since the inception of our new government have created a sturdy foundation which will allow our schools to continue to perform well and our public safety divisions to be strengthened and thus our quality of life enhanced.”

The budget funds the principal and interest costs of what Sullivan called “an aggressive capital program” that includes renovations to South Middle School; the purchase of 22 acres of land from Norfolk County; the renovation of the East Braintree fire station; replacement of the heating and air conditioning system at the police station; $1.7 million in additional road improvements; and $700,000 in school capital improvements.

Sullivan made it clear that beautification efforts will continue throughout town.

“Having now completed our gateway project at Capen’s Circle, we will now look to have a gateway project finished on Route 37 and begin our Union Street improvements,” he said. “We have planted over 250 trees and will plant another 125 trees this year along our public ways.”

Sullivan cited another goal, namely finalizing plans with Holbrook and Randolph for a Tri-Town water treatment facility.

“This much needed capital project needs to have a sense of urgency,” he said. “One need only witness the MWRA situation which began this weekend to remind us of the importance of a quality water supply system.”

Council Vice President Charles Kokoros of District 1 told Sullivan, “I think that a lot of folks don’t realize what goes into the budget. You and your staff and department heads have done a lot of work to get a balanced budget. Without all of you working together, it would have been very hard to have a balanced budget. It’s nice to see that we’re not laying anyone off.”

As required by the charter, Sullivan submitted the budget for fiscal year 2011, which begins July 1, to the council on May 1.

“Municipal finance is inherently complex, but let me indulge in a moment of plain speaking,” Sullivan wrote in an accompanying letter to President Charles Ryan and the other members of the council. “Our collective decisions and actions over the past two years as we have implemented our new form of government are starting to show promise for today and the days ahead.”

He pointed out that for the third consecutive year, Braintree has seen a reduction in local aid.

“We anticipate that we will receive $700,000 less than the previous fiscal year, a four percent reduction,” Sullivan wrote. “This budget reflects that lower amount. Thus, the total reduction over the past three fiscal years (fiscal year 2009, fiscal year 2010, and fiscal year 2011) is approximately $2.5 million. However, because we have been willing to make hard choices and make economic growth a priority and effectively managed our operations, we were able this year to sustain reductions in local aid without layoffs or reductions in services.”

He added, “Moreover, the willingness of our town employees to reach sensible and sustainable collective bargaining agreements allows us to meet our fiscal challenge while continuing to provide the high quality of services our residents deserve.”

Sullivan concluded, “I am confident that you will discover that this financial plan for fiscal year 2011 is based on reliable sources of revenue and continues the effort to reform our government.”

The council is required to adopt the budget, with or without amendments, within 45 days of receiving it.

The council may delete or decrease any programs or amounts, except expenditures required by law or for debt service, but has no authority to add programs or increase amounts.

If the council fails to take action with respect to any item in the budget within 45 days of receiving it, this amount shall become a part of appropriations for the ensuing fiscal year.

The climactic vote on the budget, following weeks of hearings by the council’s ways and means committee, is scheduled for June 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the Cahill Auditorium of Town Hall.

Sullivan reminded the council that during fiscal year 2009, the cost of operations was reduced by nearly a million dollars through a “comprehensive reorganization” of the government.

“During our current budget cycle (fiscal year 2010), we have used every opportunity to streamline services, embrace the efficiency of technology, and reinforce our commitment to strong financial management,” he said.

Sullivan complimented management and unions for working “as one” to offset reductions in local aid while preserving jobs and services.

“We did not have to alter our course in midyear due to unreasonable estimates of revenue or resources, and I am pleased that we will end this fiscal year without having to tap our reserves,” he said. “In fact, we will be able to modestly enhance them.”

Moody’s Bond Rating Agency has informed the town that in light of its financial management and fiscal condition, its municipal bond rating has been upgraded from Aa3 to Aa2.

“This is a significant step that improves our economic outlook and reduces the cost to borrow money to make much needed capital improvements to our roads, schools, and infrastructure,” Sullivan said. “This action by Moody’s reinforces the point that Braintree’s fiscal health has improved.”

Local economic growth that has added nearly $2.7 million to the tax levy for fiscal year 2011, combined with Chapter 70 funding and the continuing provision of municipal foundation funding, allows Braintree to increase its proposed education budget by $2.1 million.

“The school budget absorbs the majority of the positions funded by federal stimulus money in fiscal year 2010,” explained Sullivan, a member of the school committee. “This will help ensure that these positions can be funded in fiscal year 2012 when the stimulus money is no longer available.”

Sullivan emphasized how police unions agreed to contract language that will take six officers from behind desks and put them on the street during fiscal year 2011 through the hiring of civilian dispatchers.

“This will enhance our public safety in our neighborhoods,” he said.

Sullivan spoke about the future.

“While we have seen our share of success and have begun to benefit from the hard choices we have made, our journey is far from over,” he said. “We must continue to strike a careful balance between prudent planning and aspirations to expand and improve on our services and our infrastructure. This budget takes appropriate steps to address both concerns. It contains reserve accounts for future collective bargaining agreements and to mitigate the impact of a possible midyear reduction in local aid. We also create an account to begin to offset the looming cost of retired employees’ health care.”

The mayor concluded, “The work we have done over the past two years has begun to elevate Braintree above our counterparts. Communities all around us are slashing their budgets, reducing school and public safety personnel, cutting services, and raising taxes and fees. I have spoken repeatedly about Braintree positioning itself to be the star of the South Shore. This budget clearly demonstrates our progress toward that goal and my sincere belief that Braintree’s best days are yet to come.”