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October 2019  - Volume 3, Issue 30 - "Fall Edition"
Mayor's Update

Mayor Joseph C. Sullivan

Dear Friends and Neighbors, 

What a start for the Patriots as they begin another season undefeated! As the leaves begin to fall I would like to remind you that our Fall Curbside Yard Waste Collection will begin the week of Monday, October 28th and will continue through the week of December 2nd. A few years ago we expanded the program for yard waste removal and it has worked out well. The pickup is the same day as your trash/recycling day.
 

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

 

In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month pink candles have been placed in the windows of the Braintree Town Hall to help raise awareness and to show that the town stands in solidarity with those and their families who are currently fighting this terrible disease. The facts are clear that we are continuing to make progress in all types of cancer research. The pink lights are an encouragement for all to donate to beating cancer as well as a hopeful warm embrace to those affected. Any resident looking for more information on the latest cancer research, treatments, or how to support those who are currently battling cancer please visit http://www.cancer.org

 

Stretch Energy
 

This past month the Town Council adopted our proposal and amended chapter 2.520 of the Town’s General Ordinances to adopt the Stretch Energy Code, joining over 270 Massachusetts cities and towns that have already adopted it. By adopting the Stretch Energy Code the town is promoting energy efficiency and clean energy for homes and businesses. Savings from energy efficiency and rebates from utility companies will offset any additional costs. Additions, renovations, and repairs to residential and commercial buildings will remain under the base energy code, not the updated stretch code. As a town, we are committed to sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint while helping property owners save on utility bills.
 

Monatiquot River Trail

 
Our town has secured three grants totaling $219,000 that will be used for recreational and environmental improvements. Specifically $50,000 will be used for the construction of an accessible trail to the Monatiquot River. Last week I attended the public meeting where the plans for the six-acre parcel of land off of Middle Street were discussed. We purchased this landing, using CPA funds, specifically for open space and recreation. Two different designs have been completed for the trail and the town is asking for your feedback on which one to choose. Click here to review the plans and all public comments should be sent to Kelly Phelan by October 30, 2019. 

Additionally, I recently have proposed to the Town Council that we transfer the Town Forest acreage to the Conservation Commission to add an additional layer of oversight for open space and recreational use forever. This action, coupled with our previous work in the establishment of our Highlands Playground, and Community Arts Center, preserved that open space from potential development. Our commitment in the promotion of family-oriented and recreational usage of open spaces is important work which improves the quality of life for our town!   


Halloween

 
Halloween is vastly approaching and I have yet to figure out a costume to wear! Trick-or-treating hours this year will be from 4:00PM to 8:00PM. I am looking forward to another fun and “scary” night, and I am asking everyone to do their part to ensure it is a fun and safe night for all of our residents.
 

Veteran’s Day

 
On Monday, November 11th the town will be celebrating Veteran’s Day at 10:00 AM at our newly refurbished East Middle School. Our Braintree Veterans are an essential part of our community. This is an opportunity to offer our Veteran’s our thanks and gratitude for their service to our country. The featured guest speaker at the event will be John F. Olivere who is a United States Army Vietnam Era Combat Veteran. I look forward to seeing you all there to show our thanks and support to our Veterans.


Vaping

 
I applaud Governor Baker’s actions in the temporary ban of vaping sales here in Massachusetts. There needs to be a full understanding of the potential dangers that vaping may cause. Here in Braintree, we have led on this issue as our Health Board has taken affirmative action’s banning flavored vaping products on January 1, 2019.  
 

Make-Up Flu Clinic

 
Do not worry if you were unable to attend the seasonal flu clinic last Sunday because we will be having a make-up clinic on Monday, October 28th from 3:00PM to 7:00 PM in the Cahill Auditorium located at Town Hall. The flu shots will be given on a first come first serve basis and is free to Braintree Residents 18 years of age and older. It is important that you have your Health Insurance Card with you when you come to receive your shot. If you have any questions regarding the upcoming flu clinic please contact the Health Division at 781-794-8090


Motel 6

 
I frequently get asked about the status of the former Motel 6 location at the Union Street rotary. You will recall that we forced the closure of that facility in the aftermath of the May 5, 2017 incident in which our BPD Officers “to serve and protect” mission was on full display. For two years now Motel 6 has been closed. The property is privately owned through a family trust — Motel 6 leased the property. Through our Planning Department and my office, we continue to monitor the potential usage of the site — but as of today there is no activity in regards to any redevelopment of the size acres site.
 

Election Day

 
A friendly reminder that our municipal elections will be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2019. Our Town Clerk Jim Casey, along with his office team and election workers will be monitoring the process throughout the day. Voting hours are from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.  I urge all Braintree'ites to be an active citizen in our Democratic Proceedings in voting on November 5th.
 

-Joe

Mayor Joseph C. Sullivan
Town of Braintree
781-794-8100
Are you or a loved one suffering from susbstance use? Call the MA helpline at 800-327-5050 or visit HelplineMA.Org
This message is brought to you by the Braintree Community Partnership on Substance Use.
BraintreePartnership.Org
See an issue? Report it! Download Braintree's new reporting app, "Commonwealth Connect."
Learn more here.
Department Update

Braintree Community Partnership 


Honoring our Community Heroes

On September 25, 2019, the Braintree Community Partnership on Substance Use held its 2nd Annual Community Heroes Awards banquet in the Cahill Auditorium at Town Hall.   Approximately 65 people attended the banquet which was catered by Fasano’s Catering.
 
Norfolk District Attorney Mike Morrissey, Senators John Keenan and Walter Timilty, Norfolk County Sheriff Jerry McDermott, Mayor Joe Sullivan, and Town Councilors Tim Carey and Charles Kokoros joined us as we celebrated our accomplishments and honored eight (8) very special people for their support of substance use prevention efforts in Braintree. 
Honorees included:

Andrew M. Marron, Sr. Project Manager, IT, Town of Braintree
  • Recognized for his leadership, innovation and resourcefulness in support of community outreach, capacity building, and social media efforts
Chris Cobb, Massachusetts Opioid Abuse Prevention Collaborative Coordinator, Impact Quincy, a program of Bay State community Services
  • Recognized for his leadership and dedication to building community capacity, alleviating stigma, and promoting and supporting harm reduction  
Diana Cleary, Nicki’s Place and Hope Beyond Hope
  • Recognized for her leadership and dedication to prevention, the alleviation of stigma and support of women’s recovery
Sherri Duggan, Nicki’s Place and Hope Beyond Hope
  • Recognized for her outstanding leadership and dedication to women’s recovery
Jon Wilson, Pastor of the Life Community Church of Braintree
  • Recognized for his leadership and ongoing support of individuals and families touched by addiction, and his dedication to substance use prevention and recovery efforts
Jennifer Fay, Braintree Public Schools
  • Recognized or her advancement and support of school based efforts to prevent and reduce youth substance use  
Police Chief Paul Shastany, Town of Braintree
  • Recognized for his outstanding leadership and dedication to substance use prevention, compassionate policing, and the support of mental health and overdose prevention programs
 Mayor Joseph C. Sullivan, Town of Braintree
  • Recognized for his leadership and dedication to the people of Braintree and for his support of substance use prevention and recovery efforts
Special thanks to Marianne Barrett and Kathi Wood for providing us with beautiful table centerpieces and favors.
 

Red Ribbon Week Activities


Red Ribbon Week, the oldest and largest drug prevention awareness campaign, is celebrated by millions of Americans each year from October 23rd to October 31st. Wearing a red ribbon symbolizes resistance to drugs. Please put your “red on” and join the Braintree Community Partnership on Substance Use at the Thayer Public Library for the following Storytime and craft activities during Red Ribbon Week:
  • Monday October 28th - 10am to 11am for families with children ages 3 to 6 years old
  • Monday October 28th - 11am to Noon for families with children ages 3 to 6 years old
On October 25th, second grade students at the Hollis School will be participating in a Red Ribbon story time and craft activity.
 
Additionally, in honor of Red Ribbon Week, Officer Ed Woo of the Braintree Police Department will be hosting “Medication Safety” presentations for all second grade students.


Important information about the temporary ban on all vaping products


On September 25, 2019, Governor Baker announced a temporary ban on the display and sale of all vaping products, including flavored and non-flavored products in both retail stores and on-line.    

The Braintree Health Department has notified all retailers in Braintree about the ban on these products and will conduct periodic inspections to ensure that that they are not being displayed or sold.

The legal age to purchase tobacco and vaping products in Massachusetts is 21, however, like most cities and towns across the country, we have seen a dramatic rise in vape use by young people.
 
Anyone using vape products such as JUUL, may not understand the impact that nicotine, the highly addictive ingredient in JUUL and other vape products, has on their bodies.   
 
It is important for families to understand withdrawal symptoms and options for treatment. 

Symptoms of Nicotine Withdrawal include:
  • Irritability
  • Restlessness
  • Headaches
  • Sweating
  • Feeling sad
  • Feeling anxious
  • Feeling tired or groggy
  • Feeling hungry
  • Trouble thinking clearly or concentrating
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Intense cravings for e-cigarettes
If you or someone you love is experiencing nicotine withdrawal symptoms, please see cessation support information below.
In Massachusetts, marijuana use is legal for adults over the age of 21, leading many young people to believe that it is not harmful.  However, the evidence is mounting that the psychoactive component of marijuana known as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is not risk free, especially for young people.
Heavy marijuana use in adolescence or early adulthood can have a profound impact on attention, memory and learning and is associated with poor school performance, higher dropout rates, greater unemployment and lower life satisfaction.  Some of today's stronger varieties of marijuana, like vaping oils, can lead to physical illness and delusions.
 
As with nicotine, it is important to understand withdrawal symptoms of marijuana.

Withdrawal Symptoms of Marijuana include:
  • Irritability
  • Restlessness
  • Feeling anxious or worried
  • Feeling depressed
  • Trouble sleeping at night and feeling tired during the day
  • Low appetite or weight loss
Physical symptoms include:
  • Stomach pain
  • Sweatiness
  • Shakiness
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Headache 
Again, if you are someone you love is experiencing these symptoms, see the cessation tools below. 

Adult Quit Vaping/Tobacco Resources:
Individuals are three times as likely to quit for good with the combination of FDA approved quit smoking medication and counseling.
  • Call the Massachusetts Smokers' Helpline 1-800-QUIT-NOW (7 days per week/24 hours per day, holiday hours may vary) to receive counseling online, by phone or through eChat and at least four weeks of free nicotine patches. www.makesmokinghistory.org/quit-now/
  • The nicotine patch, gum or lozenges, are available over the counter without a prescription. The prescription medications include Chantix, Zyban, inhaler, and spray.
Youth Quit Vaping/Tobacco Resources:
  • This is Quitting powered by truth® is a free and confidential texting program for young people who vape. Young people can text “VapeFreeMass” to 88709 to get started.  In partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, parents and other adults can
also text “QUIT” to 202-899-7550 to sign up to receive text messages designed specifically for parents of vapers.
 
  • My Life, My Quit has youth coach specialists trained to help young people by phone or text. Young people can call or text "Start My Quit" to 855-891-9989 for free and confidential help or visit www.mylifemyquit.com to sign up online.

Standing order for Dispensing Nicotine Replacement Therapy Products

An order has been issued expanding access to federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved, over the-counter nicotine replacement therapy products (gum, lozenges and patches) through a statewide Standing Order that facilitates insurance coverage for these products.
 
The Standing Order authorizes licensed pharmacists to dispense medically appropriate nicotine replacement therapy products to a person 18 years or older with proper identification who requires the products in connection with smoking cessation or vaping cessation.  
 
Last but not least, it’s important to remember that nicotine and marijuana (smoked or vaped) are addictive.  Be supportive and understanding with loved ones who are trying to quit. 
 
Please feel free to contact me at lfrano@braintreema.gov if you have any questions about vaping or are interested in learning more about the Braintree Community Partnership on Substance Use.
 
Happy fall,
 
Lyn Frano
Substance Use Prevention Coordinator
Town of Braintree
 
 
Town Reminders

Braintree Recycling Update


Rechargeable Batteries Can Cause Fires

Please help us keep each other safe by properly disposing of them.  They can be recycled at Advanced Auto Parts, Auto Zone, Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Sears, Staples and can be traded in when a new one is purchased, and many service stations accept them.  Also, AAA offers disposal/recycling of car batteries to their members.  You can find additional locations by going to   www.call2recycle.org

They should not be dropped off at the Town’s Recycling Center because of the fire hazard they create.


Household batteries

(AAA, AA, C & D, 6Volt, 9Volt, etc.) can be tossed in the trash.  Button batteries should be brought to hardware stores, Home Depot, Lowe’s, optical shops or any place that sells the button type, for recycling.


Looking ahead:

Please remember as the holidays get closer…wrapping paper is no longer acceptable to recycle according to State guidelines.  
 
Town Events and Meetings

Community Events:

Public Meetings:
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