 Dear Friends and Neighbors,
“How ‘bout those Patriots!?” Almost as good as our Braintree High athletic teams! As they prepare to play in their eighth straight AFC Championship game we send our best to Coach Belichick, Tom Brady and our New England Patriots as they are “on to Kansas City.”
At mid-January, winter has brought little snow so far, but we know that can change quickly and put to rest any thoughts of an early spring. I want to
remind you of our winter weather policies:
- During substantial snowfall (over 4”) we will declare an on-street parking ban to allow our Department of Public Works to clear the streets to the curb without interference. All vehicles parked on roadways during this time will be subject to ticketing and towing without warning by the Braintree Police Department.
- Major arterial roads are the priority followed by schools and neighborhoods.
- Residents and Business owners: please assist us by shoveling the sidewalk in front of your home or business and the fire hydrant nearby if there is one.
- Please arrange your private snow plowing before the storm if you need it. We cannot recommend private plow contractors.
- As with any storm, we are prepared. If the need arises, I will update you with a recorded phone message. Alternatively, you can follow me and/or the Town of Braintree on social media for updates anytime https://braintreema.gov/socialmedia.
- Sign-up for Braintree Alerts to receive advanced notification of any on-street parking bans or emergency alerts. https://braintreema.gov/alerts
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Remembrance
This Thursday, January 17, we invite you to join us to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with our annual Peacemaker ceremony at Town Hall at 6:30 PM. More than a half-century after his passing, Dr. King’s message of love and acceptance is still very much in need today, and I hope that you can pause this MLK Jr. weekend and reflect on his words and his life’s work.
Save the Date - State of the Town Address
My annual State of the Town Address will be on Thursday, February 7 at 7:00 PM in Cahill Auditorium at Braintree Town Hall. I hope you’ll join me then as I review our recent progress and future community goals.
Fiscal Health
As we enter the New Year, our Town's fiscal health continues to remain a priority for us. I'd like to share with you recent updates relating to our fiscal efforts.
- Memo to Town Council:
- Town of Braintree Tax Rate:
Weymouth Compressor Station
On Friday, January 11th we were extremely disappointed by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s decision to approve an air quality permit for the construction of a Natural Gas Compressor station adjacent to the Fore River Bridge in Weymouth. This permit was issued despite the many years of concern expressed by the residents of Braintree and our neighbors in the Fore River Basin which include, Weymouth, Quincy, and Hingham.
To say we are frustrated by this action is an understatement. To say we are daunted by the work ahead to reverse this decision would be incorrect. Together with our partners in the surrounding communities we will use every avenue legally available to us and make every possible appeal to oppose the placement of the compressor station – in such a densely populated area of our region.
Before Friday’s decision, I sent a letter to the Governor asking him to withhold the permit. Please follow this link to read this letter.
Petersen Pool Update
I offer this update on the Petersen Pool/Rink Complex to share with you how far we have come to making this happen.
For fifty-five years the town struggled with a variety of ideas and many starts/stops on where and how to build this community pool. In December of 2010 we announced three recreational upgrades for Braintree: The installation of Multi-use “turf” fields at Braintree High School (completed in October of 2011), the Petersen Splash Pad at Watson Park (completed in July of 2013) — and lastly we filed a home rule special legislation, endorsed by the Town Council and approved for by our state legislators, to create a private/public partnership to build the Petersen Pool with the additional amenities of an indoor field house and two ice skating rinks on the campus of Braintree High School.
The special legislation was passed in November 2011, and through a procurement process, we selected a developer – BSC LLC – to privately finance and build the sports complex. Upon further review of the facility and site location, it was agreed that the building would be reduced in scope by eliminating the field house in August of 2016. A redesign of the facility allowed for Planning Board approval in January of 2018. Private financing was secured by BSC LLC and a contractor, Shawmut Construction, was selected with a groundbreaking held in October of 2018. The project commenced with required electrical duct work which was completed on the site in November 2018. In mid-December 2018, BSC LLC parted ways with Shawmut Construction primarily due to an inability to come to terms on the construction pricing for the facility. A new contractor, Timberline Construction, was selected. Timberline has made some initial assessments of the planned design for the complex and is in the process of further reviewing the drawings to identify potential cost savings for this project. An update is expected within eight weeks. The commencement of the building’s construction remains for spring 2019.
As with any project of this size, some challenges have to be worked through; the Petersen Pool is no different. We will see this project through to a successful completion and ensure that this is a building of which we will be proud. Fifty-five years of effort by so many have brought us to this point, and we look forward to getting the Captain Petersen Pool, and Braintree Athletic Complex completed for the Town of Braintree.
To offer some context: our friends in Wellesley were faced with similar circumstances; see a recent article about their sports complex. They got it done, and we will too!
-Joe
Mayor Joseph C. Sullivan
Town of Braintree
781-794-8100
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Health Division - Substance Use Prevention
 It’s been an honor and a pleasure working for the Town of Braintree as the Substance Use Prevention Coordinator and Chairperson of the Community Partnership on Substance Use. I have been in the position for approximately 13 months, and want to thank Mayor Sullivan, his staff, the Director of Health, and the dedicated members of the Partnership for their support and commitment to substance use prevention.
The Braintree Community Partnership on Substance Use is a collaborative group made up of residents, public school, law enforcement, fire, local government and healthcare officials as well as organizations that support prevention, treatment, and recovery. We work very closely with the Town Council, Board of Health, Norfolk District Attorney and Norfolk Sheriff as well as Congressional leaders at the state and federal levels.
Our goals:
- To support individuals and families struggling with addiction as….
- Early detection and intervention support better outcomes. If you or someone you love needs help with a substance use disorder, please contact the Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline at 1-800-327-5050 or visit www.helplinema.org.
- To minimize youth use and access and alcohol, nicotine delivery products, marijuana, opioids, and other drugs because….
- After infancy, the brain’s most dramatic growth spurt occurs in adolescence. That growth means that things get a little heated up. The teen brain is wired to seek reward. Teens are also defining their own separate identities from their families, and at times, that means some are acting out.
Research tells us that the human brain actually doesn’t finish developing until the age of 25. The last part of the brain to fully develop is the part the controls the ability to think rationally and make thoughtful decisions. So when teens experiment with harmful substances like tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs, things can overheat quickly.
We have an obligation to safeguard the community, especially our young people because a little precaution before a crisis occurs is preferable to a lot of fixing up afterward.
The Braintree Community Partnership on Substance Use meets monthly at Town Hall, and new members are always welcome, a full list of meeting dates and times are available online. We also have a seven-member Steering Committee and Action Teams that engage in community education, strategic planning, policy development, and Partnership activities. You can also learn valuable information and updates about prevention strategies and programs available in Braintree by tuning in to BCAM TV for our monthly “Partners in Prevention” show.
If you have any questions or would like to take an active role in preventing substance use in Braintree, please feel free to contact me at 781-794-8146 or lfrano@braintreema.gov.
Wishing you a very happy and healthy 2019,
Lyn Frano
Substance Use Prevention Coordinator, Town of Braintree
www.braintreepartnership.org
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If your new year’s resolution is to enhance your mental health and wellness, you won’t want to miss “The Science of Happiness.” Author Catherine Sanderson, PhD, will share cutting edge research from the field of positive psychology on the factors that predict (and do not predict) happiness as well as practical and relatively easy ways to increase psychological well-being. Copies of her latest book, The Positive Shift, will be available. Sponsored by Mayor Joseph C. Sullivan and the Braintree Community Partnership on Substance Use.
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If you have a loved one experiencing behavioral health issues ( often a risk factor for substance use) please take advantage of the INTERFACE Referral Service helpline.
The helpline is available Monday through Friday between the hours of 9AM and 5PM by calling 888-244-6843 or visit https://interface.williamjames.edu. INTERFACE is not for emergencies, however, the service can help you connect with a wide range of valuable resources to support mental health and wellness. And best of all, it is free and confidential. |
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Braintree Recreation Summer Youth Employment Applications
Summer youth employment applications are available now through 4:30 PM on April 26, 2019. Applications can be picked up at the Recreation Office, 85 Quincy Avenue and the Braintree Parks and Recreation website.
Braintree residents seeking employment must be a 2019 high school graduate or 18 years old to apply. Interviews will be conducted in early May, and summer employment offers will be made by late May.
The Recreation Department positions are for summer seasonal employment only. For more information, please contact the Recreation Office at 781-794-8901. All applications must be submitted and received by 4:30 PM on April 26, 2019, to be considered.
Trash and Recycling Update
 Please remember while shoveling to create a “little safe” space for your trash & recycling carts to ensure they are not hidden and do not topple off a snow bank! Sunrise Scavenger services 2,000 households daily, and it makes a difference if carts can be accessed properly so that they do not slide off a snow mound or get blown over. Proper placement is essential, making it possible to finish collection as safely as possible during our challenging New England winters!
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Community Events:
- BCYC "Pot of Gold" Fundraiser - Win $10,000
- Only 250 tickets will be sold for a chance to win $10,000.
- Tickets available for purchase at Town Clerk's Office, Richmond Hardware or online at www.braintreeyouthcenter.org/2019raffle - Available through March 26 or until sold out.
- Martin Luther King Jr. Citizen of the Year Awards
- Braintree Town Hall, Cahill Auditorium
- Thursday, January 17, 6:30 PM
- Drug Story Theater - "The Price You Pay"
- Registry of Deed's Community Outreach Program Office Hours
- Braintree Town Hall, Johnson Chambers
- Thursday, January 31, 10 AM - 12 PM
- Winter Farmer's Market
- Braintree Town Hall, Cahill Auditorium
- February 2, 2019, 9AM - 1PM
- Speaker Series: Catherine Sanderson's "The Science of Happiness"
- Charbo Run - 25th Anniversary Road Race
- Braintree Drives Electric Showcase
- South Shore Plaza (Center Court)
- Open through March 31, 2019
Public Meetings:
- Planning Board
- January 15, 2019, at 7:00 PM - Town Hall - Cahill Auditorium
- Town Council
- January 22, 2019, at 7:30 PM - Town Hall - Cahill Auditorium
- Board of License Commissioners
- January 22, 2019, at 2:00 PM - Town Hall - Johnson Chambers
- Community Partnership on Substance Use
- January 23, 2019, at 6:30 PM - Town Hall - Cahill Auditorium
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Zoning Board of Appeals
- January 28, 2019, at 7:00 PM - Town Hall - Johnson Chambers
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