Working for Braintree and District 5

Budget update
Thank you again to Braintree’s voters who overwhelmingly passed a Proposition 2 ½ override, a tax increase providing an additional $6.5 million to immediately fund essential services, and $1.5 million to help our dollars go farther in future years. The Town Council formally approved the override funding at our August meeting.

With the override, the Town’s budget for Fiscal Year 2025, which runs between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025 is $168.6 million. 

Where does the money come from?

Where does the money go?

Almost 90% of our Town’s budget fulfills contractual obligations. Things like salaries, benefits, insurance, debt obligations, state assessments, and election services.  These are critical expenses: our people and our investments are what make our Town run!

Even with the critical financial support provided by the override, our town services are stretched thin: the School Department still had to eliminate 43 positions, and the DPW still had to eliminate 15 positions. The Library’s budget is a mere $200 more than required by the state accreditation board; and Elder Affairs’ budget increased by only a little more than half a percent. This belt tightening is necessary to maintain a balanced budget. So what does this mean in the years ahead? How do we restore people, programs and services?

Finding new opportunities
We have passed an override, and fees have been increased, two of three ways that towns in Massachusetts can raise money. The third leg of the “revenue stool” is through new growth and development. 

Braintree is busy, so it can feel like there is a lot of new development happening in town, but Braintree’s housing production has declined significantly over the last decade, which in turn, has limited the town’s tax base.

New growth and development takes a long time to come to fruition. Even permitted projects can take years to be built due to the difficulty to get building materials and to secure financing.  The Council’s primary role in this effort is through the approval of zoning changes.

Zoning Changes

There have been several requests for zoning changes that have been filed with the Town Council in the past two years – from allowing cannabis cultivation to multifamily housing – and I expect there to be more in the months and years ahead. In preparation for that, I thought a brief explainer would be helpful.

Zoning is a set of rules – or a code – that regulate how towns can use their land.

There is a lengthy public process to ensure that various perspectives are considered before a zoning change is made. If the proposed zoning change is approved by the Council, then a new phase of the development process begins. A developer may then submit a formal application for a project to the Town’s Planning Board.

As rezoning requests are made, they appear on the Town Council’s and Planning Board’s agendas. To keep track of upcoming rezoning proposals, you can sign up for notifications to receive agendas in your inbox or by text message.

Messina Property Update
Last June I provided a report on the blighted properties along Ivory Street.

280 Ivory Street: TO BE DEMOLISHED
As it stands, this property is under-serving our community: the building is an eyesore and a safety hazard. Mayor Joyce issued a blight violation in February and, at long last, demolition is expected to occur in late summer or early fall. Future development is to be determined, and I will keep you informed of any plans.

183 Pearl Street: EXTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS
Though still vacant, the Messina Corporation addressed many of the violations at this property. Future development here is to be determined, but the exterior has improved.

Armstrong Cork
This property represents the biggest opportunity for redevelopment in District 5. It is approximately 25 acres, will encompass a new park along the Monatiquot River when river restoration is complete, and it is part of Braintree’s MBTA Zone, a state-mandated zoning change, which makes it easier to build multifamily housing near the MBTA stations.

At this time, because of the size of this property and the complexities of redeveloping it, I do not have a substantive update. I will continue to advocate for District 5 and to keep you informed of upcoming changes. When I know, you will know!

Change takes time and it’s with thanks to so many of you that we see progress: residents continue to advocate for improvements along Ivory Street, Mayor Joyce issued a blight violation to 280 Ivory Street, and the Messina Corporation has made strides in improving their District 5 properties.

📌 Community Bulletin 📌

Tax Bill Offset Program for Residents over 60

New Emergency Alert System

Meredith’s Block Party Guide

Accessibility for all
July 26 was the thirty-fourth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, known as the ADA. This landmark legislation provides civil rights protections for Americans living with disabilities, including those living with mental illness and substance use disorder.

Disability can be expensive
Even if you have “good” health insurance there are lots of things that aren’t covered, are expensive, and are necessary for those living with disability. One of the greatest of these expenses is the home renovations that make it possible for people living with disabilities to stay in their homes.

The state can help through its Home Modification Loan Progam, a no interest, deferred payment loan to modify the homes of adults and children with disabilities.

The program covers things like:

• Ramps and lifts
• Bathroom and kitchen adaptations
• Sensory integration spaces
• Fencing
• Creation of accessory dwelling units or in-law apartments

Because these accommodations can be excessively expensive, the qualifying income limits are generous.

This program exists to help all kinds of families living with disabilities. Please check it out if you think you may qualify.

Whether through old age, injury, or illness, almost all of us will experience disability at some point in our lives, and all of us can play a role in increasing access and inclusivity for individuals with disabilities, both visible and invisible. 

Small Business Spotlight: Maker's Market

Why did you choose Braintree for your business?
I have been a resident of Braintree for 23 years. This community is important to me. I really wanted to help other smaller businesses grow by bringing them to a brick-and-mortar location. There are a lot of talented people who otherwise struggle to be seen.

What will surprise and delight residents?
We have a wide variety of products available. Everything is handmade by local artists. We offer a variety of items from pet treats & accessories to body products, candles, jewelry, blankets and much more. We also have a classroom where we offer classes and fun night out activities.

What would you like residents to know?
You can follow us on social media at Facebook.com/themakersmarket and on Instagram @the.makers.market_02184. Follow us to see what's new & to sign up for a class or two!

Upcoming classes include a kids craft on Wednesday, August 14 at 2 PM or an adult class on Friday, August 16 at 6:30 PM with Purple Giraffe Designs.

Translation Support / 翻译支持

If you need help with town affairs and translation services, please send me a text message (339) 235-8807.

如果您需要镇务方面的帮助并需要翻译服务，请给我发短信 （339）235-8807.