Next General Update by August 25, 2008

 August 22, 2008 (Latest Water Tank Update)

 (Click here to go to "Water Tank Project Activities")

August 20, 2008 (New Town Hall Directory, Click here) 

August 6, 2008 (Water Tank Project)

Below is a quick summary.  More to follow.  Your comments are welcome and helpful.

A special District 6 meeting regarding the Water Street, water tank project was held today at the Highland's Fire Station at 6PM to provide the residents of the Highland's and specifically the Water Street area information on the Water tank project.

Mayor Joe Sullivan, Councilor Dan Clifford, DPW Director, Tom Whalen, Town Engineer, Bob Campbell and the project manager met with District 6 residents, provided information and set expectations of the work about to start in the neighborhood.

The meeting was very positive.  Residents asked many questions and received the assurances needed to allay their concerns and anxiety.  

The project will is estimated to complete in the spring of 2009. 

The scope of the project effects Water street to Livoli to East Division Street.

The feedback I received from the residents was very positive, and those to whom I spoke were comfortable with the information provided.

The outcome included:

1) Establishing a telephone hot line  for residents to communicate their concerns, etc. The hot line number is: 781-843-9205.  

2) Bi-weekly project activity forecasts will be provided by the Project Manager and communicated to Councilor Dan Clifford for inclusion here on this website.  These updates will start August 10 and will be updated every two weeks.

3) A major concerns included:

a. School children safety.  A policeman will be on duty and bus transportation authorities will be advised.

b. Water Street will be restored to same or better condition at the end of the project.

c. Will this work cost the residents? No, this work is not a cost to the residents in terms of betterments or property valuations.

If I left out any major concerns please let me know.

The Mayor asked resident to think about how they would prefer land use following the project, and to think about how they might like to to see the tower painted, etc.  No decision will be made without consulting with the residents and not for 6-8 months. 

(Click here to go to "Water Tank Project Activities")

July 20, 2008 (New for discussion and information) 

When Mayor Sullivan presented the FY2009 Operating Budget in early June, each councilor commented on their first several months on the job, etc. My comment was simply, "After spending the majority of our time on Mayoral appointments, hiring’s and the Operating Budget, I was looking forward to the Council establishing an Annual Council Goals and Objective Agenda".  A public broad-based annual agenda concerning the interests of our Town and residents; one placed on the Town website and measured and reported on regularly.

Our Town Council is akin to the State legislature and U.S. Congress.  We need to be about the work of the people and their interest through a broad-based annual set of goals and objectives.

Our economy is in recession and getting worse. Property values are falling, inflation is rising, Unemployment is rising, our neighbor's Weymouth and Quincy are financially strapped.

Braintree is facing similar financial issues unless the Council, working with the Mayor, plans around these and more financial landmines.  The Mayor's office is far ahead of the Council in understanding the issues facing Braintree. 

It is time now for the Council to move ahead smartly and broadly. Eliminate the trivial and focus of the vital issues facing Braintree.

I will introduce an initiative at the upcoming Council meetings (August 5, and beyond) to get buy-in from Council colleagues to establish,construct, and distribute, an Annual Council Goals and Objectives Agenda. 

It will address the weak economic outlook, its impact on Braintree, and will develop contingencies to at least mitigate impacts. Included will be: decreasing property values, increasing property taxes, the likelihood of less state aid, less CPA money from the state, Governor Patrick's Municipal Partnership Act (enabling municipalities new sources of revenues), and more. These are the things we need to address for the common good of our residents and the Town of Braintree. 

You can help by calling other Councilors and sharing your opinions and ideas.  You can also come to the Council meetings and be heard. 

My friends, this is your government, make it be what you want it to be; stay engaged.

Sincerely,