Braintree Town Council To Vote On $16.5 Million Capital Plan

BRAINTREE, MA — The town council's ways and means committee voted unanimously on Tuesday to recommend a $16.5 million capital plan for the full council's review.

The proposed plan includes money to repair roads, water lines, sewer lines, and new vehicles and other equipment for town departments, the Patriot Ledger reported. One item included in the capital plan is $2.7 million for road repairs, with $1.7 million coming from the state.

Councilman Thomas Bowes told Patch the that every year, the town makes a list of roads in need of repair. The road list can be found on the town's website.

The water department also gets a $3 million allocation for repairs and improvements to the water distribution system if approved. The town uses this money to replace older water mains, Bowes said.

"After the town identifies roads that will get the work done, they will then review the roads with the older water mains," Bowes said. "If they need to be replaced, then the town does the water main first then completes the road work."

One thing the plan does not include is the fire department's request for a new fire headquarters, which would cost $13 million. Mayor Joseph Sullivan told the Patriot Ledger the department has $1.3 million available for renovations and that Fire Chief James O'Brien assembled a team to develop a renovation plan. In a memo Mayor Joseph Sullivan sent to town council earlier this month, he said the plan addresses several needs for Braintree.

Sullivan said the capital plan "will continue our efforts on our roads program, our schools, our recreational spaces and support other improvements that will enhance the quality of life for our community.”

The full council is scheduled to vote on the capital plan on Feb. 26. Passing the plan requires at least six of nine members of the town council to approve it.