Coronavirus: Braintree Budget Sees Lowest Increase In 7 Years

BRAINTREE, MA — Mayor Charles Kokoros presented the Fiscal Year 2021 budget to the Town Council. Because of the new coronavirus pandemic, the budget will see its lowest annual increase in seven years.

Kokoros told the Town Council Tuesday the proposed budget is about $143.4 million which represents a 2.84 percent increase from the previous year.

Local governments across Massachusetts have been in limbo as state lawmakers scramble to rework the budget to account for the massive impact the new coronavirus pandemic has had on state tax revenue. Revenue at the local level has also faced sharp decreases.

Town officials have adjusted Braintree's tax revenue projections. Revenue for the hotel tax was reduced by 50 percent, 25 percent for the meals tax, and interest income is expected to see a 75 percent decrease in the next fiscal year.

The state legislature gave cities and towns the option to postpone the creation of the Fiscal Year 2021 budget, but Kokoros said for the sake of transparency, he felt it was important to present a balanced budget in a timely manner.

"Despite the hardships currently facing the town, the Commonwealth and the nation, we as leaders must stand strong and formulate budgets to provide and maintain services to our residents ...," Kokoros said. "The budget continues to provide the level of services that our residents expect and deserve."

To keep these services intact, Kokoros asked all department heads to reduce their budgets by as much as 4 percent.

"Our department heads have done an incredible job to maintain the highest level of services for our residents while finding ways to reduce their Fiscal 2021 budgets," Kokoros said. "Even with these reductions in the budget we still maintain our high level of services and workforce."

School Committee Chair Thomas Devin told Patch the School District was originally looking to increase the budget by around 4.6 to 4.8 percent. But the reduced budget saw an increase of about 3.7 percent.

"In this economic situation we're in now, it behooved us to be as frugal as we could be," Devin said. "We got a new middle school coming online, and part of that is maintaining our assets frugally, and we are doing that."

Devin said some position cuts were necessary, and a position in the administrative offices may be a part of the budget reduction. He said the committee has worked with Kokoros' office every step of the way to make sure the schools were taken care of.

"We're gonna leave no stone unturned," Devin said. "That's what the mayor asked, and he asked it of every department head."

Kokoros said the budget will include funding for the following items:

• The budget supports the needs of the Braintree Public Schools, including plans to move grade 5 to the new middle school and staffing needs that correspond with this change.
• Through the Department of Municipal Licenses and Inspections, the town will continue to support the Braintree Community Partnership on Substance Use and the Commission on Disabilities.
• Both police and fire have received additional funding to cover overtime costs. This will be covered by public safety leaders working to eliminate a supplemental funding request.
• The Department of Elder Affairs will host various social events throughout the year and a newsletter to keep residents informed of all the activities available to them.
• The Thayer Public Library, in collaboration with the Library Trustees, continues to enhance its services even while its doors have been closed to the public. Library staff provided virtual book and cookbook clubs and a murder mystery to keep residents engaged from their living rooms.
• Kokoros said there is a commitment to funding a Master Plan. Under the management of the Planning and Community Development Department, the Town will undertake this endeavor in Fiscal Year 2021 to help guide the future of the community.
• The Department of Public Works will see its regular services continue. Kokoros also proposed money to help improve parks and sports fields.