Mayor Sullivan Proposes $116.3 Million Budget

Wednesday night, Mayor Joseph Sullivan revealed his $116.3 million budget for the year, The figure comes in 3.99 percent higher than last year’s budget. When taking enterprise accounts into consideration, the budget increases to $150 million. The budget is a balanced one, the eighth in a row according to Sullivan.

Drawing inspiration from Braintree’s John Adams, Sullivan called the budget a fiscally conservative one, noting that payments for debts, including discretionary payments, other post-employment benefits, and snow and ice removal are accounted for.

“As we mark our 375th year of incorporation we should be mindful of our favorite son John Adams, a fiscal conservative who abhorred debt,” he said. “He would note that we should pay our bills and we will do so.”

$1.2 million of the debt owed for snow and ice removal will come from the town’s $10 million rainy day fund.

Touting new growth in Braintree, the mayor highlighted the new Mariott near the Hyatt, the recent zoning changes to the Braintree side of the Weymouth Landing, and the construction of the CATS Academy in Braintree Highlands.

“I think those are an illustration of important items we will face in the upcoming years,” he said.

The school budget takes up nearly $60 million of the figure and includes eight new positions. School funding is up 5 percent over last year.

Other items in the budget include a $100,000 increase in overtime pay for firefighters, two new firefighters, six police officers, and $3 million for road repairs.

The budget will now go to the ways and means commitee for discussion.