[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6537562,"mediaKeyId","3525148-0286e3ad7811dec3056dd098e6f8515c","parentId",3525148,"title","Council approves Ormsby and Bowes for town boards; zoning board nominations deferred","audioSeconds",844,"startMs",1935000,"endMs",2779000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3525148-0286e3ad7811dec3056dd098e6f8515c&start=1935&end=2779","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3525148-0286e3ad7811dec3056dd098e6f8515c/thumbnail_1935000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6537562/Town-of-Braintree/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Council-approves-Ormsby-and-Bowes-for-town-boards-zoning-board-nominations-deferred","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537562-2a6b33d9b8a200f29f2a01be491f3017/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196773&Signature=DRGqFZX6eP1Lo-o5zaQFzzV4meVA4hGBaZnmGvevHv16ececK-muZpY0p8Kwi3bH99xKY9AEUvnWGK8cCCb~HuVfvXBAVvicmV1vz0O5IkSphI4y5XkExoHTlZIVHBs7M45KAFBpEnnt6iKYArPb7voK78CcT650CVZEZPfqMC4qcx7oGLqsvC58fQreuAX5Jcmx3tzgKEx6QaSxMaeyWqXm2gbI6rN3jLRRmRPzGQ-l9ctSNcqljxyKmJ9qilQrEEp2w7AhticUKZ7PStzr34qXLnHwx0fGvgitY7IW8~YkzkeDtLsk2NaN~JrpN9iaQbJTzm8A0H7COXU6L-~VMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Braintree","date","2025-05-27T13:00:42Z","article","The Braintree Town Council approved two mayoral appointments and deferred consideration of several zoning board nominees during its May 27 meeting.

Kelly Ormsby was approved unanimously for appointment to the Commission on Disabilities after telling the council she would bring a parent’s perspective; her 7-year-old son attends Flaherty Elementary and was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and global developmental delay. \"Serving on this commission would be really a meaningful way for me to contribute, to ensuring accessibility, equity, and dignity for all residents of our town,\" Ormsby said at the meeting.

The council also unanimously approved the reappointment of Kathleen (Kathy) Bowes to the Weymouth-Braintree Recreation Conservation District board. Bowes, who spoke about her family’s multigenerational service and her work on Palmetto (Pawn) Meadow, said the board is focused on habitat and path restoration. Councilors who spoke after her remarks thanked her for continuing family civic engagement and praised recent improvements at Palmetto.

A request for same-night action on multiple appointments to the Zoning Board of Appeals drew an objection from Councilor Hume, who said the ZBA is \"such a crucial and vital board\" that new members deserve careful vetting by Ways and Means. The council did not vote on those nominations and referred the items to the committee on Ways and Means for review under new business.

All recorded appointments during the meeting were approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Braintree Town Council 5/27/25 7:30pm","oneSentenceSummary","The council unanimously approved Mayor Joyce’s nominations of Kelly Ormsby to the Commission on Disabilities and Kathleen (Kathy) Bowes to the Weymouth-Braintree Recreation Conservation District board. Same-night action on four zoning board nominees was objected to and the items were referred to Ways and Means for further review.","taxTitle","Town of Braintree , Norfolk County, Massachusetts","taxId",57175,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6537566,"Braintree council adopts $175.7 million FY2026 budget; approves multiple fiscal measures",3058,3130000,6188000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3525148-0286e3ad7811dec3056dd098e6f8515c&start=3130&end=6188","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3525148-0286e3ad7811dec3056dd098e6f8515c/thumbnail_3130000.jpg","/articles/6537566/Town-of-Braintree/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Braintree-council-adopts-1757-million-FY2026-budget-approves-multiple-fiscal-measures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537566-2ec35adbe65971a3473217f10863824a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196773&Signature=N2EL3VXVFGMJ~mIeLEsM3XOQD-uSMGJ-0-8Q5FK1b-fHt6Onq5iaLglqrHSpcfdfNUYvcjSq1-GAi3BIJlNbAB-Og719ufeEug2XhEdXi7rI1TgY6b73KVy-EvjtxZKBfwt~14lpYQCq~5T9tbbtYQ3aIdwpLZeSqu0Q9YUMYnTaaogj4x0A-XT1DbXlo64wWuNjRagZiDUA~-d6bl0vrUo2tJ3Nh7TDOqbrxi17e1mv8heaJqSFLNRP4PAztr07t4H60GI9FECYEaCC5YxNbt3xkabqFipymVxaKWfIfGxqiqjolE6gWzDWl6XcdJEwky1Gh17FmBXa8PcIxbcmhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Braintree Town Council voted unanimously on May 27 to adopt the town’s FY2026 operating budget and a series of related fiscal measures, including the creation of a special-purpose stabilization fund for special education costs, Community Preservation Act appropriations, and new or altered revolving funds.

The council approved a raise-and-appropriate motion of $175,664,045 to fund town and school operations for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025. The budget packet that accompanied the motion and the Ways and Means Committee review show that roughly 60% of the town’s spending is devoted to school-related activities.

Mayor Joyce told the council the FY2026 budget \"stops the cycle of cutting\" and preserves services, while noting continued fiscal challenges including pension and insurance costs and constrained growth in local aid. \"Fiscal stability will be a functional obsession,\" she said.

Councilors on the Ways and Means Committee and the full council praised the budget for preserving services while warning it is narrowly balanced. Councilor Flaherty said the budget is \"honest\" about overtime and other costs but cautioned that the town’s solvency remains fragile; she pointed to library funding that remains only slightly above the state certification minimum and warned of growing future budget gaps unless revenues rise or costs are controlled.

Key fiscal actions approved (all motions passed unanimously unless noted):
- FY2026 operating budget: $175,664,045 (funding sources listed in the motion; includes $2,762,245 from a debt exclusion).
- Golf course operating appropriation: $2,281,570 (funded from golf course receipts).
- Water and sewer division appropriation: $23,905,194 (majority from water/sewer receipts).
- Stormwater appropriation: $1,624,405 (funded from stormwater receipts).
- Cable/public access appropriation: $630,175 (funded from cable franchise fees).
- Snow-and-ice liability authorization pursuant to G.L. c.44, §31D (authorizes liabilities in excess of appropriation for snow/ice, standard annual motion).
- Transfers from certified free cash and other funds to support specific line items and debt service (motions specifying amounts and purposes were approved).

Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding motions:
- $150,000 to the Community Housing Reserve.
- $150,000 to the Open Space Reserve.
- $150,000 to the Historic Resources Reserve.
- $743,884 to the Community Preservation Budget Reserve.
- $62,836 for administrative expenses for FY2026.

Revolving funds: the council set FY2026 spending limits for multiple revolving funds, including full-day kindergarten, school bus, library materials, recycling and others. The council also established a new Building Maintenance Revolving Fund (see below).

Supplemental appropriation and special funds:
- A $300,000 transfer from FY2024 certified free cash to the Fire Department Details Fund (Fund 8910) to address outstanding invoices and negotiated settlements tied to prior fire-detail billing; the finance director said the transfer reduces the need to withhold certified free cash at year-end.
- Creation of a Special Education Special-Purpose Stabilization Fund (pursuant to G.L. c.40, §5B) to set aside resources for unbudgeted, unforeseen special-education costs; any future use of the fund requires separate council approval.
- Increase in the senior work-off program cap: annual household cap raised to $2,000 and total program cap to $75,000 for FY2026 (pursuant to G.L. c.59, §5K); Elder Affairs administers the program.
- Establishment of a Building Maintenance Revolving Fund under DPW with a proposed FY2026 spending cap of $200,000 to receive licensing and facility-use fees to support routine repairs, utilities and maintenance of town and school facilities.

Councilors emphasized that, although the budget preserves services this year, the town must continue to find recurring revenue sources and manage cost drivers—particularly school-related spending, collective bargaining costs, and insurance expenses—to keep future budgets balanced.

The budget and associated measures were reported out of the Ways and Means Committee with unanimous favorable recommendations and adopted by the full council following public hearings held during the meeting.","The council unanimously approved the FY2026 operating budget and a package of related appropriations, stabilization and revolving-fund actions including a special education stabilization fund, CPA allocations, a building maintenance fund and a $300,000 supplemental transfer to the fire details fund.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6537570,"Braintree council unanimously appoints Frederick T. Viola as fire chief",964,422000,1386000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3525148-0286e3ad7811dec3056dd098e6f8515c&start=422&end=1386","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3525148-0286e3ad7811dec3056dd098e6f8515c/thumbnail_422000.jpg","/articles/6537570/Town-of-Braintree/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Braintree-council-unanimously-appoints-Frederick-T-Viola-as-fire-chief","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537570-3b2280ac55d047ebf373e055db8d9bdf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196773&Signature=cUEUwL3XYQLoIdgrvn-843qwgSoeH3dORsJupUQ7yFXusjlVSr9zug2wZeMiTUXpXgnBqmyJAo6Rd82YlnUWE1ZTacDAuu5p11oaJBPYbhe7neK5GkII-aGBgi8XAt8i7t~eG0GpRL04xgw2t2r6PRX~pFVeiaCZ11lgyGrbSM2jQNxgTiAsyY9qAPB~GDiI5UktpXK~XY4mpODJ9nUOkzpQ2IbSGGOf2F7cX0VqQjDvtYcgOypYBqbtyrPBRjs02exO9xJIg5C3slNW6CtEwmC4t1M~MO2IfcRKkQsxU9nqpSQjDOthUN8uhtNcV6VVjsWGxYw-Qp6qEuFBevIGWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Braintree Town Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve Mayor Joyce’s appointment of Frederick T. Viola as chief of the Braintree Fire Department.

Mayor Joyce told the council that after a comprehensive interview process, she nominated Viola following his service as acting chief. \"Chief Viola has over 33 years of dedicated service with the Braintree Fire Department,\" the mayor said, noting he had led the department in an interim role, helped rebuild the department's budget and \"created a strong team to support those ongoing efforts.\"

Viola, who began his career in Braintree as a firefighter EMT in 1991, addressed the council briefly after the vote. \"I'm committed to operating more safely and efficiently with transparency and keeping pace with technology and changes in the fire service,\" he said. He thanked the mayor and his colleagues and family for their support.

Councilors who spoke during the appointment praised Viola's leadership during a difficult year as acting chief and highlighted his work on the department budget. Councilor Flaherty called the budget Viola presented \"the clearest, most comprehensive, and fiscally responsible budget\" she had seen from the department in years. Councilor Maglio and others said the full-department turnout to support Viola spoke to his professionalism and the department's confidence in him.

The formal motion to approve the appointment cited sections 2-10 and 3-3 of the town charter and was moved and seconded on the floor; the council then voted \"Aye\" with no opposed votes recorded.

Viola received his Chief Fire Officer certification from the Edward J. Collins Center for Public Management in January 2025, the mayor said during her remarks. The council recessed briefly after the vote to allow attendees supporting Viola to gather outside for photographs.

The council action makes Frederick T. Viola the official Fire Chief of the Town of Braintree going into FY2026.","The Town Council approved Mayor Joyce’s nomination of Frederick T. Viola as chief of the Braintree Fire Department after his year as acting chief; councilors praised his leadership and the vote was unanimous.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves Ormsby and Bowes for town boards; zoning board nominations deferred

Braintree council adopts $175.7 million FY2026 budget; approves multiple fiscal measures

Braintree council unanimously appoints Frederick T. Viola as fire chief