Braintree council unanimously OKs National Grid gas-main work, accepts withdrawal of fire station restoration order and refers mail-vote opt-out to committee

The Town of Braintree Town Council on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, voted unanimously to grant National Grid permission to relay sections of gas main on several town streets, accepted Mayor Joyce's withdrawal of Order 23-080 (a proposed appropriation for a historic fire station restoration), approved minutes from Nov. 6, 2024, and referred Order 25-001 — an early vote-by-mail opt-out provision under the Votes Act of 2022 — to the council's Ways and Means Committee.

The council acted on the items in a short session presided over by Vice President Rangus with Clerk Starr filling in for Clerk Cimino. Each motion passed without recorded opposition. Town officials said the National Grid petition carried the department-of-public-works and building department recommendations submitted to the council.

On Order 24-059, the council granted National Grid permission to relay multiple lengths and types of gas main on Washington Street, Ash Street and Oak Street, as described in the motion submitted to the council, with staff recommendations from Building and the Department of Public Works. The motion recording in the transcript lists a sequence of pipe types and historic installation years and identifies specific footage on affected streets; the council approved the request as recommended by staff.

On Order 23-080 — a mayoral appropriation request related to fire station historic restoration that had been continued from a previous meeting — the council opened and closed the public hearing and then voted to accept Mayor Joyce's written withdrawal of the order. The town council recorded receipt of a memo from Mayor Joyce dated Dec. 3, 2024, withdrawing Order 23-080 "from consideration by the town council at this time." The council then voted to accept the withdrawal.

Under new business, the council voted to refer Order 25-001, described as the Town Clerk Votes Act of 2022 early vote-by-mail opt-out provision, to the Ways and Means Committee for further consideration. The referral was seconded and approved unanimously.

Procedural actions taken in the meeting also included approval of the Nov. 6, 2024 meeting minutes and adjournment. The council announced its next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 4, 2025.

In announcements before the council's votes, Councilor Hume congratulated Hollis Principal Tim McDonald on being selected as the next Braintree Public Schools superintendent; those remarks were delivered as a council announcement and were not a formal council action.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes (Nov. 6, 2024): Moved by Councilor Bridal; seconded by Councilor Flaherty; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Order 23-080 (Mayor's appropriation request for fire station historic restoration): Mayor Joyce submitted memo dated Dec. 3, 2024 withdrawing the order; council voted to accept the withdrawal (unanimous). - Order 24-059 (National Grid petition/permission to relay gas mains on Washington St., Ash St., Oak St., and related segments): Motion carried with staff recommendations from Building and DPW; second provided; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Order 25-001 (Town Clerk: Votes Act of 2022 — early vote-by-mail opt-out provision): Referred to Ways and Means Committee; moved by Councilor Bridal; seconded by Councilor Flaherty; outcome: referral approved (unanimous).

Ending

The council adjourned after brief additional housekeeping; the meeting was televised by BCAM and the council thanked local crew members for coverage.