Braintree council approves five-year $110 million capital plan; authorizes $17.46M general-fund and $1.05M stormwater borrowings

The Town of Braintree Town Council on Tuesday approved a five-year capital plan covering fiscal years 2025–2029 and adopted appropriation orders authorizing borrowing for specific FY25 capital projects.

Mayor Mia Joyce summarized the plan during the meeting, saying the fiscal year 2025 capital plan “outlines $110,000,000 in investments over a five-year period, of fiscal year 25 through fiscal year 29,” and naming major investments including the Tri Town Water Treatment Plant and roadway, water, sewer and public-safety projects.

The plan and two borrowing motions passed unanimously. Councilors voted to approve the capital plan as submitted, approved a list of general-fund capital projects totaling $17,463,500 to be funded by general-obligation debt, and approved a separate $1,050,000 borrowing from the stormwater enterprise fund for capital equipment replacement.

Why it matters: the package directs funding for infrastructure and equipment across the town, including large multi-year items that shape maintenance and service capacity. Mayor Joyce said the plan draws on multiple funding sources — “cash balances, bonded funds, state and federal funding sources and other non-budgetary sources” — and that it is intended as a living document to guide long-term investments.

Key project highlights listed during the meeting include: - Tri Town Water Treatment Plant: total investment noted as $59,000,000 with Braintree’s share described as nearly $18,000,000. - Roadway projects: roughly $18,000,000 in roadway-related projects using a combination of town funding and annual state Chapter 90 funds. - Water distribution upgrades: $15,000,000. - Sewer repairs and rehabilitation: $5,000,000. - Fire headquarters renovation: $5,000,000. - Police and fire equipment replacement: $4,400,000. - Braintree Public Schools technology replacements: $2,000,000. - Playground, parks and fields upgrades (accessibility improvements): $1,200,000 across multiple projects.

Councilors and staff described the review process as more thorough and transparent than in prior years. Councilor Bridal, chairwoman of the Ways and Means Committee, said the committee met over multiple evenings and sent the full package to the council with unanimous favorable recommendations. Finance Director Mike Esben said bond counsel reviewed the appropriation language to ensure compliance with statutory requirements.

Council discussion also included timing and coordination questions: Councilor Bridal asked when a $600,000 appropriation for Business Square improvements would proceed; staff said $150,000 was projected to be spent in fiscal 2026 and that paving of the municipal lot in South Braintree Square would likely not occur before spring or summer of the following year, and would require DPW bidding and coordination with local businesses because the lot’s temporary closure would affect parking.

Formal actions recorded in the meeting included motions to open and close public hearings on the capital items and then to approve the plan and the appropriation orders. All recorded votes on those motions were unanimous. No public speakers addressed the specific appropriation items during the hearings.

What’s next: the capital plan and the appropriation orders authorized borrowing and directed the mayor and treasurer to take actions needed to issue bonds or notes and to apply any eligible federal or state aid toward the projects. Council members said Ways and Means will continue to track project timing and report back to the council.