Braintree council accepts two scholarships totaling about $193,811 for Braintree High students

At the March 3 meeting the Town of Braintree council authorized acceptance of two scholarship gifts to benefit Braintree High School students.

Christina O'Connell, the town treasurer-collector, told the council the first gift is a $128,000 portion of the estate of Robert Corey, a former Braintree High School teacher, and that the will specifies the money be used as a scholarship. "The cash value of what was left to us was $128,000," O'Connell said. She explained that the town administers other scholarships and, working with the school and the scholarship committee, will determine award terms because the will specifies only that the money be used for a scholarship.

The second gift is the remaining balance of a charitable trust associated with Michael J. Kasaboom (transcript spelling), which O'Connell said currently totals $65,811.30. The donor’s trustee asked that distributions be limited to graduating Braintree High School students headed to UMass Amherst; the school and scholarship committee will finalize award amounts and eligibility consistent with the donor’s wishes.

O'Connell told the council both gifts are being presented for acceptance under Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 44, Section 53A. The council moved, seconded and unanimously approved accepting each gift.

Councilors expressed gratitude to the donors and their families, calling the bequests "very touching" and noting the difference scholarships make for students facing rising college costs. The council did not set specific award criteria at the meeting; those details will be developed by the scholarship committee and school officials in accordance with donors’ directions and applicable law.