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Transcript From Mayor Sullivan Live Chat with Braintree Patch

Click into the chat below at noon today to participate in our Live Chat with Braintree Mayor Joseph Sullivan.

 
11:52
joemarkman: We'll be starting in just a few minutes.
 
12:00
joemarkman: Today Braintree Patch is glad to have Mayor Joseph C. Sullivan as our guest. He was elected Braintree’s first mayor in 2007 and re-elected last November with more than 85 percent of the vote. 

Before that, the Mayor served as a Town Meeting member in Braintree, on the Board of Selectmen, spent a decade as a state representative and was the Executive Director of the Massachusetts State Lottery.

Thanks for joining us, Mr. Mayor.
 
12:00
Comment From Mayor Joe Sullivan Thank You Joe, I am glad to be with you and Patch
 
12:01
joemarkman: Great, let's get started. 

One topic on a lot of people’s minds this week is the town’s 4th of July celebration coming up on Saturday, June 30. Mr. Mayor, how have those festivities evolved since you first took office?
 
12:03
Mayor Joe Sullivan: It is a great day for Braintree to be the first on the South Shore to celebrate our country's birthday. We have always had the field day and the fireworks but we added the parade when I became Mayor in 2008. The whole event, from parade to fireworks, is a great time for families.
 
12:04
joemarkman: What's your favorite part of the day? Walking in the parade? Watching the fireworks? I know it's probably hard to choose.
 
12:05
Mayor Joe Sullivan: I enjoy all of it. However, I guess I have a slight preference for the parade and seeing so many along the route.
 
12:05
joemarkman: I look forward to covering the event on Saturday.  

I thought for topics we’d start with Braintree’s response to the recent uptick in opioid and opiate abuse on the South Shore, and then segue into public safety. 
 
12:06
joemarkman: 

Mr. Mayor, you co-hosted a training seminar yesterday on opioid overdose response at Town Hall. http://braintree.patch.com/articles/braintree-seminar-spreads-awareness-of-drug-dangers-and-overdose-response

 

How do you think Braintree’s recent efforts to spread awareness have addressed the problem?
 
12:09
Mayor Joe Sullivan: Yesterday we had an informative and important discussion about the issue of drugs in our community. We are not alone and it is an imperative that we address this issue in an honest and forthright manner. We have taken the action steps of creating a true town partnership of parents, police, schools, and the community at large to act as one in our efforts to educate and create a level of awareness on the issue of opiates and other drug usage. I think we are making progress but I know there is much more to do and I thank Patch for covering our meetings and raising the knowledge on this issue.
 
12:10
joemarkman: Glad to be there, it was a very informative experience.
 
12:10
joemarkman: 

Last year, Braintree hosted a substance abuse seminar with Norfolk DA Michael Morrissey. http://braintree.patch.com/articles/substance-abuse-seminar-focuses-on-solutions-to-prescription-drug-abuse

 

Can you talk about the upcoming event this fall on substance abuse?
 
12:12
Mayor Joe Sullivan: The substance abuse night is scheduled for Sept. 19th at Town Hall with DA Mike Morrissey and Sen. John Keenan who has become an strong advocate for substance abuse awareness at the state level. Let me add that a survey was conducted with our students at the Middle and High School level to gain greater knowledge of their possible usage and knowledge on how we can combat this drug issue. The results should be tabulated by mid-summer for public review.
 
12:13
joemarkman: 

That's good to know. How will the public be able to access those school survey results?
 
12:14
Mayor Joe Sullivan: I believe the school committee, of which I am a member, will have it as an agenda item on July 30th.
 
12:14
joemarkman: Alright, let's move into public safety.
 
12:14
joemarkman: 

Recently, there have been two big pieces of news out of the police department. Let’s start with the upcoming retirement of long-time Chief Paul Frazier.http://braintree.patch.com/articles/braintree-police-chief-paul-frazier-retiring-in-august

 

What is the process for replacing the chief and where in that process is the town now?
 
12:18
Mayor Joe Sullivan: First let me thank Paul Frazier for his 19 years as Police Chief and his more than three decades of service to Braintree. We have our challenges in the public safety area, but statistically all the identified major crime catagories are down over the past four years. That indicates our priotity on public safety will ensure that Braintree is a safe community. I have established a committee of three local Chiefs who will assist me in the effort to select the best candidate as the next Police Chief for Braintree. The process will take us through mid-August to complete.
 
12:19
joemarkman: 

Thank you for that update. Can you say what towns those three chiefs are from Mr. Mayor?
 
12:21
Mayor Joe Sullivan: The two current chiefs from Wellesley and Mattapoisett as well as a former Chief who now heads the Massachusetts Police Chief's Association as Director. I can't add much more than that right now.
 
12:22
joemarkman: Gotcha. 

The other significant police story recently was Frazier’s decision to end the deployment of the department’s patrol dogs following three serious attacks in the past year. 

 

Mr. Mayor, you said earlier this month that you support the chief’s decision and that the K9 program needs a thorough evaluation. Has the review started? What are the first steps beyond taking the dogs out of service?
 
12:24
Mayor Joe Sullivan: I agree with the Chief's decision on the K9 situation. Overall it has been a good program for us, but recent events in the last year caused us to put a hold on it for now. We have begun a review of the program and will be working in the current months to see if we can bring it back.
 
12:25
joemarkman: Ok, let's move on to parks and recreation unless there was anything else you wanted to mention in the area of public safety.
 
12:27
Mayor Joe Sullivan: Let me just add that we have recently purchased several new pieces of equipment for the Fire Department as well as three new police cruisers. I am extremely proud of the efforts of our Fire and Police personel. And....... I want to modernize the East Braintree Fire Station this year as we did with our Police station this past year. I could go on but at your request we can move on.
 
12:28
joemarkman: One follow-up: Will the renovations to the East Braintree station affect the staffing of firefighters there or storage of equipment during the project?
 
12:28
Mayor Joe Sullivan: No it will not.
 
12:29
joemarkman: Thanks. Let's move along to the next topic. If readers have any public safety questions we can circle back.
 
12:29
joemarkman: 

Mr. Mayor, you announced earlier this year a two-year, $300,000 program to renovate 12 neighborhood parks. What types of improvements will residents see and when will they begin to see the upgrades? Which six parks are slated for work this fiscal year?
 
12:34
Mayor Joe Sullivan: I have met with the DPW Director as well as the Recreation Director to plan the upgrades over the summer. We will do six this year and six next year. Basketball Court resurfacing, some tennis court upgrades and new rims and new nets where needed. I think we are going to start with Perry Park on Elmlawn Road in July and then we will move geographically throughout town. The basketball courts behind Daugherty Gym and on Pond Street are also scheduled for this year. This is a commitment to our neighborhood parks and the promotion of recreation throughout town.
 
12:36
joemarkman: 

Last week, members of the Commission on Disabilities urged the Town Council to keep an eye on the accessibility of various areas of town, including the parks.http://braintree.patch.com/articles/parks-town-hall-and-other-access-in-braintree-should-be-improved-commission-says

 

Mr. Mayor, how do you think Braintree is doing in terms of making sure its recreational areas are universally accessible? Is there a process in place for making sure accessibility is a part of renovation projects?
 
12:38
Mayor Joe Sullivan: Most of our parks a currently ADA compliant. All will be when we are done with the scheduled work. I apprciate the work of the Commission on Disabilities and have met with its Chairwoman Barbara Tennison over the past year about her concerns. In short, access for all is an important statement for the Town and we will continue to make strong efforts to see that we are successful.
 
12:40
joemarkman: I have somewhat of a parks/rec question that was posed to me a while back by a reader. 

Highlands residents received recycling barrels last August as part of an effort to increase recycling rates in town. What’s the timeline for other neighborhoods to receive the barrels?
 
12:45
Mayor Joe Sullivan: Our hope is to get blue barrels throughout town, this year and next. Additionally, we are looking to take steps to increase household recycling to get it above the aproximate 30% participation. Single-stream has improved our recycling efforts, but if we are going to truly reduce the amount of trash we have to increase recycling. That may include the distribution of larger barrels for recycling and other conservation steps that we would take. However, we are reviewing the matter now and will have a more complete plan later this year. Let me take this oppurtunity to encourage people to recycle. All paper, plastics, and glass can go into one barrel. It is important to our environment as well as financially smart for our Town. And it easy to do!
 
12:46
joemarkman: 

Great, and now that I actually asked more of a DPW question, here's another: 

Mr. Mayor, you gave a budget address to the Town Council in May in which you mentioned the ongoing discussion between Braintree, Holbrook and Randolph over possibly building a regional water treatment plant. 

You mentioned at the time that a decision could be reached by the end of May. What’s the status of that today?

 

 
 
12:50
Mayor Joe Sullivan: With all good intentions we are still working at it. And yes I realize the caledar has moved beyond May. This is not an easy issue because of the financial obligations required by all three communities to make one facility work for all. I think a regional approach is the best way to go at this time. However, our neighbors have to agree with that sentiment and be willing to pay their fair share. Nothing is easy and we will keep working at it. Please let me note that the current facility in Braintree is working well and I have authorized improvements to be made so that we can maintain the quality of water for Braintree.
 
12:51
joemarkman: Alright, we've got a few reader questions that I've saved that are on the topic of education. Let's go there.
 
12:51
joemarkman: And a quick note from a reader on recycling:
 
12:51
Comment From Kerry  Speaking of recycling, our trash collection program should work to neaten the streets, check out the program in Medford,http://www.medford.org/pages/medfordma_recycle/Final_MedfordGuide.pdf
 
12:51
Comment From Chris Ryan  My wife and I recently purchased a home on Lisle St. after 10 years in Devon Wood. The recent (and future) upgrades to the school system was a large part of our decision to remain in Braintree. We also like the way the town has been run in recent years thanks to Joe et all. Braintree residents for the most part are very kind and always willing to lend a hand. e.g. Friends of Will and Kyleighs Cure are just 2 of the great volunteer opportunities in this town run by good people. What is the best way for a citizen to get involved with town government? Keep up the good work. Regards Chris Ryan
 
12:53
Mayor Joe Sullivan: Kerry, thank you for sending me that link. I will have a look at it and make a point to discuss it with Mayor McGlynn of Medford
 
12:54
Comment From Kerry  You are welcome, thanks for spending time online today.
 
12:56
Mayor Joe Sullivan: Thanks for staying Braintree Chris. We are a quality community and the families of Braintree make it that way in support of one another.... such as Kyleighs Cure, Prayers for Charlotte support of our Youth Center and in times of trouble like Hurricane Irene and the floods of March 2010... we have all come together. Additionally, we try to make it easy to access your town government by posting our Town budget and as much information on our award winning website, braintreema.gov. And you can always walk in the door and ask for me or call me at 781-794-8026. Thanks for your kind words.
 
12:57
joemarkman: Kerry has another question, this time on education. I'll start with my related question and put hers in as well.

After much discussion about the space needs of Braintree’s schools, particularly at the elementary level, architect Habeeb & Associates presented to the School Committee a study earlier this month with several different options. http://braintree.patch.com/articles/architects-study-braintree-k-5-schools-and-offer-preliminary-space-solutions

 

Among the options, which direction do you think the Massachusetts School Building Authority will point Braintree toward?
 
12:58
Comment From Kerry  With the school committee's space study complete, could you let us know if the expansion plans include tuition free, full day kindergarten in each elementary school district?
 
12:58
Mayor Joe Sullivan: Kerry, I am enjoying the online experience so far!
 
1:00
Mayor Joe Sullivan: Joe and Kerry, as far as the MSBA I will not make a judgement on their preference but I will say that a final plan needs to work for Braintree. We hope to sit with MSBA during the month of July. I have a request into Executive Director Jack McCarthy for such a meeting.
 
1:03
joemarkman: 

We've hit the hour mark, but if Mr. Mayor if you have a few more minutes I have a couple more questions submitted ahead of time by readers.
 
1:04
Mayor Joe Sullivan: Joe, I am going to have to scoot soon, but I can stay overtime for a bit.
 
1:05
joemarkman: Ok, thanks. The first is along the lines of education:

Denise: I would love to ask why my daughter who lives on a main road (Liberty Street) where people average a speed of 40mph regardless of the limit is made to be a walker to her school .9 miles away (so almost a mile) at the age of 5. No child in elementary school should be made to walk in an extremely unsafe environment. Oh and we are two working parents I am also in school and we have my mother in law who does not drive waiting for her. Just wrong! Why does the town think that’s ok?
 
1:09
Mayor Joe Sullivan: Denise, the school department has always had a policy the child is a walker and as you may know the Donald Ross Elementary school is a totally walking school. Yes, there are always exceptions and i don't know if you have reached out to the Superitendent for relief in this matter. I apprciate that you think that this is a policy that is wrong and I don't think anyone endorses it to be "ok." We try to do things right around here but the cost of transportation and other factors come in to play when decisions are made. We do not want to comprimise the safety of any child that you and your husband both work... so if I can help in anyway please see my contact information on a previously answered question. Thanks and be well.
 
1:10
Mayor Joe Sullivan: Let me correct my answer
 
1:11
Mayor Joe Sullivan: The child is a walker if they live less than a mile from the school. Sorry, my fingers are getting tired!
 
1:11
joemarkman: Hah, I know the feeling. Thanks for addressing that for Denise.
 
1:11
joemarkman: And one final reader question. I appreciate your time. For whatever we couldn't get to today, hopefully we'll be able to have the Mayor join us again for a chat in the future.

Claudette Newhall: Can something be done about the accumulation of pigeon droppings under the Union Street track bridge? The MBTA has told me that this is a town problem and they are not responsible for any clean up. It's nasty to walk through but also
nasty to see out your car window as you enter Braintree. 
 
1:17
Mayor Joe Sullivan: The new Blue Bridge... which I know has created much discussion... is an improvement than the ugly structure that was before it. The previous netting that was in place was all ripped apart, and the pigeons are pretty smart as they chew through it. This is the first I heard that it is a town problem in fact when the T upgraded the bridge at our request I was told that a coating would be put on the bridge to reduce the number of birds nesting upon the bridge. I will contact the T and try to rectify this situation. We have a lot of geese in town that are hard to control. I guess mother nature has a way of trying our patience at times.
 
1:18
joemarkman: 

Must be all those geese that have been chased out of the golf course.
 
1:18
joemarkman: Well thank you for joining us today, Mr. Mayor. I'll have a follow-up article with highlights from the chat live tomorrow morning, and readers can access this transcript anytime.
 
1:19
Mayor Joe Sullivan: Joe, the golfers tell me there are still plenty of geese there... I don't have time to play! :)
 
1:20
Mayor Joe Sullivan: Joe, thanks to you and your readers. This experience is a first for me and I dare say that I enjoyed it! Lets do it again another time. Thanks. Happy 4th to all! See everyone at the parade!
 
Related Topics: Braintree Government, Braintree Patch Live Chat, Live Chat, and Mayor Joseph Sullivan

Sean

4:48 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Nice to see Mayor Sullivan taking time to do this. I disagree with Denise being concerned that her child needs to walk 0.9 miles to school. First, no one forced them to move to Liberty Street and second that isn't a long walk and we should be encouraging our kids to walk. I grew up in the highlands area and walked quite a distance to school at that age. It's no more dangerous for us to walk on Liberty Street than it is your daughter. I think if you have an issue with the speeds people drive you should contact the police department and have them set up speed traps, especially during the morning hours.

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