Braintree Election: District Council Candidates Speak Up

Braintree Patch has asked each candidate in this year's mayoral, town council and school committee races to submit a few words as the Nov. 8 election nears. For more information on polling places, ballot composition and the candidates themselves, see our .

Below are notes from the district council candidates who have submitted them so far. Candidates are welcome to submit after this is published, and they will be added to this article.

District 2

John Mullaney

Four years ago, I was first elected as the Town Councilor for District 2 under the
slogan “WORKING TOGETHER FOR A BETTER BRAINTREE.” Whether it was
reviewing the budget as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee or reviewing proposed ordinances as a member of the Rules and Ordinance Committee, I used that slogan as a guide to making my decision.

Early on, I supported having the Peterson Pool Fund used to build a first class pool at . This year, all agreed this was a good idea.

We all must keep our eye on education. The teachers and students must be provided first class facilities so there will be no roadblocks for learning. Our parks and playgrounds must be maintained. Our police and fire departments must be fully staffed. All of this comes at a cost. We should consider implementing the meals tax which would bring in $800,000 to Braintree of which 70% would be paid for by those who visit our town.

Five years down the road, I see a town whose streets have all been reconstructed. Run down buildings have been replaced by new ones. Our sport programs become the best because of the investment that we are making in the facilities at the high school. This will all be done as we continue to say that Braintree has one of the lowest tax rates in Massachusetts.

Adam Ringius

My name is Adam Ringius, and I look forward to the opportunity to serve as the next District Two Town Councilor for Braintree. I have to start by thanking the Patch for giving me another opportunity to spread the word about my campaign. Braintree is a great town, and continues to be the pride of the South Shore, however no town is perfect. We face many challenges, as a town, and with
strong leadership we can face them head on over the next two years.

The biggest issue facing Braintree right now is the issue of overcrowding in our schools. We need to find a way, through new and currently unrealized revenue streams, to either build a new school or renovate one of our existing schools to accommodate the rising population of children in our system. Mayor Sullivan and the Council deserve a great deal of credit for taking the first step in addressing this problem at Tuesday night’s Town Council meeting. They unanimously approved the appropriation of funds to the schools which have been used to bring in new teachers at the Elementary School level.

In five years, I see Braintree continuing to thrive as a community. I envision a new Elementary School opened and in working order, and our town sitting in a sound financial position. I also foresee myself serving on the Town Council.

On Tuesday November 8th, I would be honored to have your support, and your vote as District Two’s next Town Councilor. Thank you!

District 3

Tom Bowes

I have served as the District 3 Councilor for East Braintree for the last two terms. It has been an honor serving the residents of East Braintree. I have served on the Ways and Means Committee the last two years and am proud that our budgets have provided quality services for residents without any town layoffs.

During the last two years, we have seen the result of the PWED grant awarded to Braintree & Weymouth. The Planning Boards worked together to implement zoning changes specific to this area in hopes of attracting small business. We will continue to work with the Braintree Business Trades and South Shore Chamber of Commerce to make this area flourish once again. 

I am proud that we have been able to get the Peterson Pool issue resolved after 47 years. We will also see a Peterson splash pad at Watson Park, plus improvements to the Toland walkway. The BELD property on Allen St. has been returned to the town and I will work with the residents and the administration to see that a scenic pedestrian walkway comes to reality. 

Braintree's biggest challenge is our budget. We will have to continue to be cautious and gain revenue through growth to provide quality services. Other challenges center on schools and public safety.

With class sizes an ever-present issue, we will have to step back and find the best solution, whether it be looking at existing buildings closed over the years or possibly constructing a new school. I will also work with my colleagues to increase police and fire staffing levels.

Going forward, we will need to continue budgeting cautiously and developing economically, and Braintree could be a jewel on the South Shore within five years.

District 4

Henry Joyce

Four years ago I was very honored to be elected District 4 Town Councilor,
representing precincts 8 and 9. Over these four years I have been a member of the Ways and Means Committee, Rules and Ordinances Committee, Chairman of the Parks and Playground Committee and liaison to the Council of Elder Affairs. I have worked very hard to make sure the residents of Braintree have received the best services we can provide them for their tax dollars.

Through a tough economy we have had no layoffs in the town. We have
reconstructed 73 roads, maintained our Parks and Playgrounds and have built a
new playground in the Highlands. In the next two years we will have a swimming
pool, skating rink and two artificial playing fields with very little if any cost to
Braintree residents. I also believe that Weymouth Landing will become another gem in Braintree once we have finished the re-development of the area and bring in some new businesses.

I have put my 35 years experience in the Financial Service Industry to work for
Braintree. I have worked tirelessly with my fellow councilors and the Mayor to
establish a sound budget, help create solid solutions to various problems and been very responsive to the residents of Braintree.

So I respectfully ask for vote on Tuesday November 8th so I may continue working for you on the Town Council.

Stephen O'Brien

Stephen believes Braintree is already a great town for families and is business friendly. He recognizes there is a cry from townspeople for open space. The town has the community preservation fund entrusted with making that happen. We need to be more diligent in using those funds for open space purchases.

Over the next five years, Candidate O’Brien feels we can become a beacon for the state much like Milton. We were a contender on the CNNMoney list in 2009, but fell off in the years after.

To become that beacon or, to use mayor Sullivan’s term (not in the same context) “compete," we need to enhance our school system and reduce the overall town crime rate. We currently have a good school system we can become great by continuing the repairs of existing buildings and consider building or opening new schools. The crime rate is a focus of our mayor and public safety officials, but the drug problem needs great attention.

With the advent of the Peterson pool and community skating rink, the town would benefit greatly for town athletics and family activities.

If job creation is one of the litmus tests, we have plenty of businesses to attract.

Keep our taxes manageable and we have a location that deserves credit for all it has to offer.

Mr. O’Brien will work diligently as a Town Council member to ensure others know that in Braintree, we have it all!

District 5

Ronald DeNapoli

I am 51 years old. I live at 16 Andrea Dr. Precinct #2 with my elderly parents, I have 7 children and I have 5 grand children too. All my children have or are presently attending the Braintree school system. I have lived in the town my entire life.

I have been the district 5 councilor for two terms. I am the current chairman of the DPW committee and the vice chairman of the public safety committee. I  served on the Planning Board for 10 years. The Zoning Board Appeals, and Fair Housing Committee. I was a past town meeting member precinct #10, and past rules and ordinance committee chairman.

I am a homeowner and taxpayer. I graduated Braintree High School in 1978, attended Massasoit Community College and graduated from the Lee Institute in Boston.

I see our current challenges as three. The first would be getting people back to work by helping businesses create new jobs. The second is to keep a close watch on our expenses and cutting costs were there is waste so we can provide the services we need fully staffed. The third is our roads and schools we need to continue to repair our roads and schools so that our kids will have everything they need to succeed in life.

I see Braintree in five years as wonderful place to live with a great tax rate with a quality school system and a town that really cares about the needs of its seniors making sure that we all share a great quality of life.

Bill Sweeney

My name is Bill Sweeney and I am a candidate for District 5 Town Councilor. I am
seeking this position because Braintree faces a number of difficult challenges in the near future. I have the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to lead Braintree through these difficult challenges.

For the past forty years, my wife, Peg, and I have been Braintree residents. We have raised our six children in District 5 and five of our six children now are raising their children and our grandchildren in District 5 as well. I pledge to work hard to continue to make Braintree a great place to live and work. Among other things, I expect to tackle are keeping our tax base at a competitive level, improving our roadways and schools, and opening up our lines of communication between residents in District 5 and Town Hall.

These difficult economic times bring new challenges and financial issues. In my
capacity as the former Braintree Town Administrator, I was responsible for the day to day operations of the town. As a Certified Public Account and a practicing attorney, I understand budgeting, capital planning and bond financing. I will apply my knowledge, skills and experience to help control our bond rating.

Braintree is a great place to raise a family because we have a great school system. I want to work to improve our schools to educate our children and maintain our property values. I also want to open the lines of communications between residents and town officials. I will bring concerns of District 5 residents’ to Town Hall so residents can be heard.

Marybeth Canwell

My name is Marybeth Canwell and I'm running for Town Council District 5. I'm a 35-year-old mother of three here in Braintree. I have been married to Jeff Canwell for 12 years. We moved to back to Braintree 11 years ago because of all the town had to offer. A great school system and a great sense of community. I believe in order to this kind of town, you need to move forward in education and safety.

The challenges facing the town today are how to do this with the economy such as it is. The overcrowding of schools, classrooms and the fear of raising taxes is what prompted me to run for Town Council. As a working mom with children in the school system and in town sports, I've been able to talk with other concerned parents. I am against raising taxes but I am for the meals tax. Which will bring in money from anyone dining in the town, not just the residents.

I hope to see within the next 5 years another elementary school opened andor a kindergarten center. I also would like the 100 Roads Project to continue, and to take my children to the new Highland Playground and see all the parks kept up. I will make sure our children have a voice on the Town Council. Thank you for taking the time to read what I'm about, and I hope to have your vote on Tuesday, Nov 8.

Additional candidates: Charles Kokoros, District 1; Paul "Dan" Clifford, District 6, Harold Randolph, District 6.