Mayor Joyce opened the discussion by asking the council to take up a same-night acceptance of a donation: a new scoreboard and dugout repairs for the Braintree High School varsity baseball field.

The donation was offered by the Quincy South Shore Building Trades and affiliated signatory contractors, including the Greater Boston Plumbing Contractors Association, National Electric Contractors Association (Boston), New England Mechanical Contractors Association, Crane Marr & Rigging, and Buckley Elevator. Patrick Mulkerin, identified in the meeting as president of the Quincy South Shore Building Trades Council and a Braintree resident, described the donation and the group's goal of showcasing the trades to students.

"We wanted to remind the kids there's somewhere else to go other than college. You can come get a free education and learn a trade and make a hundred thousand dollars a year doing it with no debt," Patrick Mulkerin said.

Mayor Joyce said the donors will use union labor to transport, wire and install the scoreboard and that the scoreboard mock-up included a notation on the bottom reading "proudly sponsored by the trades." She called the offer "a really, unique opportunity" to both improve athletic facilities and highlight career options in the building trades.

Councilors who spoke largely praised the donation as a community-minded partnership. Councilor Reynolds thanked the unions for the gift and said their involvement was important as the town faces budget challenges. Councilor Baraka (who moved acceptance) and others said the donation would provide student engagement opportunities and recognized the symbolic value of trades participation.

The council moved to accept the donation and any related action; the motion passed unanimously.

The donation includes installation of the electronic scoreboard, cosmetic repairs to dugouts and additional signage. Town staff and the donors said installation would use union labor and that the scoreboard design was included in the council's meeting packet. Councilors also asked to take a group photograph after the vote to publicize the partnership.

Votes at a glance: The Town Council voted unanimously to accept the donation and any action relative thereto.

What happens next: The donors and town staff will schedule installation and coordinate any on-site work; councilors expressed interest in signage and student engagement events tied to the project.