[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6351356,"mediaKeyId","2230334-db8673221b20a5809d356afa865d1e16","parentId",2230334,"title","Finance committee opens broader study of Aquaria treatment plant purchase as a path to lower water costs, but members warn of risks","audioSeconds",626,"startMs",5986000,"endMs",6612000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2230334-db8673221b20a5809d356afa865d1e16&start=5986&end=6612","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2230334-db8673221b20a5809d356afa865d1e16/thumbnail_5986000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6351356/Brockton-City/Plymouth-County/Massachusetts/Finance-committee-opens-broader-study-of-Aquaria-treatment-plant-purchase-as-a-path-to-lower-water-costs-but-members-warn-of-risks","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6351356-d58662c9748a10574c9c1db3cdde5606/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197705&Signature=QRk~hmpUPdTHDIJAxhDtndqJt0FtWM-9alWLAJH6T7o4xWtO3ayExnugcSypm4xuaOuO6VUqsLq3jjgOp5edWQPIjnfMvvQm-4RwOy~kZcVPm1pddE5SpBqKf7DvI3lmybZZQqrcIEftRbuLtbH21O6j0~7O~xgRSvAtN5l5tf7iD0Tn8J-C1emZ7PdSDLCJoThij9iNIwMpGiQJjxg-cJh9fmFEXEL6wRTiCYE3SofOYeqa8XZV4wDjgl5fs2Kl4bTa-JnGzdtXQ1GHl7e2QRoo0TE5emMR7~JvQ6LIeog7F5yWc4CrbXS1NDerTMyPkuxZ~LZQpUxRIrEcqKmTQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Brockton City, MA","date","2025-02-04T02:58:30Z","article","The Brockton Finance Committee on Feb. 3 heard a detailed staff presentation on options for regional water supply, including acquiring the Aquaria Water Treatment Plant in Dighton.

DPW Commissioner Patrick Hill and CFO Troy Clarkson presented updated cost estimates and regional demand research. Clarkson said an acquisition analysis included both market-rate financing and a state revolving fund (SRF) loan scenario; a 30-year loan at 4.5 percent produced higher annual debt-service estimates than a 1.5 percent SRF loan. Hill said prior rate studies and updated operation-and-maintenance estimates suggest the city could staff and operate the plant and push approximately 2 million gallons per day through the facility at an estimated O&M cost of about $3.6 million per year.

Commissioner Hill emphasized the present fiscal burden of Brockton's existing contract with Aquaria: “That contract currently costs $8,800,000. That's 44% of the overall water budget,” he said, noting Brockton currently pays for plant capacity though it receives little potable water. Hill said Brockton's contract holds rights to 3.8 million gallons per day of Aquaria's capacity and added that Easton, Avon and East Bridgewater have expressed interest in purchasing treated water.

Officials underscored PFAS as a driving factor. Hill pointed out recent changes in PFAS standards and the high cost of bringing wells into compliance: he cited a past Easton well upgrade to remove PFAS at roughly $27 million.

Councilors raised legal and financial concerns. Councilor Farwell reminded colleagues of the 2017 home-rule petition that altered residents' right to vote on a water-source purchase and urged caution about assuming pipeline and liability costs. Several councilors requested a detailed plant inspection, pipeline assessment and a public, nonbinding referendum if the city proceeds to a purchase decision.

After extended questions, the committee voted to recommend favorably the resolve directing staff to update the council on regional solutions. Officials said any loan order or purchase would require the mayor's initiative and full council action. Staff will continue technical reviews and legislative outreach and return with more detailed cost analyses and written proposals.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Brockton Finance Committee Meeting 2-3-25","oneSentenceSummary","Officials presented costs and scenarios for Brockton to acquire the Aquaria Water Treatment Plant and operate it as a regional source of PFAS-free water. Staff said owning the plant could reduce the city's current ~$8.8 million annual contract cost; councilors pressed for detailed inspections, regional options and public input.","taxTitle","Brockton City, Plymouth County, Massachusetts","taxId",4538,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":44,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6351359,"Committee authorizes officials to pursue federal reimbursements, MOU with state agencies for foster-child costs",128,5858000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2230334-db8673221b20a5809d356afa865d1e16&start=5858&end=5986","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2230334-db8673221b20a5809d356afa865d1e16/thumbnail_5858000.jpg","/articles/6351359/Brockton-City/Plymouth-County/Massachusetts/Committee-authorizes-officials-to-pursue-federal-reimbursements-MOU-with-state-agencies-for-foster-child-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6351359-1bfafc0e5d9a74701ab3280019e2a0c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197705&Signature=H~herjSLrx8RQxiyPwHZ-dWnOp~JPW8OZolWsQegNMaE~aYAwtoNXlboZ0yxg~dIajJ6QoYyy7iNlVqp3iZ-eavjqaHkfohJgtPdNFQuJKsjNzTcGXhIh3ujWKbNtWp80Tcie7veVVAw9lx46joi8AyTQ4E0K3LPuFKqShRrd2QIxCSb6jA6AnUd-KWZkFgxbAwwY1O-lUbHmkkSX~XgTdxvdH7IR-rvY41qzQAORHBHeMgXrN0yqj2Tezkb15xFC~re7wBb2TnH80ABLWvCJC95JRBRpeOs3KJ9FRIIlwRDaPL1ak~X-kPeKCWG8gpPrLh3JAkFVMIYOPXNsTSQZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Brockton Finance Committee on Feb. 3 voted to authorize the collector/treasurer and other officials, with the mayor's approval, to enter contracts to identify and pursue federal government reimbursements and other recoverable revenues generated by municipal programs.

Mayor Robert F. Sullivan told the committee that the matter was brought to staff's attention by school CFO Trish Boyer and said the city \"could potentially reap an additional $32,000\" by entering a memorandum of understanding with DESE and the Department of Children and Families regarding foster-child costs. The order would allow the city to enter agreements so payment for services could be made from reimbursements recovered without a separate appropriation.

Treasurer-Collector Tom Martin Brophy and CFO Troy Clarkson were listed as staff for the item. After brief discussion the committee voted to recommend favorably and the measure will advance to the full council for final authorization.","The finance committee approved an order authorizing the treasurer and mayor to enter contracts to identify and pursue federal reimbursements or other revenues, following a school CFO's note that a DESE/DCF memorandum could yield about $32,000.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6351361,"Finance committee recommends $6 million stabilization transfer for school transportation amid concerns about cost controls",400,1206000,1606000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2230334-db8673221b20a5809d356afa865d1e16&start=1206&end=1606","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2230334-db8673221b20a5809d356afa865d1e16/thumbnail_1206000.jpg","/articles/6351361/Brockton-City/Plymouth-County/Massachusetts/Finance-committee-recommends-6-million-stabilization-transfer-for-school-transportation-amid-concerns-about-cost-controls","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6351361-da1379eb6bd58d6cf8909f62409de965/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197705&Signature=jmhq3dEdOGZMOmg4IVC4h2HiifabSCcMnxxpJ14iMR0DkZhzyXtEm~StDbSHO~P40BpZ1pnisORcfLuAjn2dryQrs-K-tqDitdcEdz7Ol-9PVfkRgsxvRV747v-byiM4Hx5eofR35CB-BqjClk3KZ6Y~oLWE6aix23qe14NjkGtcRb9MqEeRsbt4NdKjOrWxNiwU0EgACcNKyU8Yqx9~UWwoQ4dmwEkJTVWjYfmoS2LMhgW0yKWx31ELCAhodBQK-suFQKpa50luLJn5cVz4zvTtE5MnC8hj0uPC5BzIHzIQurBTfbD8Ge9P8pESScSGCZEvVe59SlDr3lXX6TYv9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Brockton Finance Committee on Feb. 3 recommended favorably a $6 million transfer from the city's stabilization fund to cover school transportation expenses this fiscal year.

CFO Troy Clarkson told the committee the money was placed in stabilization earlier in the budget cycle specifically for this purpose and said approving the transfer is needed to avoid a larger deficit: “Transportation costs are a city responsibility. So for us to not fund when we have funds available would knowingly create an additional deficit,” Clarkson said. He added the schools have taken steps toward accountability and that the city is in frequent contact with the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Department of Revenue.

Committee members pressed for specifics about outstanding invoices, encumbrances and steps the school department has taken to reduce costs. TJ Plant of Open Architects, who is serving as a school liaison, said the department has negotiated letters of agreement with private special-education transportation providers that now include written scope and fees and that some cost savings have been realized. Plant said there was about $400,000 remaining in certain lines prior to the transfer and that an estimated $4.1 million in additional vendor need was reported by the transportation director to cover the rest of the year; he pledged to refine the figures.

Councilors repeatedly urged the school department to issue open competitive bids for special-education transportation, to standardize payment terms and to address recurring operational issues such as driver licensing, driver vetting and route encumbrances. Several councilors said the city needs clearer projections of per-day transportation costs and outstanding invoices; CFO Clarkson and TJ Plant agreed to provide more precise, line-item figures and to work on blanket-encumbrance processes with the city auditor.

The committee voted to recommend favorably. Members said they would press for follow-up reports and documentation from the school department and finance staff before the full council acts on the transfer.","The committee recommended transferring $6 million from the stabilization fund to cover school transportation costs. Officials said the funding is needed to avoid a deeper deficit, while councilors pressed the schools for detailed invoices, procurement actions and progress on cost containment.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6351362,"Finance committee backs intermunicipal wastewater agreement with Easton; Easton to pay about $900,000 mitigation fee",3530,1315000,4845000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2230334-db8673221b20a5809d356afa865d1e16&start=1315&end=4845","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2230334-db8673221b20a5809d356afa865d1e16/thumbnail_1315000.jpg","/articles/6351362/Brockton-City/Plymouth-County/Massachusetts/Finance-committee-backs-intermunicipal-wastewater-agreement-with-Easton-Easton-to-pay-about-900000-mitigation-fee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6351362-3fe6c4c29d4afbb693ed44d48b386965/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197705&Signature=AIxWp-V4hvWyOZI-yWh8SHyeW8Ap~JFtr1UprOoMJa~vrVfsvvRteBwTwA1W8c8fcimCocK-sq5KOejoNMbcxRU4r8xiCJLtL5RuMrRuOHc6CjUqa56af1prjIdAjkiWqsUbNHx2-Y5OAqQKyr-MyzsZvxwIPF~eCT0UkroHu5HncJYYhyOcliI89M49Fx2FxPYnRB3kjy1JDjZEpaRQR0bfSttp7eiJNrpb6snpvRiUDRJ6ulZYbmvrwR4cCYMkh5aL0uNNRUecY3w4nB6Lxb-S~0vEgRD4yOGJVuW9FMUc3WEQN-wyMvT8sdDhOwq9fnFm1HS1Q7pWwkr77Q26qQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Brockton Finance Committee on Feb. 3 recommended favorably an intermunicipal agreement (IMA) allowing a defined area in Easton's Eastern Industrial Park to send wastewater to Brockton for treatment.

Mayor Robert F. Sullivan urged support, saying the deal would bring “about 900,000, a little under a million dollars” to Brockton while covering a limited area in Easton. DPW Commissioner Patrick Hill described the offsetting engineering rationale: the mitigation model charges a fee tied to a 4-to-1 removal ratio of inflow and infiltration. Commissioner Hill explained that for every 80,000 gallons Easton sends to Brockton, the city will remove roughly 320,000 gallons from the collection system, creating a net-zero effect on capacity. “In essence, the 80,000 gallons that they'll be sending us, would be Quick math, 240,” Hill said during the presentation (transcript excerpt).

City Solicitor Megan Bridges described the IMA as a legal contract that sets obligations for both parties and said the proposed mitigation payment would be used for lining projects to remove inflow and infiltration in Brockton's system. Bridges told the committee the agreement uses a “common user rate” model to capture capital and operating costs, and she said Easton would also pay ongoing charges based on its percentage of flow.

Town Administrator Connor Reed of Easton attended to explain Easton's position and told the committee Easton had invested in its water system and focused on sewer needs; the mitigation payment was Easton's way to obtain sewer capacity without purchasing Brockton water. Several councilors asked whether the mitigation fee was a one-time payment; Commissioner Hill and the mayor confirmed it is a one-time fee based on the 4:1 ratio and a $3-per-gallon figure used in the mitigation calculation.

Councilor Linda Castro (Ward 4) sent a written statement read into the record supporting the agreement and noting the city's AWRF (Ashland? — stated as AWRF in the record) system capacity numbers; she said the plant's capacity is 18,000,000 gallons per day and that current users consume about 16.8 million.

After discussion, the committee voted to recommend favorably; the matter will go to the full council for final action.","The committee recommended favorably an intermunicipal agreement to accept wastewater flow from a defined area in Easton's Eastern Industrial Park; Easton would pay a one-time mitigation fee of roughly $900,000 and pay ongoing share-based treatment costs.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6351363,"Finance committee approves $30,000 transfer to cover firefighters' line-of-duty funeral expenses",916,3057000,3973000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2230334-db8673221b20a5809d356afa865d1e16&start=3057&end=3973","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2230334-db8673221b20a5809d356afa865d1e16/thumbnail_3057000.jpg","/articles/6351363/Brockton-City/Plymouth-County/Massachusetts/Finance-committee-approves-30000-transfer-to-cover-firefighters-line-of-duty-funeral-expenses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6351363-d638156be7a66731691e4d5553ca8323/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197705&Signature=CV8RCqJIKTM5Oy-Oe2qCN~66RJaz~MkFfVv77Geozw8KMP3T9StgiioM0mmw47VWx7xikJ5FcapMvMVioJBniktgOcR7h6vs8LVvtedrBxVZhT9mrY~acUMbICfb6BDfan6gGKpyyt17-mT5Y7iVUvAJr~PA-mo2HfrRjTI09Wv0t4bpRkEhUGwkHcNF8xk-dT~mWRbNmrvYo2EoRsKs7uhTjj7Oeto3~fhlYAiXyq6v3GUtkhyDQnxYZ~iQmgeUFczEEJGcDIlologjCGtJiyBfagmIE5jbvHGLqXR1~dkY-QPKxNChxYlNSHUHZZBzce6IRkURyW~4RFJDh-u--A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Brockton Finance Committee on Feb. 3 recommended favorably a $30,000 transfer from certified free cash to pay funeral expenses for firefighters who died in the line of duty.

Fire Chief Brian Nardelli told the committee, “This $30,000 is to pay out the funeral expenses of the firefighters in the line of duty losses that we just had a few months ago. I take any questions.” After a motion to recommend favorably and a second, Chair Clark called for the vote and announced the matter passed.

The transfer was brought to the committee by Mayor Robert F. Sullivan and reviewed by Chief Nardelli and CFO Troy Clarkson. The committee did not record further debate during the public portion of the meeting.

The recommendation will be considered by the full city council at its next scheduled meeting.","The Brockton Finance Committee recommended favorably a $30,000 transfer from certified free cash to pay funeral expenses for firefighters killed in the line of duty; the measure passed without recorded opposition.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Finance committee opens broader study of Aquaria treatment plant purchase as a path to lower water costs, but members warn of risks

Committee authorizes officials to pursue federal reimbursements, MOU with state agencies for foster-child costs

Finance committee recommends $6 million stabilization transfer for school transportation amid concerns about cost controls

Finance committee backs intermunicipal wastewater agreement with Easton; Easton to pay about $900,000 mitigation fee

Finance committee approves $30,000 transfer to cover firefighters' line-of-duty funeral expenses