[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6469714,"mediaKeyId","5780571-bae09315cbe6d5f15cbaa80cde1c19cc","parentId",5780571,"title","Braintree creates Herring and Fisheries Commission to steward returning migratory fish","audioSeconds",1060,"startMs",6065000,"endMs",7125000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5780571-bae09315cbe6d5f15cbaa80cde1c19cc&start=6065&end=7125","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5780571-bae09315cbe6d5f15cbaa80cde1c19cc/thumbnail_6065000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6469714/Town-of-Braintree/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Braintree-creates-Herring-and-Fisheries-Commission-to-steward-returning-migratory-fish","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469714-bc9ae8fecb8899b3935575cf87c76722/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189324&Signature=UK2S2kWxjUrKvqZE6Z06~1~wkBoJ6MwJs3AMF-Lu9ztujlSVU~6rFq8W79sklntfrrA5l6WDjZf6p8d3QluIeFEq6RrIl4JPDj42vBMQNm2ANcMOTtOF18JWRGcXNnoz0NDsCUoLVpqrh7RVU0gnuTIzSAhS~gHglMIJTqBr2LI4vBVkAMSxmNxc0vcgmwLsrkifNADQX2JHvfk6w6pgndOwGUIuNOsU6tg5mIzOw02tsyaBhEpczapJJ4Pg6vl--kBMc9Qvd5VAoYIe5XEIvwsIQH19Qk5NwVhQCGbC-GhjsGazy6lkahSeUEW7ZCUBBjPlzH5vaM71ljOA7930Dw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Braintree","date","2025-09-18T14:01:46Z","article","The Town of Braintree Town Council unanimously approved on Sept. 16 an ordinance establishing a Herring and Fisheries Commission to restore, protect and steward local streams, ponds and migratory fish runs.

Mayor Joyce's office proposed the commission after recent river restoration work — including dam removals and fish ladders — reopened migratory routes. The proposed commission will include three to five voting resident members and two nonvoting youth members (resident students at least 16 years old). Councilors amended the language to broaden eligibility for youth nonvoting members to Town of Braintree residents at least 16 years old rather than specifying Braintree High School, to accommodate students who attend area vocational schools.

Supporters at the public hearing emphasized the ecological and cultural importance of river herring, rainbow smelt and American eel. Planning staff and volunteers described successful fish passage restoration at Armstrong Dam and other sites that have allowed fish to return to upstream ponds and tributaries. Speakers said the commission will be a working, volunteer body that can coordinate stream maintenance, debris removal, volunteer cleanups, school outreach and grant-seeking in partnership with state agencies such as the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries.

Councilors framed the ordinance as part of a longer-term effort to restore river habitat, improve flood resilience and increase public access and education along the Manettequitt River and other waterways. The council approved the ordinance with the youth-member language change and referred implementation tasks to conservation, DPW and planning staff for interagency coordination and grant pursuit.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Braintree Town Council Meeting 9.16.25","oneSentenceSummary","The council unanimously approved an appended ordinance creating a Herring and Fisheries Commission to oversee fish passage, habitat stewardship and community engagement as migratory fish return to town waterways after recent restoration work.","taxTitle","Town of Braintree , Norfolk County, Massachusetts","taxId",57175,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6469719,"Council approves $175,650 CPA match for Smelt Brook restoration; federal funds to cover majority",357,5601000,5958000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5780571-bae09315cbe6d5f15cbaa80cde1c19cc&start=5601&end=5958","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5780571-bae09315cbe6d5f15cbaa80cde1c19cc/thumbnail_5601000.jpg","/articles/6469719/Town-of-Braintree/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Council-approves-175650-CPA-match-for-Smelt-Brook-restoration-federal-funds-to-cover-majority","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469719-26de2a5550178ce9d330d736df66eaf1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189324&Signature=VLm-L-OD5Yd3eO8u8ekI4YdUAUoFY1O3GVT~u7ieGFF9qFcg2Sr1UzaAreX7wl3Rq-TK7fSKhGRFZbwSucsnkxDeHxchhpBccgVV5Oi-sJvcXF0mkEzrNUc2MDbuSa5NzlCklKtq5EIT8-5PIDPn~Yc0RL4lioaltNQ3cP86eWhIVea54OJ~VpZdHACoeN2rGZiGs24FvMiT9eMqoyo28DHdLf6snaqJv7hUwpUiDGZCoL3wMbT2udRQxNRwe5MDA80ZEc66lJru1iEOCqOqumjoXKLNgobPhEql6Q01PhjjA~Mxi7auCiBzwNx49MjKCqqYQn70vQa6~56KFabZ3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Braintree Town Council unanimously approved Sept. 16 a $175,650 appropriation from the Community Preservation open space fund to support the Smelt Brook restoration project.

Planning staff and committee members told the council the broader project is largely funded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is expected to cover roughly 75% of project costs. The total project budget discussed at the meeting was about $1.184 million; the council approved the town's 12.5% share and noted Weymouth had already contributed 12.5% of the local match.

Planning Director Maciek told the council that the Army Corps-led project aims to restore fish passage and correct a perched culvert condition that prevents migratory species such as rainbow smelt and American eel from reaching upstream spawning habitat. The approved appropriation will be supervised and expended under the Community Preservation Committee and the director of planning and community development.

Local volunteers and conservation advocates spoke at the hearing in favor of the project, saying Smelt Brook is important habitat and that restoration work will improve fish passage, habitat quality and flood resilience. The council closed the public hearing and voted to appropriate the requested funds under M.G.L. Chapter 44B.","The council unanimously approved a Community Preservation Act appropriation of $175,650 (12.5% local match) for the Smelt Brook restoration project; staff said the US Army Corps of Engineers will provide the federal share and Weymouth has committed its local match portion.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6469724,"Council approves National Grid work on Peach Street with pre-construction coordination",216,3332000,3548000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5780571-bae09315cbe6d5f15cbaa80cde1c19cc&start=3332&end=3548","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5780571-bae09315cbe6d5f15cbaa80cde1c19cc/thumbnail_3332000.jpg","/articles/6469724/Town-of-Braintree/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Council-approves-National-Grid-work-on-Peach-Street-with-pre-construction-coordination","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469724-a7ca60ada1d633565ce08fe34e2cbd0e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189324&Signature=NBiDUGakMEpSIxJi7jRmmP6PmbhbYcsKwf7zClD6hXMlGeOOxVn0TBJH33JA20dSRrbb9TOJ5vULy22nmB8CXcK4BrZHeOiDprhu~PDVfZA1h~fRp1m~Vyhg-hGPkpJ0c9USyzd8JAg2BqPVcuUdOkoLTBNz25e5p-vb2xRmxSf1eklNjJeB9ibjOAR6nhESN6tv3bbvUK8hCSe-ik3if5DXDf~F5SIjJtKlV6C4gfTxXg3~UxrPfkqPP9BBDEYdG8JLsSqwU~B4s03qa9dE6q9ITQsev8piRT4mHbO~la2Tt7MO6vgriFbx0Emh2OeCFLVT5zC-xlNps~0Jt4-08w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Braintree Town Council unanimously granted National Grid permission Sept. 16 to perform utility work along Peach Street, authorizing an installation and relay of gas distribution piping with staff conditions and pre-construction coordination.

The Department of Public Works committee recommended approval after discussing traffic, school impacts and a planned three-month construction window. Councilor Flaherty, chair of the DPW committee, said the town engineer, police and National Grid will meet before work begins and that the town suggested including the school department in pre-construction planning to minimize disruption to South Middle School.

The approved scope in the council motion described placement of multiple runs of coated steel and plastic pipe in Peach Street and at intersections with Cardinal Street, Candlewood Lane and Moreland Avenue, and directed National Grid to follow all staff recommendations from Belb's DPW and related town departments. The motion passed unanimously.","The council granted National Grid permission to install and relay gas distribution pipe along Peach Street, approving DPW committee recommendations that pre-construction coordination include the school department to limit disruption near South Middle School.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6469729,"Braintree council adopts bylaw changes to implement state ADU law after lengthy debate",3089,2201000,5290000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5780571-bae09315cbe6d5f15cbaa80cde1c19cc&start=2201&end=5290","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5780571-bae09315cbe6d5f15cbaa80cde1c19cc/thumbnail_2201000.jpg","/articles/6469729/Town-of-Braintree/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Braintree-council-adopts-bylaw-changes-to-implement-state-ADU-law-after-lengthy-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469729-4fa985a0770fe5746fa2f97ef9b3f855/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189324&Signature=D5WMGPdhthN8Kapx01gEW0zHxxlgPuEwdn9PlYFC16e6s9KptaX4o32trVN1RKWvwUKPurm-x2AWDCn61hOX~9PiYwoh4xF1wi6qga8-~u7Wmr43O0VxKSviy~ujs9TFiQXvAeen9gUztu37XvInnAx-E6KpCHBOYeqp9e3mYpTmK8CmZXeH7I19aDTSL9kHAtModkDn4BHn4nTZIB703x--GpaAig8ssADhDKtu-PtCvIQKNSMBI0ma~zSut8vgXvo-8dbdVOWzzCFVsG~HAtaoShOFk~OHC4VU9oc9aPCgTwTLzUEI88eHTqKXJUm5MUIKRNNyM~6CXqjCL3H92g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Braintree Town Council voted 5–3 on Sept. 16 to adopt revised zoning text (Exhibit B) that adds accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, to the town's accessory-use rules to comply with the Massachusetts Affordable Homes Act.

The vote followed a public hearing, staff presentations and more than an hour of council debate about setbacks, height limits, parking and how ADUs should be treated relative to other detached accessory structures.

Council President Ryan opened the public hearing and noted the item had been continued from a prior meeting; town staff circulated a legal memo from Town Solicitor Rossetti and the Planning Board had recommended changes, including an 8-foot side/rear setback. Planning Director Maciek, Building Inspector Clark and compliance official Russell Forsberg answered council questions on existing setbacks, parking rules and how the state law interacts with local standards.

Councilors pressed several technical points: the town's current side setback for single-family principal structures is 10 feet while accessory detached structures (sheds, garages, cabanas) were enforced at a 5-foot setback; existing rules allow up to four detached accessory uses on a lot, and the proposed ADU change increases that to five. Forsberg told the council the zoning currently requires two off-street parking spaces per dwelling unit and allows one vehicle per licensed driver who resides at the property plus one additional space; he also confirmed there is no absolute cap tied to a flat number of cars. Councilors noted state law exempts ADU parking requirements if the ADU is within a half-mile walking distance of an MBTA station.

Councilor Warren moved an amendment to change the proposed 5-foot side and rear setback in Exhibit B to 8 feet; the amendment was debated and failed on a roll call vote (3 ayes, 5 no). Councilor Morin then moved and the council approved unanimously an amendment that replaced a note in the dimensional table to read: “An attached garage, accessory dwelling unit or other attached structure shall be considered part of the main building or principal dwelling and shall comply with all the dimensional and density requirements for that building.”

After consideration of amendments, the council approved Exhibit B as revised, 5–3. The record shows the majority voted to adopt the Exhibit B text (which implements 5-foot setbacks for detached accessory structures and reduced height standards closer to property lines) with the Morin amendment clarifying attached structures are part of the principal building for dimensional rules. The council's roll-call votes and the successful amendment are recorded in the minutes.

Supporters and staff framed the vote as necessary to make local bylaws consistent with the Massachusetts Affordable Homes Act, which allows ADUs by right on single-family lots and limits how municipalities may regulate them. Several councilors said the town needed clearer dimensional rules and predictable review standards; others pressed for larger setbacks citing fire safety, privacy and neighborhood character. Members of the public who spoke at the hearing raised concerns about drainage, parking and fire-department access; those concerns were addressed during staff Q&A and in council discussion.

The council did not finalize every detail tonight. Councilors said additional zoning refinements could return later, and that separate building-code and inspection questions should be addressed outside the zoning amendment process. The Planning Board's earlier recommendation (not adopted) for an 8-foot side/rear setback remained part of the record and could inform future changes.

The ordinance change is intended to align town zoning with state law; staff and councilors said they expect the town clerk and planning staff to publish the final adopted language and to coordinate any implementation steps with the building and planning departments.","After an hour-long public discussion and two council amendments, the Braintree Town Council voted 5–3 to adopt exhibit B changes to local zoning that add accessory dwelling units (ADUs) into the town's accessory-use rules consistent with the Massachusetts Affordable Homes Act.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Braintree creates Herring and Fisheries Commission to steward returning migratory fish

Council approves $175,650 CPA match for Smelt Brook restoration; federal funds to cover majority

Council approves National Grid work on Peach Street with pre-construction coordination

Braintree council adopts bylaw changes to implement state ADU law after lengthy debate