Brockton council adopts several state grants for public works and parks; refers others to finance

BROCKTON, Mass. — At its July 28 meeting, the Brockton City Council adopted multiple orders authorizing acceptance and expenditure of state grants and donations for city departments and referred other grant requests to the finance committee for detailed review.

Orders adopted by roll call included a $500,000 MassDOT grant to the Department of Public Works (Highway), a $247,383.46 MassDOT grant to the Department of Public Works (Highway), a $40,000 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation to the DPW, a $1,200 donation from EMOS Recycling to the Department of Public Works, and a $1,321 donation from the Solon Saguaro Youth Organization to the Parks and Recreation Department. The clerk’s roll calls recorded the adoption of those orders by the council.

Combined, the council adopted authorizations to accept and expend at least $789,904.46 in grants and donations during the meeting. Two items were referred to the finance committee for further consideration: a $125,000 award from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (a substance misuse prevention grant program noted in the mayor’s communication) and a $50,000 grant from the Department of Mental Health to the Brockton Police Department; councilors directed those matters to finance rather than taking final action on the floor.

Councilors noted the routine procedural steps under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44 when the mayor requests acceptance and expenditure of grant funds; multiple items had already been reviewed by the standing committee on finance and were returned with favorable reports before the council’s roll-call votes.

Staff will complete the administrative acceptance procedures and any reporting required by the grant terms. Items referred to the finance committee will return to the full council after committee review.