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Committee backs $3 million stormwater appropriation to repair Keith Field culvert
Summary
The Finance Committee recommended favorably a $3 million borrowing authorization to pay for design and construction of stormwater improvements, chiefly a no‑dig lining of a 500‑foot culvert under Eldon B. Keith Field, to be paid from the newly formed Stormwater Enterprise.
The Brockton Finance Committee on Monday recommended favorably an order for the city to appropriate $3,000,000 to fund design and construction of stormwater improvements, including work to repair a failing culvert beneath Eldon B. Keith Field.
The appropriation would be funded by borrowing authorized under G.L. chapter 44, Section 7, and the city treasurer, with the mayor’s approval, may issue bonds or notes and seek qualification from the Commonwealth’s Municipal Finance Oversight Board under G.L. chapter 44A, officials said.
The money is intended to be borne by the Stormwater Enterprise rather than the city’s general fund. CFO Dr. Troy Clarkson told the committee the enterprise expects to generate roughly $800,000 per year under the current billing protocol and can support debt service for the $3 million appropriation.
DPW Commissioner Patrick Hill described the project as a 500‑foot section of box culvert that runs from West Elm Street to where the culvert “daylights” near the Arnold School parking lot and a park at Warren Avenue and Belmont Street. Hill said an engineering inspection showed the culvert’s roof requires structural work and that the department’s consultant and contractors recommended installing a cured‑in‑place structural liner as a no‑dig repair option. Hill said a contractor familiar with the liner technology estimated the baseline installation at $2,400,000 and the department added a customary 25 percent contingency to reach the $3,000,000 authorization.
“Sticking a structural liner through that culvert would be the best approach, the quickest approach,” Hill said, calling it a “no dig option much like the sewer lining” used elsewhere in the city.
Councilors pressed for additional detail. Councilor Nicastro asked for an updated quote after noting the project description bore a February 2024 date; Hill responded he would provide a current quote and design details as permitting and the 3‑D liner design progress. Councilor Farwell sought confirmation that the school system would not be asked to contribute; Dr. Clarkson said the appropriation would be entirely funded through the Stormwater Enterprise and that no school contribution was being requested at this time.
Hill estimated the cured‑in‑place lining would have an expected service life of 50 to 70 years and said the installation for the 500‑foot reach would take about 45 days from start to finish. He and others noted the no‑dig method avoids the traffic disruptions and higher cost of full excavation and replacement.
Committee members discussed fairness and whether outside beneficiaries, such as the Boys & Girls Club or the school system, should contribute when they gain direct benefit from repairs. Hill said he had not negotiated any contribution from outside groups and would follow up with staff who had engaged with the Boys & Girls Club.
A motion to recommend the order favorably passed. The committee record shows the order will proceed to the full city council for final action.
