Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Environment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves $175,650 CPA match for Smelt Brook restoration; federal funds to cover majority
Summary
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.
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.
