Council approves $680,000 DW Field Park restoration grant after amendment to show funding breakdown

The Brockton City Council on Nov. 24 approved a resolution authorizing acceptance and expenditure of a $680,000 parkland-acquisitions and renovations grant for phase one of the DW Field Park restoration project, after amending the order to include a line-item funding breakdown.

Councilor Azak read the grant budget as submitted in the application: a total project budget of $680,000; $425,000 subject to reimbursement from the state (Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs), a $127,500 match from the DW Field Trust, and a $127,000 allocation from CDBG or ARPA funds. Councilor Farwell expressed concern about taking an item under suspension and committing $680,000 in CDBG funds without fuller documentation, saying he was "a little concerned to proceed." Azak and other councilors clarified that the submitted application lists the $425,000 state portion and that not all of the amount is coming from CDBG; councilors agreed to amend the resolve to include the breakdown read into the record.

The council then adopted the resolve as amended by roll-call vote (10 in the affirmative as recorded). The clerk noted that the parks superintendent had previously appeared and had provided a grant summary; the council amended the resolve to incorporate the funding breakdown into the order before adoption. The passage authorizes the mayor to file and accept grants from the EOEEA and to take actions necessary to carry out the grant, with administration by the Parks & Recreation Department.

Councilor Farwell’s request to ensure clarity on use of CDBG funds was recorded and the amendment makes the application’s funding sources explicit in the adopted order. The clerk and council indicated additional documentation may be reviewed at the finance committee as needed.