School committee approves easement for Boys & Girls Club at Elden B. Keith Field after 4–3 vote

The Brockton School Committee voted 4–3 to determine that a portion of Elden B. Keith Field is "no longer needed for its purpose" and to move forward with language for a special act that would enable the city to convey an access and utility easement to the Boys and Girls Club of Metro South.

The committee’s first vote, under Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 40 §15A, was called after public comment and a legal briefing. Attorney Peter Melo told the committee the current proposal differs from an earlier disposition and that what the committee was being asked to do that evening was to relinquish its management and control over the easement area so the city could convey it to the Boys and Girls Club. Melo said the city has told the committee it will fund necessary cover/culvert repairs from storm‑water enterprise funds and that the current estimated cost for that repair work is about $3 million including design and construction.

The vote was contentious. Opponents argued the parcel was dedicated to the Keith family and serves as one of the city’s few green spaces; supporters highlighted negotiated safeguards and design work showing space would remain for athletic fields. “I am concerned about the creep of going and taking more and more land away,” said Mr. Rodriguez, who cast one of three no votes. Tom Pleski, a former Brockton public‑schools athletic director who spoke in public comment, proposed a compromise earlier in the meeting that would include turf and a walking track for the remaining area and told the committee, “To me, this is a win‑win situation.”

After the 15A vote, the committee approved (with an amendment to preserve the remaining parcel as open space, subject to final language acceptable to council) language for a special act to be transmitted to the city council and, ultimately, the legislature. Mr. Gomes moved the special‑act vote; the motion carried as amended.

The committee’s actions do not by themselves transfer title. Attorney Melo said the special act and a subsequent city council vote would be the next steps; the city’s planned storm‑water work was described as a condition separate from the school committee’s action. The committee also referenced a conceptual landscape design produced by the district’s retained firm that shows athletic fields could remain in the area the committee would retain.

Members of the public urged the committee to preserve memorial plaques and continued free public access. Patricia Keith, appearing by phone as a family representative, asked the committee to “honor Elden Keith and the greater Keith family” by leaving memorials and access intact.

The transcript records the first motion (the §15A determination) as passing 4–3: Miss Cento, Mr. Gomes, Miss Oliver and Mr. Sullivan voted yes; Mr. Rodriguez, Miss Azac and Mr. Pina voted no. The committee approved the special‑act language with an amendment to preserve the remaining parcel as open space; the final language will be subject to council review.

What’s next: The approved special‑act language will go to the city council for its review and vote; if approved locally it would be filed with the legislature as a proposed special act to permit the conveyance. The city’s commitment to pay for culvert repairs and the committee’s requirement that the remaining land remain open space were both discussed as conditions to preserve recreational uses.