Braintree Town Council 8.4.26 @ 7:30pm LIVE

The Braintree Town Council held a meeting on August 4, 2026, which included several procurement and budget-related discussions. Key procurement topics included the approval of a right-of-way acquisition and street reconstruction project on Allen Street, with a total project cost of approximately $8.5 million funded through a combination of state and federal grants, including a $2.5 million MassWorks grant and additional funds from MassDOT. The council discussed the acquisition of temporary and permanent easements on 17 properties, with detailed notifications and appraisal processes for affected property owners. The council also addressed the operational budget and potential closure of the town's recycling drop-off center, noting a projected $90,000 savings if closed, with full operation costs estimated at $193,000 annually. Discussions included potential fee increases to support the center and exploration of consolidating the drop-off center with the leaf dump site to reduce costs. Additionally, the council appointed Eric A. Koka as the new town clerk, with a salary set under the M23A scale and a six-month probationary period. Other agenda items included zoning ordinance amendments related to fines for commercial activity in residential areas. The meeting concluded with scheduling the next meeting for September 2, 2026.