Brockton Finance Committee Hears Twelve Budgets; No Cuts Made Yet

BROCKTON -- June 10, 2026, Brockton Finance Committee takes budget testimony from twelve departments, with trash fees and a desalination plant deal dominating debate. The committee, chaired by Council President Troy, heard presentations spanning the Council on Aging, Contributory Retirement, Fire, Emergency Management, seven DPW divisions, Planning and Economic Development, Conservation Commission, the City Auditor, and Finance over a marathon Wednesday session. Fire Chief Ryan Nardelli reported working fires up 52 percent and multiple-alarm fires down 64 percent over five years, crediting sustained staffing commitments; the city has recorded one fire death in six years compared with six in the prior six-year period. DPW Commissioner Patrick Hill disclosed a refuse enterprise deficit of approximately $1.1 million to $1.2 million, traced to a 2024 council decision approving a $90-per-quarter trash fee rather than the $110 his office sought; the proposed new rate is $130 per quarter, a $40 increase. Councilor Farwell told Hill "I believe the DPW is dysfunctional in its current structure" and called for an independent organizational review, which Hill said he would welcome. On water, Farwell pressed for renegotiation leverage against Aquaria, Brockton's sole-client desalination vendor whose contract expires in 2028, rather than pursuing a $55 million purchase, while Hill and CFO Dr. Troy Clarkson said city-run numbers show ownership could save the water enterprise more than $2 million annually. The committee holds a special meeting Monday at 6 p.m. to make budget cuts, reductions only, before the fiscal year 2027 budget is finalized.