First Board Meeting Since Brazil Street Revelations Is Quiet One

MELROSE, MA — "Order-2020-4: Request for update by city officials on matters related to June 20, 2019 Brazil Street sewer backup."

That, from City Clerk Amy Kamosa, was about all the discussion on the sewer disaster and its fallout during Monday night's Board of Aldermen meeting. The order was swiftly sent to Thursday night's Appropriations Committee meeting - much to the dismay of the three television news cameras set up.

The meeting was initially expected to see city officials, including Mayor Gail Infurna's administration, answer to the Board for the response, communication and timeline following the June 20 backup that ruined four Brazil Street homes, displacing the residents. But Ward 5 Alderman Shawn MacMaster and At-Large Alderman Monica Medeiros, the order's co-sponsors, said last Friday neither would seek immediate consideration.

That meant no one from the city would have to be present Monday night, and that the Board wouldn't discuss it.

The public still had an opportunity to talk about the situation during the public comment period, but none of the roughly 16 people in attendance spoke up; some told Patch they were just there to support affected residents.

Monday night was the first Board meeting since Patch reported new revelations about the fallout from Brazil Street - including what MacMaster and residents said was poor communication from the city and the city stopping hotel payments for residents out of a home due to the sewage blowout.

Read also:

• Report: Ancient Pipes, Massive Grease Clog Contributed To Melrose Sewage Backup
• Tensions Boil Over As MacMaster Blasts Mayor's Administration