Mayor criticized for low profile on power plant

By Mike Underwood
Enterprise staff writer

BROCKTON — Mayor James E. Harrington has come under fire for keeping a low profile over controversial power plant plans.

Harrington has been a no-show at three major public meetings held to discuss plans for a 350-megawatt, gas-fired plant on Oak Hill Way.

“The power plant issue needs leadership from the top. It needs to come from our chief elected official. It is concerning that we haven't had that voice from the top on this issue,” said Jass Stewart, an opponent of the power plant and Harrington's mayoral opponent in fall's election.

Harrington was more than 3,000 miles away in Cape Verde as more than 200 people attended Wednesday's important Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) public consultation hearing at West Junior High School.

The mayor traveled to the Cape Verde capital Praia on a city business trip with Moises Rodrigues, Harrington's director of community affairs.

Although it was the third major power plant meeting where Harrington has been a no show, his Chief of Staff Donna Daley said the mayor is actively gathering answers to questions about the plant proposal.

“The mayor has asked a lot of questions of the people behind the proposals but he doesn't have the answers yet,” she said.

“He is very much at the forefront of this issue even though he is out of the country at the moment.”

She said Harrington is looking to hire an independent expert to give the city counsel over the potential benefits and pitfalls of a power plant in the city.

“He has no intention of allowing this to move forward if it is not in the best interests of the city of Brockton,” said Daley.

She said the mayor's hectic schedule prevents him from attending every meeting, adding that he was not in the country for Wednesday's hearing and a massive neighborhood meeting on May 17.

Mayoral candidate Stewart hinted that city leaders could have better spent their time focusing on business opportunities closer to home.

“I'm a big proponent of reaching out in business ... but it is also important that we reach out within the city and do all we can to grow the businesses that are here already, who want to stay and expand here,” he said.

The 36-year-old said in a statement that he opposes the plant plan and urged others in city government to join him.

“After hearing from the individuals proposing a power plant on Oak Hill Way in Brockton at both private and public meetings and after carefully considering the benefits and risks associated with the project, I cannot, in good conscience, support Brockton Power's proposal,” he said.

“It's time to augur a new era in Brockton where both economic growth and the quality of life of our neighbors can coexist in meaningful ways, and I invite all elected officials and candidates to join me in publicly opposing Brockton Power's proposal.”