Council votes 8-0 to appoint Eric Koka town clerk

Select Board · Meeting of August 4, 2026

Braintree Town Council voted 8-0 to appoint Eric Koka town clerk, sworn in on the spot by outgoing clerk Jim Casey. Councilor Flaherty, who chaired the personnel committee, praised Koka's "people-first attitude," while Councilor Rhingus said his qualifications "stood out miles above" other applicants. The council also continued a public hearing on Allen Street's $8.5 million reconstruction to September 2, covering $213,800 in easement compensation to 16 property owners, after Vice President Maglio and Councilor Barraka pressed consultant Kevin Dandrade on whether non-English speakers received adequate notice.

A separate discussion on the Ivory Street recycling drop-off center's reduced two-day schedule drew no vote; DPW staff said restoring five-day service would require raising trash sticker fees to about $64, while Councilor Flaherty said the roughly $193,000 cost of full service is "one-tenth of one percent" of the town's $182 million budget.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,582 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of August 4, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.