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Nov. 1, 2023 Meeting Minutes

Greg Belcher • Nov 02, 2023

Attendance:

  • Scott S. Dwyer, President
  • Greg Belcher
  • Lisa Waitt Belcher
  • Capt. Hallisey, Brockton Police
  • Dereck Salamone Brockton Police
  • Al Davis
  • Joe Murray
  • Dave Lynch
  • Shirley Asack Ward 7
  • Jay McLaughlin ESQ
  • Dave LaChance      
  • Fran Fistori
  • Gale Lutz and Lee Henrickson
  • Deputy Chief Ed Williams
  • Atty. Philip Nessralla
  • Jim Plouffe Building Inspector
  • William Forte Inspectional Service Officer
  • Rich Gowell
  • Rita Mendes Stater Rep.
  • Jimmy Valentin Senator Brady's Assist
  • Mary Waldron DBA Pres/Old Colony Chair
  • Rob May COB Planning

           


Topics of Conversation: 

 President Scott opened the meeting at 6PM.  Clerk Greg Belcher read minutes of the last meeting and the financial report.  He said he attended the Campello Business Association meeting. Mary Waldron was there as well and said Downtown Brockton Association is having a "State of Downtown Brockton" meeting Wed. Nov. 8 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Brockton Public Library Main Branch. All are encouraged to attend. Rob May said Gov. Healey is working on a grant to aid the Campello section of Brockton. Dave Lynch said Ross Messina bought vacant land on East Ashland St. to rent out for trucks and construction materials to be stored. Shirley Asack said City Finance information is on YouTube and that Fr. Bill's is starting a day center for homeless people soon. All over the city people are urinating, defecating, leaving needles and rubbish out in public. Some issues occur at housing complexes. The state is not allowing cities and towns to manage problems to improve quality of life for our residents. Captain Hallisey mentioned panhandlers have no consequences to hold up traffic; they have legal protection on public ways. Police have no power to enforce the homeless being detrimental to our city; the ACLU gives cards to the homeless to inform them of their rights. Graffiti removal has no funding; formerly Work Express used to help clean it up. No more help from that group. Police force down 25-30 members; adding 15 soon. State retirement rules for police need to be addressed for those who want to continue to serve. Mary Waldron suggested Home Rule Petition from City Council to appeal to state level. Guest speakers were Jim Plouffe the Building Commissioner [heading building department, public property and Zoning Board of Appeals] and William Forte [well experienced with past municipalities, working to build the department, establish policy, coordinate "team" efforts, and involve citizens in the process] who now have joined efforts to merge the Health and Building departments to create the newly formed Inspectional Services Department of Brockton. As of now there are 6 sanitary inspectors, 2 code enforcement officers, 9 building/plumbing/wiring inspectors and office support staff.  Of course fire inspection of rental property is part of the public safety effort.. Clean city initiative meetings are held twice a month, recent training conferences have been attended, enforcement of flavored/menthol tobacco laws is being addressed, food expiration at local businesses is being addressed, illegal apartments are being sought out, illegal dumping as an issue might be addressed with grants for cameras. There are likely a couple hundred abandoned properties in the city which need attention at some point. Residents and businesses may dispose of mattresses and box springs for $20 each at Oak Hill Way. Illegal dumping on private property can involve city cleanup but attaches liens on the said property. Not fair but at least cleaned up; owners can take more initiative to monitor their own properties. All credited for attendance and efforts to care for Brockton. Scott Dwyer made a motion to adjourn and was seconded at 7:18 PM.

By Scott Dwyer 02 May, 2024
Attendance: Scott S. Dwyer, President Jack Lally Councilor Ward 6 Jay McLaughlin ESQ Capt. Hallisey, Brockton Police Derek Salamone, Brockton Police Al Davis Dave Lynch Sam Audi Fran Fistori Gale Lutz and Lee Henrickson Guest Speaker Euclides M. Goncalves BRA Edward Williams Deputy Chief Greg & Lisa Belcher Topics of Conversation: The Montello Business Association meeting was called to order at 6:01 p.m. Police recruit update by Derek Salamone: 4 graduating soon, 2 graduating in July, 12 starting academy then 2-5 starting in August. 10 retirements coming up. 5 SGT and 3 LT upgraded rank recently. To expand recruitment base, advised to delete residency requirements. Fire department not short on staff; Greg Belcher commended Deputy Chief Ed Williams for his excellent service in code enforcement for Brockton Fire. Progress being made slowly at new Public Safety building on Warren Ave. Traffic patterns discussed. Tommy Doyle's at Oak St. Ext. having trouble in parking lot and people in woods using his restrooms without patronizing the restaurant. Environmental police will be aiding city to clear out encampments in woods. Groups of cars from Boston burning rubber in local parking lots including Woodward's and Westgate Lanes. Rosseter St. illegal parking and dumping mentioned. Councilor Jack Lally gave an extensive update: A.R.P.A. funds recommendation from Troy Clarkson is that Montello Business Association present as a group evidence to support loss from 2023 road work. School reports: D.E.S.E. paid Open Architects to report Brockton Schools financial damage assessment. City is looking over school budget as well. Rounds of budget cuts will be done on the city side for the budget to be presented in June. City side of budget not in deficit. Grant employee funds are being reviewed where grants ended and employment continued. Education mandates that are unfunded need to be reviewed, i.e. transportation from any distance for current students who leave the area. MGL Ch. 71 allows municipality to merge responsibilities with the school department. Examination of combining functions and positions to save funds is being looked at, i.e. personnel and human resources as example. Which leads to the school bus issue: move transportation department TO the city FROM the school department to administer oversight and contracts with drivers. City negotiates stronger than the school department does. Example: D.P.W. might be better to find space to park buses; administer control of the drivers to the city and away from the school department. North Main Street repaving schedule questioned. Consultation with Pat Hill recommended. Euclides Goncalves was introduced as Business Outreach Coordinator for Brockton Redevelopment Authority. He presented: state level business funds and local level home funds, emergency rehab funds to get homes up to code at no cost to homeowner; lien stands when house is sold; Jodi Beckman works with the residential side. B.R.A. does work with other non-profits. They do serve for-profit businesses as well with such programs as facade improvement zero-percent loans. Euclides has private equity and market research background and offers free consultation. Applications validated for state by Mayor, B.R.A. or elected city officials help to get better results. Deputy Chief Ed Williams spoke about two recent enforcements in the city. Meeting adjourned at 6:53 p.m.
By Scott Dwyer 30 Apr, 2024
Date: May 1, 2024 Wed. 6 PM NEW Location Tinrays 9 Winter St Brockton, MA Time: 6PM Guest Speaker : TBA
By Scott Dwyer 02 Apr, 2024
Date: April 3, 2023 Wed. 6 PM NEW Location Tinrays 9 Winter St Brockton, MA Time: 6PM Guest Speaker : TBA
By Greg Belcher 01 Apr, 2024
Lisa Thomas, Principal Phone (508) 580-7311 Fax (508)580-7089 lisathomas@bpsma.org February 2024 We are excited to announce the 2 nd annual Gala to raise money for our school and to bring together our wonderful community! Please mark your calendars as this event is planned to take place on Saturday, June 15 th at 7:30 pm at Ann’s Palace, located at 277 Main Street, Brockton, MA 02301. This is an opportunity to get dressed up, enjoy some delicious local food and drinks, and dance the night away! We are looking for businesses, families, educators, and community members to celebrate South Middle School! Please consider a donation (monetary or gift cards) to our school and please consider attending this fun-filled event! Donations will be tiered based on the amount: South Supporters- $100 or more, Benefactors - $250 or more, Bronze $500 or more, Silver $1000 or more, Gold $1500 or more, and Platinum $2000 or more! Please make checks out to South Middle School PAC and send them to: South Middle School 105 Keith Ave EXT Brockton, MA 02301 We hope that you can attend! Please reach out to Jim Stapleton with questions, concerns, or suggestions at 508-521-7075 Thank you so much, _______________________ ________________________ Jim Stapleton Amanda Gomez 
By Greg Belcher 07 Mar, 2024
Clean City Crew
By Greg Belcher 07 Mar, 2024
Attendance: Scott S. Dwyer, President Phil Nessralla ESQ Jay McLaughlin ESQ Capt. Hallisey, Brockton Police Derek Salamone, Brockton Police Al Davis Dave Lynch Sam Audi Rich Gowell Gale Lutz and Lee Henrickson Guest Speaker Councilor Alex Hoxie Mary Waldron Topics of Conversation: The Montello Business Association meeting was called to order at 6:01p.m. Scott read the letter about getting a list of names of Businessesthat lost revenue due to the construction detours on North Main St. We will need to get the last three year of sales to show this year's loss. The Association will then need to start a Committee. Trying to get this all done by the end of March. DUES ARE DUE!!!! This evening not in attendance Ward 6 Councilor Jack Lally Ward 7 Councilor Shirley ASack no other City Councilors Mayor's Office Economic Development Bob May Fire Dept Ed Williams We have been having some street issues that were told to Captain Hallisey AS follows: 1. Herrod Ave Parking 2. 756 North Main St. There are a lot of vehicles for sale out there but no license. 3. Between 544 -554 North Main St a lot of big trailers for storing property doesn't look kept up. Houses are run down. 4. 147 Battles St where there was some digging, property filled in a large hole that had been left open, No dumpster for yard waste, or boulders. Case that some child may get hurt, no tape or block this off. 5. Between 287 - 311 North Montello St there are too many cars on the lots, and parking on the street. There are some blue tubs out back, you can see from the street, the possibility of someone living in them. 6. Porter St parking on both sides of the streets, a small street in which school buses go down there. 7. Snow Ave No Parking signs on both sides of the street, a small BAT BUS has been parked on the street, cars parking right under no parking signs. Street sometimes not passable, for small vehicles probably won't be able for emergency vehicles to get down there. 8. Linden St parking on both sides of the street, cars parked out of the small lot., cars parked right at the corner to North Main St. Cars Parked to the corner on North Main st and Linden St. clearly marked for signage and stripes on street 9. Broad St and North Main St what is going on there and the property? We have a guest speaker Alexander , with Clean City Crew ( 508-203-0081), Alex introduced himself as being homeless, living in a tent city, and on drugs years ago, and went into rehab and got clean. He hooked up with a church at 30 North Main St, L Street church yard filled with needles and started cleaning them up. He had heard at a meeting that Irving's Hardware wanted to move due to a shooting. He said give him a week and clean the drugs and gangs away from there. The gang Leaders and the gangs soon moved from the parking lot and the park nearby, to the area on Montello St near the :Library in that park. He was told by the City he was doing a good job getting the places cleaned up and literally cleaning up the city. He got a person with a van to help him and went back to City Hall to look for money that was promised to him. But at the meeting he was told no money to help him clean up in front of the businesses and the downtown area. He had moved from West Bridgewater to Brockton to help clean up the City and he was not given a chance for a meeting or money or anything. He was given some help by Irving's for the help he did for them. He has a flyer out that will join this message if any Business wants some help cleaning, he is ready, willing and able to do it. President Dwyer had asked him to see Crown LInen Company; they had just asked Pres. Dwyer about cleaning around their fence. He mentioned a few other places that might need help with outside cleaning also. President Dwyer asked Captain Hallisey if he had anything to talk about, he just said the issue of BHS and the Police Calls and fights. Captain Hallisey applauded the Principal for starting to turn the school around. It is not going to happen overnight, but he has brought back inhouse suspensions and on Saturdays. Are the teachers safe ? was a question asked to the Captain, the school is run by the Administrators not by the police. He also said the principal is trying and he thinks he will be doing a good job. Mary Waldron spoke about Alex the speaker and how good the job he is doing. Also wanted to thank Pres Dwyer for the name of Adams Ironworks on Ames and North Montello St for the great work for the Iron doorway of the Edison building so homeless people weren't sleeping and other things on the steps of the building. Mary also said More working cameras have been added and better lighting. Motion to adjourn the meeting was made.
By Greg Belcher 07 Mar, 2024
St. Patrick's Day Public Safety Mass
By Greg Belcher 07 Mar, 2024
Strand Fire Memorial
By Greg Belcher 04 Mar, 2024
Date: March 6, 2023 Wed. 6 PM NEW Location Tinrays 9 Winter St Brockton, MA Time: 6PM Guest Speaker : Alex Hoxie - Clean City Crew
By Greg Belcher 08 Feb, 2024
Attendance: Scott S. Dwyer, President Greg Belcher Lisa Waitt Belcher Capt. Hallisey, Brockton Police Derek Salamone, Brockton Police Al Davis Troy Clarkson CFO of Brockton Dave Lynch Sam Audi Jay McLaughlin Esq. Fran Fistori Rich Gowell Vincent Colarusso Gale Lutz and Lee Henrickson Deputy Chief Ed Williams Rob May COB Planning Guest Speaker Councilor Jack Lally Phil Nessralla Esq Topics of Conversation: President Scott opened the meeting at 6PM. Clerk Greg Belcher read minutes of the last meeting and the financial report. Greg mentioned Jamie Holmgren CPA filed the 990 with the IRS. Massasoit College hosting a POLAR PLUNGE for Special Olympics on Feb. 19th . Greg mentioned repairs on Snow Clock with a grant and reimbursement to help repairs. Derek Salamone talked about 25 new cadets. The police dept. did have to go out of the city for prospects. MBTA no response for the unhoused living under the bridges. Boise Idaho legal precedent that unhoused have rights. Councilor Lally and CFO Troy Clarkson talked about the ARPA funds and how they can help the businesses affected by the North Main St. Water and Gas project. Atty. Nessralla brought up damages from the projects preventing some businesses from being open. Overall Commissioner Hill has been doing a good job communicating with businesses. Mr. Clarkson mentioned the MBA form a subcommittee to see who was affected and get numbers for a realistic loss. We will meet with him in a week. Rob May talked about the economic development. Rob talked about businesses need properties rehabbed for new purposes. Many need to be updated for food production, manufacturers, precision machine, and health care. K Mart plaza still an eyesore with empty space. BREA could be interested in redeveloping that area but the lease is holding the project. Harbor One property sold but no usage as of yet. Parking a problem. Also President Scott Dwyer talked about businesses that have to many cars but permitted for less on their property. Councilor Lally suggested that we question those not following the city ordinances. Authority is being questioned. City Clerk gives out those Licenses. Meeting was adjourned at 7PM
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