Welcome to the
Montello Business Association
Where Business Voices Are Heard…
Established 2002…
The Montello Business Association ("Association") is a non-profit organization whose mission is to help businesses grow and prosper in the Montello area of Brockton MA. The Association exists to cultivate strong working relationships with local businesses, community leaders, and city officials. Membership dues are tax-deductible and support the Association's administrative and outreach efforts to resolve business concerns and help the community.
View more
RECENT NEWS
MONTELLO BUSINESS ASSOCIATION MEETING MINUTES FOR Oct. 7, 2026 IN ATTENDANCE: Scott Dwyer President, Greg Belcher Treasurer, Lisa Waitt Belcher Secretary, Fran Fistori, Rich Gowell, Councilor Win Farwell, Derek Salamone BPD, Deputy Chief Brendan Weeks BFD, Councilor Phil Griffin, Building Commisioner George DePina, DjiDji Monteiro, Tobias Cowans Chief of Staff for Senator Michael Brady, LT.Will Schlieman, Mayor"s Liaison Patricia Sanon, Al Davis, Dan Trout, Gale Lutz-Henrickson and Lee Atty. Jay McLaughlin, Amanda Gomez, Atty. Phil Nessralla, Vinny Colarusso. Scott opened with Old Business. Greg announced Treasurer report. Fran Fistori extended an invitation to all members to attend the Mike Minogue event at Brack’s in Brockton on Friday October 8 th at 3 p.m. Research Derek Salamone on Police: 15 recruits for police graduating in November and January. [Brockton residency requirement no longer applies.] Schliemann said Mike Minnock and Orlanda Gomes working directly with the homeless. Lots of action connecting and streamlining their issues and needs and arrests when needed. Dan Trout reported break-in at his Dairy Queen and working through the process; damage put them out of commission for a week; cash stolen, electricity cut off, now knows to leave drawers open to prevent register break-in. Polish White Eagles broken into about a month ago. Police said lighting, cameras and alarms help. Brendan Weeks updated Warren Ave. progress on becoming 2-way and it will be done soon. Truck accessibility from station being addressed by removing corner obstacles. Saturday West side fire station open house. Juniors and seniors currently in cadet academy to experience firefighting. Phil Griffin said trying to prevent homeless staying at facilities turning into flophouses. Form-based code brought up. George DePina said District Fire One enforcing keeping the areas cleaner and clearing snow in the winter. Graffiti becoming an issue: report it to inspectional services and the police and owner must clean it up regardless of how it got there. Auto body and repair regulations will begin to be enforced Dec. 1. The new ordinance of requiring engineered parking plan gives teeth to the city now. Building department is the enforcer per ordinance. Win Farwell stated his case as a call to action, not complaining. Jay Condon interim CFO good to have fresh eyes on the money. YMCA proposal for social services subject: 124 Manley St. shelter over 400 police calls, Roadway Inn apartments over 90 calls SO FAR THIS YEAR. Non-profits don’t contribute to the tax base but use lots of services. Day healthcare staff at Fr. Bill’s; none at night. Phil Griffin explained Dover amendment. Overruled local zoning. Very little we can do to put the brakes on against the nonprofit social services. It is our reaction to the situations that is all we can do. “Homeless industrial complex.” Back to Win: we are not acting as a team to make things better in the city. Traffic enforcement example that we are reactive because we don’t have staff to be proactive. Our standards to maintain a quality of life are being disrespected. Cleanliness and maintenance of streets, sidewalks and signage is not being done. The citizens and taxpayers deserve urgency, synergy and purpose. Examples of lack of care: only ONE report in an entire year for licensing issue being reported by police. George DePina: 4900 needles collected at Perkins Park. The COPE organization for example of nonprofits has not being aiding the effort to clean up Brockton. Patricia Sanon spoke about the ways to report issues to various departments to try to resolve problems. New Chief of Staff at Mayor’s Office having issues catching up to present reality. New people in roles that do not have the continuity. Nelson Fernandes follows up she said. Tobias Cowans spoke on behalf of Mike Brady. Greg asked about the ADU and Duplex bills, MBTA act, all jamming loads of housing on communities. Mayor’s office does not have good communication with our state’s elected officials. Tobias is attending Ward meetings when able. Overall the city is fighting a battle for the quality of life here. Too many situations requiring too little resources. Meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
Date: October 7 , 2026 meeting at Tinray's 6 PM
New Paragraph
MONTELLO BUSINESS ASSOCIATION MEETING MINUTES FOR Sept 2, 2026 IN ATTENDANCE:: Scott Dwyer President, Greg Belcher Treasurer, Lisa Waitt Belcher Secretary, Fran Fistori, Matt Stanton, Brendan Weeks BFD, Derek Salamone BPD, Capt. Bill Carpenter BPD, Al Davis, Sam Audi Bassam, Jim Doucette, PCDA Tim Cruz, Chief Brenda Perez, DjiDji Monteiro, Gale Lutz-Henrickson and Lee, Dan Trout, Alex Bezanson, Eddie Awon, Jim Stapleton, Vincent Colarusso, Shirley Asack, Rita Mendes. Scott opened with Old Business. Greg announced Treasurer report. Derek Salamone on Police: 15 recruits for police, Brockton residency requirement no longer applies! Hybrid hiring briefly explained, will open up field of applicants with experience. Tim Cruz PCDA: said his office has turnover and needs assistant DAs pay to be attractive to keep help. Federal loan assistance taken away and he made efforts as President of National DA Association to have that help reinstated. He also commiserated with us about the court system lagging and social media causing more challenges. He explained task forces and grants for specific types of crimes and international networks ripping off society in general. Example: shoplifting and returning for cash. Human trafficking, drugs, guns; keeping good rapport with D.O.J. despite strained resources. Chief Perez: Captain Carpenter now Captain of Operations. Cleanup of homeless areas, community policing, neighborhood resources, crime reduction unit, traffic shifts, graffiti downtown, all offices now on West Elm in new station. 33 openings currently for personnel gaps. Captain Carpenter: actively addressed car hookups, they are nothing new but getting bigger and more violent; proactive policing: Strategic Crime Reduction Unit; hoping to have backup of 12 to 14 units including MBTA using cameras to i.d. license plates. Trying to charge and avoid dismissal in court; at least inconvenience them. Kratom ban to be enforced in Brockton. The car meetups’ concern is gun violence and SCRU has arrested perpetrators. Call police station non-emergency line for parking issues. Dave Lynch asking for number or webpage to be able to report repeated non-emergency issues like see-click-fix as opposed to calling 911 and being recorded. Maybe text-a-tip line. WCarpenter@BrocktonPolice.com is the Captain’s email. Brendan Weeks updated Warren Ave. progress on becoming 2-way and it will be done soon. Truck accessibility from station being addressed by removing corner obstacles. New ordinance for repair shops out of 176 about 20% causing the problems. Jim Doucette added 370 and 380 North Montello Street going to court for the truck parking and they are being removed. September 17 at 1 p.m. at Shaw’s Center meeting to understand the new ordinance for engineered plans for parking lots. Several addresses have been issued violation notices. Digital platform will be available to departments to have access to the plans per address at all times. April 30, 2027 deadline to comply. Only one up to 6000 lb. commercial vehicle per address only on paved area; only one unregistered OPERABLE vehicle per address. Food trucks brought up, need balance between over- and under-regulation. Shipping containers on private property allowed only 75 days out of the year. Tire storage excess being addressed and removed. Shirley Asack announced the Oak St. repaving. Speed bumps brought up, not practical. Old Stop n Shop space slowly being moved forward and Daily Stop from RI needs to rent some space to others and they want a beer and wine license but that might already be maxed out from the city. Tobacco licenses disappear if a vendor closes their business. The city has to find a balance to keep businesses here in the city. Win Farwell shared via Greg: lots of city managers leaving, need to get qualified people to apply. Rita Mendes said Brockton residents are more conservative than we realize; overly progressive candidates will not fare well here. Rita is on the elections committee at the State House. Recess at state house enables legislators to be in the community at this time of the year; now is the time to speak up. Also don’t wait until after a vote to voice concerns to the legislators. Bills will die out at the end of the year and need to get refiled after the new session begins. Register on the state website so you know what actions are happening on the bills that you flag. DjiDji introduced herself and her hairstyling business at 821 North Main St. Matt Stanton for SOAP thanked donors for the gala donations over the summer. Also their upcoming activities are announced for the positivity of the students. Project manager Kevin Sullivan for new BHS proposed building brought up. Meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m.
Date: Sept 2, 2026 meeting at Tinray's 6 PM Guest Speaker : Tim Cruise City Clerk
MEETINGS
Guest Speaker Moise Rodriques candidate for Mayor
MONTELLO BUSINESS ASSOCIATION MEETING MINUTES FOR Oct. 7, 2026 IN ATTENDANCE: Scott Dwyer President, Greg Belcher Treasurer, Lisa Waitt Belcher Secretary, Fran Fistori, Rich Gowell, Councilor Win Farwell, Derek Salamone BPD, Deputy Chief Brendan Weeks BFD, Councilor Phil Griffin, Building Commisioner George DePina, DjiDji Monteiro, Tobias Cowans Chief of Staff for Senator Michael Brady, LT.Will Schlieman, Mayor"s Liaison Patricia Sanon, Al Davis, Dan Trout, Gale Lutz-Henrickson and Lee Atty. Jay McLaughlin, Amanda Gomez, Atty. Phil Nessralla, Vinny Colarusso. Scott opened with Old Business. Greg announced Treasurer report. Fran Fistori extended an invitation to all members to attend the Mike Minogue event at Brack’s in Brockton on Friday October 8 th at 3 p.m. Research Derek Salamone on Police: 15 recruits for police graduating in November and January. [Brockton residency requirement no longer applies.] Schliemann said Mike Minnock and Orlanda Gomes working directly with the homeless. Lots of action connecting and streamlining their issues and needs and arrests when needed. Dan Trout reported break-in at his Dairy Queen and working through the process; damage put them out of commission for a week; cash stolen, electricity cut off, now knows to leave drawers open to prevent register break-in. Polish White Eagles broken into about a month ago. Police said lighting, cameras and alarms help. Brendan Weeks updated Warren Ave. progress on becoming 2-way and it will be done soon. Truck accessibility from station being addressed by removing corner obstacles. Saturday West side fire station open house. Juniors and seniors currently in cadet academy to experience firefighting. Phil Griffin said trying to prevent homeless staying at facilities turning into flophouses. Form-based code brought up. George DePina said District Fire One enforcing keeping the areas cleaner and clearing snow in the winter. Graffiti becoming an issue: report it to inspectional services and the police and owner must clean it up regardless of how it got there. Auto body and repair regulations will begin to be enforced Dec. 1. The new ordinance of requiring engineered parking plan gives teeth to the city now. Building department is the enforcer per ordinance. Win Farwell stated his case as a call to action, not complaining. Jay Condon interim CFO good to have fresh eyes on the money. YMCA proposal for social services subject: 124 Manley St. shelter over 400 police calls, Roadway Inn apartments over 90 calls SO FAR THIS YEAR. Non-profits don’t contribute to the tax base but use lots of services. Day healthcare staff at Fr. Bill’s; none at night. Phil Griffin explained Dover amendment. Overruled local zoning. Very little we can do to put the brakes on against the nonprofit social services. It is our reaction to the situations that is all we can do. “Homeless industrial complex.” Back to Win: we are not acting as a team to make things better in the city. Traffic enforcement example that we are reactive because we don’t have staff to be proactive. Our standards to maintain a quality of life are being disrespected. Cleanliness and maintenance of streets, sidewalks and signage is not being done. The citizens and taxpayers deserve urgency, synergy and purpose. Examples of lack of care: only ONE report in an entire year for licensing issue being reported by police. George DePina: 4900 needles collected at Perkins Park. The COPE organization for example of nonprofits has not being aiding the effort to clean up Brockton. Patricia Sanon spoke about the ways to report issues to various departments to try to resolve problems. New Chief of Staff at Mayor’s Office having issues catching up to present reality. New people in roles that do not have the continuity. Nelson Fernandes follows up she said. Tobias Cowans spoke on behalf of Mike Brady. Greg asked about the ADU and Duplex bills, MBTA act, all jamming loads of housing on communities. Mayor’s office does not have good communication with our state’s elected officials. Tobias is attending Ward meetings when able. Overall the city is fighting a battle for the quality of life here. Too many situations requiring too little resources. Meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
Date: October 7 , 2026 meeting at Tinray's 6 PM
MINUTES
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.
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.
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
Attendance: Scott S. Dwyer, President Greg Belcher Lisa Waitt Belcher Capt. Hallisey, Brockton Police Derek Salamone, Brockton Police Al Davis Joe Murray Dave Lynch Shirley Asack Ward 7 Jay McLaughlin Esq. Fran Fistori Lori and Rich Gowell Vincent Colarusso Gale Lutz and Lee Henrickson Deputy Chief Ed Williams Rob May COB Planning Guest Speaker Councilor at Large Winthrop Farwell Jr. Senator Mike Brady Jimmy Valentin Brady's Assistant Topics of Conversation: President Scott opened the meeting at 6PM. Clerk Greg Belcher read minutes of the last meeting and the financial report. Featured guest speaker Win Farwell touched on subjects which opened comments by attendees and gave the experts an opportunity to share with the group worthy information. Councilor Win began with the topic of safety and security at Brockton High School. A few hundred students out of control with no consequences are compromising the learning atmosphere there for everyone. Immediate attention is warranted there as all students deserve a safe and secure environment. He addressed that traffic enforcement in Brockton is another daily concern which brings up the lack of police on the force. Derek Salamone commented we are 33 police officers short and need qualified applicants to complete training academy; he did mention the complicated process involved. Greg mentioned Councilor Teixeira who owns Mattress Maker said his business is down 43% due to unhoused people using drugs and loitering in the area of School St. and Montello St. Many other businesses there are in the same situation. Sgt. Hallisey did attend a meeting on Zoom which involved MBTA and that No Trespassing signs will be placed on MBTA property. This may aid police to have some power to better the area. The used drug dirty needle subject brought up the Brewster Ambulance collecting and disposing via the Brockton Fire Department number to report needle pickup at 508-583-2323. This info from Capt. Williams. Court case affecting unhoused Martin v. City of Boise, Idaho ruled unhoused people simply being on public property are not committing any crime. The legal outcomes at different levels of government are yet to be known. Mass. Law Chapter 111 Section 122 does require Board of Health to investigate public health issues. Health hazards can lead to getting financial aid from the state. Greg mentioned that social services in downtown area should be out in the streets directly offering help to the unhoused; he asked about the PILOT program to request non-profits to donate to Brockton to help with services already provided in lie of taxes. Councilor Win said under former late Mayor William Carpenter the only organization to donate was Fr. Bill's/Mainspring out of all the non-profits. Greg again brought up the police details being covered by retirees; Derek and Win said there would have to be union negotiation. Shirley Asack read proposed local ordinance to give police rights to enforce pedestrian and traffic issues for the safety of people and drivers. This will be the subject of a vote at Brockton City Council Meeting Monday December 11. Stay tuned, maybe attend, watch meeting online to see outcome. Win said winter is coming fast and for 55 snow plow routes in the city which formerly had 110 vendors there are only 72 pieces of snow equipment available at this time. Expect significant delays in school and office openings if this does not get better coverage. Dave Lynch said there is significant liability and insurance cost which scares off new or former vendors. ARPA grants for businesses who have suffered economically can be applied for; contact Councilor Jack Lally for information. Brockton fairgrounds property for sale: City will get a study done to investigate whether it is beneficial for Brockton to buy it or not...stay tuned. It was a lively discussion, very amicable, and we all want better for Brockton. To summarize: Brockton must be a clean and safe city both inside our facilities and outside on all property to promote economic development.
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.
