Holiday Parade 2024

MONTELLO BUSINESS ASSOCIATION MEETING MINUTES FOR NOV. 6, 2024 IN ATTENDANCE: Scott Dwyer President, Greg Belcher Treasurer, Lisa Waitt Belcher Secretary, Fran Fistori, Richard Gowell, Cpt. Bill Hallissey BPD, Al Davis, Derek Salamone BPD, Gale Lutz-Henrickson and Lee Henrickson, Inspectional Services Bill Forte, Atty. Jay McLaughlin, Vinny Colarusso. Deputy Chief Ed Williams BFD arrived later. Scott Dwyer opened with Old Business, see last month posting. Greg walked with Nathan from the DCR in the area regarding the tree projects. Brockton Police reps attending saying protective patrols are now along North Main St. to monitor drivers. The new paving and striping looks great but will need to be watched as drivers tend to speed. Greg mentioned Form Based Code coming into the Montello area with the MBTA stations nearby creating parks as well. Scott said we need balance to get homeless out of the parks and focus on building with purpose. Parade planning brought up, City Hall Mayor’s office in charge, no one knows what is happening, there is no parade committee. Stop N Shop now closed on North Montello St. Giant commercial trucks parking all night on East Main, Lansdowne, Rosseter Streets among other area streets including residential areas. Bill Forte Deputy Commissioner announced inspection coordination for the City so that code enforcement is more effective. Building, electrical, plumbing, gas, health are the five components working better together now. Many immigrants are trying to just live and the conditions here are much better than in their home countries however they may be substandard and not in legal compliance here in the U.S. Father Bill’s is making progress in the intake center to help homeless people get placed. Civil rights balance with cleaning up the streets is a challenge. Mitigation fees to the city put on developers would help with the added societal burdens. Zoning if done correctly should work with infrastructure to improve the economics of the City. Planning Board key to this future. Zoning system antiquated in Brockton, needs updating for modern purposes. 69 North Montello St. will be demolished soon. 46 Montello St. application for permit done, MBTA needs to approve 46 residential units. Building, wiring, health, planning, zoning. Ed Williams commended for his great service to the City of Brockton and will be missed upon his retirement shortly. ADU accessory dwelling units in 2025 for up to 900 square feet allowed in MA moving forward. Not necessarily owner-occupied; this will change the single family residential units into 2-family units. SeeClickFix one way for small issues to be reported. Citizenserve is an online portal to report as well. Complainant not named unless the issue goes to court. His contact: wforte@cobma.us 508-897-6404 if urgent situation George DePina, inspectional enforcement gdepina@cobma.us for ongoing issues. Perpetual open dumpster not allowed, should be covered overnight 10 feet from structure and not overflowing. When construction permit issued the project finish should end the dumpster permit. Case numbers being issued and follow-through includes investigation, enforcement, fines. Ed Williams announced new Ladder 4 and new Ladder 2, all models made in this century now in Brockton stations, modern not necessarily better made though. Eight new people coming onto the Fire Department. Lithium ion batteries started a recent fire in Brockton. He is retiring on December 4. Christmas Party in place of December meeting…bring an unwrapped toy and a friend! Wednesday December 4 at TinRay’s at 6 p.m. Meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.

Date: Sept. 4 2024 Wed. 6 PM NEW Location Tinrays 9 Winter St Brockton, MA Time: 6PM  Meeting will Discuss: Future rezoning, SJC ruling with homelessness and public areas, DBA and their businesses being affected. Also traffic. speeding. and property damages. Stop & Shop closure coming. Sober houses through out the state settling in residential neighborhoods. North Main St. what is to be done after paving?

Hello neighbor, Thursday evening (10/17) will be my fifth time hosting trivia night at Brockton Beer. Over the years my thing has been DJ-ing - with trivia I’ve found a new calling and it’s been a blast! Trivia night has always been one of the most popular nights at Brockton Beer. We use a company called King Trivia whose games are in-play across the US and as a result the questions they provide always span a wide range of topics, culture and generations - everyone has a chance to win some points across seven rounds. I’ve recently added a Brockton trivia round to spice things up. I try to create questions that not only historians will know, but anyone who’s been observant living or working here might know the answer to. I also try to create questions that educate folks about Brockton. Some recent questions: How many golf courses are in Brockton? (1 pt.) Massachusetts has 351 cities & towns. How many Brockton streets share a name with a Mass. city or town? (1 pt. for answers within 20 of the correct answer) What Brockton street is named a historic district in the National Register of Historic Places? (1 pt.) Cape Cod Pizza & Home Cafe are examples of what style of pizza? (1/2 point for short answer; 1 point for longer answer) How many voting precincts does Brockton have? (1 pt.) During WWI, what Brockton company was one of the largest makers of boots and shoes for allied troops in the world? (1 pt.) I hope you’ll join us on Thursday. We start around 6:30 pm and the game usually runs to last call just before 9 pm. We’ve had teams range in size from individuals to five people - it’s your call. PS I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the last monthly Friday bike ride of the year for Brockton Bikes. Flyer attached. Thanks! Jed

Attendance : David Lynch for Scott Dwyer presenting Old Business, Greg Belcher, Treasurer, Lisa Waitt Belcher, Secretary, Cpt. Bill Hallissey BPD, Deputy Chief Ed Williams BFD , Al Davis, Derek Salamone BPD, Gale Lutz-Henrickson and Lee Henrickson, Shirley Asack Ward 7 Councilor, Nathan Nuby and Ryan Fawcett from DCR guest speakers, BPS Superintendent of Schools Priya Tahiliani, John Fay of Brockton Planning Board, Atty. Jay McLaughlin, Vinny Colarusso. Greg Belcher introduced the DCR program to reinstall trees on North Main St. “Greening the Gateway Cities.” Nathan and Ryan presenting that 40 of 43 trees existing have died from Black Knot disease and the remainder are likely to die. They need removal and stumps ground, then removal of extra pavers for proper room for health of new trees. “GRANTS to fund this capital improvement are needed to prepare for” the free trees and their planting. REIMBURSEMENT grants would be needed. Taunton as an example has used rubberized flexible porous pavement which is better for the trees. DCR in 2014 began a zone in Brockton for trees and now it is open to the entire city. Varied species are recommended for thriving healthy plants in the future. “The right tree for the right place.” Parks department should be contacted to work with DCR. Dave introduced the new BPS Superintendent Priya Tahiliani. She surveyed the attendees to get acclimated with the group here. North Main St. re-paving perhaps done by October 8. Hopefully it will not become a speedway all agreed. EEE report should be looked at on City website. Lots of meetings happening tonight concerning Brockton: Fairgrounds property future is being contemplated by developers and now it is being discussed by all departments and boards, keep your eyes on public information and meetings coming up. Members commented on how good the education opportunities are still existing in Brockton. Greg commended the superintendent for the School Police transparency giving report at school committee meeting being televised. Derek Salamone updated the homelessness situation in the city. Many occupants have vacated the under-bridge areas. Things are getting better. John Fay updated the re-zoning efforts by the planning board to modernize some areas to form-based code. This at first glance seems complicated but the building structure is addressed first and foremost then the purposes allowed within zones are then addressed. Greg Belcher did mention having taxpaying entities will support extra emergency and educational services in Brockton. Ed Williams announced the Station 6 open house on Saturday October 12th 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 560 West St. Brockton with refreshments. Update on cold weather coming and vacant buildings are checked out for people improperly seeking shelter. Jay McLaughlin announced Dogtober Fest open house at 1300 West Elm St. Ext. Brockton the Animal Protection Center of Southeastern Massachusetts on Saturday October 19th from 2 to 6 p.m. Bring your dog and enjoy some local refreshments and support a great cause. Derek Salamone announced the sad closing of Stop N Shop on North Montello St. on October 31 at 3 p.m. Meeting adjourned at 7 p.m.

Oct 2, 2024 Meeting at Tinray,s Guest Speaker : DCR Forester Nathan Nuby

Attendance : Scott Dwyer, Pres., Greg Belcher, Treasurer, Lisa Waitt Belcher, Secretary, Richard Gowell, Fran Fistori, David Lynch, Sgt. Nichole Anderson BPD, Cpt. Bill Hallissey BPD, Deputy Chief Ed Williams BFD, Cpt. Brendan Weeks BFD, Bassam “Sam” Audi, Al Davis, Derek Salamone BPD, Mike Hardy, Vinny Colarusso, Atty. Phil Nessralla, Atty. Jay McLaughlin Board of Directors Announced: adding Mike Dadak, see last meeting June 5, 2024 Scott Dwyer opened the meeting, mentioned speed bumps, legality will be questioned. Greg mentioned the solar speed monitors just to increase awareness of speed. Lights at intersections, lack of people stopping at signs, main road speeders. Looking forward to Captain Porcaro BPD at a future meeting. Some good news: zero arrests at concert at Campanelli stadium this past summer. Capt. Hallissey updated task force on homeless in Brockton, MBTA assisting with signage, situation improving. Phil Nessralla spoke about the Sober House letter he sent out. Issue is that the number of people allowed in these have no restrictions as to how many can reside in the home. Dover Amendment brought up. 30 people can live in a one-family home Deputy Chief Ed William stated. This issue is now at the David Lynch brought up the brightness or lack thereof with public street lights and it affecting pedestrian safety. Cameras around the city in question as to whether they work or not. Derek Salamone said 11 prospects in academy, good to see cadets out in public helping the police. Citizens are not aware that other than 911 people can call Brockton Police at 508-941-0200, mentioned by David Lynch. Deputy Chief Williams introduced his replacement in 122 days: Captain Brendan Weeks. Ed Williams trying to prevent pay per party issues: if the party is being advertised with an address, the owner is contacted ahead of time to know they are violating ordinances and laws to prevent them from proceeding with the party. Other issues he has addressed are illegal box trucks, housing court issues, property cleanups. He works with City Solicitor and Assistant to go to court. Det. Ernie Bell working to announce his presence to address homeless issues publicly Ed said it helps. Remove outside rubbish containers so people don’t fill them up. Alex Hoxie is a man who helps clean up the city; attendees agree city should not bother him as he is doing good work. Steering Committee meeting brought up for announcing the Form Based Code for Montello area, Howard School over through part of the Village. This allows businesses and citizens to input what they want in the area. Phil Nessralla said city boards are not in agreement; example: health department denying many businesses licenses tobacco licenses as 1-0 vote is a no, because there are supposed to be 3, one vacant so only 2 are there to vote. Meeting Adjourned 7:10 PM

Date: Sept. 4 2024 Wed. 6 PM NEW Location Tinrays 9 Winter St Brockton, MA Time: 6PM  Meeting will Discuss: Future rezoning, SJC ruling with homelessness and public areas, DBA and their businesses being affected. Also traffic. speeding. and property damages. Stop & Shop closure coming. Sober houses through out the state settling in residential neighborhoods. North Main St. what is to be done after paving?

Below is the tentative schedule for this week. We’ll send you look-ahead e-mails for future weeks, as well. Monday (9/2) No work – Labor Day Tuesday (9/3) Wilder Street pavement milling Wednesday (9/4) North Main Street pavement leveling course (East Battles Street to Avon Town Line) Thursday (9/5) North Main Street pavement leveling course (East Battles Street to Avon Town Line) Friday (9/6) North Main Street pavement leveling course (East Battles Street to Avon Town Line)

Officers of the Montello Business Association :Nominated/ Voted/ Confirmed Scott Dwyer - President David Lynch- Vice President Greg Belcher - Treasurer/ Board of Director Lisa Waitt Belcher- Secretary Al Davis- Board of Director Philip Nessralla- Board of Director Sam Audi- Board of Director Fran Fistori- Board of Director Mike Dadak- Board of Director Thank you & Congratulation