MONTELLO BUSINESS ASSOCIATION MEETING MINUTES FOR MARCH 5, 2025
IN ATTENDANCE: Scott Dwyer President, Greg Belcher Treasurer, Lisa Waitt Belcher Secretary, Richard Gowell, Brendan Weeks Deputy Chief BFD, Councilor Win Farwell, Councilor Phil Griffin, Cpt. Bill Hallissey BPD, Al Davis, Gale Lutz-Henrickson and Lee Henrickson, Derek Salamone BPD, Atty. Jay McLaughlin, Councilor Shirley Asack, Councilor Jack Lally, Sam Audi Bassam. See below added names invited to join and/or speak.
Special guest Jeffrey Smith of the Community Court system was invited.
Scott opened with Old Business, see last month posting.
Snow parking regulations have led to midnight shift issuing some tickets.
Policing issue brought up of trying to get a full-time dedicated traffic enforcement. Hopefully as well some new officers could be added to Brockton, academy sending some names over. Residency requirement may be holding back some out-of-town qualified officers.
Treasurer Greg report. ARPA funds as well need applications to get money for loss of revenue due to street work. Documentation, get your facts and figures from your CPA at this time and apply.
Jeffrey Smith introduced himself from District Attorney Cruz office. Grant-funded $900,000 for 4 years with other entities to establish Community Court. This will streamline homeless getting cited and will try to help them get services and resources. Case manager at Old Colony Y will try to coordinate their case charges to see what can be done for this population.
Police reports: homeless still under bridges. Cleaned by DPW 3 times a week. Issue is what offenses are arrestable. Crimes, yes. Loitering, probably not. Law department has no clear guidelines regarding Constitutionality. Win Farwell suggested that unions ask law department for clarification in writing to protect officers from liability.
Greg questioned current police station being left available when new building becomes occupied. Win said 54 North Main St. proposal of purchase by City for $1Million is in question. Also that a new purpose of the building should not attract the same homeless loitering as ever has been and at Perkins Park as well.
Scott brought up all-day parking on North Main St. which should be addressed. By whom? Police vs. parking authority. Shirley will contact parking authority and question why they only monitor downtown parking garage. Jack said they DO have authority over the whole city but they need more resources to expand beyond downtown.
Brendan said new recruits for fire department are coming in but there are also many retirements coming up. The firetrucks are mostly up to date and we will likely get 3 more this year.
Scott said YMCA at 320 Main St. is up for sale. Question where are the entities going to end up which function there.
Shirley said she will keep us posted on Pires Auto license application process.
School departments are reviewing contracts for employees per Scott.
Shirley brought up form-based code meeting recently at North Jr. High School.
Stop N Shop leaving the North Montello St. store closed and still paying the lease will be approached to see if they will allow other tenant[s] to be there. Jack and Shirley will work on this.
Membership renewal has been announced!
Meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
“MAKE Brockton BETTER before you make it BIGGER” credit Win Farwell.
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