May 6, 2009

The May meeting was held on May 6, 2009 in the basement office of St Edith Steins Church on N Main St.

The meeting was called to order by Pres. Scott Dwyer.

Pres. Scott Dwyer reports that members have been paying their dues on a regular rate but we need to encourage new businesses to join.

Scott also reported that Keep Brockton Beautiful Day went very well with a lot of people from around the City volunteering. He also reported that Gail Lutz and her husband planted flowers at Snow Park.

Scott brought up a request that he received from the Brockton High School Drama Club. They are doing a production "Pajama Game" and asked for our support. A motion for $50.00 was made and seconded.

Scott also brought up a concern about a Motor Cycle Club (The Outcasts) moving into the old Larry's Corner Pub as a Club House. The Community Police Officers present reported that there has already been problems there.

Sec. Al Gazerro asked about any missing trees in Montello. He spoke with Elaine Chia from the city and she said she may have a couple Purple Plum trees to replace missing trees.

Members reported there is as tree missing at N Main St & E. Ashland St, also in front of Dunkin Donuts, and at Snow Park (N Main St & E Main St)

Al will call Carlos of Work Express to see if they have started cleaning up around the trees.

Treas. Becky Beckford reports the Assoc as of this date has a balance of $3643.09

VP Dave Lynch thanked everyone for electing him and hope to do a good job as VP.

Our Guest Speaker for this meeting was Don Walsh, CEO of Building a Better Brockton and B-21.

Don discussed what B-21 (the Brockton 21st Century Corp)  and BBB (Building a Better Brockton, Inc.) is doing in this economy to attract and retain businesses in the City.

He mentioned how important is was to properly market the City with Brockton 02301 being number 1 in the state for foreclosed properties, with 541 foreclosed or about to be foreclosed with another 2550 properties in the process or going to foreclosure which may be eligible for assistance from HUD.

He mentioned B-21 and Mary Waldron's function is to promote the City and to attract new business to the City, as well they will be responsible for the Campanili Stadium and the Shaw's Center.

He sees the BBB as Community Development, Housing and planning, working with businesses and projects in the City.

Examples being:
The Renaissance Village - The old Enterprise Building and surrounding area being converted to Condo's on the upper floors and commercial/retails spaces at ground level with a possible parking garage on site.
40 Unit residential Bldg - Pleasant St & Warren Av, for homeless people. An effort with St. Paul's Church to purchase the old McMenamy's property as well as the house between the church and that property.
Star Market - The property now has a new owner and BBB wants to work with them on uses.
Fredrick Douglas Way - The owner of the Grayson bldg has purchased the old Kresski's bldg at the corner of Main St and Fredrick Douglas Way and is hoping of developing the area.
Knight Bldg and others in the vicinity - turning them into Condo's similar to what was done at SOCO Lofts.

Mr. Walsh expressed a desire to work with the Association and stated we can always depend on Mary Waldron being there for us.

Scott asked that we send an invite to Councilors Chris McMillan and Michele Dubios asking them to attend our next meeting.

Meeting adjourned.

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April 1, 2009

The  April meeting was held on April 1, 2009 in the basement office of St Edith Steins Church on N Main St.

The meeting was called to order by Pres. Scott Dwyer. Discussion went immediately to Keep Brockton Beautiful Day on April 25, 2009. Gail Lutz was unable to attend the meeting but asked that the Assoc. support her efforts in cleaning the cemetery and Snow Clock and that the Assoc. pay for mulch to put around the trees, which was agreed to unanimously.

Al Gazerro asked all businesses to clean up any tree in front of their shops. To cut any sucker branches on the lower parts of the trees.

Scott mentioned that there are a few missing trees in the area. Al agreed to call Elain Czaja of the DPW to see if there are any trees available otherwise Al will call Leo's Landscaping to find out how much it would cost for the trees. (Note: Elain was contacted and said they will have trees for us this spring and that the trees are Purple Plum trees)

Treasurer Rebecca Beckford gave the treasurers report and reports that a lot of people are sending in their dues and that last month and this month we collected over 4700.00 each month in annual dues. Thank you to all that have already paid. (Note: If your membership is paid and you do not have a window decal for your business and want one, please contact Al Gazerro or Richard Gowell.

Mary Waldron of the 21st Century Corp/Building a Better Brockton reports that Titlist/Footjoy is now fully closed except to security in the building and that the building is up for sale. Mary has been working with companies that may be able to use the building that was recently renovated and is in gre3at shape.

Mary also mentioned that she wants to do an assessment / survey of businesses and wants to ask MBA members what they feel would be good for the Montello area.

Our guest speaker at this meeting was Laurie Walsh of SEED Corp. which offers Financial and Technical Assistance to businesses in South Eastern New England. SEED Corp will be offers workshops in the coming months for financial and business planning as well as load assistance both partnering with local banks and by them selves.

Laurie is their Commercial Loan Officer and is in charge of loans for up to $100,000.00. Most loans are 5 to 6 years (but can be extended up to 10 years depending on the amount of the loan) at 6.5%. If the loan is partnered with a bank she can offer a rate of 5.5%

These loans may still be available to businesses or persons with a low credit score after evaluation of loan and payment history.

Councilor Bob Sullivan filed a resolve before the City Council asking that representative of each Business Assoc in the come before the Council to discuss their concerns for businesses in the City. Councilor Sullivan felt the meeting was very productive and stated that some of the business concerns were: crime, Gov't agencies leaving downtown, and run down commercial properties.

Councilor Sullivan also stated that he doesn't know what is going to happen with all the layoffs in the city and that the way the City Gov't is structured, Councilors have little or no impact on that situation.

Councilor Sullivan also mentioned that on April 21 there will be another meeting with businesses and representation from Building A Better Brockton.

Councilor Linda Balzotti reminded everyone that April 25th is Keep Brockton Beautiful day and hopes everyone participates.

Councilor Balzotti also stated that she IS a candidate for Mayor of the City of Brockton and will be taking an unpaid leave of absence from her job at Bridgewater State College to campaign full time for the Office. Councilor Balzotti wanted everyone present to know that they should not feel obligated in anyway to support her campaign but that she would welcome their support.

Al Gazerro passed around information about a burglary suspect that has been seen in the area and asked if anyone recognized the suspect and warned all businesses to be diligent in properly securing their businesses and to report all suspicious activities.

A number of Community Police Officers assigned to the Montello are were present at the meeting and discussed their effort to catch this suspect and other crime concerns in Montello.

Elections: The Association held their Annual Elections tonight. The only contested seat was for Vice President. The results are as follows:

            President - Scott Dwyer                                Vice-President - David Lynch
            Secretary - Al Gazerro                                  Treasurer - Rebecca Beckford
            Board of Directors:
                       Fran Fistori                                      Gregory Belcher
                       Al Davis                                           Richard Gowell
                      Jeff Czanowski

Meeting adjourned.

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February 4, 2009

The monthly meeting of the Montello Business Association was held February 4, 2009 in the downstairs of the St. Edith's Stein Church.

President Dwyer called meeting to order @ 6:05 p.m.  President Dwyer asked to try to get new membership to join.

Secretary Al Gazerro said first donation to Autism Speaks was sent to Rebecca Beckford for walking to the cause. Rebecca sent a thank you note to thank the association for the donation.  Al also stated that elections were coming up, so anyone interested in running speak up.  This meeting and the next we will be accepting nomination and then the election in March meeting.  He also stated that Chief Conlon will be here  to answer any questions. So get those questions ready.  He asked if you would like a guest speaker to come or know anyone that would like to speak let Al know either by email or calling.  He wanted everyone to know that Councilor Mike Brady was being hospitalized and his companion for many years passed away. Last meeting it was said that items that police confiscated were given to Teen Challenge, Al looked into it and said no they were auctioned off on the website through the police website.  And he also checked on the Brockton Dreams phone calls people are receiving.  Those phone calls are not by Brockton police officers they are done by contract. Police officers can not call to ask for money or collect money.

Treasurer Rebecca Beckford gave the treasurer's report. Our balance is $3,028.09 money paid out for stamps, and then the association paid out for a weed wacker for Work Express in the amount of $378.00 and then also paid out was coffee for the meetings in the amount $14.69 to President Dwyer.  Also paid out was the Christmas party in the amount of $150.00 to Home Cafe.

Street Officer Report:

Local hookers were out there last night, not like they are in the summer months.  some were near the Perkins Park next to Mainspring house.  Also stated that at City Gas on Saturday night they shot the attendant in the hand and leg. The attendant was held up and didn't want to give up the money.  Robberies and shootings he said sometimes have a delay about the phone calls after 6 p.m. Talked about the Clinton St shooting incident.  WOW up the mall has been known for the robberies of automobiles. They do have a security guard. Best thing is do not leave valuable items in the automobile.

Issue on the Police Budget, Gov. Deval Patrick cut local aid.  He cut Police , Fire, D.P.W., we lost community policing---- 8 jobs lost --- 5 officers retiring --- guarantee that those positions will not be filled. And police officers because of the need of them could stop going to community meetings like this one.   7  officers still in academy , when they come out will be laid off.  In the 90's did get laid off, state troopers use to have barracks and officers could stay there, not now, they go home. Some barracks maybe closing.   200 troopers loosing jobs. Local police need electricity for the station, cars , gas so the only place to cut is the personnel.

President Dwyer thank the police officers for the work they do and for coming to our meetings and keeping  Montello safe.

Fire Department in this problem too.  

President Dwyer said we are still having parking issues on North Main St. Very hard to maneuver through traffic.

Councilor Chris Macmillan introduced Eric Akesson who is part of the North Little League and they are asking for help from the businesses to give them a hand and sponsor teams or children in the Montello area.  You can be a team sponsor and have names on the shirts. or sponsor a child to play on the team.  Little League states they can not reject any child that can't play. It costs about $ 40.00 a child, still lowest in Brockton( shirt , pants, belt, socks, cap,) Get a banner that would be put up around the field.  Or any donations to the North Little League would be greatly accepted. President Dwyer said it should be on the paper if some business wanted to sponsor a child if they couldn't afford a team and would like to do something .  they want children to come and play. By a vote to the association they will sponsor a team, Montello Business Assoc. Eric thanked the association for the time to speak to them.  Councilor Macmillan said he hasn't heard anything yet on the road work on the route 27 project.  Said the West St. project is in the 2009 budget. said the city plans to pay for the building at Warren Ave and Pleasant St to tear it down, some talk on that matter.  Councilor Macmillan is on the Park Committee ---- Council Committee ---Traffic Committee ----Real Estate Chair. He said Tim Cruise became the new Council President.  He added that Thomas Monahan is running for the vacant seat in Ward 2.  Councilor Brady is finishing off his term as Ward 2 councilor.  Councilor Todd Petti resolved to bring in Moise Rodriques and Mayor Harrington to discuss the lack of communication to the councilors.   Signs were okayed for the Field St and Wilmington St. area but haven't gone up yet.  Councilor Macmillan will call Manny Gomes to find out. He stated that one guy is putting up and fixing broken or downed signs, this because of budget cuts.  Chief is waiting for cameras to put up in different areas of the  city.  Council ok with these cameras , just waiting for the legislature to pass. The have a grant for a shot spotter , a piece of new technology that would be fully funded, it sets off an alarm when a shot is fired to tell you where it went off and how many shots were fired.  These would be used in the trouble areas of the city. for now.

President Dwyer brought up the closing early of Dunkin Donuts on North Main St. to police to keep an eye on this area.... a lot of trouble.
Circuit City is gone
Hallmark at Westgate Mall is shut down
NASCAR Jewelers is shut down.
K BEE Toys shut down
Salvation Army is going up..... tax deductible
Fairfield Farms took down buildings  Councilor Macmillan said we don't need housing in that area.
School issues City Solicitor says has a letter from Director Bezreh that he doesn't have to live in the city.
Skating Rink has problems of teens drinking behind it. The building should be dedicated on March 8, 2009.

Meeting adjourned

Those members in attendance:

President Scott Dwyer ------------------------------------Dwyer's Glass
Vice President Fran Fistori-------------------------------Modern Autobody
Secretary -------------------------------------------------------Police Al Gazerro
Treasurer---------------------------------------------------------Rebecca Beckford
Recording Secretary-----------------------------------------Gale Lutz
visitor Brockton North Little League--------------------Eric Akesson
Councilor Ward 7---------------------------------------------Chris Macmillan
Keller Williams Realty---------------------------------------Robert Chestnut
Keller Williams Realty---------------------------------------Dan Derito                             
Dwyer's Glass--------------------------------------------------Charlie Dwyer
Gowell's Candy------------------------------------------------Rich Gowell
Lynch's Towing------------------------------------------------David Lynch
Spark St Autobody-------------------------------------------Jeff Chrzanowski
Bettridge Auto Parts-----------------------------------------Chuck Beckford
Brockton Police ----------------------------------------------Derek Salamone
Brockton Police------------------------------------------------Stanley David
Brockton Police -----------------------------------------------Kevin Amaral

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