April 2, 2025 Meeting Minutes

Welcome New Member Jim Stapleton SOAP Director

MONTELLO BUSINESS ASSOCIATION MEETING MINUTES FOR April 1, 2026 IN ATTENDANCE:: Scott Dwyer President, Greg Belcher Treasurer, Lisa Waitt Belcher Secretary, Gale Lutz-Henrickson and Lee, David Lynch, Brendan Weeks BFD, Derek Salamone BPD, Win Farwell, Sam Audi Bassam, Jeff Smith, Al Davis, Jim Stapleton, Chief Brenda Perez, Phil Nessralla, Dan Trout, Vincent Colarusso, Ken Galligan, retired BFD chief, Senator Mike Brady, Amanda Gomez, Jay McLaughlin. Scott opened with Old Business. Greg announced Treasurer report. Greg updated Snow Clock plans to beautify for the summer with plantings. Brendan Weeks report: new recruits coming in and recent fires have been well-managed and extinguished. Chief of Police spoke: traffic control one on days, two on afternoons, full funding has been secured to address the homeless issue with all aspects of bettering their situations. 2 ordinances: needles and “gas station heroin” items sold that are not illegal but very dangerous in bottle and tablet form 7OH/Kratom being proposed. Avon mutual aid aligned with their Chief Bukunt to provide support at D.W. Field Park spots. Win Farwell Councilor at Large: Division of Local Services letter from Dept. of Revenue warning Brockton of serious financial problems here. World Cup event brings up residents renting space to attendees. Brendan said this is a potentially dangerous situation where fire risk is a possibility, $150 city permit and inspection would be new ordinance to rent private spaces. Fireworks illegal in streets and parking issues examples of what could happen. Ken Galligan as current president spoke about Brockton Historical Society. Founded 1969, current location since 1970, membership has dwindled in recent years. Financial woes as well. Lots of history there but lack of interest threatens its future. The house and fire museum are located there, former shoe industry history was very important but now collections have been moved to Stonehill College. Pictures from George’s Café have been donated to the museum. All old Enterprise newpapers bound there to peruse full articles to over 100 years old. The iconic Christo’s podium, Carney family furniture, many local artifacts there Dave Lynch commented. Ken’s love of Brockton drives him to volunteer there and try to preserve history. Motion to donate $200 to Brockton Historical Society. Jim Stapleton offered donation and also proposed to have a July fundraiser at Enzo gallery. Greg gave a shout out for Ken. Open 1st and 3rd Sundays from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Mike Brady said he hopes the people do not vote to reduce the income tax to 4% because it could be devastating to Brockton. He said to reach out if you want help. Desalination plant purchase proposal (Aquaria), MWRA, surrounding towns needing water help, all brought up. Win Farwell brought up City residents need a right to vote on water purchases per state statute. 5 million gallons per day currently and this plant needs updating. State can’t waste savings because we don’t know the future; there have been many federal cutbacks on funding. Legislation to be filed to monitor marijuana levels at dispensaries and hemp product sales at gas stations. Several attendees asked about the revenue from tax on marijuana sales. Win said it can be about 3.5 million a year into the general fund. Greg contacted DCR whose funding now cannot provide trees; Greg will keep us updated. Meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.

Date: April 1, 2026 meeting at Tinray's 6 PM Guest Speakers : Ret. Brockton Fire Chief Ken Galligan Brockton Historical Society & DA Tim Cruz might make it.

Help Shape the Future of Food in Our Region - Survey Closing Soon! The City of Brockton has partnered with Old Colony Planning Council, Plymouth County, Marion Institite, and others across our region to develop a Food System Action Plan for Plymouth County—and we need your input. Residents, farmers, food-related businesses, and community organizations are invited to take a short 5–10 minute survey to help identify priorities and guide practical actions for the next 5 to 10 years. The project will help communities like Brockton better understand local food needs and identify ways to support local food production, strengthen food-related businesses, improve access to food, and prepare for supply disruptions and extreme weather. The survey is anonymous, and you may skip any questions you prefer not to answer. Please take a few minutes to share your perspective and help build a stronger, more connected local food system for our region. Take the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ourlocalfood The survey is open through March 22. Every response helps shape the plan.

MONTELLO BUSINESS ASSOCIATION MEETING MINUTES FOR March 4, 2026 IN ATTENDANCE:Scott Dwyer President now 70 years young, Greg Belcher Treasurer, Lisa Waitt Belcher Secretary, Gale Lutz-Henrickson and Lee, Richard Gowell, David Lynch, Brendan Weeks BFD, Derek Salamone BPD, Jack Lally Ward 6, Dan Trout, Al Davis, Vincent Colarusso, Bill Forte, Jesse Ford of DQ, Bill Hogan city history, RFCU Francia Monteiro, Shirley Asack Ward 7, Mayor Moises Rodrigues and his contingency of assistants, Phil Nessralla, Councilor at Large Jeff Charnel, Djidji Monteiro, Adelino and Procopio Pires. Scott opened with Old Business. Greg announced Treasurer report. Bill Forte hiring 2 code enforcers out of 5 applicants. Jim Doucette health enforcer noted. Quadrants will be divided in city and we should see significant difference in the next 3 months. DPW and Refuse departments brought up issues with snow clearance. Shirley Asack…announced traffic division meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday March 5th at Arnone School regarding Angelo and Raymond Schools. Cleaned up North Main St. to free extra lanes. Refuse barrels still out in street beyond snowbanks and not picked up. Shirley and Mayor Moises will address. Jack said the equipment is having maintenance done. Dave Lynch said you can’t suck a mattress into equipment and expect it to work. State level needs to be lobbied about the contracts that the municipalities have to offer to get more contractors to sign on. Mayor spoke that residents need to respect the travel ban and cooperate. A city can impose a travel ban and enforce it with a $500 fine. Future reference! The state did send extra help because Mayor screamed at Boston (good!) And lots of contractors cannot sign on because of the CITY requirement of Brockton, New Bedford and Fall River that require too much liability insurance for the contractors. State is being requested to continue on all numbered routes to plow fully, not stop and turn around. Public Safety new building not done yet although it has been dedicated already. Piping infrastructure example to update and new 2-way traffic should be introduced. School and state funding confusion and Mayor trying to navigate the responsibility and negotiations. Speak up about real issues that can be corrected within reason. Nonprofits have been put on notice to be a part of solving the homeless issue, not just the same old situation. City Hall to be open to 7 p.m. on Wednesday nights all departments. Cemetery department will add one more person and Mayor agrees that it will take time to get practical about the operation. Also there are sadly some people on injury for an unreasonable time span, one for close to 40 years in the warm sunny state of Florida. Bill Forte said Inspectional Services will deal with any private property issues and DPW deals with public property issues (dumping, refuse, etc.) George DePina, Jim Doucette and 2 new hires coming soon. He announced housekeeping internal and function issues and revamping with an open door policy. Restrictive zoning and development changes will be made to improve investment in Brockton. He is hoping to make a noticeable and positive impact. Phil commended Bill’s momentum thus far and noted that commerce and business will hopefully be interested in coming to Brockton. All positions are now full-time. Online permitting will be implemented will aid in efficiency all-around. Greg said online payments for city hall should be implemented. Mayor said Health and Human Services concept is that more than one person should be able to access and process needs so important functions are not delayed. Councilor at Large Jeff Charnel thanked all and used a train concept for us to move forward together or get off! Use jcharnel@cobma.us and speak up. Dave said Lynch’s Towing did their best to follow the city directive to tow whomever city hall said. Bill Hogan said he knows Brockton history and is using Lowell as an example of involving history in tribute with modern life. He is well-versed in maps both current and historical. Bill is designing a parkway trail plan from Howard St. bridge to Plain St. bridge and gave a trove of information regarding the sewer city taking of 1892 with D.W. Field. The ‘Fighting Flynns” family of Augustine St. had 7 sons serving in WW2 and one in Korea, one died in WW2. Bill asked about some kind of plaque or monument in the North Side. Greg suggested maybe 7 banners in Montello along North Main St. for the brothers. Mayor said perhaps Station 1 could be a future museum and convert the land use on Pearl St. current fire museum to be an active fire station. Bill said some of the space at the main Brockton Public Library could be repurposed on the upper floors. Mayor said the facility is underutilized. Greg brought up the possibility of a historical commission to be appointed by the Mayor. Meeting adjourned at 7:14 p.m.

Date: March 4, 2026 meeting 6P.M. at Tinrays.  Montello Business Association congratulates the New Mayor of Brockton Moises Rodriques . His promises on crime, clean streets, and promoting businesses has set him apart from the other candidates. We are looking forward to his leadership to bring Brockton Back to a city that is proud and worthy to shop, walk and feel safe.

All are welcome. ....

Rockland Federal Credit Union has joined MBA Please Support

MONTELLO BUSINESS ASSOCIATION MEETING MINUTES FOR Feb. 4, 2026 IN ATTENDANCE:Scott Dwyer President, Greg Belcher Treasurer, Lisa Waitt Belcher Secretary, Fran Fistori, Gale Lutz-Henrickson and Lee, George DePina, Eric Akesson, RFCU Francia Monteiro, David Lynch, Richard Gowell, Brendan Weeks BFD, Derek Salamone BPD, Win Farwell, Phil Nessralla, Jack Lally Ward 6, Shirley Asack Ward 7, Al Davis, Mayor Moises Rodrigues, Jay McLaughlin, Vincent Colarusso. Scott opened with Old Business. Greg announced Treasurer report. Angelo School buses still parking on the street for dropoff/pickup holding up traffic at least 18 minutes. Safety issue. Lt . Bonanca aware: sent Sgt. but still going on. Win suggested Superintendent of Schools and DPW be invited/contacted. Snow not cleared from streets and sidewalks, cars not cleared from streets. Eric Akesson spoke as Parking Authority, expand scope of authority to cover entire city, Mayor discussed. 508-580-7840 call to ticket if able. Greg asking about getting extra officers and see the enforcement and be financially covered by the fines. Dave asked about Brockton doing own excise enforcement in lieu of paying outside vendors. Francia promoted Rockland Federal Credit Union for business banking, checking, loans, CDs. George DePina 508-580-7150 said report nuisances, trash, private property problem issues. Tim Doucette doing a great job he said. Snow removal addressed by George with regards to Fire District 1 ALL property sidewalks must be cleaned. Greg showed the ordinance and the letter to businesses reprimanding them and threatening fines. Hydrants need to have full access for public safety. Weeks spoke about disabled hydrants making firefighting much more difficult. Scott spoke about snow blocking hydrants from poor plowing. Cars impeding plow efforts now buried in snow banks. Win said the city is 30 plow operators short of what we need. Mayor said 12 sidewalk plows will be out at night to continue cleanup for safety. Sidewalk and school bus and parking safety will be addressed per Mayor tomorrow. $1.2 million rubbish deficit needs attention and the bill needs to be covered but larger barrels will be proposed. Greg proposed snow fee on bills but Moises and Win said not feasible. The residents need to be publicly informed of the ORDINANCE of cleaning your own sidewalks in front of properties. Call Captain Porcaro at the police to report issues. Robocall new 3-year contract about all issues can add info to snowstorms warnings and residents can be informed about cleaning. Not all numbered routes are covered by the state fyi. Mayor trying to get state to help more. Scott mentioned check fraud via check “washing” happened twice to him so be on the lookout. Shirley said there are ordinances to remove campers but any propane tanks will be a safety issue. She said to contact Tim Sullivan on the school committee to address the Ward 7 Angelo School bus problems. Westgate Mall having a reopening of the Toy Box ribbon cutting February 16th. Hilton new hotel ribbon-cutting opening February 12th at the mall as well. Ordinance changes will be brought up at Council meetings. Jack agrees with promoting new businesses and city officials being present to encourage success. One police recruit in attendance. More experience will be given prior to doing details alone. Academy registrations 6 to 7 Brockton people coming up; 8 or so from out of town. Dropping residency requirement might help. …meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m.