Dec 6, 2023 Meeting Minutes

Greg Belcher • December 7, 2023

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.

By Greg Belcher • October 29, 2026
Date: November 4 , 2026 meeting at Tinray's 6 PM Welcome to all ......The meeting on Wed. 6PM Tinrays Guest speaker Kevin Sullivan of Left Field. He is a Project Executive. He is seeking developing the new Brockton High School. Some funds will come from the state other funds will come in business and residences taxes for a certain length of time. All to be voted on by the people. Please if you have questions or concerns please write them. Mr. Sullivan will try to answer them. Thank you....Montello Business Assoc.
By Greg Belcher • October 8, 2026
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.
By Greg Belcher • October 7, 2026
Date: October 7 , 2026 meeting at Tinray's 6 PM
By Greg Belcher • October 1, 2026
New Paragraph
By Greg Belcher • September 3, 2026
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.
By Greg Belcher • September 1, 2026
Date: Sept 2, 2026 meeting at Tinray's 6 PM Guest Speaker : Tim Cruise City Clerk
By Greg Belcher • July 13, 2026
By Greg Belcher • July 11, 2026
By Greg Belcher • July 11, 2026