June 11th 2025 Meeting Minutes

MONTELLO BUSINESS ASSOCIATION MEETING MINUTES FOR June 11th, 2025

IN ATTENDANCE: Scott Dwyer President, Greg Belcher Treasurer, Lisa Waitt Belcher Secretary, Councilor Phil Griffin, Derek Salamone BPD, Gale Lutz-Henrickson and Lee Henrickson, Francia Monteiro representing new member Rockland Federal Credit Union, Moises Rodrigues with one more, Sam Audi Bassam, Lt. Paul Gurney PFD, Fran Fistori, David Lynch, Al Davis, Jeff Smith, Pires Brothers Adelino Pires and Procopie Pires and Manny Pires, Fred Fontaine, Councilor Shirley Asack, Atty. Phil Nessralla, Vinny Colarusso, Jeff Charnel candidate for Councilor at Large and resident of Ward 7, state Rep. Rita Mendes, Paul Stewart with one more from Home Café, Atty. Jay McLaughlin. See below added names invited to join and/or speak.

Scott opened with Old Business, see last month posting. Greg announced Treasurer report.

Discussion started about the Father Bill’s at former armory on West Chestnut St. Building completely redone for sheltering homeless. City reps said no local approval was needed for this project. Now the area is loaded with debris and trash. Note to self: reach out to state and national legislators about this.

Guest speaker Moises Rodrigues Councilor at Large and Candidate for Mayor: He spoke about his past, 12 years in Brockton politics, graduated from Brockton High School in 1980, served in the U.S. Navy for 6 years. Served as interim Mayor for 7 months when Mayor Carpenter died unexpectedly. Montello has been special to him: connections to Cape Verdean Association and church. Business coming into Brockton is great idea but we need to support the existing businesses. Homeless population here is 60% from outside of this city. Shared some of his discussions with homeless: some choose to be homeless, not liking rules, not taking services offered. Brockton young students have to contend with walking to school passing the homeless, needles, trash. Tough love and making some discomfort might motivate some of them. Police have been told to leave them alone. DPW spends hours cleaning every day with the same result of debris and rubbish by the next day. Businesses are leaving the city because of this. Code enforcement here has only 2 officers. The nice guy attitude is not working; homeowners and businesses pay taxes; having a sewer system and gas utility available should be attractive to businesses. Monthly citizen advisory meetings for the public to attend and voice concerns should be implemented. First order of business: homeless issue, secondly Aquaria water backup plant was never purchased to gain control and make money, not waste money paying for nothing all these years; sewer expansion could possibly help the city as well. MWRA closest connection is Blue Hills in Canton. That option is not feasible. Moises spoke well and hopes to be successful in his quest to be mayor because he is dedicated to Brockton. He emphasized action over talk and having the numbers of people to band together to take action.

David Lynch said cleanup of the city would help, street by street, agreed to by Moises.

Brockton Community Development Officer Francia Monteiro spoke for Rockland Federal Credit Union. She is promoting its presence at Westgate Mall for in-person service and businesses banking options.

State Rep. Rita Mendes reported on meetings with business owners with regards to immigration and the gathering/arrests/deportations and is open to answer questions, acknowledging that I.C.E. is a federal agency. Rita proposed a bill to adjust auto insurance premiums based on a new zipcode and calculations. She updated us that the representatives have to be in person at the statehouse; senators can still attend by zoom.

David Lynch questioned selloffs of Salvation Army-owned parcels and what will be allowed on these properties. Shirley Asack has been working with debris and rubbish issues at Salvation Army, Westgate Lanes, and other properties at the Mall. Unfortunately the problem is continuous, lots of mattresses left on sidewalks all over. Tagging such items and placement liens on properties is being done.

Dairy Queen did not get license for drive-thru. Jeff Charnel is chairman of the License Commission. It may be revisited in the future. 

Jeff Smith for D.A. office stated community court at Library hoping for September opening; resources will be available for rehabilitation close by; hoping it becomes a resource for more of the homeless as well. Community service component might help all around.

BFD Paul Gurney spoke briefly, reflecting the department faces the same issues.

BPD Derek Salamone said one academy graduate coming in and 5 or 6 more prospects, 14 potentials for August. 30% of department is 4 years or less, retirement barely balanced by new hires. One cruiser dedicated to writing tickets running out of ink. Citizens Police Academy graduated 20 to enlighten residents about the law enforcement process; trying to hold this once a year. Look for him on city police website as a resource.

Motorcycle issue mentioned, all aware of the issue; focused intensive operations will hopefully help curb activity. Speaking of motorcycles, rumors of sale of police bikes will be investigated. 

Meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m. 

Guest Speaker Moise Rodriques candidate for Mayor