June Meeting changed to June 11, 2025

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.

Date: June 11th meeting at Tinray's 6 PM Gust Speakers : Moises Rodriques Councilor at Large and Candidate for Mayor and Francia Monteiro Rockland Federal Credit Union

Hello neighbor, 

Hello neighbor, 

Welcome New Member : Francia Monteiro - Community Development Officer

MONTELLO BUSINESS ASSOCIATION MEETING MINUTES FOR MAY 7, 2025 IN ATTENDANCE: Scott Dwyer President, Greg Belcher Treasurer, Lisa Waitt Belcher Secretary, Sue Dwyer, Councilor Win Farwell, Councilor Phil Griffin, Cpt. Bill Hallisey BPD, Gale Lutz-Henrickson and Lee Henrickson, David Lynch, Al Davis, Cpt. Nicholas Tropeano BFD, Paul Stewart and Ben Tubbs from Home Café, Pires Brothers Auto Body 2 reps Adelino Pires and Procopie Pires, resident Michael Nunes, Councilor Shirley Asack, Atty. Jay McLaughlin, Atty. Phil Nessralla, Vinny Colarusso. See below added names invited to join and/or speak. Scott opened with Old Business, see last month posting. Greg announced Treasurer report. Home Café reps said business is way down because people are loitering, parking all over the area including Brewer Ave. off Ames St. behind Home Café so their patrons cannot get to the parking area owned by Home Café. Also since the characters are parked on both sides there is NO WAY a firetruck can get down the street. Giant barrels of alcohol are being consumed on the public way. This is happening Friday and Saturday nights. Pires Brothers Auto Repair licensing is going through city process of transferring license and improving the parking situation on North Main St. At 820 North Main St. Pires Brothers said former Harbor One Bank property is preparing for Citizens Bank opening. Special guest City of Brockton Parking Authority Mr. Eric Akesson, Executive Director. His presentation: Two parking control officers for the entire city so occasionally they can get up to Montello area as opposed to focusing on downtown. Dave Lynch asked what can we do to expand the department? Revenue does not support extra employees. He asked Could extra ticketing revenue justify extra employees? The department generates about $400,000 from tickets per year. Grants might not help to grow this department. Expansion would need to involve Montello Streets, Warren Avenues, not just the “Main” Streets. Win Farwell suggested to add one person, expand the area and see if this justifies the extra person. Parking meter expansion where people are parking all day was suggested, at old parking lots and near MBTA commuter rail stations. Bill Hallisey said Brockton High School this past year has improved over prior years. Recent cancer walk at the high school went well. Homeless population is now at former armory on West Chestnut St. which has improved downtown area. Brewster Ambulance still collects needles.

Date: April 2, 2025 Wed. 6 PM NEW Location Tinrays 9 Winter St Brockton, MA Time: 6PM Guest Speaker : City Clerk Timothy Cruise

Bye Bye Birdie May 16 @ 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm Brockton High School Drama Club Spring Musical: Bye Bye Birdie Friday, May 16th at 7:30 pm Saturday, May 17th at 7:30 pm Sunday, May 18th at 6:00 pm Brockton High School Fine Arts Building, 470 Forest Avenue  Bernadette Werra :Phone Number: 5083264016 Email*:bwerra3@gmail.com Subject*: Brockton High Drama Club Message: Hi! My name is Bernadette and I’m from the Friends Committee of the BHS drama club and we are reaching out to business and community members to ask if they would like to sponsor this years musical Bye Bye Birdie. Sponsors will be listed in the musical’s program. Please reach out to me for further information or to obtain a sponsor form. Thank you and have a good day.

Welcome New Member : Pires Brothers Automotive