December 2025 Meeting Minutes
Minutes
Date | time 12/16/2025 12:10pm | Meeting called to order by Jonathan Jamoulis
In Attendance
Susan Nicastro, Derek Salamone, Karl Schuler, Tom Thibeault, Pastor Jeff Johnson, David Lynch, Michael Lynch, Jonathan Jamoulis, & Karla Rogers
Approval of Minutes
N/A
Special Guests
· Nick Giaquinto & Mary Waldron of the Old Colony Planning Council
· Meeting was held at the Cape Cod Cafe which is located at 979 Main St in the Campello neighborhood. Lunch was provided by Cape Cod Cafe as well.
Treasurer’s Report
· Beginning balance $37158.30
· Receipt of $0
· Debit of $500.00
· Ending balance $36658.30
Motion to accept report made by Tom T, second by David, accepted by group.
- A donation was made to the Charity Guild to help with their tireless efforts, especially at this time of year.
- Motion passed to donate $250 to the Boys and Girls Club for their holiday drives and ongoing programs.
Guest Speakers
About Old Colony Planning Council (OCPC)
Who Are They:
o One of thirteen regional planning agencies in Massachusetts, established by the legislature.
o Serves seventeen communities; will celebrate 60 years in 2027.
o Staff grew from 15 to 27 in 6 years, expanding economic development and planning divisions.
o Board includes delegates from each community, meetings monthly & our open to the public.
Roles & Functions:
o Acts as a neutral, data-driven resource (“Switzerland”) for local government decisions.
o Provides comprehensive planning, transportation, economic development, housing, environmental planning, and services for aging.
o Not a city, county, or state agency; quasi-public.
Key Divisions & Projects:
Comprehensive Planning: Master plans, water studies (e.g., regional water supply), environmental and housing strategies.
Transportation: Road safety audits, traffic counts, walkability studies (e.g., Walk Massachusetts audit in Campello), infrastructure assessments.
Housing: Workforce and affordable housing strategies, compliance with MBTA Communities Act, outreach on food access (e.g., food hub initiatives).
Area Agency on Aging: Ombudsman program for elder care facilities, monthly/quarterly visits, emergency relocation (e.g., after fires in Fall River and Rockland).
Economic Development: Infrastructure inventories, grant writing (e.g., $1.99 million safety grant), commercial/industrial property mapping, brownfields assessment and redevelopment planning.
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Economic Development Initiatives
Regional Economic Development District:
o OCPC recognized federally, operates the Old Colony Economic Development Commission (EDC).
o Completed a new 5-year economic development strategy (SWOT analysis, project lists, infrastructure needs).
o Focus areas: public infrastructure, small business support, commercial/industrial growth, workforce development.
Grant Activities & Projects:
o Applications for EDA grants to bring sewer services to industrial parks (e.g., Avon, Easton).
o $100,000 grant for a tech hub designation along Route 24, supporting advanced manufacturing cluster (60-70 companies).
o Workforce pipeline initiatives: partnerships with local schools, colleges, and industry (e.g., AcuRounds, Evans Machine, FH Peterson Corp).
o Downtown revitalization (e.g., East Bridgewater), Route 18 sewer project ($3M EDA grant), brownfields program ($500,000 EPA grant for site assessments in Whitman, Kingston, Easton).
Challenges & Opportunities:
o Many industrial areas lack sewer infrastructure, limiting business expansion.
o Population decline projected in most OCPC towns except Brockton, raising concerns about tax base and economic sustainability.
o OCPC offers to provide annual updates to community groups on regional trends.
Community Outreach
City Council & Boards:
o Conservation Commission: advancing housing development at the former White Pines Golf Course; addressing wildlife and land use.
o Senior housing ordinance passed; new projects planned for aging residents seeking to downsize.
o Election recounts completed; some appeals pending.
o Housing Authority: Major redevelopment in Campello—demolition and construction of new 6-7 story residential buildings (total ~400 units), focus on walkability and accessibility.
o Infrastructure & Traffic:
o Ongoing issues with signage and parking on Garfield Street; efforts to correct misplacement and resolve resident ticketing.
o Truck routes and street design challenges, especially near Campello train station.
Code Enforcement & Public Safety:
o Task force targeting illegal apartments, unlicensed vehicles, and property code violations.
o Outreach to homeless populations, referrals to community court and social services.
o Weather impacting visibility of homeless encampments; ongoing police engagement.
Community Outreach & Assistance:
o Local church offers food and emergency financial aid to those in need.
o Recent passing of community leader Pastor Jill Wiley noted; church remains a resource for support.
Other business
Meeting Logistics:
o Discussion on best meeting times and frequency; survey distributed to gather preferences. Issues with attendance; suggestions include more frequent reminders and morning-of-emails.
o Please let your meeting preference known of how often, what day of the week, and what time works best for you at CBASecretary@outlook.com
o Membership & Dues reminder—tax deductible, unchanged for years Letters to be sent out soon.
Notable Comments & Concerns
Barriers to Development:
o Frustration from local landowners about regulatory hurdles and lack of city support for private development, contrasted with utility company privileges.
o Calls for more proactive city engagement to support business owners doing things “by the book.”
Population Trends:
o Concerns about predicted population decline and its economic implications.
o OCPC’s work is seen as critical to preventing negative outcomes.
Key Takeaways
o OCPC is a vital, behind-the-scenes regional resource, providing data, planning, and grant support for infrastructure, housing, and economic growth.
o Brockton and surrounding communities face complex challenges: aging infrastructure, housing needs, population concerns, and regulatory barriers.
o Collaboration across agencies, consistent community engagement, and proactive planning are emphasized as essential for regional vitality.
o The community values open communication, regular updates, and support for vulnerable populations and local organizations.
TBD
Motion to adjourn was made at 1:15p.m. and was passed unanimously.
Happy Holidays to all!
Campello Business Association
