Minutes

 

Mike Lynch, Lt Brendan Weeks, Ofcr Derek Salamone, Cnclr Susan Nicastro, Emma Reardon, Karl Schuler, Lisa Sliney, Joe Thompson, Greg Belcher, Mark Mendes, Tom Thibeault, Jonathan Jamoulis, and Karla Rogers

N/A

·          Chief Brenda Perez- Brockton Police Dept

·          Sargent Michael Skinner- Brockton Police Dept

·          Joe Thompson- Brockton Fire Dept

·          Meeting was held the Soiree District which is located at 1274 Main St and is an event space in the Campello neighborhood. Lunch was provided by the Italian Kitchen of 1071 Main St specializing in Italian specialties.

Old Business

-           As previously discussed, the CBA Board of Directors are still looking for feedback on changes to be made to the by-laws. Please send any you may have to cbasecretary@outlook.com

New Business

-           The Old Colony Planning Council is doing some exciting things for Brockton and with neighboring towns/cities with regards to economic development, comprehensive planning & sustainability, and transportation. We have invited them to come and share with us in September as well.

-           President Jamoulis wanted to make it clear that he welcomes all new business to our area, that it only makes Campello stronger, despite recent events regarding a new business proposed at 1047 Main St.

-           Membership Involvement Initiative

o    There are appx twenty-eight businesses that were previously active but have yet to renew their membership that we would like someone to reach out to. Lisa Sliney volunteered- thanks Lisa!

o    We were able to identify over twenty-five businesses in the area that have never joined and are looking for a volunteer to contact them and review the benefits of membership.

-           WalkMassachusetts conducted a Community Walk audit in Campello on 6/26 in the Nilsson St/Main St area to assess pedestrian conditions in a mixed residential & commercial corridor, identifying opportunities for improved safety & accessibility. There is a second walk scheduled for 7/23 on the West side- details can be found at www.walkmass.org

·          Beginning balance $36271.70

·          Receipt of $350.00

·          Debit of $1168.40

·          Ending balance $35453.30

Motion to accept report made by Tom T, second by Lisa, accepted by group.

-           RESCHEDULED

Copper mill is a development group looking to bring new residences with multipurpose space over near the fairgrounds. We are hoping to have them join us at our September meeting to answer any questions we may have about what their property will mean to us and our businesses.

 

Officer Derek Salamone & Lieutenant Brendan Weeks, with additional commentary from Chief Perez

-           The Police and Fire Departments continue to struggle with staffing and the turnover with their respective departments. Between replacing retirements and less interest- both struggles to meet the budgeted number of positions. Both departments have rigorous/extensive onboarding including background checks, physical assessments, educational academies, etc.… Both agree that it is harder to recruit police than fire (everyone loves a firefighter!) due to police reform, police brutality incidents, & more micromanagement.

-           Police personnel are down 22% leaving openings walking/bike/party patrols. In addition to all other shifts and covering over 100k calls a year (most 911.)

-           Adding in the feeder program which establishes progression from a Jr cadet to cadet to officer has helped.

-           - Other cities are struggling too- New Bedford, Boston- across the state #s are down. It’s not a Brockton issue- it’s a law enforcement issue.

 

 

-           Question raised was that with the summer heat- will there be extra cycles out?

o    The Zero tolerance policing continues to happen with assistance from State & Environmental police.

-           Question raised about traffic patrol issues and motorcycles, minibikes, etc.?

o    A traffic team is on the list & the council supported this in the budget, but staffing is really the issue and without staff- there is only so much they can do. Rapid response takes priority.

-           Reports that one recent graduate and six more from the Plymouth academy in September. In addition, fourteen are scheduled for the PT assessment. If they fail- they get a second chance.

-           Another class from the Citizen’s police academy just graduated after 8 weeks (3hrs /wk) which takes twenty city residents and allows then to understand the daily challenges faced by police officers, & their role in the community.

-           Tentative plan for the new building is the first week of September.

-           For Brockton- we are trending down and that’s a good thing! Part 1 crime (aggravated assault robberies, etc.) gun violence, & fireworks are all down. Recommendation was that the article from the newspaper on the DA’s findings should be shared to show that the perception is worse than reality.

-           The BFD is in a new phase of hiring as within the next 10 years they will have almost 100% turnover.

-           Drill school will begin again in the fall for appx 13 weeks.

-           Spring graduates will begin a 3-month rotation through the three captain houses then will be assigned.

-           Excited for the addition of Joe Thompson to the fire prevention team who will help with investigations after 30 years as a firefighter in the Air Force as a Chief Mastery Sargent & five deployments.

-           The Fire dept is focusing on the fires downtown affiliated with the unhoused population in addition to the rise of illegal subdivides. When structures are illegally changed- it makes it harder for the firefighters to get in and for people to get out. The solution is inspections but that goes back to trouble with staffing.

-           Events

o    7/14- second annual Battle of the Badges softball tournament with BFD scheduled at Campanelli Stadium- flyers will be out shortly

o    8/16- First Responders Jamboree at the Fairgrounds, which is a fun kids/community event

Councilor Susan Nicastro

-           On Monday 6/23 a historic budget was passed- being the City’s largest for over ½ billion with only one cut under Retirement services. If interested- Susan can make it available to share with you. Question regarding whether we will receive federal money. While Susan confirmed we will get a good amount- she doesn’t know how it will affect it. (Sidenote- 80% of Sate & Federal money goes towards schools.)

-           The Zoning and Licensing board have several items regarding Campello businesses/properties listed for discussion. Please use the link below to access the agendas & zoom info should you like to participate:

o    062625 Licensing Commission: License_Agenda_062625.pdf

o    070825 Zoning Board of Appeals: Zoning_Agenda_070825.pdf

Conversation about how these zoning changes or additional residences affect/put a strain on resources such as schools, first responders, etc.

 

Tom Thibeault of the BHA gave a brief update on the status of new towers at the Campello High rise. They were excited to receive a grant but then the department that authorized it was dismantled, fortunately the mayor’s office stepped up to help. Hopefully, the closing will happen by year’s end. It will be a lovely gateway for all entering the Campello neighborhood.

 

Emma Reardon of the Mayor’s office reminded us that Jazmyn Bradsher continues her work with the homeless, providing resources and education. Unfortunately- many do not want or are unwilling to accept it.

 

9/23, 12 noon Location: TBD

Motion to adjourn was made at 1:14p.m. and was passed unanimously.