Minutes

 

Greg Belcher, Derek Salamone, Lisa Sliney, Brendan Weeks, Peter Reardon, Mark Mendes, Grant Nickerson, Michael Lynch, Tom Thibeault, Ron Bethoney, Emma Reardon, David Lynch, Karl Schuler, Chris Gowell, James Doucette, Pastor Jeff Johnson, Brenda Perez, Michael Skinner, Bryan Cotter, Charlie Nguyen, Clayton, Barros, George Dipina, Alex Callahan, Jonathan Jamoulis, & Karla Lynne Rogers

N/A

Welcome Mayor Moises Rodrigues & Chief Brenda Perez!

President Report

·          Due To Current Membership Size, Officers and Board Members Were Re ‑ Elected by Motion Rather Than Formal Election Committee.

·          Officers Approved for The Upcoming Term:

o    President: Jonathan Jamoulis

o    Vice President: Jeremy Jamoulis

o    Secretary: Karla Lynne Rogers

o    Treasurer: Karl Schuler Jr

·          Board Of Directors Approved for The Upcoming Term:

o    Ron Bethoney, Jonathan Jamoulis, Pastor Jeff Johnson, David Lynch, & Karl Schuler Jr

·          A Motion Was Made, Seconded, And Approved Unanimously.

Treasurer Report

·          Beginning Balance $36,393.00

·          Receipt Of $0

·          Debit Of $1057.89

·          Ending Balance $35814.11

·          Motion To Accept the Financial Report Was Made, Seconded, And Approved.

Secretary Report

·          Payments Of Dues Have Been Received, Recorded, And Will Shortly Be Cashed.

·          Members Were Reminded That 15 Active Members Still Have Outstanding Dues, Though This Is the Lowest Number Recorded in The Past 5 Years.

 

Unfortunately, Councilor Nicastro had another commitment but wanted to remind the group that if they have any questions or concerns to please reach out to her at snicastro@cobma.us

Guest Speaker- Mayor Moises Rodrigues

Infrastructure & Snow Response

• Brockton Experienced Record Snowfalls (17” In January; 30” + In February), Costing Approximately $1.7 Million.
• City Maintains Approximately 360 Miles of Roadway.
• Two ‑ Way Traffic Conversion Planned for Warren Avenue, Belmont Street, And Portions of Main Street, Pending National Grid Signal Work (Expected April–May).

Business & Economic Development

• Focus On Supporting Existing Businesses While Attracting New Development.
• Long ‑ Term Goal to Rebalance Tax Base From ~70% Residential / 30% Commercial Toward a More Even Distribution.
• Discussion Of Water Infrastructure Improvements, Including Expansion of The Dighton Treatment Facility to Nearly Double Capacity.
• Exploration Of Consolidating Enterprise Funds (Water, Sewer, Highway, Refuse) To Support Infrastructure Investment.
• Both A New City Planner & Social Services Director Will Be Starting in The Next Couple Weeks.

Homelessness & Opioid Response

·          Approximately $2 Million In Opioid Settlement Funds Allocated.

·          Two ‑ Phase Approach:

o    Direct Support Services (Clinicians, Recovery Navigators, Harm Reduction Specialists)

o    Public Safety, Cleanup, And Enforcement

o    Emphasis On Compassion Paired with Accountability “Sympathetic but Forceful”

o    New Ordinances and Stricter Enforcement to Discourage Homelessness in Public Spaces.

o    Service Providers Encouraged to Return Individuals to Their Home Communities Post ‑ Treatment.

Guest Speaker- BPD Chief Brenda Perez

·          Opioid & Homelessness Task Force Task Force to Be Led by Lt. Schlieman.

o    Staffing To Include Clinicians, Recovery Navigators, Harm Reduction Specialists, And Dedicated Police Officers.

o    Program Modeled After Chelsea’s Approach, Adapted for Brockton- Anticipated Launch in Mid-April.

o    Community And Business Collaboration Emphasized.

Constituent Services Update~ Presented by Emma Riordan

o    See-Click-Fix Can Now Be Used to Report Non-Emergency Problems to The City of Brockton from Your Smartphone, Tablet, Or Computer. Use The Seeclickfix App or Use the QR Code Below

Police Department Update~ Presented by Derek Salamone

o    Recent Graduation of the 78th Police Academy Class; Additional Recruits Anticipated in June, Currently There Are Appx 30 Vacant Positions.

o    Civil Service Residency Rules Updated to Allow Brockton Public High School Graduates to Claim Residency Regardless of Current Address.

o    Partial Occupancy of The New Public Safety Building; Public Access Remains Limited.

o    Police Reports May Be Requested Via Email While Records Access Is Restricted.

o    Citizens Police Academy Expected to Resume in Mid-April.

o    No Major Recent Incidents Reported

Fire Department Update~ Presented by Peter Riordan & Brendan Weeks

o    Fire Prevention Bureau, Training Division, And Chief’s Office Operating Out of The New Public Safety Building.

o    Drill School Currently Running With 14 Recruits; Graduation Scheduled for April 10.

o    Safe Grant Funding Increased By 28%, Expanding Fire Safety Education to Grades K–3 And 7.

o    Bimonthly Safety Education for Elderly Residents to Resume Following Academy Completion.

o    Awaiting Two Way Traffic Implementation to Improve Emergency Response Times.

 

·          Challenges Repurposing Vacant City Properties Due To Renovation Costs.

·          Possible Future Use of The War Memorial Building for Health & Human Services Programming.

·          Importance Of Manufacturing, Education, And Entrepreneurship for Brockton’s Growth.

·          Recognition Of Cba as A Valuable Forum Connecting Businesses, City Leadership, And First Responders.

 

Next Meeting Will Be Held On 6/23 At 12pm, Location TBD

Motion To Adjourn Was Made At 12:57 P.M. And Was Passed Unanimously.