Minutes

Eddie Williams, Karl Schuler Jr, Derek Salamone, Susan Nicastro, Fred Niccoli, Richard Hooke, Kevin Brower, Brendan Weeks, Pastor Jeff Johnson, John Messia , Lourdes, Pires, Jonathan Jamoulis, and Karla Lynne Rogers

Allen Truitt from Commonwealth Corp & Dept Youth Services

Old Business

-           Reminder the following offices will be available for the new term in March:

o    2 Board of Director members

o    President

o    Vice President

o    Secretary

-           Please continue to encourage people to join- where else can you have the ears of the mayor’s office, Police & Fire, Councilors, and local clergy!

-           Excited to report that we have 2 inquiries to become a new member:

§   Sharon Credit Union & New Heights Charter School

-           Excited to announce that the mayor’s office has stepped in the 38 ^th Holiday parade will happen on Saturday 11/30. If anyone is interested in participating in the day of the event, whether as a volunteer, a market vendor, or as a participant in the parade itself, reach out to Jazmine Bradsher. She was looking for responses by 10/31 so please move quick!

·          Beginning balance $36310.88

·          Receipt of $0.00

·          Debit of $82.90

·          Ending balance $36227.98

* Reported after meeting was held

Allen Truitt is excited to meet with our group to discuss the program he works with as an Employee Outreach Specialist for the Southeastern region. Commonwealth Corp is a quasi-public agency that was established in 1996 through the merger of two Massachusetts nonprofit organizations: the Industrial Service Program and the Bay State Skills Corporation. The agency is responsible for administering and delivering a wide range of publicly and privately funded programs.

Currently they work with the Department of Youth Services connecting youths (as early as 14 up to 21) who have had some “trouble”, typically after a facility placement or treatment with potential employment opportunities. They provide career navigation- giving them skills & opportunities. They place in various industries but also have shops like woodworking, screen printing, etc.… for the skills portion.

Allen works with employers/businesses to support the youth with tours, interviews, internships- which they can sponsor up to 10-20 hours per week. All prospective placements are screened for basic info prior to interviewing with employer.

For more information on how you can partner- contact them at EOS@CommonCorp.org or reach out to Allen direct using the info below.

Councilor Susan Nicastro- Ward 4

-           Happy to lend support to Allen and the program he works with, personally may have benefited people she cares about, to help explore their passions and turn them into careers.

-           She has been busy with the BPS deficit taking all energies. There is a vote coming up to approve 9 million from the city’s savings account to “right the ship” and pay off the debt, which will deplete all savings. They will then need to begin working on how they can get more money for the city. Question on what happens if the city goes into debt? Susan responded, “that will NOT happen.”

They are struggling with the School Committee not following procurement laws, so an ordinance was passed regarding school transportation costs- ultimately there are limits to the responsibilities & powers of the city council.

John Messia stepped up to say that Mayor Sullivan has asked ea. department to finely tune & cut from their budgets whatever they can (even coffee!)- most have been sent back 3x! They are doing their best to not pass costs onto businesses and constituents of the city.

He agreed that the municipality is burdened with transportation issues. The bidding process needs to occur, the procurement/transportation manager needs to have a logistics background.

He agreed the School Dept is not cooperating, so the mayor’s office continues to work through these concerns.

-           Susan continued to say that she has had a lot of complaints calls lately- nothing of substance and believes people are just “cranky,” the election is changing the climate. We are still a great city filled with great people and hopefully this will all pass soon.

Officer Derek Salamone

-           The new fiscal year brings a focus on new hires. Report given on # of new hires, retirees, etc. Reminder that it takes 12-18 mos. to get a recruit through the process which costs appx 10kk when all is said and done.

-           Residency requirement continues to limit the quantity and quality of officers for our city. Another potential problem is not allowing transfers. This was discussed for some time with most agreeing that now may be the time to change that law.

-           Always available- reach out with any issues.

Chief Edward Williams

-           Fires are down, dumping is down 😊

-           Hiring appx 9 new as well as a Fire alarm operator employee (10 to 14hr shifts) Academy starts Dec/Jan and the deadline for the test is 11/15. For details- see their FB post- https://www.facebook.com/BrocktonFireandLifeSafety

-           Concern with winter coming over overcrowding in houses

11/26, Time: 12pm Location : Cape Cod Cafe. Motion to adjourn was made at 12:48 p.m. and was passed unanimously.